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Study On Joel And Daniel 11

Transcription by David Bunds

Dear Brother Steve and friends, this is Vernon speaking. I'm very thankful that we're able in these days to have the wonderful messages of truth and we're going to share at this present time with you the understanding God has given in regards to the writings of the prophets.

Brethren in Wisconsin, Revelation, chapter 10: If you'll turn with me in your bibles to this chapter let's see what the bible is saying. For those of you who wish confirmation in any statement from Sr. White, I'd like to refer you to II Selected Messages, pages 52, where Sr. White says, "Those who do not accept the word of God just as it reads, will be snared in the devil's trap." So that's the statement I want to read from Ellen White at this season.

Now, Revelation chapter 10. What is the lesson to be taught there? John witnesses a: "mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow {was} upon his head, and his face {was} as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire:" Rev. 10:1

Notice, this messenger from heaven is a messenger of magnitude. Why is it that he is in such garments as these, the cloud, face as the sun, rainbow upon his head, feet as pillars of fire? For those who inquire, the answer that I can give you is found in Deuteronomy, chapter 32, which begins, God speaking: "My doctrine shall drop as the rain and shall distil as the dew." Deut. 32:2a

God's truth, God's word is holy and perfect, we know that don't we? God has a message for the last days. It's called the refreshing from the presence of the Lord. People are familiar with Joel 2:28, which God promises the former and latter rain. This is a message of truth which is to be given to God's people that may know the work that God has prepared for them to do. But notice how it comes. An angel is sent from heaven. Okay. Are we to believe an angel from heaven? Well, notic this angel, verse 2: "And he had in his hand a little book open:" Rev. 10:2a

What do we think that book is? Could it be the bible? Could it be the book of Daniel as Adventists believe? For sake of argument it might even be the book of Obadiah. There's only one chapter in that book and that's definitely a little book isn't it? But regardless of the point we know that whatever the angel has to present is found contained in a little book.

"And he set his right foot upon the sea, and {his} left {foot} on the earth, And cried with a loud voice, as {when} a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices." Rev. 10:2b-3

Now notice. If we could really witness an angel, it would wake us up wouldn't it, or would it? Christ stated that, "if they believe not Moses and the prophets, though one rose from the dead they would not believe." So if somebody rose from the dead and we would not believe, I think it hard that we would even believe if an angel came from heaven. But notice, when the angel cried as when a lion roareth seven thunders uttered their voices. Whatever the message is about that little book it's designed to wake us up. Seven thunders, what more could God use to shake his people that they may know his purpose as written in the book?

"And when the seven thunders (verse 4) had uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Seal up those things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not." Rev. 10:4

Now notice. Seven thunders uttered and yet sealed. John the Revelator was not permitted to reveal this truth about the book. Which means simply to us today that there is a message or a truth contained in the book which God has not permitted his people to fully understand.

"And the angel which I saw stand upon the sea and upon the earth lifted up his hand to heaven, And sware by him that liveth for ever and ever, who created heaven, and the things that therein are, and the earth, and the things that therein are, and the sea, and the things which are therein, that there should be time no longer:" Rev. 10:5-6

Now we as Seventh-Day Adventists understand this to refer to prophetic time. But who has the right to say that when itself does not say that? The scripture in its context says, "time no longer." No longer referring to what? The book? The seven thunders? What is this mystery about the seven thunders that John was not permitted to write? Well, verse 7 explains by stating: "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel" Rev. 10:7a Not the third angel, not the fourth, fifth or sixth: "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets." Rev. 10:7

Now notice. Brethren in the Seventh-Day Adventist church. You have proclaimed for years that you are presenting this message to the world. But notice. Do you know the writings of the prophets? Can you harmonize and chroniclize all that they have spoken in the message for the seventh angel? You, as well as I, must admit you have not this ability. The book of Daniel is definitely a little book but it contains twelve chapters whereas I know of many books of the Old Testament dealing with prophecy have of less chapters than chapter than 12. They have far, far less chapters. But here's the key. Whatever the mystery may or may not be, it is found in the writings of the prophets because God has declared to them.

"And the voice which I heard from heaven spake unto me again, and said, Go {and} take the little book which is open in the hand of the angel which standeth upon the sea and upon the earth. And I went unto the angel, and said unto him, Give me the little book. And he said unto me, Take {it}, and eat it up; and it shall make thy belly bitter, but it shall be in thy mouth sweet as honey. And I took the little book out of the angel's hand, and ate it up; and it was in my mouth sweet as honey: and as soon as I had eaten it, my belly was bitter." Rev. 10:8-10

Now what book of the bible do you think possibly could be considered a small book and be bitter in the belly? Well, you know the book of Obadiah for instance it talks about Esau. Esau had an eating problem. But the book turns out to be a good book when it states that on Mount Zion shall come forth saviours which shall judge the mount of Esau. Well, that reminds me of Revelation chapter 14, where there will be a 144,000 on Mount Zion at a specific time, at a specific place, in a specific manner. But this is just my thoughts.

But nevertheless what the scripture has emphasized is that "in the days of the voice of the seventh angel the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets." John is commanded to take this book and eat it up. And in his mouth it is sweet but the effect of the book is bitter in the belly.

