The Day of the Lord = A Day of Restoration

This week we will be concluding our initial study of the book of Joel. As with all the prophets, when we examine them we find they are very similar in nature. Consider these five steps in each of them in some way.

(1) A warning of impending judgment because of the nations’ sinfulness;

(2) A description of the sin;

(3) A description of the coming judgment;

(4) A call for repentance; and

(5) A promise of future deliverance.

With these five points in mind as we examine Joel, we come to learn much more detail about the “Day of the Lord.” Most people who have been around church even just a little when they hear the term “Day of the Lord” visualize God’s wrath poured out or perhaps the removal of the church. The prophet Isaiah is pretty clear when it comes to describing what’s going to happen…

Look, the day of the Lord is coming— cruel, with rage and burning anger—

To make the earth a desolation and to destroy the sinners on it.

Indeed, the stars of the sky and its constellations will not give their light.

The sun will be dark when it rises, and the moon will not shine.

I will bring disaster on the world, and their own iniquity, on the wicked.

I will put an end to the pride of the arrogant and humiliate the insolence of tyrants… (Isaiah 13:9-11 HCSB)

However, there is much more to the “Day of the Lord” than judgment and wrath. Yes, that is a critical aspect of it, but there are other just as essential realities we must see. “The Day of the Lord” is also categorized by a pouring out of divine blessings. Look at what the prophet Micah had to say:

On that day— this is the Lord’s declaration—
I will assemble the lame and gather the scattered, those I have injured.
I will make the lame into a remnant, those far removed from a strong nation.
Then the Lord will rule over them in Mount Zion from this time on and forever.
And you, watchtower for the flock, fortified hill of Daughter Zion,
the former rule will come to you, sovereignty will come to Daughter Jerusalem. (Micah 4:6-8 HCSB)

You see the “Day of the Lord” is a day of judgment, but it is also a day of restoration for those who are in Christ Jesus. We have a choice, we can receive the fullness of God’s wrath, or we can receive the fullness of God’s blessing which would you prefer to see on the “Day of the Lord”?