THE DAY OF THE LORD

Beloved say to the people:

It is time to repent; turn away from your drunkenness, for the things of this world will not satisfy. This is a time of sackcloth, fasting and prayer for the day of the Lord is upon you. Tell your children and parents to be vigilant for you will recount this day for ages to come.

On that day, an enemy nation, whose numbers you cannot count, will come against you. They possess the teeth of the lion and their intent is to destroy the vine. Tell the ministers of the Lord to mourn for on that day the grain will be destroyed and the harvest of the field will perish. The Vine will wither and the Fig Tree will languish.

Ministers and priests sanctify a fast and call a solemn assembly. Gather in the elders and cry to the Lord your God on behalf of the people. Stir up the Spirit among your people for the Day of the Lord is upon you. In Zion, blow the trumpet to confound the enemy and sound the alarm on my holy mountain.

This day will bring fire; then darkness and gloom, and the blackness will envelope a great people that has never existed before nor will ever exist again. A fire will go before them and a flame behind; nothing will escape. Then the enemy will come as warriors on horses. They will scale the walls, enter the cities, climb into houses, and pass through the windows like thieves.

The sun and moon will be darkened, and the stars will stop their shining. Remove yourselves to a place of hiding. Gather there all my congregation and declare a fast with prayer and weeping for why should the nations ask, "Where is their God?"

The Lord will hear your prayers and become jealous for his land. I will send you grain, wine and oil from the land to your east and you will no more be a reproach among the nations. For Zion, I will remove the land to the north and drive him into a parched land. Your enemies will be driven into the eastern and western seas and his stench will rise as a sign of my grace.

I, your God, will bring the early rain as vindication to cleanse your lands and the latter rain to restore your crops. Once again your threshing floors will be full. I will restore you to the bounty of before and never again shall my people be put to shame. In those days, I will pour out my Spirit and you shall once again be called My People.