Joel 2

The Day of the LORD

Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble: for the day of the LORD cometh, for it is nigh at hand; Joel 2:1–2

Joel warns of the coming day of the LORD, dark and terrible for the wicked. This points to the day Jesus Christ returns in power.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by Zephaniah 1:14-15 — "a day of darkness and gloominess, a day of clouds and thick darkness".

The LORD Before His Army

The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining: Joel 2:10–11

The LORD leads His army and speaks with power as the heavens darken. Jesus used the same signs to describe His Second Coming, and Malachi asks the same question: who can abide the day of His coming?

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alluded to by Matthew 24:29-30 — Sun and moon darkened and stars falling before the sign of the Son of man.
• alluded to by Malachi 3:2 — "But who may abide the day of his coming?"

Jehovah, Gracious and Merciful

Jehovah — the LORD, the eternal I AM

Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: Joel 2:12–13

Jehovah invites His people to real, heart-deep repentance, not outward show, because He is gracious and merciful. That merciful character is fully revealed in Jesus Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• alludes to Exodus 34:6 — The LORD proclaims Himself "merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness".

Teacher of Righteousness (marginal reading)

Be glad then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God: for he hath given you the former rain moderately, and he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month. Joel 2:23

The Hebrew behind "the former rain moderately" can also be read "a teacher of righteousness" (the King James marginal reading), which some have understood as a hint of the Messiah. The echo is uncertain and depends on the translation.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

Jehovah in the Midst of Israel

Jehovah — the LORD, the eternal I AM

And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed. Joel 2:27

Jehovah promises that His people will know He dwells among them and that there is no other God for them. It anticipates the day He will personally reign among His people.

How we know: the verse itself names Him · the chapter heading names Him

Outpouring of the Spirit

And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: Joel 2:28–29

Jehovah promises to pour out His Spirit on all people. Peter declared it fulfilled at Pentecost after the risen Jesus, exalted at the Father's right hand, sent the Holy Ghost; Moroni told Joseph Smith it was about to be fulfilled again.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quoted by Acts 2:16-18 — Peter at Pentecost: "this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel."
• fulfilled by Acts 2:33 — Jesus, "having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this."
• quoted by Joseph Smith—History 1:41 — Moroni quoted Joel 2:28-32 and said it was not yet fulfilled but soon would be.

Signs Before the Great Day of the LORD

And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. Joel 2:30–31

These signs in the heavens come before the great and terrible day of the LORD. Latter-day revelation repeats them as signs of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him

• quoted by Acts 2:19-20 — Peter quotes these signs at Pentecost.
• alluded to by Doctrine and Covenants 45:42 — "The sun shall be darkened, and the moon be turned into blood" before the Lord comes.
• quoted by Joseph Smith—History 1:41 — Part of the passage Moroni quoted to Joseph Smith.

The Name of the LORD

Jehovah — the LORD, the eternal I AM

And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. Joel 2:32

Deliverance comes to all who call on the name of the LORD. Peter and Paul quote this verse and apply "the LORD" directly to Jesus Christ, whose name brings salvation.

How we know: the chapter heading names Him · a footnote points to Him · a Church study aid lists it

• quoted by Romans 10:13 — Paul quotes it right after teaching to confess "the Lord Jesus" (Romans 10:9).
• quoted by Acts 2:21 — Peter ends his Joel quotation with this promise, then preaches Jesus.