Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions. 32 And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.
This passage of scripture teaches us of a time when a special outpouring of the latter rain, as signified by copious amounts of The Holy Spirit, is to be dispensed throughout the entire globe in preparation for the coming of The son of man. And although this prophecy has received a partial fulfillment on the day of Pentecost, yet it is to have a final and fuller fulfillment when the glory of God is to lighten the earth, and The Holy Ghost is to be poured out on the good, bad, and indifferent alike. In preparation for this last and final appeal from the courts above, God is now preparing a people on the earth to engage in the final conflict between good and evil, and in the book of Joel, these are referred to as "The Remnant" whom The Lord shall call.
God will have us now understand that the remnant here spoken of does not refer to any casual, or ordinary Christian, but rather to a unique company of soldiers who are clothed with the invisible armor of God, from the crown of their heads, to the sloes of their feet. And having been educated and trained inn the school of Christ, they have overcome by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony, and have been brought through great tribulations and very severe conflicts, in which the enemy through human agencies have lobbied to have them wiped off the face of the earth. But through the grace and power of The Omnipotent One, they are more than conquerors and are now ready to receive and execute their marching orders, as coming directly from Christ. Let's read:
Joel 2:7 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: 8 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. 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".... 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?
This peculiar and unique Remnant have experienced firsthand what it means to persevere in prayer, and to win spiritual battles on their knees. They have known what it is to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked, using the shield of faith, and they have become versed in using the sword of The Spirit, which is the word of God, in both a defensive and offensive manner, since His two-edged sword cuts both ways. In addition to all of these accomplishments under the guidance, direction, and power of God, they have also gained the victory over one of man's worst enemies, appetite, for through fasting and prayer they have brought all of their eating habits, taste buds, diets, and digestive systems into subjection, lest after they have preached to others, they themselves be cast away. And it was through these stern disciplines by faith, without making any excuses or provisions for the flesh, that they are now clothed with the impenetrable armor of God. Let's read:
(Early Writings pp. 270&271) I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth. Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this is what will cause a shaking among God’s people. 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.
The numbers of this company had lessened. Some had been shaken out and left by the way. The careless and indifferent, who did not join with those who prized victory and salvation enough to perseveringly plead and agonize for it, did not obtain it, and they were left behind in darkness, and their places were immediately filled by others taking hold of the truth and coming into the ranks. Evil angels still pressed around them, but could have no power over them. I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth with great power.
The question for us now is, are we preparing to be a part of that Remnant whom the Lord shall call, or are we just satisfied with the status quo of returning tithes and eating veggies, without a deep and abiding relationship with Christ, which will enable us to be clothed with the armor of God? There are many Christians living today who only have a nominal relationship with The Lord Jesus, and apart from attending church services and giving out a few tracts now and then, there is no real communion with God on a daily basis, through prayer, a study of His word, and relentless efforts to save the lost. The enemy of all righteousness has no problem with us whatsoever, if he can keep us in a stagnant spiritual state, where we are neither cold nor hot, but only embrace the name of Christ to take away our reproach.
Let us then buckle up our shoes and start to run, as we are energized by the renewing power of The spirit of God, for we are now living in perilous times, and the final conflict between good and evil is just about to explode in to all out war between the Remnant and that spiritual wickedness in high and low places. We therefore end with a passage of scripture which points us to the urgency of the moment, and it is the will of God that the lethargical attitudes, and slothfulness that has been indulged for too long, now give way to renewed energy, zeal, and fervor, which will enable us to push the battle to the very gates of hell. Let's read:
Ephesians 6:10 Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. 11 Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. 13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. 14 Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; 15 And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; 16 Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. 17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: 18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.
May The Lord add His blessing to the study and practice of His every word. God bless!