Book Of Joel

Book of Joel

(New King James Version)

The Book of Joel can be divided into 3 parts. The first part is Chap 1:1- 2:17, second part 2:18- 27 and the third part is 2:28- 3:21.

Chap 1:1- 2:17

The book of Joel is the second book of Minor Prophets. There are altogether 14 Joels in the Bible. Example, the eldest son of Samuel is also call Joel. Therefore in verse 1, it says "Joel, is the son of Pethuel" so as to distinguish the different Joel.

The name of Joel means Jehovah is God. This is an important name. (1 Kings 18: 25-39) We remember the time when Elijah was on Mount Carmel, he had to remonstrate with the 450 prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18:19) that if praying to the god of the Baal will bring forth fire for them. However, it did not happen, and when it is Elijah's turn to pray for the God of Israelites to bring forth the fire, it did. This manifested the name of the Lord of Most High that he is the only True God.

The word “Joel” brings out the meaning of judgement, revealing that He is the one True God. It also means judgement lies in God’s hand. He is the one true and living God. When we read the 3 chapters of Joel, the tone of judgment in it is exceedingly strong.The Book of Joel is a book concerning the revelation of judgment in the end times. When you read the Book of Joel, you will discover that God is telling the nations that there will be a Great War coming upon the people.

The minor prophet book of Joel is earliest written than any other minor prophet books. Even though it is recorded as the second book after Hosea but Joel is written before Book of Hosea. Joel is the earliest prophet in the books of minor prophet and it is believe that the time he became a prophet was around the time 850 BC. It was the earliest of all other minor prophets in the Bible because the enemies that were mentioned in the Book of Joel were the earliest group of enemies of the Israelites. Joel 3: 4, the enemies of Israelites were Tyre, Sidon and Philistia. These were the earliest days of Israelites’ enemies. In Book of Joel, you will not find Babylonians, Assyrians, etc. These were the later enemies of the Israelites so we have the reason to believe that Book of Joel is an early piece of work than all other books of minor prophet.

Book of Joel mentioned 5 very important points.

1:1- 14 (1st message) the plague of locust that has never happened before came upon the people of that generation. The damage caused by these locusts was very severe therefore the nations – inhabitants of the land – were sorrowful. This was why prophets call on the people that they should repent so that God will not bring calamities upon them.

1:15 - 2:20 (2nd message) the Day of the Lord is near. Joel 2:11 says the Day of the Lord is great and very terrible. This day implying that there will be a Great War to come, the destruction of the Great War will be greater than the locust that causes the destruction to the harvest.

2:21- 27 (3rd message) God poured down the former and latter rain for the people. When the former and latter rains come, the people rejoice in the Lord because God has performed this miraculous miracle and these people shall not be ashamed. The pouring of Former and Latter rain is the merciful grace of God.

2:28- 32 (4th message) God has promised to pour down his Holy Spirit and that is before the coming of this Great War. During the time of Pentecost (Acts 2:2), Holy Spirit came down when Peter was preaching to testify the words written in the Book of Joel has been fulfilled. To us who are from TJC, pouring of the Holy Spirit is significantly important.

The last message is Judgment of the Last Day (Heb 9:27; 1 Peter 4:17). The judgment will begin at the house of God, (Joel 3). Before the judgment day, these Israelites will turn back to God in other words, it means that after this Great War and Great Tribulation, these Israelites will turn back to rely on God.

----------First Message----------

Joel 1:1 the author Joel, the son of Pethuel.
Joel 1:2 prophet Joel call on the nations to listen attentively, he called upon these nations to take note of what is going to happen after.
Joel 1:3 this message, you have to past to your children and the followinggeneration. What is the message? Verse 4
Joel 1:4 the swarming locust will eat what is left by the chewing locust, crawling locust will eat what is left by swarming locust and consuming locust will eat what is left by the crawling locust.

Here it talks about 4 different types of locusts.
1. Chewing Locust
2. Swarming Locust
3. Crawling Locust
4. Consuming Locust

1st Explanation: Concerning the locusts in verse 4, there are a few different explanations. Some says this is the cycle of swarming locust.

2nd Explanation: is that all these are just different types of locusts.

This is the actual and correct cycle of a locust (Joel 2:25).

Swarming Locust -> Crawling Locust -> Consuming Locust -> Chewing Locust.

Compare it to 1:4, it starts of with

Chewing Locust -> Swarming Locust -> Crawling Locust -> Consuming Locust.

Of these 4 locusts, one of which the Chewing locust is the most destructive. The damage caused by the Chewing locust is the greatest and this is more likely to be the correct cycle.

Characteristics of Locust (Arabians are often affected by them)
1. Face of the Horses马的脸
2. Eye of the Elephants象的眼睛
3. Neck of the Cows牛的劲
4. Horn of the Deer鹿的角
5. Chest/Breast of the Lions狮子的胸堂
6. Intestines/Stomach of the Scorpions蝎子虫的肚子
7. Wing of the Eagles老鹰的翅膀
8. Hind leg of the Camel/Camel’s leg骆驼的腿
9. Leg of the Ostrich陀鸟的脚
10. Tail of the Snakes蛇的尾巴

This research is done by some members in the University from TJC on development of female locusts. According to their research, the professor told them that there are more than 90 different types of locusts (swarming locust). Its size is about more than 2 inches long, it has 4 wings and 6 legs. It can fly, jump and walk. The 2 pairs of forelegs are for walking and the back hind legs are used for hopping. 4 wings are to fly.

In the OT, locusts are consider a clean insect therefore John, the Baptist had locust with honey (Matt 3:4). In the Book of Psalms and Zephaniah, it often put together both the crawling & consuming locust when locusts were mentioned. Sometimes they will put together the swarming & consuming locust. Anyway, these locusts – swarming, chewing, consuming and crawling locusts are consider as one type of locust of the swarming group. Out of the 4 types, the most powerful locust is the Chewing Locust. It can cut off the hardest thing.

The Crawling Locust feeds on harvest of the field – grains, wheat etc. The Consuming Locust feeds on fruits and vegetables. The Swarming Locust feeds on thin and softer food. While the Chewing Locusts eat (destroy) big plantation – Olives, Cocoa Plantation etc.

