"BEFORE THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD COMES"?
The terrible "day" of the Lord we understand to last the duration of one year. (Ezek 4:7 NEB). Therefore, the prophesied "single hour" of only fifteen days is also included within this particular year for the desolating of Babylon's wealth and splendour. But the whole year is prophesied for Babylon's inhabitants to suffer pestilence, bereavement, famine, and burning. (Rev 18:8 NEB). Yet the question in the subheading still remains to be answered regarding our God showing portents in the sky and on the earth; that is, "BEFORE THE GREAT AND TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD COMES". I am inclined to think that the composite answer is as follows: Firstly, for a symbolic "day" to pass completely, at least 360 literal Jewish days must completely elapse. Otherwise, the "terrible day" would begin after the signs of the fifteen days.

Secondly, before the moment of commencing the great shedding of blood within the terrible day of the Lord, which symbolically has already turned the moon into blood for those involved in the current bloodshed in Babylon, there must have been a 'different' moon in the days beforehand (before the 16th of January). There was, for it was a DARKENED MOON, ending the previous quarter and beginning the new (bloody) moon. It began on the 16th of January, the very first day of the war, involving the first aerial attacks of firebombs on Iraq (Babylon), spilling their blood. (Interestingly, there were exactly 15 days between the two moon phases). As to the "COLUMNS OF SMOKE", these were seen by millions of this world's inhabitants on their television screens -- turning the SUN INTO DARKNESS. Even so, at this late "hour" our God is saying: "turn back to Me with your whole heart". (Joel 2:12 NEB).

THE VALLEY OF THE LORD'S JUDGEMENT.
All the nations are still in the final process of being gathered to the Valley of Decision! For what reason? On "behalf of Israel, My own possession" (Joel 3:2 NEB), "for there I will take My seat and judge all the nations round about." (Joel 3:12 NEB). God will be the "defence of Israel...but Egypt shall become a desert and Edom a deserted waste, because of the violence done to Judah". (Joel 3:16-19 NEB).

It is of great importance at this point to state the understanding that as there are two Israels, there are also two Zions, and two states of Judah. There are the literal or physical areas they cover, and the more important spiritual meanings that these place names represent in heaven, especially as to the human "possessions" of God still alive on earth, and those awaiting a resurrection when God judges mankind.

|Å====== 15 days ======Æ|Å========================= 345 DAYS ========================Æ|
|                                                  |
|Å=================================== ONE YEAR ===================================Æ|
|                                                  |
|Å===== "one hour"=====Æ|
|Å=================================== "ONE DAY" ==================================Æ|

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