Joel (Quality: Average)

[0:00] In dependence upon the Lord for all needed help, I venture this afternoon to draw your prayerful attention to Joel chapter 2 and verse 1.

[0:21] Joel chapter 2 and verse 1. Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain.

[0:40] Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord cometh. It is nigh at hand.

[0:53] We know very little concerning the prophet Joel.

[1:04] But this we do know. He was raised up of God to bring to the people in those days, and to the church to the end of time, the word of God.

[1:23] It is considered that he prophesied about the time when the ten tribes were taken into captivity, either before or soon after.

[1:38] When there was much idolatry in the land, whether in the ten tribes, and sadly too in the tribe of Judah and in Jerusalem.

[1:53] It is a prophecy of solemn warning, but it is a prophecy of gracious encouragement. Hear this, ye old men, and give ear all ye inhabitants of the land.

[2:07] Hath this been in your days, or even the days of your fathers? Tell ye your children of it, and let your children tell their children, and their children another generation.

[2:21] What a heavy responsibility rests upon us as we are older. The word of God says, tell it to the generation following.

[2:33] Oh, may we be helped to speak to those that are young, and speak of God, and of his majesty, holiness, and yet of his salvation.

[2:45] It is a word of warning. And he says here in the words of our text, blow ye the trumpet in.

[2:59] So just one more word, and we come more direct to the text itself. It is an exhortation to repentance, to confession of sin.

[3:12] I believe, if there was more repentance found in our churches, in myself personally, there would be more spiritual prosperity.

[3:27] Repentance is so looked down upon, so despised today. My friend, the tears of sorrow, a broken heart, and a contrite spirit, are the preparation for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit of God.

[3:47] How earnestly do we pray for it. And though, as in this prophecy, we have the solemn judgment of God poured forth.

[3:59] And God's judgments not only are done by earthquakes and fires, but also by insects. Here is a plague of locusts with their utter destruction.

[4:15] What was, as before that plague, a garden of Eden, now is a waste-howling wilderness. In those days, and I think still in these days, nothing can stop a plague of locusts.

[4:31] They come combined in strength. They march, as it were, forward. And where there's been plenty, now there is a waste-howling wilderness, as it were.

[4:49] God's solemn judgments. But sad was the state of the land, that even there was not that which was enough to provide for the temple worship in the meat and drink offerings because of the plague of locusts.

[5:12] Yet, God here exhorts the people to come, to turn to him, to repent of their sin. And he then promises that he will restore, that he will revive, that he will do great things in the land.

[5:30] Fear not, O land, be glad and rejoice, for the Lord will do great things. The floor shall be full of wheat, and the fat shall overflow with wine and oil.

[5:45] We come now to examine these words as we may be held. Blow ye the trumpet in Zion. We have read in your hearing that in the wilderness journey that the priests were to blow the trumpets on various occasions.

[6:09] Sometimes it was to call an assembly. Sometimes it was to prepare the people for a journey. Sometimes it was to call them to battle.

[6:21] Sometimes it was a sound of warning. And so, as we think of the trumpet, it is an instrument that once it can give a wavering note, but it's a very clear note, it's a very distinct note.

[6:39] And it reminds us of God's holy word, especially in the warnings of it. It also brings before us the gospel trumpet, the good news of salvation, of which we may be helped, I trust to speak, as we venture on in our meditation this afternoon.

[7:01] First, I would think of the word of warning. Warning. Right before Sinai, right in the early days of the history of this world, God gave a warning, a very solemn warning.

[7:26] It was prior to the flood. I just turned it that I might get my detail exactly as what I'm setting before you. You remember, Methuselah was the oldest man, as recorded in the word of God, who lived for 969 years.

[7:49] And we read all the days of Methuselah were 969 years. And he died.

[8:02] There's an appointed end. But, here was a warning. The name Methuselah means, when he is gone, when he dies, it, God's judgment, would come.

[8:22] That warning was 969 years. Methuselah, he lived, and his first son was Lamech.

[8:45] And Lamech was 182 years, and Becathus' son, and his son was Noah. Methuselah was 187 when Lamech was born, and Lamech was 182 when Noah was born.