"And he said unto me, Thou must prophesy again..." Rev. 10:11a

That's the bitter experience. We have not understood the writings of the prophets. We have not eaten the book. But once upon eating we find there is responsibility because the prophecies explain what God's people must and must not do in the latter days to be saved.

"...before many peoples, and nations, and tongues, and kings." Rev. 10:11b

Was there a second angels message? Was there a third? Yes. "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets."

Now for our study let's simply go back to the writings of the prophets. But see there's a far gap between my understanding and the individuals understanding pertaining to the prophecies. Let's begin with the book of Daniel.

Let's review what we have already learned about Daniel. We know that Daniel was one of the captives taken by king Nebuchad-nezzar according to the fulfillment of Isaiah chapter 39. Isaiah told king Hezekiah that his sons, his seed would be eunuchs in the palace of the kings of Babylon. This was a fulfillment of prophecy. Daniel was told in the second chapter, the history of the world relating to the kingdoms of Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. But according to the prophecies of Daniel, additional light came. The additional light referred to more complex events like for instance in the seventh chapter of Daniel. Daniel beheld the four winds striving upon the great sea and he saw four empires rise up. But instead of being symbolized as a man image with a head of a gold, arms of silver, belly of brass, legs of iron, feet part of iron and part of clay, he witnessed in this vision the same kingdoms being illustrated as beasts. Beast kingdoms. A lion, the bear, the leopard and the eagle. This is the burden of the seventh chapter. We find that he was given additional information about future events in the eighth chapter. In the ninth chapter even again Daniel is give certain prophetic events which must be understood.

Now people say to me consistently, "Vernon, why is it you don't talk about the gospel? How come you always want to talk about prophecy?" Well, you see, prophecy, Peter tells us, is a light that shines in a dark place. Now how would you have liked to have been Cyrus, the king of Persia, who came according to prophecy and understood the prophecies and demanded that God's people return to their land and yet they did not because they did not fully understand the prophecies? How would you have liked to have been Alexander the Great who died a death because simply he was fulfilling prophecy and knew not the day of his visitation? How would you like to be the Jews who did not fully understand the significance of Daniel chapter nine so that when Messiah came he found them unprepared for his gospel? And yet today we ourselves are in a period of time when we don't even understand the prophecies. Revelation 10 is a Messiah to us, that mighty angel who comes down bears the word of the Lord and states that "in the days of the voice of the seventh angel the mystery of God will be finished", as he declared to who? "His servants the prophets."

For instance, let's take a look at Daniel, chapter 10, verses nineteen. This is Gabriel speaking to Daniel: "And said, O man greatly beloved, fear not: peace {be} unto thee, be strong, yea, be strong. And when he had spoken unto me, I was strengthened, and said, Let my lord speak; for thou hast strengthened me. Then said he, Knowest thou wherefore I come unto thee? and now will I return to fight with the prince of Persia: and when I am gone forth, lo, the prince of Grecia shall come. But I will shew thee (Gabriel tells Daniel) that which is noted in the scripture of truth: and {there is} none that holdeth with me in these things, but Michael your prince." Dan. 10:21

Now notice, Gabriel is to teach Daniel, in the eleventh chapter, that which is noted already in the scripture of truth. What books were available to Daniel in his day? Well, take notice that in Revelation, excuse me, Daniel chapter 9 we find that Daniel was studying the book of Jeremiah, this is found in the second verse of chapter 9. Daniel's whole prayer in the ninth chapter is based upon the deliverance of God's people out of Babylon to be restored back into their land. Well, we see here whatever maybe contained in the eleventh chapter, Gabriel explains clearly that the mystery is simply that he will now show unto Daniel that which is noted in the scripture of truth. So the book of Isaiah, Hosea, Amos, Obadiah, Jeremiah and such books were written way before the book of Daniel was written. What great mystery is contained therein? We are not going to belabor this chapter. What we are going to simply do is cover some simple ground to make people think or at least to try to make people think, that they may hunger and thirst after truth as it is in Christ.

Notice. We see the work of the King of the North as being a work that takes place all the way from the time of Messiah to the end of the world. Now no man has really lived that long. But we know there has been a power in the world who has inspired men to do his bidding as there is a power in heaven who by the Holy Ghost inspires men to do His bidding. So the power between good and evil has been a consistent warfare since the beginning of time. But notice about the King of the North. We find out in verses forty: "And at the time of the end shall the king of the south push at him: and the king of the north shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, and shall overflow and pass over." Dan. 11:40

Now what does this verse mean? Well, at the time of the end. This king of the South whoever he may or may not be is going to push at who? Him, referring to the King of the North. Verses 40, chapter 11, that's what it says, at the time of the end: "...shall come against him like a whirlwind, with chariots, and with horsemen, and with many ships; and he shall enter into the countries, (not just one country but many) and shall overflow and pass over. He shall enter also into the glorious land, and many {countries} shall be overthrown:" Dan. 11:40b-41a

