JO9EL - SOUNT THE ALARM
JOEL
SOUND THE ALARM
Tuesday Morning bible Study, August 4, 2026, the Year of Our Lord
Pastor Carolyn Sissom
Joel 2:1: Blow the trumpet in Zion. Sound an alarm in My holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble. For the day of the LORD is coming. For it is at hand.
“Every dimension of present truth requires a trumpet; a clear prophetic voice among the people of God that articulates His heart… to return to the “high calling” of God (W.S. Ward, Jr.).
This heavenly summons, this upward drawing by the Holy Spirit to the top of Mount Zion, is clearly and persuasively articulated by the apostle Paul in Phil. 3: 7-11.
Phil. 3:14b-15: …I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded; and if in anything you be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
The Bible prophesies about a chosen generation of overcoming men and women who will, in the words of Paul, “not all sleep.” (die). The ultimate outworking of Christ’s corporate anointing will empower the sons of Zion to put the “last enemy” of death under their feet (1 Co. 15:26).
Joel’s army now arises with new perspective as we discover that Zion is a place in Christ.
This corporate Overcomer now awakes to find new relationships, for Zion is a people---the brethren of whom our Elder Brother is not ashamed.
Joel is one of the 12 Minor Prophets. This is the Book of the Day of the Lord written by Joel, who ministered to the city of Jerusalem and the House of Judah.
Last week, Jo Ann asked me about the corn, the wine, and the oil. Our study this week in Joel addresses her question.
Joel 1:9-10: …The priests the Lord’s ministers, mourn. The field is wasted, the land mourns, for the corn is ruined. The new wine is dried up. The oil fails. Be ashamed, you farmers. Wail, you vinedressers, for the wheat and the barley, because the harvest of the field has perished.
Drought and famine had destroyed the harvest. The plague of locusts had been horrific. The national catastrophe was made worse by the distress of drought and famine. The prophet begins to INTERCEDE FOR THE CORN, THE WINE, AND THE OIL. He is broken hearted because the harvest is wasted. The “field” is wasted, ravaged, devastated, and spoiled. The “field” is the world. The harvest is ruined because the “corn” of God’s Word, the “wine” of the Lord’s joy and the “oil” of His spirit has been cut off.
When Joel prophesied this, it was little wonder that the whole” land” mourns. This word,” land” (adama). This word is tied to the Hebrew word for “Adam.” The Lord’s inheritance, the” land” in which He invests Himself, is humankind! God plants His nature, the Seed of His engrafted Word (James 1:21) with a people. We are the “earth” into which His Kingdom comes (Matt. 6:10) “on earth as it is in Heaven.”
“I plead with you, O Zion, there is a controversy in Zion. It is for the corn, the wine, and the oil. Blow the trumpet, blow the trumpet.” (Kelly Varner”)
The last time I taught Joel, chapter 1 was May 28, 2005. I wrote the following:
“Last night (2005) I had a dream. In the dream I was holding a plastic bag full of seed corn. It was packed in water. I was told to apportion the seed corn and distribute it at different places where I was being sent to preach.”
The alarm has sounded. Across American and through the nations, young men and women are stirring with a fresh awareness of their high calling in God.
The land mourns. All of Adam’s family is crying out for the corn, the wine, and the oil.
And Adam knew his wife again; and she bare a son, and called his name Seth: for God said she, hath appointed me another seed... (Gen. 4:25)
The new breed is an appointed seed, the third son for the third day now awakes with new faith, although it is still dark out there – we do not have all the answers. These called-out-ones now rouse themselves with new courage, for we are one among a thousand. -Few there be that find this pathway of light and life.
The corn (wheat, cereal, grain) also mentioned in Joel 1:17; 2:19; represent the Word of God. There is no fresh corn in Babylon. It has been wasted (ravaged ruined). Islam, Wokeness, Marxism and Communism have taken over our education and medical institutions in the United States. They are now blatantly making their move to take over our government. They have even joined forces within the Democrat Party. Throughout the Bible, oil is a symbol for the anointing of the Holy Spirit.