In Exodus, the 8th plague that Egyptians suffered was caused by the chewing locust. After the locust left Egypt, there was no one single green thing left seen on the land because when the locusts come, it comes like a dark cloud and it is very fast. In just seconds, it can finish all green. So they illustrated that the locust teeth is liken to a saw. Here it describes in verse 6, the teeth of the locust is liken to a lion’s teeth.

The message of how the locusts came to destroy is something that has never happened before and so Prophet Joel told the nations that this should be past down to generation as a warning.

Joel 1:5 Firstly, the prophet warned those who are drunk to be sober and weep. People who are lovers of wine will wail and weep because the wine has been cut off from their mouth. The coming of locusts has come to destroy all grapes plantation so there are no more grapes. Without grapes it is impossible to have wine. Whether it is the strong or light wine, you will have no more wine to drink.

Joel 1:6-7 These locusts have come down against My Land. My Land refers to the Land of God, the land of Israelites. The locusts have lay waste and ruin the vine and fig trees.

Joel 1:8 Therefore the prophet told the nations to lament like a virgin girded in sackcloth for the husband of her youth. The virgin mention here refers to young women who has just engaged weeping for "the husband of her youth" (her fiancée) because before they even get married he passed away. Now, this woman – the virgin will become terribly sorrowful. The prophet Joel told the people that the lost of their wine will be as sorrowful as the virgin who lost her husband. Therefore this destruction should be very severe and great.

Joel 1:9 offerings are made by the priests. There are 5 different types of offerings.
The Book of Leviticus has mentioned the 5 types of offerings.
1. Burnt Offering
2. Grain Offering – grains, wheat, fruits, flour, biscuits
3. Peace Offering
4. Sin Offering
5. Trespass Offering

All offerings need the shed of blood, only grain offering does not have to shed blood, in other words, grain offerings is the cheapest offering. The grain offering has been cut off from the house of the Lord because of the destruction caused by the locusts. The whole land is under poverty and they will have nothing they could offer. Even the cheapest offering – the grain offering – they cannot afford to offer, this is how poor it can get when the locusts come.

The drink offering is the sacrifice of food sprinkle with wine. This is also the simplest form of offering, the cheapest offering and yet they can't afford to offer.

Joel 1:10 locusts came therefore the field, land, grains, wine, oil perishes. When grapes are destroyed there will be no wine, when olives trees are damaged there will be no oil.

Joel 1:11-12 grapes, wheat, barley perishes is the shamefulness of farmers therefore they weep.

Joel 1:13 now the prophet requests the priests to wail, not only they cry they have to gird in sackcloth. To gird in sackcloth means to repent. In the OT, only during funeral do they put on sackcloth and it was during this time when someone dies, it is the most pitiful thing therefore the prophet wants the priests to take the lead in weeping for the misery that has come upon the nations.

Joel 1:14 the prophet wants the priests to consecrate a fast, that is to announce for a fast, why do they have to fast? Because they have entered the most sorrowful period. What is a sacred assembly? According to Leviticus, a sacred assembly is to put a hail to all works. When the priest called a sacred assembly, the whole nations whether young or old, they have to stop their work and gathered together in the house of the Lord to worship God. They cry out to the Lord because the nation has fallen to the stage of poverty.

---------- Second Message----------

Joel 1:15 onward talks about the second message that is the day of the Lord is at hand. This is a fearsome and frightening day. This day, according to Joel 2:2 is a day of darkness and gloominess.

Joel 1:15 For the day of the Lord is at hand, it comes as destruction from the Almighty. This day of the Lord will be more frightening than the period where the locusts attack the harvest. This time the day of the Lord will be a whole destruction not just the destruction to the harvest. How will the day be?

Joel 1:15 - chap 2 onward will mention the seriousness of the day.

Joel 1:17-18 When the day of the Lord comes, all the animals will have to suffer and groan. Therefore the beasts groan, cattle are restless, sheep suffer your punishment. Earlier only the plantations are destroyed, now when the day of the Lord comes, even the animals will have to suffer.

Joel 1:19 O Lord to You I cry out. Why do we have to cry? Because the fire has burnt the pastures, trees of the field.There are 2 meanings to this, 1st is - before the day of the Lord comes they will be a drought, the weather will be very hot, to the extent the trees and fields caught fire, the heat will cause the trees to dry up and wither. The 2nd is - the fire will come from the Great War therefore the fields and trees are burnt. This is the signs that will happen before He comes.

Joel 1:20 because of this drought, even the beast of the field will cry as they have no water to drink since water brooks have dried up. So the fire can be either from the drought or the fire from the Great War.

Joel 2:1 Blowing of the trumpet is a sign of warning - a warning to notify that calamities, disasters and sufferings are coming. It is also a warning to inform that there is a war to come. Here it says all the inhabitants of the land tremble. Why are the inhabitants of the land trembling? Because the day of the Lord is at hand, when the day of the Lord is here, the whole nation shall fear and therefore tremble.The day of the Lord written here has two meanings and it is at that time, there is a war that is going to come to them. Now, we are also waiting for this day to come. At the end times, before the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, there is "the day of the Lord" (in chapter one) - it is the days before the Great War and Tribulation. At that day - it is a period of time - the whole world and nation shall tremble.

Joel 2:2 Now this day is of darkness and gloominess, day of clouds and thick darkness, like the morning clouds spread over the mountains. What does it means the morning clouds spread over the mountains? Why is the coming of the Lord’s Day, liken to the morning clouds spread over the mountains?

There are many explanations on this,

1st - when the Great War comes, there will be a flock of people escaping, they run towards the mountain and from there they are trying to flee from the Great War to come.

2nd - Elder Elisha said that this is aeroplanes when the Great War comes, there will be aeroplanes flying from here therefore the morning clouds spread over the mountains. Some says this is the army of the enemies coming from the mountain. All these explanations have a certain truth in it. Therefore, it says "a people come, great and strong".

In the Chinese Bible, it was written as “the locust” is great and strong. In here, it is not talking about the locust of chapter one but rather it was telling us that the "people" that is to come will be strong and great.This people, this army, will be a great army, and from this mountain came forth this great army and strong navy. Whether it is the air forces or land forces, we do not know.

In the past, Elder Wang explained this as the air force, in verse 3 it mentions “them”. “Them” refers to the army. In front of them, there is a fire and behind them there is a flame burning.There are a few explanations on this. Elder Wang said this fire is from the aeroplanes. It can fire out fires from the front and back therefore the fire can destroy everything. Some explained that before this is the plague of the locust and after comes the drought. When the drought is here, the land is empty and dry and therefore the fire started.No matter what from verse 2 and 3, this is probably a severe and terrifying Great War.

