“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.
As numerous calamities and significant events follow one another, the world is in the deep sleep of sin. As if deaf, people are totally consumed by their own interests and have no idea how serious the time is. The prophecies for our time are rapidly being fulfilled, but people are unaware of them. Unbelief, disobedience, criticism of the Bible, relativism, and human claims and theories fill their minds, leading them into wrong paths.
The awesome event described in Joel 2–the return of Jesus to earth–is at the door. The prophet’s message is certainly frightening; and the people’s reactions, described in Verse 6, show that the event will surpass every imagination one can have concerning it. Two articles in this issue–“At the Door” and “The Great Separation”–show the reasons why the majority of people will be literally scared to death when Jesus comes. They will, in fact, at that point prefer death to life. This is described in Revelation 6:15-17, where it is prophesied that the people will cry for the mountains and rocks to fall on them and hide them.
Comparing this reaction to that of those who are saved, we see a big difference: “Lo, this is our God; we have waited for Him, and He will save us: this is the Lord; we have waited for Him, we will be glad and rejoice in His salvation.” Isaiah 25:9. What causes the difference between the two groups? One sees the God of wrath; the other, the God of love and righteousness.
But there also signs of sleepiness in the church. Its spiritual condition is not growing to a higher level, its dedication is not complete, and social relations are not always characterized by understanding and happiness. Proper relationships between individuals and loving respect for one another are diminishing, and faithfulness leaves much to be desired, as often revealed in our tone of voice and the words we speak. Therefore, God’s call of love in the prophecy of Joel should be earnestly heeded. “Therefore also now, saith the Lord, turn ye even to Me with all your heart, and with fasting, and with weeping, and with mourning: And rend your heart, and not your garments, and 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. Who knoweth if He will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind Him:…” Verses 12-14.
Now is the time to blow the trumpet–and the right one! While we need to warn people of the wrath which will be poured out upon people who stand against God, we need even more to properly represent the holy, loving, longsuffering Ruler of the universe. He not only gave His own life to redeem mankind but continues to work through the Holy Spirit to transform human beings into His own wonderful image of love. If people truly want this, God will give them a whole new way of looking at the world, as well as at the past, the present, and the future.
The exclamation of the righteous upon seeing Christ is clear; they will greet Him with jubilation as their Saviour. To call people to be a part of this group, we must motivate them through love and righteousness. And true love means to sound a warning against sin (which is really rebellion and unbelief) and proclaim its remedy in Christ. In other words, simply trying to avoid punishment will ultimately prove to be powerless; we need to love God and His kingdom with all our hearts.
Christ will abide only with everyone who invites Him to abide in his heart and life. Still today the Saviour is performing the miracle of grace for everyone who wants it. “Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you. A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh. And I will put My spirit within you, and cause you to walk in My statutes, and ye shall keep My judgments, and do them. And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be My people, and I will be your God.” Ezekiel 36:25-28.
It is high time to raise our voice and blow the trumpet to warn the world and waken the church. It is time to wake up, for that great day is near–very near.
May this message and the articles in this issue help us to progress every day in the way of life and meet Jesus with joy at His coming.
Antonino Di Franca, Italy
President of the General Conference