Mark 7:13: Making the word of God of no effect through your tradition which you have handed down. And many such things you do.
“Alas for the day! For the day of the Lord is at hand… (Joel 1:15)
The day of the Lord is a keynote in the Book of Joel and is mentioned six times in his prophecy (Joel 1:15 twice; 1:1,11,31;3:14.) This awesome season is the Seventh Day from Adam (2 Pet.3:8; Jude 1:14), and the Third Day from Jesus (Hos. 6:1-3; Matt. 16:21; Luke 13:32; John 2:1).
The Day of the Lord is a day of “darkness” to the wicked, to those who are walking after the flesh. The Kingdom of God is a Kingdom of light in stark contrast to the kingdom of darkness.
Joel 2:2: A Day of darkness and of gloominess, a day of clouds and of thick darkness, as the morning spread upon the mountains; a great people and a strong; there has not been ever the like, neither shall be any more after it even, to the years of many generations.
Joel’s overcoming army is “great” and “strong.” As with David, this host of God grows in number “day by day.”
Joel 2:3: A fire devours before them; and behind them a flame burns; the land is as the Garden of Eden before them…
Jer. 23:29: Is not My word like a fire?
Joel 2:4: The appearance of them is as the appearance of horses…
Jer. 4:13: In that day shall there be upon the bells of the horses, Holiness unto The Lord…
Throughout the bible, the “horse” (warhorse or chariot horse) is a picture of the overcomer. The only ones who can walk through the desolation of Joel chapter one are those who have been harnessed by the Lord; whose mouths have been bridled by His righteousness.
Jesus’ armies are clothed with righteousness (Rev. 19:8, 14). We have heard the trumpet blast and have caught the scent of battle. We have obeyed the shout of our Captain (Heb. 2:10). We have heard the battle cry!
Jer. 12:5: If you have run with the footmen, and they have wearied you, then how can you contend with horses? And if in the land of peace, wherein you trusted, they wearied you, then how will you do in the swelling of Jordan?
Joel 2:5: Like the noise of chariots on the tops of mountains shall they leap…”
These chariots are moving on the “tops” or “heads” of the mountains. We are moving about on the heads of kingdoms and will bring the Word of the Lord to heads of state.
Joel’s army of consecrated ones is sent forth to minister His “anger” and “rebuke” upon the “refuge of lies.” We are horses that “leap,” stamp, spring about.
Joel 2:5: …like the noise of a flame of fire that devours the stubble, as a strong people set in battle array.
This is an ordered and disciplined people ready for the “battle.”
2:6: Before their face the people shall be much pained; all faces shall gather blackness.
Joel’s army will restore the fear of the Lord to the Church.
Joel 2:7: They shall run like mighty men…
The gibbowr (mighty man) is a proven warrior, a hero, the elite military corps. These were mighty men of valor. The “mighty men” who suffered with the renegade David in the caves later reigned with King David in the palaces of Zion.
Joel 2:7: …they shall climb the wall like men of war…
The overcomers are Special Forces. These men/women are notable men of high degree. They are expert climbers, able to scale any obstacle. To “climb” is to ascend, go up; be high; mount; grow up or go over; to excel, to be superior to; to be exalted. It aptly applies to those apprehended for the “high (upward) calling.”
Joel’s army are climbers by virtue of their inward nature. There are creeping vines and there are climbing vines. Like Joseph we innately
reach for the highest realm by virtue of Him who lives within. No box can contain us. No wall can withstand us.
Walls can speak of unholy alliances, confederacies, conspiracies, and/or blockages between the Kingdom of God and evil.
God is at war with every man-made wall. Jesus rent the veil and destroyed the “middle wall of partition” at the Cross. He now sends His prophets to progressively “mop up” the operation. Prophet Ezekiel dug through the wall. Prophet Daniel read words of judgment on the wall. Joel’s prophetic army climbed over the wall. Prophet David leaped over the wall. Finally, Prophet Joshua shouted and the wall fell.
