Repent to Escape the Day of Dense Darkness and Heavy Smoke

Joel 2:1-27

Repetition is the way God teaches. The law of God was given in Exodus 20 and repeated in Deuteronomy 5. Why? So God’s people will keep the law. Passover was repeated yearly to commemorate Israel’s deliverance. Why? To remind them God loves them. The principle of rest was described in different ways - 1 day in 7; 1 year in 7; the 50th year after 7 cycles of 7 years. Why? To teach rest in Christ. God often says the same thing in different ways. There are 4 gospels describing Christ’s life. In Revelation, there are 7 seals, 7 trumpets, and 7 vials - all followed by judgment. Why? To emphasize that wars, famine, and disease will characterize the world until Jesus comes. Also Jesus use parables to teach one important truth - only those who believe in Jesus alone will be saved. But he used 7 parables - the sower, wheat and tares, mustard seed, leaven, hidden treasure, pearl of great price, and fishes and net. But why? Because we forget. Pharaoh had 2 dreams with one meaning - 7 fat ears of grain eaten by 7 lean ears, 7 fat cows eat by 7 skinny ones. Why? God repeats himself to get our attention. “God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this…” God wants our attention. How is he trying to get your attention today from our text?

In apocalyptic literature like Joel, themes are repeated so that we’d hear, believe, and act. Children don’t like parents nagging. But children need it. Children always say - I forgot. But God’s children also forget - we need to hear it again and again. Joel 1 prophesied about the day of the Lord and the need to repent. This is repeated in chapter 2 in 2 ways - firstly, the final day of dense darkness and heavy smoke described, and secondly, the restoration offered upon repentance. As we look at these points, ask yourself - what is God calling your attention to?

Firstly, the final day of dense darkness and heavy smoke described. God sent the warlike locusts - but a worse day would come. This day is certain. It’ll come. It’s unavoidable. Verse 1 says, “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.” God told Joel to blow the trumpet as an alarm. Trumpets were blown at war time. So this day would be a day of war - not just any war, but a day of war brought by God, called the day of the Lord. We saw it first in Joel 1. Because it’s the day of the Lord, and God said it’d come, then it would come. In fact, it’s nigh - it’s not far away. Israel already had a terrible event - and there’d been many such days when God judged. But this would be worse. Verse 2 called it a day of darkness and gloominess - a day of clouds and thick darkness, meaning, there was thick dark sooty smoke from war. Why? Because a great and strong army was coming. It would come suddenly - like how the morning sun dawns on the mountains, verse 2. This is war language. Verse 10 says, “The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble: the sun and the moon shall be dark, and the stars shall withdraw their shining.” The smoke would be so think that it’d blot out the stars and moon at night, and the sun in the day. The earth will tremble with the infantry and cavalry. This is the same language used in Isaiah 13:10. There, God described the armies of Babylon. Notice the similar language - “For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine.”

But this day foretold in Joel would be like none other. It would be far worse. Verse 2 described it - “there hath not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it, even to the years of many generations.” This would be the war of all wars. It hadn’t happened, but would come. And it would be worse than anything. Revelation 6:12 describes it - “And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood.” The war would bring such heavy smoke, the sun would be blackened. The moonlight turns red like blood because of ash in the sky. Now folks, we should not confuse predictable astronomical events as signs and omens. A few years ago, when there were blood moons - an astronomical event - lots of Christians were saying that the end of the world was coming. Joel and Revelation aren’t describing an astronomical event, but a battle like we’ve never seen. This is the final battle. This is Armageddon. This is Gog and Magog. How do we know? Nothing like this had been ever seen and nothing like this shall be ever seen. But it’s certain because it’s the day of the Lord.

Now, I know some of you are already asking - where’s this battle going to be? Armageddon, Gog and Magog. If there’s a final battle, where will it be? To be clear, Armageddon, Gog and Magog aren’t specific battles fought at specific places. We can’t find them on the GPS. Rather, they’re symbols of a final battle between God and his enemies. And the language may be symbolic. Just as we weren’t completely sure whether it was locusts or an army like locusts in Joel, the Day of the Lord may not be a real physical war even though it’s described in terms of war. It is, however, a conflict where Christ will triumph over all his enemies.

