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.
