The Army

a day of darkness and gloom,
a day of clouds and blackness.
Like dawn spreading across the mountains
a large and mighty army comes,
such as never was of old
nor ever will be in ages to come.

Before them fire devours,
behind them a flame blazes.
Before them the land is like the garden of Eden,
behind them, a desert waste—
nothing escapes them.

They have the appearance of horses;
they gallop along like cavalry.

With a noise like that of chariots
they leap over the mountaintops,
like a crackling fire consuming stubble,
like a mighty army drawn up for battle.

At the sight of them, nations are in anguish;
every face turns pale.

They charge like warriors;
they scale walls like soldiers.
They all march in line,
not swerving from their course.

They do not jostle each other;
each marches straight ahead.
They plunge through defenses
without breaking ranks.

They rush upon the city;
they run along the wall.
They climb into the houses;
like thieves they enter through the windows.

Before them the earth shakes,
the sky trembles,
the sun and moon are darkened,
and the stars no longer shine.

The LORD thunders
at the head of his army;
his forces are beyond number,
and mighty are those who obey his command.
The day of the LORD is great;
it is dreadful.
Who can endure it? (Joel 2:2-11)

This has been one of my favorite passages as of late. Here we see army that is coming - like one the world has never seen before.

A fire goes before them - the presence of the Lord is with them. They are continually in the presence of the Lord. It is here - in the Holy of holies - we get recharged for our healing ministry, or workings of miracles, or prophetic giftings or whatever it may be - those who press in to this degree - the garden of Eden is before them, and they will miss no opportunity for ministry and to touch peoples lives - no fear of man or failure will prevent them from doing the work of the Lord.

This army will walk in unison - the body of Christ will be knitted together and content in their roles! No breaking ranks because of authority issues or discontentment with our place in the body. Our intercessions will be effective and precise - we'll rush on the walls and break into homes - binding strongmen and overtaking the enemy.

It seems as though the world will receive judgement from the Lord through this army - could it be? The shaking has come to the church so that we can begin to train and enlist in this army to come.