Joel 2:7: …and they shall march everyone on his ways, and they shall not break their ranks.
The Army of God is disciplined, well-trained, and devoted to one another. They each “march” “on his ways.”
When we follow His footsteps, we will not “break” our ranks. We refuse to use or abuse or disrespect one another, . Joel’s army is made of honest folks, men and women of great integrity and reliability.
The name of “Gad” means, “a troop cometh.” There is a company of men and women sprinkled throughout the nations who are all walking the same upward “path” to Zion! Jesus is the “strong man,” and we are running His “race.”
The well-worn path laid out by Abraham, Paul and others in the Hero Hall of Faith is the ascended life. We are now coming forth, every man in his own order.
Joel 2:8: Neither shall one thrust another; they shall walk everyone in his path…
Mature believers do not “thrust,” press, crowd, push, entangle or oppress one another. By love we prefer and serve each other. In the previous verse, we walk in “His” ways. Here we walk in “His” path.
Joel’s army is the Firstfruits Company (Rev. 14: 1-5) that goes before the people of God to prepare the way.
Joel 2:8: …and when they fall upon the sword, they shall not be wounded.
Nothing can stop or hinder this army. They are never offended by the “sword” of His Word. They are not easily offended or wounded. There is no insecurity to give place to offense.
We walk in spiritual immunity having been given “power” over all the “power” of the enemy. We have nothing to fear. The enemy is afraid of us.
Joel 2:9: They shall run to and fro in the city; they shall run upon the wall; they shall climb upon the houses; they shall enter in at the windows like a thief.
Note the progressive motion of Joel’s host. They march upon the city, then scale the wall, then climb upon the houses, and then enter the windows. God is relentless in His righteous judgments.
Joel 2:10: The earth shall quake before them; the heavens shall tremble…
Joel 2:11: …for He is strong who executes his word; for the day of the Lord is great and very terrible; and who can abide it.
Dan. 11:32: But the people who know their God shall be strong and do exploits.
He is “strong” that “executes” His Word. The Kingdom of God is a kingdom of His Words. Joel’s host is a prophetic army. The creative Word of the Lord is in our hearts and mouths to adjudicate the purposes of God. We declare and decree the Word of the Lord.
The Day of the Lord is a day of reversals (Ps. 126). It is both day and night in the Earth at the same time! Joel prophesied that this season was approaching, “at hand”. Besides the Book of Joel, the “Day of the Lord” is mentioned 15 times in the Old Testament.”
2 Pe. 3:10: But the Day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heart, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.
In one of David Wilkerson’s newsletter, “It’s Harvest Time” (2005). He points out when Jesus declared, “The fields are ripe, and the harvest is plentiful. It’s time to begin harvesting” Bro. Wilkerson writes that at that moment, the great, final spiritual harvest began. It started as a harvest to the Jews and Gentiles of Jesus’ generation. And this same harvest is going to last until Christ returns. He says, What did Jesus see in his time to cause him to say this? The Gospels don’t reveal much evidence of any spiritual move toward God. If anything, they show the opposite. Jesus was mocked in the synagogues. The nation’s spiritual leaders rejected him, questioning his integrity and divinity. One religious crowd tried to throw him over a cliff. And Christ himself upbraided Israel’s cities for not repenting at his message. Woe, Tyre, Woe Sidon, Woe Capernaum!”.
Jesus actually gives us a picture of what the last days would look like:
Famines, earthquakes, tribulations, nations divided, false prophets and false christs would deceive many and lead multitudes astray. Believers would be hated for even mentioning Christ’s name and the love of many would grow cold, with some falling away because of the bold increase of sin and lawlessness (Luke 21:25-26).
N.I.V: The Lord thunders at the head of his army.
We are “His” army, “His” camp. We have ears for “His” voice.
Arise army of God. Our time has come!
Trumpets are calling us to the place of consecration, to return to the high calling. Only the priest can blow the trumpet. Men and women of prayer, praise and worship are sounding this message. Only those who can show mercy will proclaim Zion’s call.
