We heard how Joel prophesied about the Day of the LORD. It is the day
when the LORD executes judgment and thereby shows who He is, that He
may be honored! We see in Joel 3:1-17 poignantly described that our view
of God depends on our relationship with Him (compare Psalm 18:25-28).
On the one hand, there is judgment; heaven and earth will tremble at God's
voice. On the other hand, the Lord's roaring voice is also a refuge.
This culminates in the people of the Lord confessing the LORD as their
God. We read in verse 17, “So shall ye know that I am the LORD your God
dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and
there shall no strangers pass through her any more.” We came across a
similar prophecy in Joel 2:27, “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.” This first confession of the people of Israel
resulted from the salvation and blessing of God's people. This second
confession resulted from God's judgment on the enemies. We see Israel
coming to her purpose and praising and honoring God. They exalt His
Name. We read how Jerusalem is filled with holiness because God is
present. He is present in the confession of the people of Israel. He is present
in their hearts and souls. He is present in their lives. But most importantly,
He is present with His Spirit (Joel 2:28-32). This coming to their goal of
God's people is entirely God's own work. It is His Son, the LORD of
Righteousness, who works atonement. It is the Spirit who is poured out. It
is the Lord who rules sovereignly. How great is God's mercy to rebellious
and sinful people.
The strangers will no longer profane Jerusalem. The Lord then dwells in
Zion. Zion in the New Testament is a picture of God's people from Jew and
Gentile. It is the bride of Christ, who will descend from heaven as the new
Jerusalem. The Lord dwells on His mountain, where He will provide. The
mountaintop stands unshaken and overlooks the valley of judgment. There
is hope for Israel as the old covenant people of God, but there is hope for all
of God's people. In a way, this prophecy is already being fulfilled now, in
our time. There is a worldwide church of Jews and Gentiles, praising God's
Name. But we are waiting for a further and fuller fulfillment, and we are
waiting for the fullest fulfillment when the Lord Jesus will return on the
clouds of heaven. What a day that will be. "Come, Lord Jesus."