This Great War uses the latest, the most advanced weapons and bombs to destroy the world that has never happened before, therefore it was written – before them was like the Garden of Eden and after that a desolate wilderness meaning before the Great War, the world is like the Garden of Eden, after the Great War it became a desolate wilderness and nothing shall escape.

During the war in the past, people can manage to escape or hide themselves in the underground basement. But when this Great War comes, nothing can be escaped or hidden. This is before the coming of the Lord’s Day.

Joel 2:4 (verse 4-5 is a description of this Great Army's weapons) This great and strong army – their appearance is like the appearance of horses, like swift steeds. (Steed: a horse, and so they run) In the past, Elder Wang explained this as the tanker, the army tanker. We need to know this is in the future, therefore the future weapons like the tanker or some special advanced war weapons, all these are a possibility.

Joel 2:5 Over the mountaintops they leap, so any of the future war weapons that has the leaping functions, I do not know. Like the noise of a flaming fire that devours the stubble, like a strong people set in the battle array. We can have an idea that the weapons will produce a loud sound when in use.

Joel 2:6 (During the Iraq War, when the American continuously firing the bombs at the army of Iraq. They were hiding in the underground basement, in the reporting of the CNN news by a reporter, they captured the scenes where during the explosion the face of these army were scared and terrifying, it is like a piece of white paper, it is liken to the face of the dead.) Just like in verse 6 it says all faces are drained of colours when the Great War is here.

Joel 2:7 They run like mighty men and climb the wall like the men of war, also to say that this army are not afraid to move forwards, they are a brave troops of soldiers. Everyone marches in formation, and they do not break ranks, also to say they are in sequence not bumping into each other but in order. Just like the bombs today, when it has focused on the target, it can't run away, it will be on you. As for the case where America hit the China's embassy, it went off track, why was this so, it was still a puzzle. Anyhow, in the future, these weapons will not be out of sequence or target.

Joel 2:8 In the future, this army will not push one another, every one marches in his own column.

Joel 2:9 This army hit into everyone’s home and there is no way to escape.

Joel 2:10 This war to come is very severe, the heaven tremble, the sun and moon grow dark, the stars diminish in their brightness. During the CNN news reporting on the war with Iraq, the reporting time was 12 in the afternoon but it was dark all over.

Joel 2:11 During the war, it is God who is giving the command to this army. He is the commander, so before the Great War, there is a time, the time is where the book of Revelation said there is a certain year, certain month certain day and time that the Lord God is going to give the command, and then the beginning of the Great War.The “strong” here will be the one to fulfill His words which refers to the strong army. The “One” refers to God. When God gives command, the army has to be very strong it is not a feeble army. For the day of the Lord is so great and terrible that no one could endure.

Joel 2:12 After Prophet Joel tell them this, he call out the nations to repent before the Lord with fasting, weeping and mourning.

Joel 2:13 Here, prophet emphasized that you should rend your heart and not your garments. The real repentance is to rend you heart and not garments. We all know that the Jew often tear their garments to show their repentance however the clothes of the Jews are usually sow together with two pieces of cloth therefore after tearing apart their garment, when they go home they can sow it back again and this the prophet knows therefore he wanted them to really repent earnestly not outwardly. Prophet also comforted them that if they rend their heart, the Lord your God is gracious and merciful, he will be slow to anger and show great kindness when seeing you repent.

Joel 2: 14 If God seeing that you have repent, he might be regretful and relent and will in turn bless you with grain and drink offering. If you don’t repent, even the cheapest grain or drink offering God will not leave it for you.

Joel 2:15 Sacred assembly is to stop all the work you are doing, gathering the youngest to the oldest together to repent before the Lord.

Joel 2:16 Before the coming of Lord’s Day, the whole nations have to repent before the Lord. There is no one that is exception, everyone has to repent, even the children, the nursing babies, the newly married groom and bride have to leave their work and come before God to repent.

Joel 2:17 Prophet Joel call upon the nations to fast and pray and announce a sacred assembly to ask God for forgiveness.

Joel 2:18 His land here means the “Land of promise” which is the Land of Canaan, it also can be refers to “the people of God”. The Lord God will be zealous for his people. He will have great mercy and care for them because the people of God have indeed repented.

Joel 2:19 This “promise” God will bless them through giving them plentiful of food, material and physical needs.

Joel 2:20 God will be with them in the battle and that He will drive away the strongest army from His people. The front soldiers will be driven away towards the Eastern Sea. This Eastern Sea refers to the ‘Dead Sea’, the ‘Salt Sea’. The back soldiers will be driven towards the Western Sea.

This Western Sea refers to the big sea, the ‘Mediterranean Sea’.Why does God want to knock down and wipe out this Northern Army?It is because they have done great sin, their stench and folly smell reaches the sky. God seeing their great monstrous work, He will remove them.

Who is this enemy?Joel 2:11 mentions that this enemy is called “strong". (This enemy is to accomplish the work of God, the strong refers to the Big Army that will attack the people of God).
This ‘Northern army’ at the olden times refers to probably Aram, that time this army Syria is not as frightening. The ‘Northern Army’ in this passage at the olden times, is the faraway army – from Babylon. They will cross the Euphrates River passing through from the North into the Land of Canaan. God says if you repent, he will remove these soldiers of Babylon away from you. However, the ‘Northern Army’, Prophet Joel was talking about here seems to be referring to the future therefore many people are curious about who this ‘Northern Army’ is in this verse, therefore many are still doing the research on who this ‘Northern Army’ is today?On the day, before the coming of the Christ, there will be a great army coming from the North to torment and bring sufferings and calamity to the people of God. This has been prophesied many times in the books of prophesy by the prophets.

Jeremiah 1:13, the prophet Jeremiah says “I see a boiling pot, and it is facing away from the north.” This boiling pot meaning ‘a calamity’ or ‘disaster’, verse 14, God said to prophet Jeremiah, “Out of the north calamity shall break forth on all the inhabitants of the land.” This means that the ‘boiling pot’, the disaster, the great destruction will come from the North.

Jeremiah 6:1, here the people of God will have to blow the trumpet, to give warning to the nations to flee because there will be disaster and great destruction.Jeremiah 4:6, God said He will bring disaster from the north and great destruction. In these few verses it all talks about the matters of the ‘North’.