[9:05] So, Methuselah was 369 years old, when Noah was born. And Noah, who was moved by fear, and by faith, prepared an ark for the saving of his house.

[9:20] And in the 600th year, the flood came. A solemn warning to mankind. Let's say today, where's the promise of his coming?

[9:32] Things have always been the same, and ever will be. My friend, God's warnings will be ever fulfilled. And we need to sound the trumpet, the warning sound.

[9:47] Again, reminding us of the warning sound at Sinai, when the voice of God was as a trumpet that grew louder and louder. The giving of the law, the Ten Commandments, And the soul that sinneth it, it shall die.

[10:05] All the solemnity of it. All the holiness and majesty of God. All the word that declares, Be sure, your sin will find you out.

[10:17] There's no hiding from God. There's no way whereby sin can be pardoned, except by the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

[10:29] That we cannot wash away our sin as we wash away the filth of the body, literally. My dear friends, our good deeds will not make an atonement for our sin.

[10:43] And an eternity in hell will not make an atonement for one of the smallest sins of our life, such as the holiness and majesty and justice of Almighty God.

[10:58] And this must be sounded forth. This warning must go forth. And I turn now to a word in Ezekiel, which is a very solemn word.

[11:11] Son of man, speak to the children of thy people, and say unto them, When I bring the sword upon the land, if the people of the land take a man of their coast, and set him for their watchman, that is particularly the medicine of the gospel, if when he sees the sword come up upon the land, he blow the trumpet, and warn the people, then whosoever heareth the sound of the trumpet, and taketh not warning, if the sword come, and take him away, his blood, his blood, his blood, shall be upon his own head.

[11:56] However, if the watchman, and this makes me tremble, if the watchman fail to sound the warning, and men are lost, their blood, shall be upon the watchman's head.

[12:15] All for grace in the ministry, grace to be given, that we may not shun to declare the whole counsel of God, that we may be pure of the blood of all men.

[12:30] And my friend, if you are spiritually healthy, and quickened by the Spirit, you will not reject, or rise up in anger, inwardly, or even outwardly, against a searching ministry, against a warning note.

[12:47] My dear friends, as we journey about in our travels, we have many signs of warning notes, on the road for example, the red light for example, that warns us of danger, and peril, how foolish we would be, if we ignored it, if we would be thankful for it, take heed to it, that our life is preserved, and we are preserved, from harm, and danger, at the same time.

[13:17] So, blow ye the trumpet, in Zion, sound forth, the word, of solemn warning, to the dear, people of God, warn them, of their state, born into this world, shapen in sin, and iniquity, and that, we have no means, whereby, we can make an atonement, for our sin, warn them, of what it is, that there is a day, approaching, when we must all, appear, before the judgment, seat of Christ, then, oh my God, prepare, my soul, for that great day, oh wash me, in thy precious blood, and take, my sins, away, blow, ye, the trumpet, in Zion, and oh, beloved friends, the warnings, that we need, to sound forth, in these days, the turning, aside, from the old, past, a modernized, religion, oh my friend,

[14:30] I say, see, my dear, young people, seek grace, to stand, in the old, past, seek grace, to contend, earnestly, for the faith, once, delivered, unto, the saints, we warn, of your lost, state, we warn, that you, by nature, and I myself, born, just like you, dead, in trespasses, and sin, far off, from God, perishing, and lost, but, oh, when that gospel, trumpet is sound, we may come to that, in a moment or two, with the power, of heaven, and the awakening, influence, and my friend, a sinner, is brought, out of that, state of darkness, into light, oh, what a mercy, that that is, is sound, that trumpet, in Zion, born, against, the evils, that abound, on every hand, the departure, from God's, holy word, it seems, that this land, has, turned, from, and opposed, the word, of God, in parliament, and right through, the land, the word of God, is despised, and set, at naught, but my friends, cleave to the truth, hold fast, of the word, pray grace, to walk it out, and may, it speak to our hearts, by warning, and yet, encouragement, to press on, to look up, alone, unto our Lord, and Saviour,