Now notice verse 41. This northern kingdom or King of the North enters into the glorious land. What it is the glorious land? Well, many people believe it to be Palestine or Israel. And this must be so because the next verse says: "...many {countries} shall be overthrown: but these shall escape out of his hand, {even} Edom, and Moab, and the chief of the children of Ammon." Dan. 11:41

Well, clearly the glorious land must be Israel because these nations of Edom, Moab and Ammon are now known as the Arab countries. Now notice: "He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt (which is a southern country) shall not escape. But he (referring to the King of the North, verse 33) shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt: and the Libyans and the Ethiopians {shall be} at his steps." Daniel 11:43

Even the parts of south, north Africa. Now notice. Let's review. From verses 40 to verses 43 what do we find. The time of the end this King of the South pushes at the King of the North. The King of the North in turn comes against the south like a whirlwind. He overflows the countries and many shall be overthrown by him. He goes into Palestine or the Glorious Land but the Arab countries escape. He even goes and stretches forth his hand against Egypt and he has all the powers of gold and silver and treasure and the precious things of Egypt. "But tidings (verse 44 states, or news) out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him:" Dan. 11:44a

That's important information to know. After the King of the North has apparently done away with all of these kingdoms, he hears these tidings eastward and from the north.

"therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many." Dan. 11:44 ...or utterly take away many. Who does he want to take away? Well, let's find out.

"And he (the King of the North) shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas..." Dan. 11:45a

What seas? Remember now, the Glorious Land is Israel, so we have the Mediterranean and the Persian, right?

"...in the glorious holy mountain..." Dan. 11:45b

What holy mountain?

"...yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him." Dan. 11:45c

Now, people say, "Well what do I have to worry about that? I believe in Jesus." Now notice. Chapter 12, verse 1:"And at that time..." Dan. 12:1a At what time? The time he shall plant the tabernacles of his palace between the seas and the glorious holy mountain.

"...at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation {even} to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book." Dan. 12:1b

Now brethren, honestly, before God, if we do not know the events that are foretold by Christ's own testimony, which Revelation 19 tells us, "the testimony of Jesus Christ is the Spirit of Prophecy", then we can be assured that our name is not in that book because how can we fulfill that which we know not? The Pharisees fulfilled prophecy, they killed the Son of God, did they not? They did because they knew not the truth pertaining to the events of their day.

But here is a prophecy that tells about the King of the North and it also tells us about these tidings of which the King of the North hears makes him go forth with fury to utterly take away many. Now notice. At this time, Michael stands up, chapter 12, verse 1 says clearly. Verses 2 of chapter 12:"And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame {and} everlasting contempt." Dan 12:2

Not only will many of the righteous be raised but many of the wicked likewise. Revelation says they shall see Him whom they have pierced. Now notice. Verse 3: "And they that be wise (the margin says teachers) shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." Dan. 12:3

So that's good news. Don't you think it's important to know who the King of the North is? Don't you think it's important to know why he goes into Palestine for and who he tries to take away? Now notice. Verses 4, chapter 12: "But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, {even} to the time of the end:" Dan 12:4a This books been sealed, even to the time of the end.

"many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased." Dan. 12:4b That's a sign we can see today isn't it?

"Then I Daniel looked, and, behold, there stood other two..." Dan 12:5a Other two people were there listening to this message, right? Watch: "...the one on this side of the bank of the river, and the other on that side of the bank of the river. And {one} said to the man clothed in linen, which {was} upon the waters of the river, How long {shall it be to} the end of these wonders?" Dan. 12:5b-6

It's a mystery. How long will it be? Verse 7: "And I heard the man clothed in linen, which {was} upon the waters of the river, when he held up his right hand and his left hand unto heaven,..." Dan. 12:7a

Not like the angel of Revelation 10 just holds up one hand, right? This angel holds up both hands.

"...and sware by him that liveth for ever that {it shall be} for a time (which is one year), times, and an half;" Dan. 12:7b That says three and a half years isn't it?

"and when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people,..." Dan. 12:7c Now wait a second. Who is the "he" brought to view in this verse? Can anybody guess? Notice in chapter 11, verses 44: "But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many." Dan. 11:44 ...or take away many. Verse 7, chapter 12: "...time, times, and an half; and when he (the King of the North) shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these {things} shall be finished." Dan 12:7b

Now wait. The King of the North goes into Palestine. He hears tidings out of the east and out of the north which trouble him. He goes forth to utterly take away many and he sets up his tabernacle between the seas and the glorious holy mountain. He goes to scatter the what? Holy people, which mean the holy people at this time must be where? The glorious land. Which is where? Palestine. Now notice: "And I heard (verse 8), but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what {shall be} the end of these {things}? And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words {are} closed up and sealed till the time of the end. Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand." Dan. 12:8-10

So how can we be wise if we do not know these prophecies and what they really mean? Key: "And from the time {that} the daily..." Dan 12:11a

The word "sacrifice" being in funny looking letters [italics] there means that it was added by the translators though it was not a part of the original Hebrew text. So we read it as this: "And from the time {that} the daily shall be taken away, and the abomination that maketh desolate set up, {there shall be} a thousand two hundred and ninety days. Blessed {is} he that waiteth, and cometh to the thousand three hundred and five and thirty days. But go thou thy way till the end {be}: for thou shalt rest, and stand in thy lot at the end of the days." Dan. 12:11-13

