Joel never writes a time marker for his ministry. However, because people could still repent and change the outcome of God’s judgment upon them, I place it early in the history of the kings of Israel. Joel warns of locusts, signifying kingdoms with armies, coming to devour Israel’s land, signifying armies attacking the nation, unless Judah repents of his ways. In the midst of this speaking, Joel unveils the day of the Lord where the nations will be judged at Christ’s second coming. He also prophesies the outpouring of the Spirit upon flesh, which was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost when Peter spoke the first message to the church and 5000 men were saved.

Read more about the Bible or Joel, specifically.