[16:10] Jesus Christ, for guidance, it's a warning, and so, again, and I'm just reminded, of an incident, that I read, of course it was, ever so many years ago, it was in Russia, where there was, a rising of people, in rebellion, against authority, and they gained, tremendous power, and they, in fact, captured, quite a number of men, and slew them, and then they, planned, planned, to capture, a city, and they took, the clothes, of these, of the other, people, and pretended, they were them, and would march, through the city, but they spared, the life, of a drummer, so, that when they, would approach, the city, the drummer, would sound, the victory sound, and they'd open, the gates, and let them in, and of course, the inhabitants, of the England, think, is their own people, and that, was their plan, that was their purpose, and the drummer, as they approached, the city, just as they, get near, and they're just about, throwing the gates down, turn, the victory sound, into, the warning notes, and they immediately, closed the gates, of course, the drummer, lost his life, the warning sound, was given, my friend, oh,

[17:36] I thought, what a, I can't say, meaning spiritually, about it at all, but I thought, what a noble man, what a noble drummer, that man was, and my friends, we would be prepared, only as God gives us grace, we would, we're cowards, I am, I couldn't stand it, couldn't think of it, but I know, God does give, grace, and strength, to his people, to his servants, to be bold, to be strong, to be full of courage, and to go forth, fearing nothing, though we're full of fears, and my friend, we, in the ministry, need much grace, to preach the truth, in love, and that's vital, but also, in his warning notes, and that we may not shun, to declare those things, that are, to be, a warning, and a guide, and a guard to us, from the very, appearance, of evil, whom we preach, warning, every man, says the apostle,

[18:41] Paul, as he writes, of the church, Colossae, sound the trumpet, and so on, I have not the ability, to speak, of the state, of the land, as some have, but my friend, we tremble, over our land, I mean, I'm an old man now, and I never, would ever, ever, have contemplated, that I should live, to see this land, sunk, in such, wretchedness, and filth, as it is today, don't misunderstand me, I pray, earnestly, for our country, I thank God, for our country, I thank God, for our liberty, still preserved, but we see it, fast, being eroded, and I fear, for our religious liberty, I fear, that ere long, it may well be, there will be, religious, persecution, rising up, and my friend, we would, prepare, the coming generation, pray, and not to, frighten them, but to encourage them, to say, that they, may be helped, by God's grace, to stand firm, to hold fast, not to turn aside, from the word, and the truth of God, but to cling, to the truth, so, beloved, we sound, the warning, and when you, think of the state, of home life, today, you think, of the filth, and we know, very little of it, thank God, for that, that is, brought in the land, today, the drug, saying, oh,

[20:25] I won't enlarge, it is, too sad, it is, terribly, depressing, but, there's, still in this land, there are those, who sigh and cry, because of the abominations, done, in the land, and if there are ten, souls, praying in cities, of Sodom and Gomorrah, those cities, would be spared, I fear, and I speak, this, not as a prophet, I'm no prophet, but I fear, that wall of fire, protection, by God, around this land, that was noted, and was observed, was manifest, in the last, great war, when, for example, troops, were fleeing, from Europe, when, the channel, the English channel, was like a pond, there not a ripple, on the water, why, God heard the prayers, rising up to him, from this land, from the king, right down, and, churches, were filled, those that, had not gone to war, but the people, flocked into the churches, much prayer was made, now is despised, there's no call for prayer, oh, my friend, but I say, blow the trumpet in Zion, let those who fear God, awake, go mightily in prayer, will the, the sword of prayer, cry unto God, for his mercy, pray yet, that the Lord, will stem the torrent, of iniquity, and what about the churches,