Jeremiah 6:22, this verse is clearer. According to the few verses recorded here, the army that is going to attack the people of God will be1) Coming from the North2) It will be a Great nation. It is not a small tiny mini country.3) From the end of the earth, from the North of the earth.According to the three points mention, we can roughly guess that in the North of the earth, there is a great nation that is coming to attack the Israelites... so at this time in the North, which nation is the greatest? This nation will be a brutal and cruel nation.

Jeremiah 6:23, says they are cruel and have no mercy. It has no concern or whatsoever.Now put this in mind and give it a thought! :) God promised His people unless you repent and return to Him, the Northern Army of God will be driven out and it will be killed at the Land of Canaan, the land of God, to the extend their foul odor reaches the sky which means the dead body will be all over the land.

----------Third Message----------

Joel 2:21-27 the promise of the Former and Latter rain.

Joel 2:23 It is the promise of God that He is going to give the former and the latter rain to them. When the former and the latter rain come, everything will be different.

Joel 2:21, the first thing that changes will be the land, because in chap 1:10 the land mourns as the field is wasted so when the Former rain and Latter rain comes, it says fear not the land, be glad and rejoice.

Joel 2:22 You beast of the field, do not be afraid because in Joel 1:18 the beast groans and the cattle and sheep suffers therefore God comforts the beasts do not be afraid for He will pour down the Former and the Latter rain. The open pastures are springing up and the tree bears its fruits. The fig tree and the vine yield its strength, because Joel 1:10-12 records all the plantation of fruits perishes but in this chapter because the pouring of the Former and the Latter rain, all fruits and plantation grow again.

Joel 2:24 After the coming of Former Latter rain, all these will revive again. From here, we understand that the pouring of Former and Latter rain is very important.

In practical terms, from October to November is the pouring of Former rain, the purpose of Former rain is to loosen and scarify the soil in preparation for ploughing, so from December to February, there will be plentiful of fruits.

During March to April is the pouring of the Latter rain, Latter rain is for sowing the seed and fertilizing the soil, because harvesting season is near, the pouring of Latter rain is very important to harvesting in order to bear plump seeds and fruits.The Autumn rain - scattering the seeds.The Spring rain - for harvesting.Autumn rain brings forth new wine.Spring rain brings forth fruits.

Joel 2:25 This is the situation in Canaan at that time. From today’s perspective, our church at the apostolic times is a period of scattering seeds, therefore the Holy Spirit in the apostolic times we called it Holy Spirit of the Former rain. The salvation work in Jesus Christ times starts during the times of the apostolic, the salvation of Jesus Christ starts ‘scattering seeds’ after Pentecostal Day. After Pentecost, the disciples start to baptize and this is the fruits of Autumn rain. At the present, the Latter rain – Holy Spirit have also been poured down to us.

In the year 1917, the True Jesus Church has been established, we have the Holy Spirit that is the Latter rain, what we are doing today, the work that our church is doing today is harvesting. Therefore, the Former rain and the Latter rain has very a close and important connection with the history of the church. God promise that if we listen, obey and follow His teachings, He will continue to pour down this Former and Latter rain to us.

Joel 2:25 He will restore what has been lost during the years of calamities – when locusts destroyed all food, all the curses will become blessings.

Joel 2:26 it is the hand of God working miracles and because the pouring of these two rains, the mourning land and dry soil will be joyous again. All the groaning animals will be happy again, the fruitless trees shall also bear fruits and the field will reap plentiful wheats. This is the miracles of God pouring of the rain, God’s people shall never be put to shame - farmers who can’t produce fruits are a shame.

Today, the former and the latter rain have come, we have many fruits and we are no longer put to shame. God is with us “You shall know that I am in the midst of you. You will know I’m the Lord you God and there is no other God.” This rain has already been fulfilled in the history of the church.

----------Fourth Message----------

Joel 2:28 it is very clear that the promise of God, His Holy Spirit will be pour down. It will come upon all flesh, the people, and not the animals. At the end of times, God will pour down His Holy Spirit for the people, when the Holy Spirit is poured down, ‘your sons and daughters shall prophesy, old men shall dream dreams, young men shall see visions.

Joel 2:29 “My menservants and My maidservants” here refers to all brothers and sisters. We are the menservants and maidservants of God. This pouring of the Holy Spirit has been accomplished before the Great Tribulation of the Lord arrives. This prophesies will have two effects and that is the Former rain which is ‘the apostolic times’, Peter who was speaking to the people of Jerusalem that the Prophesy of Joel has been fulfill and indeed the Holy Spirit was pour down on us (Acts 2:16) so at that time when the nations heard this they understood very clearly.

Joel 2:30-31 After the pouring of the Holy Spirit, there are two happenings. According to Elder Chen, he reckons that it was the Great War to come. Due to the war, there is blood and fire and pillars of smoke, this signifies the outcome of a war. Many weapons are used in this Great War therefore oil field will explode and there will then be blood, fire, smoke everywhere. The explosion of this oil field will be liken to the eruption of the volcanoes.

Joel 2:31 Then the day shall turned dark, day turning dark due to the air pollution – smoke, from the Great war. The smoke covers the sun. The moon turns to blood. The natural resources and natural environment will starts to change. These changes will be significant due to the influences of the war to the natural surroundings.

Joel 2:32 this is the Salvation of the Israelites, this is before the Great Tribulation, and after the war there will be many deaths and people die.

According to the Book of Zachariah, at that time 2/3 (two-third) of the Israelites will be killed, left with 1/3 (one-third) of the people going through the tribulation, after that they will be saved. Therefore it mentions that there are people running for their life in Jerusalem and also people who will be deliver. These people are the leftovers after the war. During that time (future), these people will look up to Jehovah and receive salvation. The Israelites today still do not believe in Jesus, they totally deny Jesus. The number of Israelites believe in Jesus are very few and so after the Great War, the leftovers of these people will have to call upon the name of God (Yaweh-Jehovah).

The name of Jehovah is Jesus and they will then be saved.
Fulfilled -> 1) Holy Spirit
Waiting -> 2) Great Tribulation
Waiting -> 3) Salvation of Israelites (turn back to God)


In Chapter 3, it talks about judgement of the last day which includes of the Great War.