Now as Adventists it's taught that this refers to the prophecies relating to the 1260 and 1335 days, each day for a year. But there is nowhere in this Bible that it states for the prophecy of Daniel 11 and 12 that God has given a day for a year. It does state that it is a time, times and a half which is three and a half years. We obtain that from the third and fourth chapter of Daniel where it talks about Nebuchadnezzar being a tree saying that seven times shall pass over him which was seven years. But in this prophecy nowhere can we obtain as a rule by faith a day for a year any true theological facts relating to this time period except it is literal days. And notice, there was nobody that arose from the graves in 1844, was there? Neither good or bad. The only people that were delivered in the book were those who were a part of the judgement of the dead. But let's review.

From verse 40 to verse 45 of chapter 11, the time of the end. King of the South pushes at the King of the North. Verse 41, the King of the North goes into the glorious land. But the Arab countries, Edom, Moab and Ammon escape. Verse 42: "He shall stretch forth his hand also upon the countries: and the land of Egypt shall not escape." Dan. 11:42

Egypt is also taken into captivity by this northern army. Verse 43, the northern army has plenty of finances, plenty of money. "But he shall have power over the treasures of gold and of silver, and over all the precious things of Egypt:" Dan. 11:43a

Now, even parts of north Africa shall be within his reach. That's where all the gold and silver and oil is isn't it? Verse 44, but he hears something: "But tidings out of the east and out of the north shall trouble him: therefore he shall go forth with great fury to destroy, and utterly to make away many." Dan. 11:44

He tries to plant his tabernacles of his palace or miniature headquarters, between the seas, Mediterranean, Persian Gulf and the glorious holy mountain, which would be what mountain? Well, how about mount Zion in Jerusalem.

"yet he shall come to his end, and none shall help him." Dan. 11:45b Why? Verses, chapter 12, verse 1: "And at that time shall Michael stand up." Dan 12:1a ...and deliver God's people from the King of the North. We need to understand these things. Read this prophecy over and over and over again. And these people that are to be delivered are to wait 1290 days. Within what period? Well, time, times and a half is three and a half years. But how can this prophecy be harmonized perfectly with the prophecies of today? Well, Revelation 10 states: "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel...the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets." Rev. 10:7

Let's look into the book of Joel and see what wisdom God has placed there that we might understand these things. As God has given each messenger a portion of the truth, we must harmonize each prophecy of the Bible that we may know the whole truth and be prepared to be delivered because we are written in the book. If we are the ones who fulfill prophecy in these days, then it is God who has spoken of us long ago, that through the writings of the prophets God may foreknow us by the Spirit of prophecy. If we do not fulfill God's word, we are not written in His book. But if we fulfill that which is written we are in God's book as a surety. We are children of light.

Joel, chapter 1, verse 1: "The word of the Lord that came to Joel the son of Pethuel. Hear this, ye old men, and give ear, all ye inhabitants of the land. Hath this been in your days, or even in the days of your fathers? Tell ye your children of it, and {let} your children {tell} their children, and their children another generation. That which the palmerworm hath left hath the locust eaten; and that which the locust hath left hath the cankerworm eaten; and that which the cankerworm hath left hath the caterpiller eaten. Awake, ye drunkards, and weep; and howl, all ye drinkers of wine, because of the new wine; for it is cut off from your mouth." Joel 1:1-5

Now, here's five verses we have read. Remember what Sr. White says in II Selected Messages? Take the word as it reads. Here's a prophecy of which the prophet sees a time that he asks the old men to hear and to give ear. Something is taking place which has never taken place in their days but they are yet to keep it as a memorial to tell the future generations. There is utter famine in verse 4. These bugs have eaten all of the food. Verse 5, the drunkards and the weep because you see the wine and the new wine is cut off from your mouth. Why? Verse 6 explains: "For a nation is come up upon my land, strong, and without number, whose teeth {are} the teeth of a lion, and he hath the cheek teeth of a great lion." Joel 1:6

What has this nation done? Verse 7 tells us: "He hath laid my vine waste, and barked my fig tree:" Joel 1:7a In the margin it says for barked, laid my fig tree bare. "he hath made it clean bare, and cast {it} away; the branches thereof are made white." Joel 1:7

So we see that God has permitted a nation to come upon his land. Has taken away all the food and the burden of the prophet is this, "Has this been in your days?" Sure there's no wine. The new wine is cut off because this nation has come up and destroyed, wasted, verse 7, wasted the vine and barked the fig tree. So what has God admonished his people to do? Verse 8: "Lament like a virgin girded with sackcloth for the husband of her youth. The meat offering and the drink offering is cut off from the house of the Lord; the priests, the Lord's ministers, mourn." Joel 1:8-9

Now in the margin for "meat" it says oblation or bread offering. The bread and the wine. Notice, verse 10: "The field is wasted, the land mourneth; for the corn is wasted: the new wine is dried up, the oil languisheth." Joel 1:10

