“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.” (Joel 1:1-3)

Joel begins his writings by urging the transmission of his words until their fulfillment. Citing historical occurrences, he sets out a prophetic allegory that will come to pass in the latter days. The next mention of him in scripture is on the day of Pentecost, when Peter, expounding on the outpouring of the Holy Ghost that day, declares, “This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel.”

Thus, Peter announced the commencement of Joel’s prophecy, which continues until the day of the Lord. However, as the Apostles warned repeatedly, after their departure, many wolves would enter in, not sparing the flock. Taking upon themselves the name of Christ, they would teach things contrary to the truth of the gospel, and with good words and fair speeches, they would deceive the hearts of the simple.

Joel foretold of a time when people would abandon sound doctrine and false teachers and self-appointed pastors would arise like a pestilence and devour the truth. Prophesying of these men, Joel declared, “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 caterpillar eaten.” (Joel 1:4)

Spreading throughout the land into small and large congregations, like locusts, false teachers devour the living word, making truth scarce. The sheep perish for lack of food and water. As it is written, “How do the beasts groan! The herds of cattle are perplexed because they have no pasture; yea, the flocks of sheep are made desolate. 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. 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 1:18-20)

The current state of religious leadership is characterized by many adherents who embrace a wide range of diverse and conflicting doctrines, each believing that any doctrinal conflict with other believers reflects the failure of those others.

Thus, religion is corrupted, society suffers, scoffers mock, and the responsibility for the collapse of morality and culture rests upon those who come in the name of the Lord, presenting themselves as his ministers. As the Apostle Paul stated, “Such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness, whose end shall be according to their works.” (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

Therefore, the latter rain is cut off, and there is enormous wrath. Still, the Lord calls for repentance, saying, “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.” (Joel 2:12-13)

“Gather the people, sanctify the 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? Then will the Lord be jealous for his land, and pity his people.” (Joel 2:16-18)

And the Lord will send his great army preaching the true gospel: “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you” (Joel 2:25).

When the Lord raises His army to restore His true word, He will return Jacob’s children to their land, cleanse them, and they will return to Him, as it is written.

“For I will take you from among the heathen, and gather you out of all countries, and will bring you into your own land. Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you a heart of flesh. And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.” – Ezekiel 36:24-27

And in these days also, the nations will gather themselves and unite against his people, but they shall be destroyed without remedy, for the end of all things regarding this present world shall be accomplished. Thus is the prophecy of Joel.