The Army of Locusts
(Amos 7:1-9)
1Blowye the trumpetin Zion,and sound an alarmin my holymountain:let all the inhabitantsof the landtremble:for the dayof the LORDcometh,for [it is] nigh at hand;
2A dayof darknessand of gloominess,a dayof cloudsand of thick darkness,as the morningspreadupon the mountains:a greatpeopleand a strong;there hath not beeneverthe like, neither shall be any moreafterit, [even] to the yearsof manygenerations.
3A firedevourethbeforethem; and behindthem a flameburneth:the land[is] as the gardenof Edenbeforethem, and behindthem a desolatewilderness;yea, and nothing shall escapethem.
4The appearanceof them [is] as the appearanceof horses;and as horsemen,so shall they run.
5Like the noiseof chariotson the topsof mountainsshall they leap,like the noiseof a flameof firethat devoureththe stubble,as a strongpeopleset in battlearray.
6Before their facethe peopleshall be much pained:all facesshall gatherblackness.
7They shall runlike mighty men;they shall climbthe walllike menof war;and they shall marchevery oneon his ways,and they shall not breaktheir ranks:
8Neither shall onethrustanother;they shall walkevery onein his path:and [when] they fallupon the sword,they shall not be wounded.
9They shall run to and froin the city;they shall runupon the wall,they shall climb upupon the houses;they shall enter inat the windowslike a thief.
10The earthshall quakebeforethem; the heavensshall tremble:the sunand the moonshall be dark,and the starsshall withdrawtheir shining:
11And the LORDshall utterhis voicebeforehis army:for his camp[is] verygreat:for [he is] strongthat executethhis word:for the dayof the LORD[is] greatand veryterrible;and who can abideit?
Return with All Your Heart
12Therefore also now, saiththe LORD,turnye [even] to me with all your heart,and with fasting,and with weeping,and with mourning:
13And rendyour heart,and not your garments,and turnunto the LORDyour God:for he [is] graciousand merciful,slowto anger,and of greatkindness,and repentethhim of the evil.
14Who knoweth[if] he will returnand repent,and leavea blessingbehindhim; [even] a meat offeringand a drink offeringunto the LORDyour God?
15Blowthe trumpetin Zion,sanctifya fast,calla solemn assembly:
16Gatherthe people,sanctifythe congregation,assemblethe elders,gatherthe children,and those that suckthe breasts:let the bridegroomgo forthof his chamber,and the brideout of her closet.
17Let the priests,the ministersof the LORD,weepbetween the porchand the altar,and let them say,Sparethy people,O LORD,and givenot thine heritageto reproach,that the heathenshould rule overthem: wherefore should they sayamong the people,Where [is] their God?
Restoration Promised
18Then will the LORDbe jealousfor his land,and pityhis people.
19Yea, the LORDwill answerand sayunto his people,Behold, I will sendyou corn,and wine,and oil,and ye shall be satisfiedtherewith: and I will no more makeyou a reproachamong the heathen:
20But I will remove far offfrom you the northern[army], and will drivehim into a landbarrenand desolate,with his facetoward the eastsea,and his hinder parttoward the utmostsea,and his stinkshall come up,and his ill savourshall come up,because he hath donegreat things.
21Fearnot, O land;be gladand rejoice:for the LORDwill dogreat things.
22Be not afraid,ye beastsof the field:for the pasturesof the wildernessdo spring,for the treebearethher fruit,the fig treeand the vinedo yieldtheir strength.
23Be gladthen, ye childrenof Zion,and rejoicein the LORDyour God:for he hath givenyou the former rainmoderately,and he will cause to come downfor you the rain,the former rain,and the latter rainin the first[month].
24And the floorsshall be fullof wheat,and the fatsshall overflowwith wineand oil.
25And I will restoreto you the yearsthat the locusthath eaten,the cankerworm,and the caterpiller,and the palmerworm,my greatarmywhich I sentamong you.
26And ye shall eatin plenty,and be satisfied,and praisethe nameof the LORDyour God,that hath dealtwondrouslywith you: and my peopleshall neverbe ashamed.
27And ye shall knowthat I [am] in the midstof Israel,and [that] I [am] the LORDyour God,and none else: and my peopleshall neverbe ashamed.
I will Pour Out My Spirit
(John 14:15-26;John 16:5-16;Acts 2:1-13;Acts 10:44-48;Acts 19:1-7)
28And it shall come to pass afterward,[that] I will pour outmy spiritupon all flesh;and your sonsand your daughtersshall prophesy,your old menshall dreamdreams,your young menshall seevisions:
29And also upon the servantsand upon the handmaidsin those dayswill I pour outmy spirit.
30And I will shewwondersin the heavensand in the earth,blood,and fire,and pillarsof smoke.
31The sunshall be turnedinto darkness,and the mooninto blood,beforethe greatand the terribledayof the LORDcome.
32And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall callon the nameof the LORDshall be delivered:for in mountZionand in Jerusalemshall be deliverance,as the LORDhath said,and in the remnantwhom the LORDshall call.