And what we learn about this day of darkness is that it’d affect everyone - it’d be universal. Verse 1 says, “Blow ye the trumpet in Zion, and sound an alarm in my holy mountain: let all the inhabitants of the land tremble.” God commanded a trumpet to sound in Zion as an alarm. He wanted all inhabitants to hear a clear and urgent warning. Yes, some alarms no one pays any attention to - like car alarms. No one bothers - they’re just annoying. Similarly, fire alarms are dismissed as drills. But some alarms are to be piercing - to show urgency. In ancient times, this was the trumpet call. Officials stayed inside the city while common people would stay outside. A soldier kept watch from a high tower against attackers. In Jerusalem, he’d be situated at the highest point - at the retaining walls of the temple. In times of invasion, he’d blow the trumpet so those outside could find safety inside the city.

Joel 2 described a great army that would come. Verses 2-10 described them as being very orderly but fierce - they’re a great and strong people. No one had ever seen the likes of them - and no one would ever see the likes of them. They’d use fire in their warfare and leave everything burned up in their path. They come with a cavalry, verse 4. Their chariots are so numerous that they have a thundering noise, verse 5. They’d inflict great pain on their enemies. They are orderly but vicious. And verse 6 says that not only will Zion - God’s people - encounter this judgment, but so will all the world. In the NIV - “At the sight of them, nations are in anguish; every face turns pale.” Everyone! And they’re so strong that opposition can’t stop them. Verse 8 - they’re so orderly in their own column, that even though they’re attacked, they are not wounded. Now, what are the implications here? This is God’s army. The final conflict against his enemies. Never been anything like it. All people will be affected.

But the warning was given to God’s people. And this is mercy. Among God’s people, are those who haven’t truly turned to Christ. If they hear the warning and believe, if they find safety in Christ - if they are in him - if they are behind his walls - they’d be safe. This has always been the principle. Israel in Egypt experienced some of the plagues - but they were safe from the last one - because they were behind their doors painted with the blood of the lamb. Rahab was not safe behind the wall of Jericho when God’s army came - but she was safe because she was behind the scarlet thread. The fact that the trumpet was sounded in Zion was an act of mercy. So while God’s people living at the Day of the Lord will go through tribulation and great tribulation, they’d be delivered eternally because they have Christ. And therefore, this reminder is also for us. The kingdom of God has wheat and tares, sheep and goats, every branch that doesn’t bear forth fruit will be cut down. There’s something coming - a judgment against the enemies of God. Will we hear the alarm and find safety in Christ? Let us get behind Christ. Why? This is the mother of all battles.

The day is severe. The trumpet sounds, the alarm rings - God is merciful to his people. But this God who is slow to anger will bring his judgment. And when it comes, who can stand it? Verse 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?” Who can stand that day? Let me read from Revelation 6:15-17 - “And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; and said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” No one can stand. The powerful people, the rich, the educated, the successful, slaves, janitors, unschooled - everyone will try to avoid it but can’t and they will find no relief. The rich fool, when his soul was required of him, could find no refuge in all his barns of wealth. Judgment will come. Psalm 130:3 says, “If thou, LORD, shouldest mark iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand?” If God kept a record, who could stand. No one. Now, dearly beloved, if God wants to judge, he doesn’t need to warn. But he does here - addressing his people - addressing his church here. Why? Because God is merciful. Some of you aren’t prepared. You’re in church, but you may not be in Christ. Your elders may pass your profession of faith - but do you truly possess faith? We must make sure of our salvation. As reformed folk, we know it’s not just walking down an aisle, getting baptized, going through confession of faith, saying the sinner’s prayer that saves. We believe and repent. And how do we know we’re God’s people? If we continue to believe and repent. We are saved by grace through faith. And the evidence of that grace in our lives is continued love for God and obedience to him. And so for those of us who are walking astray and not repenting, neither stirring our faith in the gospel and our love for God, then we may not be ready for that day. But God is merciful.

