The prophet Joel spoke of a time when “the sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes” (Joel 2:31). This vivid and startling imagery has puzzled Bible readers for centuries. What did Joel mean when he predicted this cosmic upheaval?
To understand Joel’s prophecy, we first need to understand the context. Joel ministered to the southern kingdom of Judah in the 9th century BC. At the time, the nation was facing a terrible plague of locusts that had destroyed their crops and brought famine upon the land (Joel 1:4-12). Joel interpreted this plague as a warning from God and a foretaste of future judgment if the people did not repent (Joel 1:15).
In chapter 2, Joel prophesies that a future “day of the Lord” is coming that will be far worse than the locust plague. He describes it as a fierce army invincible like locusts that will bring unprecedented destruction (Joel 2:1-11). Yet even in the face of this, Joel calls the people to repentance, fasting, and prayer in hopes that God may withhold his judgment (Joel 2:12-17).
It is in the midst of this message of warning that Joel declares, “the sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes” (Joel 2:31). Given the context, this seems to be describing cosmological events accompanying Christ’s second coming in power and judgment.
Throughout Scripture, the sun being darkened and the moon turning to blood are used metaphorically to depict God’s judgment on the earth (Isa 13:10, Ezek. 32:7-8, Matt. 24:29, Rev. 6:12). While some believe these verses could point to literal astronomical events, it is more likely that they are prophetic metaphors conveying the cosmic scope of God’s intervention in the world. Just as the locust plague in Joel’s day blotted out the sun with their swarming numbers, so the “day of the Lord” will bring darkness over the land.
Joel’s prophecy therefore serves as a vivid warning that while God’s judgment may seem delayed, it will surely come. Peter in fact quoted this very verse from Joel on the day of Pentecost to explain the supernatural phenomena occurring as signaling the dawn of the “last days” (Acts 2:17-20).
While the precise nature of the cosmic signs Joel described is debatable, their purpose is clear – they mark the climactic day of God’s judgment. For unbelievers, that day will bring darkness and bloodshed. But for the repentant who turn to Christ, it ushers in the light of God’s eternal kingdom.
In summary, Joel used apocalyptic metaphorical language to depict God’s coming judgment on the day of the Lord. While some interpret these verses literally, it is more likely they are prophetic symbols conveying the cosmic scope of this event. Though its timing is uncertain, Scripture is clear that a climactic day of reckoning is inevitable. Joel issued a solemn warning to motivate repentance and Holy Spirit-empowered living in light of that great day.
Understanding Apocalyptic Language in Biblical Prophecy
Joel’s striking prophecy about the darkening of the sun and moon turning to blood is an example of the apocalyptic language often used by Old Testament prophets. Apocalyptic language utilizes vivid imagery, cosmic catastrophes, and numbers symbolizing time periods to depict God’s intervention in history and future judgment.
Examples include Isaiah’s prophecy that “the stars of the heavens and their constellations will not give their light” (Isa 13:10), Ezekiel’s foretelling that the sun will be darkened and moon will not give its light (Ezek. 32:7-8), and Jesus’ own teaching that “the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light” after great tribulation (Matt. 24:29).
While some interpret such verses as pointing to literal astronomical events, most scholars understand them as metaphorical language used to stress the cosmic scope of God’s coming judgment. The prophets leveraged poetic symbolism to impress upon their hearers that God’s judgment shakes the foundations of the heavens and earth. It is not merely earthly but encompasses all of creation.
Likewise, numbers in apocalyptic literature often have symbolic significance. The numbers seven, twelve, and multiples of them frequently tie to concepts like divine perfection, totality, and completion. Time periods described in apocalyptic texts may have symbolic rather than literal meaning.
Apocalyptic language is intended to stir a sense of wonder and awe at God’s sovereignty over all creation. Its poetic nature invites reflection on the far-reaching impact of God’s actions in the world. However, interpreters must be careful not to impose overly literal meanings on what is intended as vivid metaphorical imagery.
Ultimately, apocalyptic passages remind us that God’s plans are cosmic in scope. While the timing and nature of future events may remain mysterious to us, we can trust God brings all things to complete fulfillment according to His perfect will.
The Day of the Lord in Biblical Prophecy
Joel’s prophecy about the sun and moon darkening occurs in the context of foretelling God’s coming “day of the Lord” (Joel 2:31). This important biblical concept appears throughout both Old and New Testament prophecy.
The day of the Lord refers to any time God powerfully intervenes in history to judge sin and redeem His people. Obadiah described it as a “day of disaster” for Edom (Obadiah 15). Zephaniah called it “a day of wrath, a day of distress and anguish, a day of ruin and devastation” (Zeph. 1:15). Yet the prophets also viewed it as a day when God would bless His people and establish His righteous kingdom (Joel 3:18, Amos 9:11-15).
While the day of the Lord includes times of past judgment like the Babylonian exile, the prophets looked ahead to a final climactic day of the Lord when God would judge the entire world and usher in His eternal kingdom. Jesus placed this still future apocalyptic day of the Lord’s coming after a period of great tribulation (Matt. 24:29-31).
Peter proclaimed at Pentecost that the pouring out of God’s Spirit was a sign that the last days preceding this final epochal day of the Lord had arrived (Acts 2:17-20). The New Testament writers lived with an eager expectation that the day of the Lord could arrive at any time (1 Thess. 5:1-2, 2 Pet. 3:10).
While debated, most evangelical scholars understand the day of the Lord to point ahead to a yet future time of tribulation followed by Christ’s bodily return to judge evil, resurrect the dead in Christ, and establish His millennial kingdom on earth. After this thousand-year reign, Revelation describes one final judgment before eternity (Rev. 20:7-15).