[21:58] I speak, when I say churches, I speak in the broadest sense, anything, the professors, the name of the church, and we'd be shocked, if we could see, what was went on, in many of those churches, we'd be appalled at it, and the power of Rome, gaining ascendancy, and of all these evil, religions, and so forth, and what, and where, in formative, in the days of my, youth, there were places, where, the authorised version, was read, and there was worship, but now, oh my friends, what are we coming to, I say, I'm, is it depressing to you, I'm sounding the trumpet, I'm sounding the trumpet, to you dear young people, you may feel, ah, you're old fashioned, you, you want to modernise, you want to, you want to introduce this, you want to bring that in, you want to gather the people in, at any cost, my friend, gather the people in, by your knees, begging of the Lord, by his spirit, that he will walk, and gather them in, one by one, and that brings you to this word, as the gospel trumpet, in Isaiah shall be blown, and they shall be gathered, one by one, that's what we pray for, that's what we look for, that's what we anticipate, that's what we hope for, blow ye, the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm, in my, holy mountain, and that all the inhabitants, of the land, tremble, very little trembling today, and I believe, we know what it is, those who fear God, to tremble at the word of God, and tremble, and yet, rejoice, tremble at his judgments, rejoice, in his, mercy, the trumpet, it sounded, a sound of, a warning, of peril, of danger, why, if you, had a bottle, it's got poison on it, you'd be thankful for it, that it's got that, well you say, you wouldn't be thankful of the bottle, what I mean, thankful of the warning on it, or if it has a warning that you, it would do harm, my friend, how thankful we are, you wouldn't scratch it off, and say, well I'm not going to take any notice of it, my friends, we, we, and you dear young people, you may find it hard, to, nothing under, if I may use that expression,

[24:15] I speak reverently, discipline, in your home, don't, don't despise it, I thank God, for my father and mother, who sacrificed much, in bringing me up, and manifested their love, but they corrected me, I didn't like it always, I thank God, for their discipline, now as much as I do, for their love, my friend, it is, it's a great help to you, in later in life, you'll be thankful for it, I know, when you get into the teenage, you're getting freer, you want to go your own way, you want to make your own path, write your point, but don't neglect the old people, keep ears open, to hear words of, gracious advice and counsel, and again, here's my authority, and I hadn't thought of that, when I quoted it before, when it says, hear ye this old, ye old men, and give ye all ye inhabitants of the land, tell ye your children of it, and let your children, tell their children, and their children, another generation, may grace be given to us, blow ye the trumpet, in Zion, but also, the trumpet was to be blown, for the gathering, of battle, and of war, if the trumpet sounds, uncertain sound, who will prepare himself, for battle, my friend, the battle we have, is against Satan, is against the world, now don't misunderstand that, we say to do good to all men, we will say to pray, for those that despitefully use us, pray that their hearts, may be broken, and brought down, as guilty sinners, to the throne of grace, pray that they might be led, to know the love of Christ, that the world, and it's all is evil, it's so called pleasures, now don't misunderstand, me you dear young people, you want, you want physical exercise, there are those things, perfectly lawful, that you should enjoy, and promote health, and strength,

[26:38] God has given, for many provisions, in this way, but shun, all that you cannot, ask God to bless, a minister of the gospel, was once asked to a home, and they, into a house, and they said, let's have a game of cards, and the minister said, well we, let's, we must pray first, pray, we can't do that, he said, well then we can't have cards, can we, good word Fred, if you, if you get your company, am I speaking severely, I'm not speaking severely, I'm speaking in love, and you're unhappy about it, try and get away from it, it's only gradually, it's going to drag you, into trouble, shun it, you may suffer for it, but you'll be, God will stand by you, you may say, I'm afraid I should be laughed at, sneered at, for being a goody goody, that doesn't matter at all, I know it hurts, I know it's not easy, but pray for grace, that stand there, to be a Christian,

[27:41] Daniel, dare to stand alone, dare to say the Bible's true, and dare, to make it known, you'll go to, forth into, battle, and you say, well who can battle, I'm a poor thing, yes you are, and mercy to hear you say that, but my friend, God uses, the poor things, of this world, and those, rich in faith, that he will use, to do great things, because, he dwells in them, and uses them, and is, with them, and so, you think of, Jericho, those great, that great city, with the walls, round it, and the Israelites, going round it, once every day, for six days, and then the seventh day, the trumpet sounded, and the paper, probably from those walls, looking there, what are they doing, mystified, baffled with it, as though, they thought, they were impregnable, though they were filled, with fear, marked there, because Rahab, tells us that, but you see, on the seventh day, and what happened, to those walls, down they went, at the sound, of the trumpet, and down, were the walls, of your heart, opposed to God, opposed to grace, opposed to the work, of the spirit, when the trumpet sounds, and the power, of God comes, down will come, those walls, of opposition, what a mercy it is, may it be so, my dear friends, pray much for this, sound, the trumpet, in Zion, and again,