Joel 3:1 "In those days" that refers to the Great Day of the Lord. "When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem" God will let the Jews return.

To bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem has 2 explanations.
1. The revival of the nations of Israelites.
2. To bring the Israelites back from their sufferings and tribulations.

Before the coming of Jesus Christ, after the revival of the Israelites nations, in between there will be a great judgement. This great judgement is actually the Great War, why? Joel 3:2 "I will bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat to execute judgement, which means before the coming of Jesus Christ, God will bring all nations to the Valley of Jehoshaphat, to gather all the nations to valley of Jehoshaphat and execute His judgement.

What is the Valley of Jehoshaphat? We know that the Valley of Jehoshaphat is the war in 2 Chronicles 20. In here it records that Jehoshaphat with the help of God defeated the 3 nations at Valley of Jehoshaphat therefore here in the Book of Joel records of the Valley of Jehoshaphat may be referring to the war of the time in 2 Chronicles 20.

The meaning of Valley of Jehoshaphat means "the valley of Judgement of Jehovah", in other words Jehovah will judge the nations in the Valley of Jehoshaphat. It is not to judge only one nation but all nations. In the future, God judge all nations in Israel, we can also say that the World's last Great War will be in Israel as God will make His judgement there. Why? Joel 3:2 Because these people have scattered My people among the nations and divided My land and therefore God wanted to execute judgement against them. These nations mistreated the people of God, they have taken captives of Israelites and scattered them among the nations and have divided the Kingdom of Israel. God is going to judge them once and for all.

Joel 3:3 These nations, the enemies that mistreated the Israelites, for the sake of My people I will seek for the welfare of righteousness. They sold the Israeli boy in exchange for a harlot and sold Israeli girl in exchange for wine that they may drink. Who are these nations that mistreated the Israelites nations? There are many but in Joel 3:4 it specifically mentioned a few - verse 4, Tyre and Sidon and all the coasts of Philistia.

Will you retaliate against me? If you retaliate against me, I will return your retaliation upon your own head swiftly and speedily. Prophets specifically mentioned these 3 nations - Tyre, Sidon and Philistia, and that God wanted to revenge for His people.

In the historical period, around the time 350 BC, Sidon has been taken captive by the Persians. The Persians has make Sidonites as slaves, and at the time of 330BC, the Greeks defeated Tyre and the people of Tyre become slaves for the Greeks. As for the Philistines, up to today they still do not have a country or a nation. We know that Philistines is today's Palestinians, it is the revenge of God that they do not have a nation/country. We know that 巴比 were trying to fight a land for the Palestinians, these Palestinians do not have a land sometimes they have to go to Lebanon or move to the country in Middle East, this is revenge of God upon the 3 nations for mistreating of Israelites.

Joel 3:5. You have taken My silver and gold, carried into your temples - My prized possessions. This is how the nations have mistreated people of God and sold His people of Judah and Jerusalem for the Greeks therefore God is going to raise them back from where these nations have sold them to and return them with such calamity that the nations have did to people of God.

Although Israelites were in captivity but they were brought back and return from the countries that took them as captives, in contrary, the sons and daughters of these 3 nations (Sidon, Tyre and Philistia) shall be put into the hands of Judah and be sold to the Sabeans.

Sabean: Arabian countries (it's called Yemen today) that's the trading of slavery in Yemen. There are many traders and businessman in this place, especially the trading of slavery. It is a very strange prophesy that has been fulfilled. This is also one of the reasons for God to gather the nations to execute judgement as they are mistreating the people of God. Therefore God will execute judgement at the Valley of Jehoshaphat.

Joel 3:9 Therefore it says proclaim this among the nations – prepare for the war, alert the mighty men and bring to attention the men of war to come up. Now God has proclaimed to prepare for war and announce to the whole world and all the mighty men will come to land of Israelites.

Joel 3:9 Plowshares into swords, pruninghooks into spears, the weak into strong. Plowshares and pruning hooks are tools used for farming but now it is use as swords and spears. Before the coming of Jesus Christ, the whole world and nations will be in Great War, even the weak and feeble has becomes courageous to fight.

Joel 3:11 "Assemble and come all nations, gather together all around". Where are they gathering at? Gather at Valley of Jehoshaphat, vs2. All the nations will gather at Valley of Jehoshaphat, they shall pray for the power of God to be upon them, which means the world nations will come to have war battle and fight at the Valley of Jehoshaphat, there that they prayed for the heavenly soldiers of God to fight for them in this Great War.

Joel 3:12 All nations will be awaken to come to the Valley of Jehoshaphat and God will sit to judge all the nations. So from the prophecy of prophet Joel, we could cross-reference the revelation of John, we will come to know that the last Great War will be happening in the land of Judah, and that was the place which the Bible had mentioned "Armageddon" therefore the last war mentioned by the Book of Joel chapter 3 was the war of the Last Day and that the whole world will gathered at the land of Judah, and God finally send His troops to announce war with them. In concern to this war, Elder Elisha Wang had done a precise research – in the future they will be certain troops that will come to Israel for this war, one is

1. Rulers from the Eastern Nations: includes China, India, Japan, Taiwan (from East).
2. Next is from River Euphrates – those countries from the Middle East. But John said it will be the kings of all nations so it should be the nations that are coming from the East and West.

In the Book of Jeremiah, the Strong one that was mentioned by Jeremiah was the Northern Nation. The Northern nation/territory that was mentioned by Jeremiah was recorded most detail in book of Jeremiah therefore Elder Wang said from Jeremiah chapter 25 signifies that the nations/countries shall be lead by this big Northern Nations. In the future the troop that is going to attack Israelites will be huge in number.

Ezekiel 25 It talks about Ammon, Moab, Edom – this 3 places is today's Jordan. Philistia is today's 巴劫, they are the Palestine Liberation Organization. 巴勒斯坦结放的主治.

Ezekiel 26 Tyre is today's Lebanon
Ezekiel 27-28 is Tyre, Sidon is also today's Lebanon
Ezekiel 29-31 talks about Egypt, it is today's Egypt
Ezekiel 31:3 Assyria 亚述 = Syria 续利亚

These are the nations that will be involved in the Great War. In addition, chapter 27 "the dry bones shall resurrect", the resurrection of dry bones mean the revival of the Israelites nations.