There is nothing to eat for these people. These people that are fulfilling this prophecy, a nation has come upon the land that they are inhabiting and it has made them utterly hungry. Notice: "Be ye ashamed, O ye husbandmen; howl, O ye vinedressers, for the wheat and for the barley; because the harvest of the field is perished." Joel 1:11

See, nothing to eat. No wheat means no flour. No flour, no bread. No barley, no grain, no wine, no fig trees, no food. Isn't that what it's saying brethren in Wisconsin? [End of side one]

"The vine is dried up, and the fig tree languisheth; the pomegranate tree, the palm tree also, and the apple tree, {even} all the trees of the field, are withered: because joy is withered away from the sons of men. Gird yourselves, and lament, ye priests: howl, ye ministers of the altar: come, lie all night in sackcloth, ye ministers of my God: for the meat offering and the drink offering is withholden from the house of your God." Joel 1:12-13

In ancient Israel, twice a day, God had an offering called the daily. The daily consisted of a lamb slain in the morning at the third hour in time beginning from six in the morning till six at night. The morning was six, seven, eight, from eight to nine was the third hour. From two to three was the ninth hour. There was a continual daily sacrifice that was to be offered in behalf of God's people known as the daily. We can see clearly in this prophecy of Joel that according to Christ, if He was the sacrificial Lamb, which we know He was sacrificed in the morning died in the evening, fulfilling the daily, then when Christ was taken away He gave to His people bread and wine stating that "as often as you do this you do show the Lord's death till He come." But if all of the wheat was to be perished and all of the wine was to be taken away we could not keep the daily could we? No we could not. As we see in this prophecy, this northern army or this king, this kingdom, this nation has taken from God's people, ministers of my God, verse 13 says, the ability to keep a meat offering and a drink offering. So what is the only conclusion? Verse 14 says: "Sanctify ye a fast, call a solemn assembly, gather the elders {and} all the inhabitants of the land {into} the house of the Lord your God, and cry unto the Lord," Joel 1:14

They can only cry, can't they? Verse 15: "Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord {is} at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come." Joel 1:15

Notice how the prophet directs the people away from their situation but explains that this is a sign that now the Lord's day is to come. Is this not like the book of Daniel which states how the King of the North comes in to utterly take away many because he hears tidings out of the east and out of the north which trouble him? Daniel 12 says: "when he shall have accomplished to scatter the power of the holy people, all these {things} shall be finished." Dan. 12:7

But notice, when Michael stands up, whose going to win? Well, the Lord is, isn't He, not the King of the North, not the wicked, but God is going to deliver or the Lord is going to stand up, Michael will stand up and deliver those who are found written in the book. This is the day of the Lord. This is when the Lord shows His power. Notice verse 16: "Is not the meat cut off before our eyes, {yea}, joy and gladness from the house of our God? The seed is rotten under their clods, the garners are laid desolate, the barns are broken down; for the corn is withered." Joel 1:16-17

This is a famine, a famine in the land. "How do the beasts groan! the herds of cattle are perplexed, because they have no pasture (there's no grass to eat); yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate. (verse 19) O Lord, to thee will I cry: for the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness, and the flame hath burned all the trees of the field." Joel 1:19

What has happened? This army, that verse 6 states, has come upon God's land, has taken liberty to burn up all the agricultural produce of the land of Israel. Notice: "The beasts of the field cry also unto thee: for the rivers of waters are dried up, and the fire hath devoured the pastures of the wilderness." Joel 1:20

What is this a sign of? We know in Daniel, chapter 11, the King of the North utterly takes away many. But the book of Joel explains how he chooses to do so by destroying Israel's ability to live by taking away their food after taking away their military might. It's easy as far as he's concerned to scare them out for fear of starvation but God has another plan. Michael is to stand up. Michael has an army. He is to do a work. "Blow ye the trumpet in Zion (chapter 2 begins. Zion is the holy mountain), 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

So as we see this nation upon God's land, taking away all the agricultural food, giving God's people a hard time, we find that now the warning is blow the trumpet, for now Michael will stand up and his day will come.

"A day of darkness and of gloominess (verse 2), a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong." Joel 2:2a

Who are these people? Who are these people here? Who are these people that are going to be a part of the day of the Lord? "There hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, {even} to the years of many generations. A fire devoureth before them; and behind them a flame burneth: the land {is} as the garden of Eden before them, and behind them a desolate wilderness; yea, and nothing shall escape them. The appearance of them {is} as the appearance of horses; and as horsemen, so shall they run." Joel 2:2b-4

This is a powerful army isn't it? God likens these men to horses, doesn't he? Verse 5: "Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap, like the noise of a flame of fire that devoureth the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array. Before their face the people shall be much pained: all faces shall gather blackness." Joel 2:5-6

Brethren, this day of the Lord, as explained of by Joel is a day when people are going to face people they've never faced before. These people that God's going to use, verse 7 says: "They shall run like mighty men; they shall climb the wall like men of war; and they shall march every one on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks: Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk every one in his path: and {when} they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded." Joel 2:7-8

These people that Joel talks about cannot die. Verse 9: "They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall, they shall climb up upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief. 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 2:9-10