[29:12] I thought of, Gideon, when he was, to go forth, and his, army, reduced right down, from thousands, just to 300 men, and that, what are they going to take, they're going to take, pictures, and the trumpet, and the lamp, the light, and the trumpet, and go, and what are they, against this host, of the, enemy, in the dark valley, oh, but God is there, my dear friends, I mustn't, go back on the, on Gideon's life, it's wonderful, how God said to Gideon, go down into that camp, and God ordered, the man's steps, and they stood outside, that one tent, there were hundreds, of tents, and doubtless, they've all been to sleep, but that man, at that moment, unwelcome from a dream, and he was telling, the dream, and gave the interpretation, and he, you didn't do it, this is God, we will go forth, a man of fear, the man that also trembled, the man that wanted, the fleece wet, and the fleece dry, and so forth, the man that said,

[30:12] I'm the least of all my brethren, but strengthened by man, by God's power, he worshipped, and he said, we'll go forward, the victory is sure, my friend, there are times, when God's children, are strengthened by faith, and able to go forth, indeed we are, and so, as they break the pitches, the light shone, and the trumpet sounded, that oh, my friend, the enemy were put around, and the light of the glorious gospel, the glorious word proclaimed, and my friend, the powers of Satan, and evil, and sin, overcome, sound, that trumpet, in, in, Zion, and then again, I want to come, now to the gospel trumpet, this is the good news, this is the trumpet, my friend, that you love to hear, isn't it, now wait a minute, what are your reactions now, do you say, yes, well we've had quite enough, of that warning, I hope you haven't rejected it, it'd be a mark in your favor, if you receive it,

[31:18] I say it, because what I've said, I've spoken with no one certain, I know I'm no gifted minister, I mean that, but I believe, I've spoken clearly, reasonably clearly, don't reject it, don't resent it, but look, it will pay you for the gospel, and what is the gospel trumpet, oh my friends, the good news of salvation, that which was proclaimed, at the birth of Christ, when the angels, spake to the shepherds, fear not, for I bring unto you, good tidings, which shall be of great joy, unto all people, for unto you, he's born this day, in the city of David, a savior, which is, Christ the Lord, the gospel trumpet, the good tidings of heaven, yes, it wasn't, don't misunderstand me, it wasn't, until then, that those tidings, were sounding, you read through, the old testament, you read through, some of the prophecies, there were, here and there, the glimpses, of the sounding forth, of the gospel trumpet, to proclaim, of the coming, of the Messiah, the coming of this, dear Lord Jesus, but as he came, oh my friend, and what a sounding it is, why, this,

[32:29] I think of those, wonderful words, that the apostle wrote, to Timothy, this is a faithful saying, and worthy, of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus, came into the world, to save sinners, of whom, I am chief, you know, in Africa, the minister, read that for his text, and there was a dear, old, African Christian there, that had been converted, and he said, oh master, and it wasn't irreverent, I know it would not be done, in a normal way, and yet, I felt, the poor man, he was so blessed, with the grace of God, he said, sir, read it again, it does my heart good, now what do you say, poor sinner, is this the story, tell me the old old story, of Jesus and his love, is that the gospel, it is the gospel, this man receiveth sinners, all that the father giveth me, shall come to me, and him that cometh to me,

[33:34] I will in no wise, cast out, this is the gospel trumpet, oh, and Jesus came, not to save the righteous, but call sinners, to repentance, that the vilest sinner, out of hell, who lives to feel his need, is welcome, at the throne of grace, the saviour's blood to plead, is not this, the trumpet, that you love, isn't it, this you say, oh, hark how the gospel trumpet, sounds, what does the hymn, say, let me turn to it, that I might, quote it, correctly, the gospel, the trumpet, sounds, Christ and free grace, therein abounds, free grace, to such a sinner's being, well, if it's sinners, there's room for me, isn't there, oh, friend, it's wonderful, when the Lord brings you in, draws you in, you say, well, that I'm a sinner, and if, free grace, why not, for me, the saviour died, and by his blood, brought rebel sinners, home to God, he died, to set the captives, free, and why, my soul, why not,

