THE PLACE OF GENUINE REPENTANCE IN PROPHECY FULFILLMENT
So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the crawling locust, the consuming locust, and the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you. (Joel 2:25)
There are tons of amazing prophetic pronouncements concerning children of God in the Scripture. One of such prophecies from the book of Joel is quoted above. These prophetic proclamations are blessings for children of God to claim and see fulfilled in our lives. However, we must not forget that majority of such prophetic utterances have conditions attached to them. This implies that we have a role to play in the fulfillment of prophecies in our lives. The prophecy releasing the blessings of God on His children in Deuteronomy 28:1-14 is conditioned on obedience. Joel prophesied at the time when the nation of Judah had suffered the devastating effect of disobedience to God. Four waves of locust completely wiped out all vegetation. Everyone, including the priests, was in distress (Joel 1: 6-9). God called His people unto repentance and promised restoration of all that was lost.
That is why the LORD says, Turn to me now, while there is time. Give me your hearts. Come with fasting, weeping, and mourning. Don’t tear your clothing in your grief, but tear your hearts instead. Return to the LORD your God (Joel 2:12-13)
The fulfillment of every prophecy in the book of Joel in individual lives is conditioned on repentance. The people must rend their hearts, not their garments, and turn to the Lord. He will visit and leave blessings behind. God said: The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil (Joel 2:24). By the grace of God, we will look into the prophecies in the book of Joel concerning they that rend their heart and not just their garment. Here are some of the prophecies:
- Divine restoration and no more shame (Joel 2:25)
- The abundance of His blessings (Joe 2:18-19, 21-24, 3:18-21)
- Destruction of the enemy (Joel 2:20, 3:1-17)
- A fresh outpouring of His Spirit and total deliverance (Joel 2:28-32)
Remain blessed and rapturable.
Pastor Akindele Odeshi