Joel 3:17Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

However, once they received forgiveness and returned to their homeland, having experienced God's cessation of wrath, they became powerful and unyielding against their foes, overcoming them effortlessly even when all nations united to challenge them. Thus, He declares that their victory over their adversaries is a testament to His presence among them, ultimately establishing His dwelling in Zion as a sacred city. He promises to protect His people and empower them, instilling in them the conviction of His companionship. He affirms that "Jerusalem will be holy" and will reject the former ungodliness, for false prophecy and sorcery will no longer exist among them. Instead, their lives will harmonize with the law, and the most virtuous pursuits will be upheld. When Zion is in this condition and follows such a way of life, He declares that no enemy shall penetrate it; it will be impervious to man, safeguarding against plunder as it had previously suffered. Rather, it will stand securely, fortified by His might and assistance (Eph. 3:17). John the Evangelist affirms, "Of these things we understand... that he is in us... of the Spirit, which he gave us" (1 John 4:13). The spiritual Jerusalem, representative of the Church and the communion of saints, is genuinely holy, as it does not permit entry to outsiders, for "they who are Christ's have crucified the flesh" (Galatians 5:24). I am reminded of the wise man's words: "If the spirit of the possessor rises against you, do not abandon your position, for healing will extinguish great sins" (Ecclesiastes 10:4). They possess an unwavering heart, resistant to the assaults of unclean spirits, whether on foot or horseback, standing instead resolutely defended by the tenets of truth.

Ultimately, both those destined for punishment and those welcomed into glory will perceive that the Lord resides in His watchtower, Zion, embodied in Christ, His holy mountain, who represents the dwelling place of God. Jerusalem, revered as the vision of the world, will shine in holiness, and invaders will no longer traverse its land. The term "invaders" refers to either malevolent spirits estranged from God or all sinful thoughts, as the prophet has declared: from strangers spare your servant, indicating that such influences will not reach us if we embrace the peace of God, ensuring our hearts remain guarded against adversaries. As we have discussed, some among the Jews and our Judaizers speculate about the notion of a millennium, anticipating a time when Christ will dwell in Zion and a glorified Jerusalem, adorned with jewels and gold, will host the assembly of the saints, allowing those who faced oppression in this life to reign over all nations.

Both prophecies designate the heavenly Jerusalem as holy, signifying that only holiness and righteousness will reside within its confines. There will be no space for the unrighteous, and the integrity of this city will remain unassailable against any adversaries of the Church. The earthly Church engages in a constant struggle against various foes—pagans, heretics, schismatics—thus earning the title of the Church Militant. Conversely, the Church in heaven will no longer require such conflict, as its enemies will have been vanquished, which is why it is referred to as the Church Triumphant. This condition of the heavenly assembly, marked by its invulnerability to foes, is depicted in both Old Testament and New Testament prophecies. In Joel, it states regarding Jerusalem: ‘The foreigners shall not pass through it to this place.’ Similarly, in Revelation, it is noted concerning the heavenly Jerusalem, ‘All manner of foulness and abomination and lying shall not enter therein, but only those who are written in the Lamb’s book of life’ (Revelation XXI, 24). The earthly Jerusalem faced invasions from foreigners (Chaldeans, Syrians, Idumeans) both before and after the Babylonian exile, leading to its defilement through various abominations, culminating in the Romans’ destruction of the city and the temple. Likewise, the Christian Church has endured desecration at the hands of pagans, heretics, and Muslims, who have repeatedly profaned her sanctuaries through violations and disorderly conduct, misusing them for worldly purposes. In contrast, nothing of this nature will exist in the heavenly Jerusalem. No impurity will enter it, ensuring that the peace and joy of its inhabitants remain undisturbed by any intrusion from adversaries.