The revival of the Israelites nations, according to Ezekiel 37:21, they will return to their own land, in verse 22 it says there will no longer be divided into two nations. They shall be One King and One Nation. After the revival of the Israelites nations, they will no longer be a division of Northern and Southern Kingdom, to fulfil the prophecies of the prophet that there will only be One Nation and One King – this is the revival of Israelites nations.

Ezekiel 38 mentions about the war, this will happen only after the revival of Israelites nations.
Ezekiel 37 the appearing of Gog and Allies.
Ezekiel 38:2 Gog, of the land of Magog
(GOG) The Kings of Gog are -> Rosh, Meshech and Tubal
Rosh = Russia
Meshech = Moscow
Tubal = one of the states in Russia, 土鲁斯 Toulouse

In fact, these 3 are Russia and it is going to be King. Why is he becoming King? He is going to take the lead as an influence for the following countries to go on for a war.

Ezekiel 38:4 "I will turn you around, put hooks into your jaws and lead you out with all your army, horses and horsemen, all splendidly clothed, a great company with bucklers and shields, all of them handling swords" This is the organisation of the Russians.

Ezekiel 38:5 The first to follow Russia is Persia. Persia is today's Iran. Ethiopia is today’s Sudan.
Persia = Iran
Ethiopia = Sudan
Libya = 利比亚 Libya

Ezekiel 38:6 Gomer = Northern Black Sea, Toran. Czechoslovakia - on the North coast of the Black Sea. (黑海北岸的捷克)

Togarmah of far north: a place near Russia with few numbers of natives, a kin's place/near borderline of Russia, having a few numbers of natives in a 3 closely link island, connected link of a country. National minority on the three islands formed an alliance. 少数民族的三个岛的加盟共合国.

This group of people with its troop, along with many other people with them, many of the nations/countries are coming together with Gog. King of Gog = Rosh = Russia, as the lead.

Ezekiel 38:7-8 Gog is going to be the leader, he is to take the lead bringing along other countries that has mentioned, to the deserted mountains of Israel.

Ezekiel 38:9 “It will ascend, coming like a storm, covering the land like a cloud, you and all your troops and many people with you”.

Ezekiel 38:12 “You will fight those who live in the mid of the World” What is the mid of the World? In the middle of the world – that is the land of Israel. When we talk about North, South, East, West, we use Israel as the centre point to talk about direction therefore many of these countries are coming to the centre point of the world, Israel.

Ezekiel 38:15 This is what God told Gog. “You will come from your place out of the far north, you and many people with you, a great company and a mighty army”

Ezekiel 38:16 “Gog, you will come up against My people Israel, like a cloud cover the land. In the later days, God will bring Gog against His land.

Ezekiel 38:18 When Gog and many of the nations and countries came to attack the land of Israel God’s fury will show in His face. God will show His anger, on that day there will be great earthquake (38:19).

Ezekiel 38:20 it says mountains shall be thrown down, the steep places shall fall and every wall to the ground.

Ezekiel 38:21 how is God going to take action against Gog?

Ezekiel 38:22 God will bring pestilence and blood shed upon Gog. God will pour down flooding rain, great hailstones, fire and brimstones on Gog, on his troops and people who are with Gog.
When Israelites was attacked there is no way for them to protect themselves or rely and stand on themselves, it was during the final stage when God uses heavenly troops – disaster, to attack on Gog, that Israelites can be saved.

Therefore Ezekiel 38:22 “the flooding rain, great hailstones, fire and brimstones” that was what the book of Joel chapter 3 mentioned, about God sending down its power, Joel 3:11. So at the end, the only one that can come to rescue Israel is God’s troop, God himself, the troops of God are flooding rains, great hailstones, fire and brimstones.

It is easy for God to deal with man, man uses all sort of nuclear weapons, bombs, tankers, nuclear bombs, but God does not need all this. God’s weapons are plagues, hails, thunderstorms. Imagine the whole troop of soldiers are plagued, there were already half dead, how could they even start a tanker, nuclear bomb, or drive a plane? When they are suffering from a plague how can they still move? So God’s defeat is very simple, he just allow you to fall sick, this is mentioned in the Book of Ezekiel. When this army started fighting

Ezekiel 39 it says the troops of Gog casualties can be seen abounded in every corner, 死伤遍野, since the number of death is so huge therefore Ezekiel 39:11 God name the place Valley of Hamon Gog.

The Valley of Hamon Gog became the burial place for Gog. This Valley of Hamon Gog may be the Valley of Jehoshaphat in the Book of Joel.

Valley of Hamon literally means – the multitude of Gog, it is also the Valley of decision in Joel 3:14

Joel 3:14 Valley of decision should be the same valley mentioned in Ezekiel 39:11 and that is where God execute His judgement on Gog & Magog – Valley of Hamon Gog.

Ezekiel 39:12 They will have to cleanse the land for 7 months

Ezekiel 39:17 God spoke to the birds & beast of the field, “Assemble & come together at the mountains of Israel because he had big sacrificial of food to offer that you may come and eat flesh and drink blood” The flesh you ear are of the mighty soldiers, the drinks were blood of the mighty soldiers because of the war. After this incident, this place became a new temple in chapter 40 of Book of Ezekiel, and this should be the completion of the church and that is when the new bride is adorned herself ready and then the coming of Christ, coming to receive the completion in chapter 40 – beauty of the church. This is the same thing referring to Revelation 19.

All the countries and nations gather together at the Valley of Jehoshaphat so that God could execute His judgement. Before the end of the world, before the coming of Christ, all mighty soldiers and army from all nations will gathered together at the land of Israel.

Today, countries fighting against countries, they don’tusually prefer to have war at their own territories. Ever since 1948, from the revival of Israelites nations until now, each time there is war they like to have it at other country’s territory, when they want to fight they suggest going to your place to fight, if I win the war I win, but if I lost the battle, the things that are spoilt and destroyed are from your territory and that’s your problem.

However, during the last Great War, Israelites has no choice to choose where to fight because all the nations will gather together at the land of Israel to have war. God has already appointed and pre-selected His place of judgement of execution to be held at the Valley of Jehoshaphat so there is the more to believe that the war will happen at the land of Israel, and this is what the Revelation has reveal to us concerning Armageddon.

Prime Minister Napoleon from France have seen this place, he said at the point of looking at this battle field – land of Armageddon, he developed a love for it for he loves to battle. He said that the land of Armageddon is the world’s most perfect land for war battle. From the left is the Mediterranean Sea where navy could come up, submarine could also come up, air force could fly from here, tankers could be use in this area.

