So, we've been talking about Israel being “God's timepiece.” Prophecy is being fulfilled that will count down to the return of Christ and the nation of Israel will be in the center of it. So last week we talked about the land's special connection to God, how the land becomes defiled.
I'm talking this week about a little-known prophet by the name of Joel. He speaks during the reign of Joash king of Judah about 800 BC. He talks about the final judgments of God that will come on the earth during the tribulation period; those 7 years that will bring about the return of Christ and the final war of Armageddon. So, let's read about what Joel has to say about the end times.
Joel 3:1 “For behold, in those days and at that time, When I bring back the captives of Judah and Jerusalem, 2 I will also gather all nations, and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will enter into judgment with them there on account of My people, My heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations; they have also divided up My land. 14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision! For the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision.
What is the Day of the Lord? Well, it's the Day of His coming, when He initiates His judgments, He takes vengeance on all of those who have rebelled against Him. It ushers in a longer period of time that is considered to be His Day as well, and that is His thousand year reign.
The last battle to take place will be against the Antichrist and the ten nations that will come against Jerusalem in an effort to destroy it. Joel calls it the “Valley of Jehoshaphat”; I believe because the name Jehoshaphat means the “Lord saves” and that is what is going to happen - the Lord is going to save His people; He will come again and quash army of the Antichrist.
The Lord's allegation against his enemy is two- fold. First, you’ve scattered My people - it's been happening for almost 3000 years. Second, you have divided My land, the Lord says. Now we know that the enemies of Israel have been doing that and today world leaders are encouraging a division of the land. God is not impressed with this. It's one of the reasons that He will come and inflict His judgment on the Earth is because of His land -He gave it to His people.
The Lord is sitting in judgment - the gavel is about to drop; punishment is about to be meted out; the armies who are anti-Israel and anti-God are about to be found guilty. Multitudes- are in the valley of decision; the day of the Lord is near. It's going to be a horrific and dreadful time for the army coming into Jerusalem through the Valley of Jehoshaphat and marching against God's people.
Joel 3:15 The sun and moon will grow dark, And the stars will diminish their brightness. 16 The Lord also will roar from Zion, And utter His voice from Jerusalem; the heavens and earth will shake; But the Lord will be a shelter for His people, And the strength of the children of Israel.
The armies of the Antichrist will be defeated; the Beast- the Antichrist will be thrown into the lake of fire along with the false prophet. Satan will be bound for a thousand years and Christ will reign. The time is now - you can't wait for the valley of decision if you want to dwell on God's mountain.
Join us in person on Sunday at 10:00 a.m. or via livestream by going to https://www.firstbaptistsudbury.com and clicking on livestream for “The Valley of Decision.”
Blessings,
Kevin
Comments