Wait a second. That something that's interesting. That's never happened before. Notice verse 11: "And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: (This is the Lord's army! Notice.) for his camp {is} very great: for {he is} strong that executeth his word:" Joel 2:11a

Isn't this the Lord's word? Did not the prophet Joel write by the power of God? Joel says that the land of Israel will be made desolate because a nation has come upon it who is tearing it to pieces. But notice, Joel 2, another army arises. This army cannot be hurt or wounded. This army follows the Lord and God is strong that executeth his word. In the writings of the prophecies, all the prophets talk about this army. "For the day of the Lord {is} great and very terrible; and who can abide it?" Joel 2:11b

So what's the admonition to God's people at the time this message is being given? "Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye {even} to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he {is} gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. (verse 14) Who knoweth {if} he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; {even} a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God?" Joel 2:12-14

Can you imagine that this threat revealed in Joel 2 is a warning because of the kingdom that's come upon God's land? They don't know there fixin' to be whipped, do they? Do you think the King of the North in Daniel chapter 11 thinks he's going to be whipped? If he knew the bible prophecies he would know it, wouldn't he? How about those of us today who do not know these things, should we not fast and weep to the Lord that we may hear more inspired messages that we may understand God's perfect will as revealed to his servants the prophets? Notice: "Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly: Gather the people, (There must be people there in Israel, right?) sanctify the congregation, (Must be God's congregation.) assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet. Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare thy people, O Lord, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them: wherefore should they say among the people, Where {is} their God?" Joel 2:15-17

God's people, according to the book of Joel, are to have a hard time in the future. But nevertheless God gives a warning. God will vindicate. Michael will stand up. Notice: "Then will the Lord be jealous for his land..." Joel 2:18a

Once God's people understands these truths and applies them and works in coordination with God to know all that the prophets have written then God will be merciful unto his land. "Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, and pity his people." Joel 2:18

Only those who are found written in the book, right? "Yea, the Lord will answer and say unto his people, Behold, I will send you corn, and wine, and oil, and ye shall be satisfied therewith: and I will no more make you a reproach among the heathen:" Joel 2:19

So notice, Daniel, chapter 11, the King of the North goes into Palestine. He whips up on people. Notice the book of Joel explains that this nation is come into the land and has burned up all the vegetation. God's people are hungry. God's counsel is they should weep and fast to the Lord, make this event something of profit. And then it talks about the great and dreadful day of the Lord, the day when Michael, as Daniel says, chapter 12, verse 1, shall rise up and then King of the North will be punished. Notice. Verse 20 of chapter Joel 2: "But I will remove far off from you the northern {army}..." Joel 2:20a

Brethren in Wisconsin, the bible truth is plain now that God revealing it through is servant. This northern army brought to view in the second chapter of Joel is the same prophecy about Daniel 11 and 12 which if people do not understand they cannot be written in the book of the living. "...and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea..." Joel 2:20b ...again the Persian. That's going in towards the Arab countries. "...and his hinder part toward the utmost sea..." Joel 2:20c ...which is again, we know, the Mediterranean. "...and his stink shall come up, and his ill savour shall come up, because he hath done great things." Joel 2:20d

This northern army is to do great things. They're to able overtake a lot of property in the last days. This next war that's fixin' to take place in the world is going to be a war which God is already called the shots on and those who know the truth for this time will have nothing to fear. Verse 21: "Fear not, O land (What land? Palestine); be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things. Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring..." Joel 2:21-22a

God's going to give food not only to his people during this time but also to the beasts. "...for the tree beareth her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength." Joel 2:22b

Notice, once God drives out the northern army out of Palestine then the message is, verse 23, chapter 2: "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

If you don't know when this is, how can you be receiving those showers of blessing if you don't even know who the King of the North is and how God's going to drive him out? "And the floors shall be full of wheat, and the fats shall overflow with wine and oil. And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpiller, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you." Joel 2:24-25

So we see that these symbols of these pests are not really pests but they're symbols of this northern army which God considers them as pests. "And ye shall eat in plenty, and be satisfied, and praise the name of the Lord your God, that hath dealt wondrously with you: and my people shall never be ashamed. And ye shall know that I {am} in the midst of Israel..." Joel 2:26-27a

That's the only true Israel, those who believe his word, right? What has to happen before we know this? We have to first endure hunger. We have to first know that the day of the Lord comes when this northern army goes into Palestine to utterly take away many, but Michael stands up and as verse 20 of chapter 2 says in Joel, God will remove far off from you, God's people who have sought him during that day, the northern army, will drive him towards the east. "And ye shall know (verse 27) that I {am} in the midst of Israel, and {that} I {am} the Lord your God, and none else:" Joel 2:27a

See, my God is the God of prophecy. My God is the Word. My God is the testimony of Jesus Christ which is the Spirit of prophecy for the last days. I believe in Revelation, chapter 10, that "the mystery of God should be finished as he hath declared to his servants the prophets." Now notice, the northern army is driven out. God's people have something to eat. Verse 28: "And it shall come to pass afterward..." Joel 2:28a

After what? After the previous events already explained take place. "...{that} I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy..." Joel 2:28b

