Chapter I.
"Verse 15: Here is stated the reason for making this serious call to repentance. The day of the Lord is the climax of the prophecy, and this day is declared to be at hand; therefore the church must know that it is at hand. "Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come." The great signs which precede this impending event, the day of the Lord, Joel brings to view a little farther on.
The reference to the day of the Lord by other prophets should be kept in mind in connection with the study of Joel 1: 15:
1. Zephaniah states that when the day of the Lord is near, it "hasteth greatly." It was slow for some time, but near the end it moves with incredible velocity. Zeph. 1: 14.
2. It will be ushered in by a great decree (Zeph. 2: 2), and in Revelation we find that this decree announces the close of probation; it is the decree which seals the unjust as forever unjust, and the holy as forever holy, Rev. 22: 11, 12.
3. The day of the Lord is called "a day of wrath." Zeph. 1: 15.
4. In connection with the "day of wrath " a great hail will be poured out (Job 38: 22, 23), but the hail is designated as the ending of the seven last plagues; therefore, the seven last plagues begin when the "day of the Lord " begins."
B.G.Wilkinson/1928
"Verse 15: Here is stated the reason for making this serious call to repentance. The day of the Lord is the climax of the prophecy, and this day is declared to be at hand; therefore the church must know that it is at hand. "Alas for the day! for the day of the Lord is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come." The great signs which precede this impending event, the day of the Lord, Joel brings to view a little farther on.
The reference to the day of the Lord by other prophets should be kept in mind in connection with the study of Joel 1: 15:
1. Zephaniah states that when the day of the Lord is near, it "hasteth greatly." It was slow for some time, but near the end it moves with incredible velocity. Zeph. 1: 14.
2. It will be ushered in by a great decree (Zeph. 2: 2), and in Revelation we find that this decree announces the close of probation; it is the decree which seals the unjust as forever unjust, and the holy as forever holy, Rev. 22: 11, 12.
3. The day of the Lord is called "a day of wrath." Zeph. 1: 15.
4. In connection with the "day of wrath " a great hail will be poured out (Job 38: 22, 23), but the hail is designated as the ending of the seven last plagues; therefore, the seven last plagues begin when the "day of the Lord " begins."
B.G.Wilkinson/1928