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Joel 2:25: Difference between revisions

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{{Template:Pointing to himselfÇÇ
William Branham taught that Joel 2:25 related to the restoration of the church and, specifically, to his ministry.
William Branham taught that Joel 2:25 related to the restoration of the church and, specifically, to his ministry.


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But is his interpretation valid?  He also linked Joel 2:25 with Zechariah 14:7.  Is that an appropriate interpretation?
But is his interpretation valid?  He also linked Joel 2:25 with Zechariah 14:7.  Is that an appropriate interpretation?
=What the Bible actually says=
In order to properly interpret scripture, it is necessary to read the passage in context:
:''Be glad, O children of Zion, and rejoice in the LORD your God, for he has given the early rain for your vindication; he has poured down for you abundant rain, the early and the latter rain, as before. “The threshing floors shall be full of grain; the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.
:''I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, the hopper, the destroyer, and the cutter, my great army, which I sent among you. “You shall eat in plenty and be satisfied, and praise the name of the LORD your God, who has dealt wondrously with you.
:''And my people shall never again be put to shame. You shall know that I am in the midst of Israel, and that I am the LORD your God and there is none else. And my people shall never again be put to shame.
:'''''And it shall come to pass afterward''', that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.
:''And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke.  The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes.  '''And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved.'''<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Joel 2:23–32.</ref>
It is interesting to note that the latter part of this passage is specifically referred to in Acts 2:
:''But Peter, standing with the eleven, lifted up his voice and addressed them: “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and give ear to my words.  For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.  But '''this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel''':
::''“ ‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy.
::''And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001), Ac 2:14–21.</ref>
Peter clearly says that Joel 2:28-32 was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost.  The preamble to Joel 2:28 also plainly states that this is after the restoration that takes place in Joel 2:25.
We therefore must conclude that William Branham's interpretation of Joel 2:25 was wrong and was only done to try to '''point to himself'''.


=Quotes of William Branham=
=Quotes of William Branham=