No prophesying before the northern army is driven out. See Branches, isn't Christ the vine aren't we the branches if we believe his truth? "...your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke." Joel 2:28c-30

That's never happened yet. This all takes place after Michael has stood up and casts out the King of the North. Notice: "The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the Lord come." Joel 2:31

This is an event that takes place after the signs of Revelation six. "And it shall come to pass, {that} whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: (Why?) for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said..." Joel 2:32a

Again, has God spoken this before? By all the prophets my brethren. And if we do not believe all that the prophets have written we do not believe Revelation chapter 10 and therefore we do not believe the testimony of Jesus Christ which is the Spirit of prophecy. "...as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call." Joel 2:32

Brethren, upon hearing these tapes and seeing this truth as written in the Bible you are being called to be a part of a remnant of those who will uphold the Bible and the Bible only as the only rule of faith. Do you have faith that Joel was a true prophet? Do you have faith that John the Revelator saw that "in the days of the voice of the seventh angel the mystery of God should be finished as he declared to the prophets?" If so, John states that in the prophecies is the mystery of God which will be finished in the last message to be given to the world, the seventh angel. "For, behold, in those days, and in that time, (chapter 3, verse 1) when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem," Joel 3:1

Meaning the northern army will be kicked out and only God's people will be permitted to be there as Revelation the 14th chapter declares. John saw on Mount Zion a hundred and forty four thousand with the Father's name in their forehead. "I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat..." Joel 3:2a

The nations of the earth during this time must make a decision for right or for wrong. To believe God's prophecies and all that he has spoken by literally seeing them, or by rejecting them. Christ taught truths that were contrary to the peoples opinion in his day but yet they killed him but he rose. But notice today. I'm trying to get your minds open to see that Joel is the same prophecy as Daniel 11 and 12. If you do not believe now, nevertheless you will see later. But it will not be profitable for you who had a chance now to see the truth as it is in Christ, his own personal testimony as written by the prophets. But those who've never had a chance to know they will in that day, by seeing Zion and Jerusalem and the remnant whom the Lord has called, they will be able to be gathered all nations to the valley of Jeho-shaphat and will be plead with, as it says in verse 2, chapter 3: "...and will plead with them there for my people and {for} my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land." Joel 3:2

Well, the heathen today are still symbolized as Babylon, Medo-Persia, Greece and Rome. From these kingdoms came all nation-alities and sabbath keepers are pushed around and abused and being mistreated and stuff. But nevertheless look: "And they have cast lots for my people; and have given a boy for an harlot, and sold a girl for wine, that they might drink." Joel 3:3

God's people, according to God, are dealt with as if they were worth nothing. No more worth than something to drink or for a little pleasure from a harlot. "Yea, and what have ye to do with me, O Tyre, and Zidon, and all the coasts of Palestine? will ye render me a recompence? and if ye recompense me, swiftly {and} speedily will I return your recompence upon your own head;" Joel 3:4

In that day all the merchant cities who have mingled religion with commercialism will definitely want to pay their way into the kingdom won't they? But to no avail. Verse 5: "Because ye have taken my silver and my gold, and have carried into your temples my goodly pleasant things: (verse 6) The children also of Judah and the children of Jerusalem have ye sold unto the Grecians, that ye might remove them far from their border." Joel 3:5-6

Today everyone keeps talking about the New Testament which is greek, greek, greek, greek, greek. But is not the New Testament to be holistic? Is not the Revelation the last phase of the New Testament? Is it not the last book written which says that "in the days of the voice of the seventh angel the mystery of God should be finished as he hath declared to his servants the prophets?" So God's upset today with the nations of the earth who are symbolized as these ancient pagan powers. Sure we have Matthew, Mark, Luke and John and they teach the importance of the knowledge of prophecy. Sure we have Corinthians, Ephesians, Galatians and such books, the books of Peter which state simply that through inspiration we're to know the future in Christ. The testimony of Christ is the spirit of prophecy. "Behold, I will raise them out of the place whither ye have sold them, and will return your recompence upon your own head: And I will sell your sons and your daughters into the hand of the children of Judah, and they shall sell them to the Sabeans, to a people far off: for the Lord hath spoken {it}." Joel 3:7-8

We better believe. "Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up: Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears: let the weak say, I {am} strong." Joel 3:9-10

So the wicked in this day will not be beating their weapons into farm agricultural implements but will be beating their farming equipment into war weapons. Watch: "Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about: (from this point what does it say?) thither (from that point) cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Lord." Joel 3:11

Who are these mighty ones who come down? Well this is the message of Revelation 18:1, the fall of Babylon. If you would read Isaiah chapter 13 with Steve's guidance as he's been taught these things.

