Day of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the Day of the Lord.

Joel 3:1

Click for a description of the mark of the beast.
Click for a description of the image of the beast.

 “For behold, in those days and at that time, when I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem…” Joel 3:1

The phrase “in those days” relates to the time when the Holy Spirit was poured out as mentioned in Joel 2:28-32. Those days occurred after our Lord Jesus Christ atoned for our sin which is followed by the Day of the Lord. The Holy Spirit comforts us in our present troubles, prepares us for future challenges, and is a guide through the Day of the Lord. The Holy Spirit also assures us of our eternal inheritance in the New Jerusalem. The phrase “bring back the captives” means that people are liberated from captivity to sin and death. Through Jesus Christ, we are forgiven and reconciled to God. We are free to live a Holy life in Jesus Christ and free to receive eternal life.

“But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. Therefore He says: “When He ascended on high, He led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men.” Ephesians 4:7-8 The grace of Jesus Christ liberates us from captivity. However, no one in Israel or any other Jewish person can experience this freedom unless they reconcile to God through Jesus Christ. In fact, the true Jews are those who follow Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. “For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly, nor is circumcision that which is outward in the flesh; but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the Spirit, not in the letter; whose praise is not from men but from God.” Romans 2:28-29

The phrase “led captivity captive, and gave gifts to men” means that Jesus Christ has overcome the power of sin and death and has given us spiritual blessings. To illustrate this, think of animals that are trapped in cages at an animal shelter. They are in captivity. Then, someone comes and adopts one of them. The person takes the animal to their car and drives it to their house. The animal is still captive, but in a different way. It is no longer under the control of the shelter, but of the person who loves it. When the animal arrives at its new home, it receives many gifts, such as food, toys and affection. Similarly, we are captive to sin until we are adopted by God through faith in Jesus Christ. While we live in this world, the Holy Spirit keeps sin under control in our lives until we reach our heavenly home where we receive many gifts from God. In this sense, Jesus Christ has taken our captivity to sin and made it His own. He has led captivity captive.

Multitudes and multitudes of people today are in the valley of decision. They have to choose between being in captivity to the thing giving them their feelings, thoughts, actions, and words, or letting Jesus Christ take captivity captive through the Spirit. “…casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” 2 Corinthians 10:5

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:1