When the Locusts Descended

Introduction:

· A drive to Mt. Rundle

LET’S LOOK AT WHAT THESE TWO EVENTS ARE ALL ABOUT – AND WHY THEY MATTER FOR US.  TO DO THAT, LET’S LOOK AT THE CATACLYSMIC DAY, AND THE RESCUE.

I) The Cataclysmic Day of the Lord

A. Introducing Joel

i. Meet the Prophet

1. Joel was a prophet to the southern kingdom

2. Debated, but temple language and absent “Babylon/Assyria” àearly date

ii. When you think “Joel”, Think “locusts” (1:1-2:27)

1. Part I: God stripped away their security to bring Judah back to God

2. “Afterwards”: a greater crisis: “The Day of the Lord!” (vs. 28)

B. The Warning of the Cataclysm

i. A future “Day of the Lord” (vv. 30-31)

1. The “Day of the Lord” is a frequent idea in the Minor prophets

2. The basic elements of the world would be torn to pieces under judgment

ii. God’s Intention: Isn’t this “overdramatic hype”?

1. A biblical view of sin: “It gets into everything.”(Rom. 8:20-21)

Romans 8:20–21 ESV

For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God.

2. ILLUSTRATION: Fire Extinguisher (PICTURE!)

3. God’s judgment is about destroying every last remnant of evil in the world

C. The Promise of The Holy Spirit (vv. 28-29)

i. BUT: Before this, God has a gift

1. Previously, the Spirit was a gift reserved for: Prophets, Priests, Kings

2. Peter at Pentecost: NOW the Spirit is for all in Christ! (Acts 2:17-21)

Acts 2:17–21 ESV

“ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’

ii. Joel’s Promise Fulfilled: The Spirit Brings renewal in the meantime

1. NOT: prophets, priests, kings, AND lay people…but ALL are now…

2. APPLICATION: We are anointed as… (see LD 32)

a. Prophets, to speak and live truth

b. Priests, to offer ourselves in service to God, AND, by praying

c. Kings, to fight evil anywhere in our hearts, or the world

SO, LET’S REVIEW.

II) The Promise of Salvation (vs. 32)

A. Our Need for Rescue

i. The day of the Lord is still coming

1. Review: Locusts à DOTL àBIGGER day àPentecost

2. SO: The day of the Lord is yet to come: When Jesus returns!

3. Atheism longs for justice (but can’t provide);

4. Our problem: Dictators, tyrants, evil people…great! (But not me!)

ii. God’s rescue Plan: “The called will call”

1. Salvation: those who call on the name of the Lord…& those the lord calls

2. ELECTION: There are two ways to see this

a. From our point of view: we don’t know who will be saved, how, when; the offer is extended, and we must decide how to respond

b. From God’s point of view: He has predestined us before the foundation of the world, and knows exactly whom he will save

B. God’s Plan for Our Rescue

i. Calling on the Name of the Lord:

1. To call upon the name of the Lord is to claim the benefits another has

2. EXAMPLE: Airline Club only works if you claim another’s status

ii. An Objection and a hope

1. But isn’t it arrogant to claim that your religion is superior?

2. To claim all religions are equal is a view that is also claiming superiority

3. BUT more: All other religions teach: “Here’s what to do!” and Christianity says, “Here’s what Jesus has done – take shelter in it. Call on his name.”

Transition:

Conclusion

What happened on Mt Zion?