Joel 2:1 Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, 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. 2 A day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains: a great people and a strong; there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations. 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. 11 And the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it? 23 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.
This entire chapter of Joel is not nearly understood as it ought to be, and the implications of what the prophet says, is but barely comprehended, even by the remnant whom The Lord shall call. The time that is referenced here is the last great final push into satan's territory, by those who are called by God to go get His people who are now sitting in the protestant churches represented by Babylon, including the Catholic church, where many of God's true people are still to be found.
At the present time, many sincere Christians are still in darkness, not being fully aware that the Sabbath of the fourth commandment has never been changed by God, and thus, many of them are still following the traditions of the church, as it pertains to Sunday worship, a doctrine that has no scriptural basis or authority.
Hence the reason why the remnant described in Joel chapter two are fitly described as being soldiers, for they are prepared to do mortal combat against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, and against spiritual wickedness in high places. The armor they must wear is the shield of faith, the sword of The Spirit, the helmet of salvation, the breast plate of righteousness, and the "Truth", which in the book of psalms is described as being God's law. Let's read:
Psalm 119:142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, and thy law is the truth.
The protestant churches of Christendom have taught their congregants that the law of God has been nailed to the cross, but this special company of soldiers all have the seal of God's approval in their foreheads, meaning that they have an intelligent understanding of God's law, and His character, for throughout their Christian experience, they have endeavored to practice what they preach, and thus have been brought to spiritual maturity in Christ Jesus.
Thus with the Holy Ghost in their hearts, and with a two edged sword in their hands, they are called by God to push the battle to the very gates of hell, and according to Christ, the gates of hell will not prevail, but will be forced into surrendering every sincere Christian, and believing person, who heretofore had been shackled with the chains of false doctrines and philosophies, described in the book of revelation as being the "Wine" of Babylon. Let's read:
Revelation 18:1 And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 2 And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. 3 For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. 4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. 5 For her sins have reached unto heaven, and God hath remembered her iniquities.
The company of soldiers therefore must have developed the habit of implicit obedience to the word, and the voice of God, for they understand that the commands of God are not only to be obeyed when we have a valid or logical reason for doing so, but like any soldier in our military will confirm, prompt obedience to the voice of their commander could mean the difference between life and death, and as such, these well trained and disciplined infantry, are prepared to go where no man has gone before, even upon Satan's enchanted ground, in order that they might set the captives free, through the outpouring of The Holy Ghost under the latter rain. The servant of The Lord writes a very interesting and important commentary upon this subject and it is imperative, that all would-be soldiers, whom the Lord God shall call, now pay close attention to what is being said. Let's read:
[Last Day Events pp. 2058] Said the angel, “Look ye!” My attention was then turned to the company I had seen, who were mightily shaken. I was shown those whom I had before seen weeping and praying in agony of spirit. The company of guardian angels around them had been doubled, and they were clothed with an armor from their head to their feet. They moved in exact order, like a company of soldiers. Their countenances expressed the severe conflict which they had endured, the agonizing struggle they had passed through. Yet their features, marked with severe internal anguish, now shone with the light and glory of heaven. They had obtained the victory, and it called forth from them the deepest gratitude and holy, sacred joy.
I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth with great power. It had effect. Many had been bound; some wives by their husbands, and some children by their parents. The honest who had been prevented from hearing the truth now eagerly laid hold upon it. All fear of their relatives was gone, and the truth alone was exalted to them. They had been hungering and thirsting for truth; it was dearer and more precious than life. I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered, “It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel.”
It is therefore of the utmost importance that we now live in readiness, for with the rise of the current pope in the court of popular public opinion, we can expect a corresponding increase in the out-pouring of the latter rain, which is scheduled to take place, for God will certainly rise to the occasion, by taking the bull by the horns, and rescuing from satanic tyranny, all those who desire to be saved. We therefore end with a passage of scripture, and an explanation for it from the pen of inspiration, so that we may know for certain that the final push into satan's territory will certainly take place, according to God's good and perfect will. Let's read:
Isaiah 21:11 The burden of Dumah. He calleth to me out of Seir, Watchman, what of the night? Watchman, what of the night? 12 The watchman said, The morning cometh, and also the night".....
[Review And Herald Aug. 1883] “Watchman, what of the night?” is the inquiry that should now arise from all hearts. And the true watchman will be able to give the answer, “The morning cometh, and also the night.” This is a day of peril, a day of clouds and thick darkness. Men are blinded, infatuated by the god of this world. They close their eyes to the fearful events that are casting their shadows before. Intoxicated with self-indulgence and luxury, they know not that the tempest is about to burst upon them.
Satan and his hosts set themselves to overthrow the work of God. To fainting, unbelieving souls it may seem that the powers of darkness are about to prevail. Philosophy sets up reason as an antagonist of revelation. Science, falsely so called, directs the minds of men to the book of nature as a contradiction of the word of God. Critics search the Scriptures to find some pretext for treating with contempt the words of Holy Writ. And many who profess to reverence God’s word make war upon all who proclaim its plain and cutting truths.
At times the clamor of error and heresy seem almost to drown the voice of truth; yet the cry of the true watchman is still heard sounding from the watch-tower, “The morning cometh, and also the night.” We have no thought of discouragement, no thought of fainting or failing. Our only anxiety is to discharge our duty in the fear of God. We know that “God is, and he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him;” he lives and reigns, and all he asks of us is humble faith and willing obedience.
May we therefore so live in readiness, for the time here spoken of is at hand. God bless!