Secondly, we see the restoration offered upon repentance. The trumpet warning was for Zion - God’s people. After sounding an alarm, God said to his people in verse 12 -“Therefore also now, saith the LORD, turn ye even to me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning.” The word “therefore” follows the warning of the Day of the Lord. It’s coming, therefore, repent. But it also says, “therefore also now turn ye.” God was turning their attention back to their current problems - the locusts. In the midst of your current problems, repent - for a worse problem is coming. Humility is required. God sent the locusts to point to a worse day. What are your sins? What are your struggles? Will you be humble to deal with them? Because these troubles point to a worse time. Let these times be humbling times for us - to turn to God. It may be family problems, marital discord, work problems, office politics, illness - each of these times of humbling give us an opportunity to examine and repent. For example, Hezekiah was stricken with sores and told that he would not have long to live. He repented. David was told that he sinned and his son would not live. David repented. Seasons of humbling in our lives are calls from God to return to him. That word “turn” means repentance - not just feeling sorry, but action. It’s to stop in your tracks, regret, and turn 180 degrees to do what is right. Zacchaeus was a good example. In coming to Christ, he gave up half his wealth to the poor; and repaid anyone he cheated 4 times. He heard the alarm and the trumpet, and found refuge behind the walls of Christ.

Let’s make this real. You and your wife have a terrible relationship. You’re a gossip. You are a person who is never satisfied. You are a serial complainer. You give into your discouragement far too often - it’s habitual. You are jealous. You have a secret sexual sin. You are very judgmental. You want to run away from it all. See these things and be alarmed. And let your humility be heartfelt. Verse 13 says we shouldn’t just rip our clothes in a display of humility, but we must rip our hearts. Don’t just acknowledge these things are bad - mourn for them. And come hopefully in repentance. Verse 13 says, “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.” We’re told in Romans that it’s the goodness of God that leads us to repentance. Since God doesn’t give up on us, since this time of humbling and struggle in your life is given by him, heed the trumpet call and repent. Who knows, in verse 14, if you repent, God may restore you? And that’s why there’s a call to inconvenience yourselves. Verse 15 says, “Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly.” If you hear the trumpet of warning, then blow the trumpet for worship. Don’t be oblivious. This is a trumpet call to do something. To spend time in prayer and repentance. And this is not convenient. It takes effort. Verses 16-17 says to gather the people - all the people - the old, young, and infants even, stop your wedding preparation and come together with the religious leaders. This is hard work to pray, “Spare thy people, O LORD.” There will never be a convenient day for you, your family, your church to come together to pray. Dearly beloved, let’s come to pray at the prayer meeting. But no! Many of you will not. But the trumpet is sounding.

But if we do - humble ourselves and pray. The Lord will send us restoration, refreshing, revival, and renewal according to his timing and providence. Through humbling, through repentance, you gain perspective. And that brings you refreshing. God can restore all things lost. Your marriage can be saved. Your relationship with your children restored. Verses 19-25 tell us that he will send grain, wine, oil; the enemies will be driven out; the land would be restored; the livestock would be restored; the rains will come back - the early rains in autumn and the latter rains in spring. There had been a drought - but God would restore those things back to them. And according to verse 25, God would even restore what had been lost during the locust plague. But not always will we be restored the way we want. David repented. His son still died. Zacchaeus was restored, but was a poor man. But they were humbled and joyful. David had the joy of his salvation returned to him. Zacchaeus was rich in grace. God rewards his way. You may never get your job back, but you may patiently wait to be led to another. You may never have your friendships back, but you have learned humility. You may never get back those wasted years with your children, but you have learned gentleness toward them. But the restoration and refreshing will always be spiritual. Verse 27 - “And ye shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God, and none else: and my people shall never be ashamed.”

And who are the ones that shall never be ashamed? Those that truly repent - the true people of God in Christ. Romans 10:11 says, “Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” In Acts 3:19, when Peter preached to the Jews he said that true refreshing, true restoration, true blessing is not getting back the things that you have lost. It is not having a perfect life. But it is having Christ himself - which is far better. Peter said, “Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord.”

1. The Final Day Of Dense Darkness And Heavy Smoke Described

A. The Certainty of that Day

B. The Universality of that Day

C. The Severity of that Day

2. The Restoration Offered Upon Repentance

A. The Humility Required Today

B. The Vitality Offered Today