[34:47] I'm going to tell you, this, this, is sweet, this gospel, one of the, things that held me, back from baptism, was I thought, how could, I take part, in the communion service, how could, my sin polluted lips, literally take, touch that cup, I know literally, how could I do it, oh, I thought, I couldn't do it, I was so sinful, so vile, so filthy, that my pastor, not knowing anything about this, said, one evening, it was for me too, I should never forget it, there was a woman, gracious woman, at communion, I think in Scotland, it may have been, doesn't matter, well known to the pastor, but she was in, spiritual darkness, gracious soul, mark that, she took the bread, and when the elder, handed the cup, she shook her head, poor woman, the minister, knowing well the case, got up, took the cup, out of the hand, of the elder, and put it, in the hand, of the woman, and said, woman, it's for sinners, the barrier, was gone, my friend, that was the gospel trumpet, to my soul, yeah, wonderful, isn't it, and then again, come unto me, all ye that labor, and heavy laden, and I will give you rest, isn't that a gospel, isn't that good news, of salvation, from a far country, is it that which does your heart good, is it that warms your heart, is it that which attracts you, what about you dear young people, you dear seekers, you that perhaps feel, ah, you see the old people, and you think of their, of their walk, and you say, ah,

[36:39] I don't know, I don't know, I, and yet I long to be with them, I do hope I'm one of them, to the point I long to know, often causes anxious thought, do I love the Lord, or no, am I his, or am I not, oh, my dear young friend, plead, pray for the ear to hear, and the heart to receive, and to embrace this glorious gospel, and to know it, and tell me, is there a crumb, that's come from the master's table, has there been some little portion, for your poor soul, and you say, nobody knows it, father and mother don't know it, my dear one doesn't know it, my brother doesn't know it, my sister doesn't know it, he's mine, but I tremble, and the Satan wants to take it away from me, but I cling to it, I can't let that go, I hope in his mercy, I plead for mercy, I come to Jesus, I don't know how to pray, but I ask him to save me, I ask him to help me, I ask him to take care of me, I ask him to break down the sin in me, and make me thine, and leave me not, how can I bear the piercing thought, what if my name should be left out, when thou for them shalt call, oh, my dear young friend, plead on, pray on, there's some good thing in your heart, toward the Lord God of Israel, blow ye the cross, the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain, let all the inhabitants of the land, tremble, for the day, the Lord is at hand, this glorious gospel, but just one more thought,

[38:09] I must leave, I fear it's been a rambling, I've lost the sense of my preparation, but I hope has been a word, this afternoon, but there's yet one final trumpet to be sounded, and that will be from heaven, when the dead in Christ, shall rise first, oh, what a prospect that will be, and my friend, the day of the Lord, as it is, the day of the Lord coming, for it is, nigh, at hand, let me read to you, the exact scripture, of the apostle Paul, as he writes to the church, at Corinth, he said, behold, I show a mystery, we shall not all sleep, that is, we'll be some living, when Christ comes, on the, for his people, the second coming, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump, the final trumpet, and the trumpet, shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed, for this corruptible shall put on incorruption, and this mortal shall put on immortality, so when this corruptible shall be put on incorruption, and this mortal shall put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written death is swallowed up in victory oh death where is thy sting oh grave where is thy victory what is it that gives the sting to death unpardoned sin what makes you children young people both apprehensive of a wasp it's got a sting if it hadn't got a sting you wouldn't worry much about all this buzzing noise my friend do you think about your the sting of death unpardoned sin oh death where is thy sting oh grave where is thy victory the sting of death is sin but the strength of sin is the Lord but thanks be unto God which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ and that victory is the blood of Christ that's the gospel tidings that's the finished work of Christ that's the fountain open for sin and for uncleanness that's the blood that cleanses us from all sin that's the song of the glory man yet to be unto him that loved us and washed us from our sins in his own blood my friends the days of Solomon don't despair beloved look lift up your eyes look after your redemption and joyeth out the king will soon come and thy people all God shall be gathered to be with thee forever and ever may we be numbered among them

[41:13] Amen and