After Napoleon seen this land he reckoned and analyzed that the world’s most perfect land for battle is the land of Armageddon therefore the last battle of God will be held at the world’s best and perfect land, similar to the soccer or other sports, competitions usually held at the best soccer field in the world.

Joel 3:11 Other than the terrifying Book of Zachariah, the other book that is also tarrying is this Book of Joel. According to the Bible, before the day of judgement, at the Valley of Jehoshaphat, the battle will be held at the land of Israel – Armageddon that will surely be fulfilled.

This prophesies is taken as a reference. The whole history of this world is recorded in the Book of Ezekiel until the completion and formation of the holy temple that is after the Great War therefore the completion of True Jesus Church is after the Great War. At that time, the bride will be ready and adorned herself to receive the coming of Jesus Christ.

Joel 3:9 through the prophet, He announced for war, not only awaking the mighty men to fight but all the men of war shall come.

Joel 3:10 plowshares into swords, pruninghooks into spears, these plowshares and pruninghooks are tools of farmers. When the day of the Lord comes, the tools of the farmers shall become tools for war because this is a great day, the Lord shall lead the whole world to battle and have war.

Joel 3:11 “all the nations assemble and come gather all around”. “To gather all around” meaning father together for war. Therefore in the Book of Ezekiel, we have mentioned many countries that would be involve in this war, this is what Joel 3:11 said about all nations from all around, father together at Valley of Jehoshaphat. Valley of Jehoshaphat is the land of the Israelites.
From the Old Testament and New Testament perspective, in the future the last Great War will happen at the land of Israel, not only that the Book of Joel mentioned this, the Book of Zechariah had also mentioned this.

Zechariah 12:2 “Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of drunkenness to all the surrounding people when they lay siege against Judah and Jerusalem”. When Jerusalem was surrounded, it was referring to the countries and nations that are to come and surround Jerusalem.

Zechariah 12:3 “and it shall happen in that day that I will make Jerusalem a very heavy stone for all peoples all nations of the earth are gathered against it”. Here it says all nations of the earth are gathered against Jerusalem, in the prophecy of Zechariah revealed that all nations of the earth are to gather against Jerusalem however in the end, God shall save them.

Zechariah 14:2-3 “For I will gather all the nations to battle against Jerusalem, the city shall be taken, the house rifled, and the women ravished, half of the city shall of into captivity, but the remnant of the people shall not be cut off from the city, then the Lord will go forth and fight against those nations as He fights in the day of battle”. Here it mentions very clearly that during the day of the Lord, all the nations shall come to battle against Jerusalem.

Zechariah 14:12 this shall be the plague that the Lord will strike all the people who fought against Jerusalem. Here it talks about the people of this nation against Jerusalem shall be affected with a kind of sickness and then Jerusalem shall be saved. This is same as what Book of Joel had mentioned.

In the future, when Jerusalem is being attacked, in the end it is not they themselves that could solve their own problem, it is not the Americans or any other countries that could protect them, rather it is what the Book of Ezekiel has mentioned – it is the plagues, natural disasters that has helped them to overcome the foreign nations, these disasters shall come upon these nations – it was then these nations couldn’t stand on their feet their flesh shall dissolve, their eyes shall dry up in their sockets, tongues shall dissolve (Zechariah 14:12). This is a kind of unknown disease/sickness. If a soldier was diagnosed with such sickness he wouldn’t have the ability to operate tankers or starts an air fighter to battle.

According to the Old Testament, prophets prophesied that all the nations of the world shall come together and have war at Jerusalem, this is the will of God, His purpose is that He could execute His judgement at the Valley of Jehoshaphat.

Joel 3:11 “O Lord, cause your mighty ones to go down there”. When Israelites were surrounded by all the nations, at that time, prophet shall pray in this manner “O Lord, caused your mighty ones to go down there to fight the battle, come down to protect Israel”.

Who is this “mighty ones” of the Lord? That is the plagues, hailstones, sulphur, lightning and all natural calamities, are from God. These are the mighty ones of the Lord that comes to fight for the Israelites. In the end, the people of Israel will be saved but according to the record in Zachariah those that were saved were few, only those who are alert shall be given chances to repent.

Joel 3:12 Let the nations be wakened and come up to the Valley of Jehoshaphat.

Why come to the Valley of Jehoshaphat? Because He will sit to judge all the surrounding nations, therefore through the Valley of Jehoshaphat – the land of Israel, God is going to execute His judgement there.

What are the consequences after the judgement? Joel 3:13 There will only be two consequences.

2 consequences/endings

1. Put in the sickle for the harvest is ripe. Harvest is ripe – wheat is ripe, this is good harvest of the ripe, and what is good shall be taken back home – heavenly home.

2. Harvest the wicked. For the winepress is full – despised to the wicked, the vats overflow for their wickedness is great.

There will only be 2 consequences when God execute His judgement at the Valley of Jehoshaphat. The way how Prophet Joel described is exactly how Revelation 14 has illustrated.

Revelation 14 talks about the judgement of the end times.
Revelation 14:14-16 here it talks about a scene where Jesus came, he has a sharp sickle ready for harvesting. This is to harvest what is good. From verse 17, it is ready to harvest the grapes then the wrath of God will be on the wicked. Here in Revelation, it talks about the end times they will be 2 endings/consequences.

Wheat being harvested (reaping the earth harvest)
Grapes being trampled 践踏 (reaping the grapes of wrath)

Therefore the judgement of God in the Valley of Jehoshaphat had 2 endings that the good shall be harvest and the bad will be trampled 践踏.

Joel 3:14 “Multitude, multitudes in the valley of decision” it is during the coming of the Lord, when God is executing His judgement, dividing the good and evil, it was at the coming of the Lord that many people start to conclude and making comments, many people gather together at the Valley of decision and it was there that God is going to execute His judgement – that is the day of the Lord.

Joel 3:15-16 “the sun and moon will grow dark the Lord also will roar from Zion, the heavens and earth will shake”. This “sun and moon will grow dark” that is the situation and signs during the coming of Jesus Christ and follow up with heavens and earth shake, this description is exactly the same as how Jesus had mentioned.

