June 7 - Joel 3:1-16

June 7 - Joel 3:1-16

We now see God's fury at the nations that have attempted to destroy both Judah and Israel. All will be brought to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There is no known location for this Valley, the name Jehoshaphat means "The Lord judges," which is exactly what He says He will do. As they are gathered, He will pass judgment on them for scattering the people, dividing the land, and selling the people into slavery, a sin punishable by death!

The punishment that is decreed for the cities of Tyre & Sidon in Phoenicia and Philistia is described in Joel 3:4-8. All that they have done to the Israelites will be compounded as it is returned to them.

The Lord speaks again in Joel 3:9-16. Prepare for the final battle. Everyone should assemble. The judgment is to begin.

In Joel 3:13, He uses imagery of the harvest and the winepress. This imagery is repeated in Revelation 14:14-20 where we see the Son of Man with a crown of gold on his head and a sickle in his hand. He is there to judge the earth. The harvest was ripe, the grapes were ripe. The grapes were tossed into the winepress of God's wrath and blood flowed.

The final battle in John's vision is found in Revelation 19:13-16. The rider on the white horse, whose name was "Faithful and True" will judge with justice and will make war. The armies of heaven were with him and from his mouth comes a sword with which to strike down the nations. He is "King of Kings and Lord of Lords."

But the reminder is still there, in Joel 3:16b. "But the Lord will be a refuge for his people, a stronghold for the people of Israel."

The nations of the world will face judgment for their part in denying God's Kingdom. But, He is a refuge. Romans 10:13, "For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved." We will be on the outside of this battle looking in.

Behold, He is coming soon. (Revelation 22:7)