Dan. 12:3: They who are wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
Who can “abide” the Day of the Lord? Only He can! As we allow Jesus Christ to be big in us, as His anointing is “without measure” (Jn. 3:34), we will not only abide, but we will also be triumphant as His armed host.
Who will stand when He appears? He will! The only reason we are still standing is that He is standing in us.
“If the Lord had not been on my side…”
Zion the high calling is above and beyond the grasp and comprehension of mere men. Those who make up Joel’s great army will do so by His inward empowerment and His anointing (Zech. 4:6). God is bigger than anything that man can image. He has broken out of every man-made theological box. Again, who will abide the Day of the Lord? He will---in His people!
Joel 2:15: Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, and call a solemn assembly.
The prophet repeats Joel 1:14 and 2:1, bringing a threefold witness of the solution to his nation’s desolation. God’s three greatest spokesmen---Moses, Paul, and Jesus---all declared by the mouth of two or three witnesses would everything be established (Deut. 19:15, Matt. 18:16, 2 Cor. 13:1).
Joel 2:16-17: Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children, and those that suck the breasts; let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
Let the priests, the ministers of the Lord, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say, Spare your people, O Lord, and give not your heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them; wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
Christians will stand before the Lord and be asked, why did you give your Christian heritage over to the Heathen? Why did you allow Christianity to become a reproach?
After the real prayer of Joel 2: 12-17, everything now turns. There is a deliverance and blessing for the land, for the beasts, for the children of Zion, for the harvest and most importantly for worship.
Joel 2:18: Then will the Lord be jealous for His land and pity His people.
What a huge word---“then”.
“Then” When? After the repentance and cleansing, after the time of fasting and prayer, we receive the unlimited blessings of the Feast of Tabernacles. God spares His sons, His “jewels.”
When we call upon the Lord, He will “answer” us. Indeed, His eye is on the “sparrows.” How much more His chosen? Whenever His people repent and commit themselves afresh to His service, God sends plenty of
the “corn” of His Word, the “wine” of His joy, and the “oil” of His Spirit.” We are “satisfied” with His goodness. Nothing in this world can compare with the things of God. Natural blessings will never slake our thirst or fulfill the cry of our hungry hearts.
Once we have received these blessings of His Word and Spirit, the “reproach” (Joel 2:17) of the “heathen” (Joel 1:6) is removed. The world will no longer mock the children of God.
Joel 2:20: But I will remove far off from you the northern army…
Ps. 103:12: As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.
The “northern army” of locusts had been brought in on the wings of the north wind which was cold, barren, and biting (Job. 37:9). On a positive note, the north wind reveals the operation of the Holy Spirit in the conviction of sin. The north wind kills everything except the evergreens, everything except Christ, who is our life.
Joel 2:20: …and will drive him into a land barren and desolate, with his face toward the east sea, and his hinder part toward the utmost sea and his stink shall come up, and his ill savor shall come up, because he has done great things.
BUT GOD, Joel 2:22: Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field; for the pastures of the wilderness do spring, for the tree bears her fruit, the fig tree and the vine do yield their strength.
“It shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord has said, and in the remnant whom the Lord shall call.
So the remnant is called!
God’s promise is sure. All this will “come to pass” (Joel 2:28). God is no respecter of persons or faces. Whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be delivered.
There shall be deliverance in the “remnant whom the Lord shall call” with the high calling! Rejoice if you have been set apart to go through the fire of God; and you have been through an overturning. That means the Lord has called you to the high calling. Only a free man can set a man free!
That fullness of outpouring for the whole earth remains to be seen and experienced in the global harvest and is the Spirit “without measure.” This will be poured out upon Zion’s overcoming company empowering them to move into the high calling!
Carolyn Sissom, Pastor
Eastgate Ministries Church, 10115 West Hidden Lakes Lane, Richmond, TX
Scripture from K.J.V. – I entered the labors of Sound the Alarm by Kelly Varner (1949-2009). Comments and conclusions are my own and do not reflect the views of Rev. Varner