I27.09.88.htm

THE LOCUSTS (1).

A "MILITARY FORCE" OF "LOCUSTS"
BEFORE THE COMING OF "THE GREAT
AND FEAR-INSPIRING DAY OF JEHOVAH."

Besides being a spiritual indicator in fulfilment of the prophecy through Joel, the work of this "military force" of anointed "locusts" is so that people of God are aroused to call together a "solemn assembly" in order to "sanctify a congregation" and appeal to Jehovah to show compassion for His people. (Joel 2:11 & 15-17).

As for the apostate "northerner", the "disgusting thing… standing in a holy place" known as the "man of lawlessness", they will be removed far from His people into a parched and desolate waste without Spirit from God. (2:20. Matt 24:15. 2 Thess 2:1-12).

"COMPENSATION" FOR THE YEARS OF THE "LOCUSTS".
The spiritual "land" of beloved people of God has borne reproach and "lost all its joy and gladness" (1:16 NEB) because of the spiritual work of His "military force", which is to publicly declare denunciations of God against the spirit of uncleanness and apostasy occupying His spiritual "land". This apostasy is being eaten away by the "military force" of His anointed "locusts", as it is written: "Their like has never been known, nor ever shall be in ages to come; their vanguard a devouring [Spirit] fire, their rearguard leaping flame; before them the land is a garden of Eden, behind them a wasted wilderness; nothing survives their march." (2:2,3 NEB). But Jehovah will make good the years that His anointed "locusts" devoured "the land", when His chosen people were made to bear reproach on account of apostates excluding them on account of His Holy Name. (2:25-27) (Zeph 3:18. Isaiah 66:5).

The years of the "locusts" were also when people of God were being spiritually refined and becoming likened to "threshing floors" of "cleansed grain". (Joel 2:24). "Thereafter the day shall come when I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams and your young men see visions; I will pour out My Spirit in those days even upon slaves and slave-girls." (2:28,29 NEB). Because the joy in their lives was sacrificed during the years of the "locusts", this is the means by which Jehovah our God will compensate His people: His Spirit will give compensation to their spirits. This is one of the signs prophesied to take place "before the coming of the great and fear-inspiring day of Jehovah." (2:31).

"THE LOW PLAIN OF JEHOSHAPHAT".
Meanwhile, international aid programmes arouse the nations to demonstrate their rebellious spirit aspect before God by lending their aid in their attempts to thwart the judicial decision of God to sacrifice Egypt, Ethiopia, and surrounding lands "on account of My people and My inheritance Israel, whom they scattered among the nations; and they apportioned out My own land." (3:1-3). The rebellious spirit aspect of Godless ones is being judged by Almighty God in "the low plain of Jehoshaphat". (3:11,12. Isaiah 43:3,4).

(Cont. on Page 29/9/88).

27/9/88.