Brethren in Wisconsin the time is late. Verse 12: "Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about." Joel 3:12 Revelation 14:17 explains verse 13 of Joel 3. "Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe: come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness {is} great." Joel 3:13

That angel of Revelation 14:17, in his last work, is to gather the multitudes of unconverted and cast them into the great winepress of the wrath of God. They will receive strong delusions because they believed not the truth as is in the bible but they believed lies, their own preconceived, private interpretations. Verse 14 will state during this time that: "Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision:" Joel 3:14a

They must either believe the prophecy of God or their own man made institutions of faith. "For the day of the Lord {is} near in the valley of decision. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord {will be} the hope of his people (who know these prophecies), and the strength of the children of Israel. So shall ye know (this refers to God's people) that I {am} the Lord your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more." Joel 3:14b-17

When God kicks out the King of the North, Brethren, as incredible as it may seem it's because of prophecy God's people will be cleansed. Notice: "And it shall come to pass in that day, {that} the mountains shall drop down new wine, and the hills shall flow with milk, and all the rivers of Judah shall flow with waters, and a fountain shall come forth of the house of the Lord, and shall water the valley of Shittim. Egypt shall be a desolation..." Joel 3:18-19a

This is not the new earth made new. The King of the South, Egypt is still a desolation. "...and Edom shall be a desolate wilderness, for the violence {against} the children of Judah, because they have shed innocent blood in their land." Joel 3:19b

If you knew the book of Obadiah you would understand this verse. "But Judah shall dwell for ever, and Jerusalem..." Joel 3:20a ...not forever because truthfully we must go to heaven but... "...from generation to generation." Joel 3:20b

That's only two generations. So brethren, consider what the book of Joel is teaching in the light of Revelation 10, in the light of Daniel chapter 11 and 12. I would like to come to you, I would like to sit down with the Bible, I would like to answer your questions, but we of a people today are in a terrible jam. People do not want to know the Bible truth and understand its clear declarations though the spirit of God is working mightily.

Zechariah 2 explains clearly that a young man in the last days goes to Jerusalem to measure the city, to see how big it is. Well I went there in 1985 to see if a actual 144,000 could really stand there. It's impossible. But the angel of the Lord appeared and stated clearly that: "Jerusalem shall (not) be inhabited {as} towns (with walls but as towns) without walls for the multitude of men and cattle therein: For I, saith the Lord, will be unto her a wall of fire round about, and will be the glory in the midst of her." Zech. 4b-5

God's going to do something. It says in Joel 2 that many nations shall be joined to the Lord in that day. The last gospel program is to be finished by God's people who are sealed by the angel from the east. They are to understand all that the prophets have written. Their faith is to be grounded on nothing but the sure word of prophecy which is the testimony of their Savior the Lord Jesus Christ that they may know the perfect will of Christ, that Lamb slain from the foundation of the world who has seven eyes and seven horns, complete vision and complete authority. Notice: "But Judah shall dwell for ever..." Joel 3:20a

The people who are written in the book, who know the prophecies, they will dwell forever. Jerusalem? For two generations. "For I will cleanse their blood (that's the reason why) {that} I have not cleansed:" Joel 3:21a

Before we are translated to heaven, we must have our blood cleansed. "...for the Lord dwelleth in Zion." Joel 3:21b

Brethren, this is a very basic tape. It's my hope and my sincere desire that you may escape the damnation of the Laodicean condition, a condition which people think is secure but Christ says they are blind, miserable, poor and naked and don't even know it. If we do not know these peculiar truths for this day, if we do not have the extra oil that's presented by the spirit of prophecy which is the revelation of His own testimony, we can never, never be a part of God's final work.

Ellen White states, "precious light is to shine forth from the word of God and let no one presume to dictate what shall or what shall not be brought before the people in the message of enlightenment that He shall send and so quench the spirit of God."

If I speak the truth that you may understand these events then it must be the Spirit of God because only the Spirit of God can speak truth.

"Whatever may be his position of authority no one has a right to shut away the light from the people. When a message comes in the name of the Lord to his people no one may excuse himself from an investigation of its claims. No one can afford to stand back in an attitude of indifference and self confidence and say, 'I know what is truth, I am satisfied with my position. I have set my stakes and will not be moved away from any position whatever may come. I will not listen to the message of this messenger for I know that it cannot be truth.' It is from pursuing this course that the popular churches were left in particular darkness and that is why the messages of heaven have not reached them."

We need to understand these statements from Ellen White. We need to understand Counsels on Schoolwork. We need to understand that our foundation must be found in the word of God and nothing other.

Brethren in Wisconsin, it has been over a year since we came up there. What was our crime? Our crime was simply that we opened up the bible and those of you who had not been in the habit of studying scripture were knocked of because of peoples fears. Fear of what? Do we not understand that the book of Daniel is necessary to be understood in our day? The King of the North is going to come into Palestine. Joel explains the same event. How about the other prophecies? Help us help you. If you would like to know more of these events which you had better, otherwise you cannot be written in the book, your story, if it's not in prophecy how can you fulfill that which you know not? Help us. Write to us. Give us some kind of reply that we may do our best to reason together. If I'm wrong, love my soul, talk with me, discuss with me, send a tape to me, show me from the Bible where we are wrong in regards to the last day events as Revelation 10 says: "But in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets." Rev. 10:7

I send my love. If I have offended any I apologize in the name of Christ, but I will not apologize for the truth which is the only life we have in Christ, the Word of God, the testimony of Jesus Christ which is the spirit of prophecy. The Lord bless you to understand. Research this tape. Look at the prophecies of Joel. Seek hard, pray hard and believe the word.

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