Last Days

 

Read Joel 3

Let’s consider the last days.  Are we talking a week or a month or a year?

We are talking about every day that you have ever lived.  Since Christ rose from the dead, ascended into heaven, and the Holy Spirit was given at Pentecost, we have been in the last days—the last age if you will.

Now will certain things happen as we get closer and closer to the second coming of Christ?  Yes, but consider when Joel talks about in those days, he is talking about these days.  He is talking about this age.

Again, we see some near-term and long-term prophecy.  Jerusalem would be taken captive into Babylon and returned to its land before Christ came, but they would not yet have the blessings of all of the prophecy until the end of this age.

At some point, all of Israel will cry out: Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.  They will welcome and receive the Lord, Jesus Christ. 

At some point, God will hold court on the nations of the world.  Everyone who has wronged his chosen people will be held accountable.  It is as if God is saying, “I double-dog dare you to rebel on this day.”

Go ahead and make your weapons of war.  You have enjoyed peace in your ungodly ways long enough. 

Go ahead and generate that machismo spirit.  It won’t last when you face the one true God.

Everything you did against God’s people will be settled and those who have wronged God’s people will not come out of this in good shape.

Your days of getting away with stealing from, ridiculing, fighting against, and otherwise showing scorn for God’s people will be dealt with by God himself.

Nations of the world, you are invited to judgment.  You don’t get to send your regrets and sit this one out.

Where will this take place?

In the Valley of Jehoshaphat.  Where is that?

Some think perhaps the Valley of Beracah where King Jehoshaphat once had a military victory.

We don’t know.  Some suggest the Valley of Kidron, but surely it is too narrow for such a massive gathering.

Some suggest the Valley of Megiddo. Some think this will be Armageddon.

But the Valley of Jehoshaphat is less a location than an event.  Jehoshaphat means the Lord judges or Jehovah Judges.

Joel uses a different term to describe this valley.  He calls it the valley of decision.  Nations will gather there amidst cosmic disturbance as the Lord judges from Zion.

Does the prophecy of Joel leave room not only for people but for nations to repent?  Is it possible for nations to come to this time of judgment not in war against God but in total surrender?

I don’t know.  I do know that God will reign with a heart that desires none to perish but that the blood of his people will not go unavenged.

Where does that leave us?

Stand strong to the end.  Remain faithful to the very end.  Never abandon God.  Never resist his Holy Spirit.

If the nation in which you live is judged, be among those who have taken refuge in the Lord.

I’m going to use some highly technical terms here.  There is going to be some stuff going on as we grow closer to the end of this age.  Our mission does not change.  We are people of light and love and hope and even joy in the midst of calamity.

Don’t’ underestimate God.  He can bring judgment and reconciliation concurrently.  He can do more than one thing at a time.

Judgment may befall our nation but you have been saved from God’s wrath.

The Day of Decision is coming upon the world.  Take refuge in the Lord now for you have made your decision already.

Amen.