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THE LOCUSTS (6).
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(Cont. from Page 11/10/88).
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EXPLAINING THE SYMBOLIC LANGUAGE
OF GOD THROUGH THE PROPHET JOEL.
Chapter 1.
Verses 5-8:
This
prophecy from God primarily concerns this generation just
before "the great and
fear-inspiring day of Jehovah". (2:31). Spirit anointed "locusts"
of God have received detailed Spirit knowledge of His Judgements. Spiritual
"food" from God has been withheld, "cut off from [apostate]
mouths" (1:5,9) while His anointed "locusts" have poured
out denunciations from God upon apostate teachings in His spiritual "land"
and "devoured" them. (1:6). They have "stripped it
bare" and "thrown it away". Members of the apostate sect
of JWs falsely claiming to be of the "vine" of God will be set as
an "object of astonishment", causing those despoiled to mourn. (1:7,8).
Verses
9-13:
Anointed
"locusts" are sent by God to completely destroy the apostate
"vine". The "sweet wine" of God is for the spiritual
needs of His beloved people. But it is cut off from apostate mouths to prevent
these "drunkards" from having anything new and spiritually
upbuilding from God to say to the people. This unstoppable horde of
"locusts" has stripped the "land" of apostate fruitage and
left the branches of their apostate "vine" white and exposed. Why?
For the reason that the sect of JWs were misusing the heaven-sent "sweet
wine" of God to give glory to themselves, while the produce of
their apostate "vine" is spiritually worthless. Misusing the
"sweet wine" of God, they have spiritually become
"drunkards" exalting and glorifying themselves in their apostate
teachings! During this
time, the opportunity to present spiritual "grain" and
"drink" offerings to Jehovah for His blessing has been lost, and
faithful anointed priestly ministers of the Lord have been in a
"sackcloth" condition. (1:9,13 NEB).
Verse 14-18:
The
only remedy is for anointed priestly ministers of the Lord to "call
together a solemn assembly" of all the inhabitants of the "land"
to come to the house of Jehovah and cry for spiritual aid. (1:14. See NEB).
Through this "solemn fast" inhabitants of His spiritual
"land" may repent and come back to Jehovah with all their hearts,
calling upon Him for spiritual aid through anointed ministers of His house.
(1:14). But Jehovah will only be a refuge for His people, "a fortress for the sons of Israel." (3:16). We need His
Spirit and spiritual instruction. As desolating spiritual and world events
signalling the imminence of the "day of Jehovah" take place, and
while the spirit of apostasy still exists in His spiritual "land",
the "joy and gladness" of receiving spiritual "food" from Him is withheld. (1:16,17 NEB).
But His anointed "locust" nation had to "come up into
[God's] land" (1:6) to receive heavenly Spirit knowledge as to why
"the droves" have "wandered in confusion" and the
"sheep" have been "the ones made to bear guilt". (1:18.
See Rev 11:12).
Verse 19,20:
Denunciations
poured out from God through His Spirit anointed "locusts" upon
apostate teachings exposes apostates and their spirit of uncleanness.
The devouring Spirit "fire"
of the Lord's Judgement will follow, and will destroy the apostates and their
"pasture grounds" as identified by His anointed "locusts":
"To thee I cry, O Lord; for fire has devoured the open pastures and
the flames have burnt
up all the trees of the country side."
(1:19 NEB).
Therefore it is written: "In Zion the sinners have come to be in
dread; shivering has grabbed hold of the apostates: 'Who of us can reside
for any time with a devouring fire? Who of us can reside for any time with
long-lasting conflagrations?'" (Isaiah 33:14).
(Cont. on Page
26/10/88).
25/10/88.
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