Matthew 24:29 Jesus first spoke on the day of tribulation will come to pass, the sun and moon will be darkened, stars fall from heaven, powers of heaven will be shaken, verse 30, then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

Here Jesus talks about before His coming there will be great disaster, sun, moon darkened, earth shall shake and follow that Jesus Christ descend from heaven, it is the same as written in Book of Joel.

Joel 3:14 Here is the illustration of the coming of Jesus Christ – sun, moon grow dark, stars diminish in brightness, Lord will roar meaning God executing His rightful judgement, then heavens and earth will be shaking.

Revelation 16 illustrated the 7 bowls.
Revelation 16:12 when the 6th bowl is poured out the River Euphrates dried up and they the Kings shall comes from the whole world, verse 14, they are to gather for battle, verse 16, the place that the Kings shall gather is Armageddon. Here, the 6th bowl refers to the war of the last days.
Revelation 16:17 talks about the pouring of the 7th bowl, verse 18 then the earthquake occurs, here it’s the same as what Jesus had spoken.

Joel 3:14 talks about the end times, how Prophet Joel receives revelation prophesizing the coming of the Lord a few thousand years back, this is amazing.

Joel 3:16 The Lord will be a shelter for His people, strength for the children of Israel that they may know He is the Lord their God.

During that time of is war and disaster, when these people are homeless and had nowhere to go, God is going to be a shelter for them. At that time we are going to be save, we will be protected because God reign as King in Zion.

Joel 3:17 “Jerusalem shall be holy, no aliens shall ever pass through her again” this is talking about the whole family of the Jews will be saved. Before the coming of Jesus Christ, there will be sign of Jews family being saved therefore the whole Jerusalem shall be holy; no aliens shall pass through Jerusalem.

Why did it say no aliens shall pass through Jerusalem? Because the whole Jerusalem, all the people of Jerusalem have come to believe in Jesus, in the whole Jerusalem, none of them were non believers therefore it says no aliens shall come pass Jerusalem. All the more, we can believe that before the coming of Jesus Christ, the whole family of the Jews shall be saved, this is also recorded in the Book of Zechariah – before the coming of Jesus Christ the Jews shall be saved.

Paul mentioned this in Romans that after the Great War, the whole family of Jews shall be saved however the numbers of people saved are few.

Romans 9:27, 29 “Though the number of the children of Israel be as the sand of the sea, remnant will be saved, unless the Lord had left us a seed, we would have become like Sodom and Gomorrah”. Here it says during that time the number of Israelites will be saved are remnant.

Romans 11:25 Here it says some of these Israelites are hard hearted until the number of gentiles are full then shall all Israel be saved.

Now is time for the gentiles to believe, we are all gentiles. Now that the salvation is still being preached, Holy Spirit is still pouring down because the number has not yet been full therefore we have to quickly preach the gospel, we have to believe in Jesus quickly because when the number of gentiles is fulfil, when the number of gentiles is full that means salvation gate is close and what is left is all for the Israelites therefore Romans 11:26 says, so all Israelites will be saved. This scenario shall happen after the Great War/disaster.

Joel 3:18-21 it is a mention of a location of the grace and mercy of God.

Joel 3:18 “in that day” means the day of the Lord, we should be clear that “that day” (那日) does not refer to the day when Jesus Christ come, it is also not the end times, but rather its 耶和华大而可畏的日子, it is a period of time before the coming of Jesus Christ. It can also be said a period of time before the end times, it may include today/presently. Today/at the present, we may already be in “that day” (那日) until the coming, before the coming of Jesus Christ, “that day” (那日) many things shall happen -> the pouring of Holy Spirit, the revival of Israel, the coming of Great War. “That day” (那日) is not just one day, “that day” (那日) is different from “end times” (末日). “That day” (那日- 是末日之前的一段日子) is a period before the last days. I believe we have already entered into “that day” therefore we are in the period of the last stage, end times 末期. Sometimes Bible mentioned end of the world 末世 it is not the last day 末日 we are in the end times末期. End times 末期 can be long or short. We are not sure how long therefore we should be alert in our prayer, alert for preparation.

ß--------------------End Times------------------------à
“That day” 那日
“The last days” 末日
· pouring of H/S
· revival of Israel
· coming of Great War


Joel 3:18 The mountains shall drip with new wine, the hills shall flow with milk, all the brooks of Judah shall be flooded with water, fountain shall flow from the house of the Lord and water from the valley of Acacias. This may have a double meaning 双关的意念.

Fulfill in the land of Israel – there is a period of time, there is drought in the land of Israel and plague but God shall take charge that the Valley of Acacias shall become flowing and a land full of moisture 滋润之地.

Valley of Acacias: this is where the Israelites rested, the last station before entering into the land of Canaan. Israelites sin in the Valley of Acacias they worship Baal of Peor –Numbers 25. They have fornication with the Moabites women therefore at the Valley of Acacias 24,000 men died.

After passing the Valley of Acacias, that is River Jordan, after River Jordan is the land of Canaan. At this last stage, before entering land of Canaan, it is a shame 24,000 died therefore Valley of Acacias is a place where men sins. But this time, the valley of Acacias, God is going to let water flows on it, that the brooks shall flow water on it, this land of sin shall turn into a place for God to live in. Before the coming of Jesus Christ and because of the repentance of the Israelites, the whole land of Israel shall be blessed by God.

In contrary, verse 19, Egypt shall be a desolation Edom a desolated wilderness because of violence against the people of Judah for they have shed innocent blood in their land. Egypt and Edom are two very close link, close connection countries. Egypt and Edom represent all the enemies of the Israelites.

Land of Israel shall be flowing with milk but enemies of Israelites shall be a deserted place so when we read Revelation from 1-7th bowl, 1-7th trumpets, these calamities are pour out at the enemies of Israelites, before the coming of Jesus Christ, the people of God shall be protected. It will be pour out to the “beast” nation, those who go against God therefore we could believe during this time of Great War we will be protected, we will be like land of Israel flowing with milk and water, those who go against God shall be desolated, be like the wilderness.

Joel 3:20 “Judah shall abide forever, Jerusalem from generation to generation”. This implies that those save are being lifted, the bride is being received forever the church is being lifted.
Judah & Jerusalem – refers to the church, it refers to the bride of Christ, and that is all of us. All of us, we are abide forever, because we are lifted up to heaven.

Joel 3:21 God shall begin to take revenge on those who go against Him because the Lord dwells in Zion.

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