Seen in this context, Joel’s prophecy serves as a call to readiness and holy living in light of the great day of reckoning coming when Jesus returns. While distressing for unbelievers, that day will ultimately bring joy, vindication, and reward to the people of God.
Interpreting Old Testament Prophecy
Joel’s prophecy about the darkening of the sun and moon provides a good example of principles for wisely interpreting Old Testament prophecy:
- Consider context – Joel gave his prophecy against the backdrop of a literal locust plague and famine, using these events as a harbinger of future judgment if Israel did not repent.
- Recognize apocalyptic symbolism – The images of the darkening sun and moon turning to blood are best understood not as literal astronomical events but as figurative language conveying the cosmic scope of God’s intervention on the “day of the Lord.”
- See multiple fulfillments – Joel’s prophecy had partial fulfillment in historic days of God’s judgment like the Babylonian exile. Yet its complete fulfillment awaits the second coming of Christ.
- Look for relevance – While the precise meaning of some symbolic prophecies remains ambiguous, often their core relevance – such as the inevitability of God’s judgment – comes through clearly.
- Note NT application – Later NT references like Peter’s citation of Joel at Pentecost help clarify the meaning of OT prophecies. The NT applies Joel’s prophecy to the end times preceding Christ’s return.
By following these principles, interpreters can carefully understand OT prophecies like Joel’s in light of their context, genre, canonical trajectory, and relevance for today. Though parts of Joel’s prophecy remain enigmatic, it clearly warns of a coming climactic day of God’s judgment when Jesus returns.
Connections to the Day of Pentecost
In his sermon on the day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter quotes Joel 2:28-32, applying it to the coming of the Holy Spirit upon Christ’s followers (Acts 2:17-21). Just as God promised to pour out His Spirit in the last days, empowering prophecy and dreams (Joel 2:28-29), now that very promise was coming to fruition before their eyes.
Peter evokes the apocalyptic language from Joel 2:30-31 about cosmic signs preceding the day of the Lord, viewing these signs as symbolic of the climactic last days already being inaugurated with Christ’s first coming. God was breaking into history in a new way to initiate the arrival of his kingdom, with the full day of the Lord yet to come at Christ’s return.
Peter therefore calls his hearers to repentance in light of the arriving day of the Lord (Acts 2:19-21). Just as Joel promised salvation for all who called on the Lord’s name, so now all must call upon Jesus to be saved from the coming final judgment.
In this way, Peter follows the pattern of other NT authors in understanding Jesus’ first coming as initiating the arrival of the last days with the consummation yet to come. The outpoured Spirit marks a new eschatological era between the times – a foretaste and downpayment of the full redemption still to arrive at the day of Christ’s return.
Joel’s prophecy remains as relevant as ever, calling readers to a Spirit-empowered life of repentance, and pointing forward to the climactic day of judgment and salvation when Jesus returns.
Lessons for Followers of Christ
Joel’s prophecy continues to provide important lessons for Christians today:
- God takes sin seriously. His judgment, while patient, will come inevitably. This should lead us to sober self-reflection and repentance (1 Cor. 11:31).
- God’s judgments have purpose – to warn and stir repentance so that the greatest number possible turn to salvation. We should respond accordingly.
- Even amidst judgment God shows merciful patience and offers salvation to all who call on His name in faith. His heart is always for redemption.
- Believers must live holy lives in light of Christ’s imminent return. The day of reckoning is closer now than when we first believed (Rom. 13:11-12).
- While awaiting Christ’s return, we should live Spirit-empowered lives for God’s kingdom purposes, ministering to others with the gospel of salvation.
Joel calls believers to hopeful readiness for Christ’s return, while making the most of the time God gives to draw many into His eternal kingdom. Though the sun will one day darken, the Son – our Lord Jesus Christ – is the light who shall never fade.
Trusting God’s Promises Despite Mystery
For the original hearers, Joel’s prophecy raised many questions. When would the locust plague end? How bad would the coming invasion get? What exactly did Joel mean about the sun and moon, and when would it happen?
Yet Joel called them to patient trust amidst the unknown. By turning to the Lord in faith according to His word, they could wait confidently for how God would work everything out in His perfect timing and way.
Similarly, aspects of Joel’s prophecy remain mysterious for us today. The complete picture of how cosmic signs will manifest before Christ’s return lies beyond current understanding. Yet we can trust God’s faithfulness to fulfill His promises, even if the details remain unclear.
In the end, the exact “how” and “when” matter far less than whom we place our faith in. Joel calls us to turn to the Lord Himself, who sovereignly controls the sun, moon, and stars. By trusting Christ – the light of the world – we can hope expectantly for His perfect will to be accomplished.
Living With Urgency
Joel’s prophecy envisioned cataclysmic events accompanying the day of the Lord. Some scholars believe his words will have literal modern fulfillment through phenomena like solar and lunar eclipses, meteors, and blood moon tetrads coinciding with major events in Israel’s history.
Yet whatever the precise nature of the cosmic signs Joel described, his core message remains unchanged – the day of God’s judgment looms inevitably on the horizon. None of us knows how soon it will arrive. This uncertainty is meant to instill a sense of urgent readiness in Christ’s followers.
The sun will literally rise tomorrow, but spiritually the next day could signal the dawn of eternity. As Joel pleaded with Israel to return to the Lord before it was too late, so the approaching day of Christ’s return calls for sober reflection and wise prioritization of how we live now, while there is still time.
Rather than speculating about the uncertainties, Jesus calls us to faithful obedience each day until He comes. By living in readiness and engaged in the Lord’s work, we can have confident assurance whenever that day arrives.
Maranatha! Come Lord Jesus!