12-09-05 Joel 2:1

Joel 2:1 (KJ21)
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—

Joel 2:1 (NAS)
Blow a trumpet in Zion, And sound an alarm on My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, For the day of the LORD is coming; Surely it is near,

Joel 2:1 (NIVUS)
Blow the trumpet in Zion; sound the alarm on my holy hill. Let all who live in the land tremble, for the day of the LORD is coming. It is close at hand—

Joel 2:1 (NLT)
Blow the trumpet in Jerusalem! Sound the alarm on my holy mountain! Let everyone tremble in fear because the day of the LORD is upon us.

You have probably heard many times that the end of the world is coming and that is true. In His scriptures, Almighty God gives you many warnings concerning that time. He especially wants His chosen people to be ready, so He continually asks His ministers to proclaim His will. He instructs them to blow a trumpet, clang an instrument, and to sound an alarm.

However, for you, since you belong to Adonai, this should not be distressing, but joyful news. He has promoted you and lifted you up to His holy mountain. You dwell in His sanctuary, where you are safe and protected; for He has pronounced you clean and holy, as well.

Those who have not yet bowed their knee to El-Shaddai, the One True God, should tremble with fear; for the Lord sits in judgment over them. They may think that they will continue to live and dwell at ease, marrying and settling in homes, but a day is coming that will cause them to be afraid. It is the day of the Lord God and it will certainly come. Then the inhabitants of the land, those who do not belong to God, will see trouble and the wrath of God poured out on sinful flesh.

As the day of the Lord draws ever nearer, keep yourself in the love of God and maintain your faith in Him. Unlike your self-absorbed neighbors, you will have nothing to fear on that day.