Joel 3: Prophecy or History Fulfilled
Joel 3 - NIV84 {The Nations Judged}
1. `In those days and at that time, when I restore the fortunes of Judah and Jerusalem, 2. I will gather all nations and bring them down to the Valley of Jehoshaphat. There I will < enter into judgment against them > concerning my inheritance, my people Israel, for they scattered my people among the nations and divided up my land.
Joel 3 - KJV 1611 {Let My People Go, Home}
1. For, behold, in those days, and in that time, when I shall bring again the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem, 2. I will also gather all nations, and will bring them down into the valley of Jehoshaphat, and < will plead with them > there for my people and for my heritage Israel, whom they have scattered among the nations, and parted my land.
In 1611 it was prophecy; in 1948 it become history; in 1984 it became prophecy?
The Jews return to Israel in 1948: An event in world history that reminded the multitudes of God's intervention for His people, and the valley of decision we must all experience - God's ultimate intervention, in the place where Jesus, God's Son, was prophesied for four thousand years, born, lived and died for the sins of His people.
70 AD, World War 1 (Ottoman Empire loses Palestine), World War 2 (sympathy for Jews), 1948: Israel returns > 1967: 6 Day War. Excerpts from Wikipedia:
Along with these aerial attacks Jordanian troops also crossed the armistice lines and took (1948 – Valley of Jehoshaphat) Government House, the UN headquarters on the Biblical “Hill of Evil Counsel” in the no-man’s land between the two countries, directly threatening Israeli positions in southern Jerusalem, and finally provoking a counterattack.
Again, quoting King Hussein: At 12:30 on that 5th of June came the first Israeli response to the combined bombing by the Jordanians, Iraqis and Syrians. (Hussein, p 68) : By 8 PM on June 7 both sides had accepted a UN cease fire ending the fighting on the West Bank, leaving Israel in complete control of the territory.
David Rubinger's famed photograph of IDF paratroopers at Jerusalem's Western Wall shortly after its capture. From left to right: Zion Karasenti, Yitzhak Yifat, and Haim Oshri - David’s mighty men.
A few years back a WW II Vet was telling me of his experience of going to Israel after the 6 Day War as an advisor. He was driven literally from ‘Dan to Beersheba’. During the trip they went through a large valley containing all the captured Egyptian war materials, including ‘a lot of tanks’ (Russian I believe).
And back in the 80’s (last century) I was waiting my turn in a barber shop in New Jersey. A newsman was telling us all about his witness to the 6 Day War, and being an observer of the famous tank battle between Israel and Egypt. Seems like he could see both sides coming at each other in this large valley, when suddenly he heard this ‘loud roar’ that still puzzles him. Shortly thereafter the Egyptians abandoned their tanks and started a run back to Egypt. Wow.
Joel 3:14. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the Lord is near in the valley of decision. 15. The sun and the moon shall be darkened, and the stars shall withdraw their shining. 16. The Lord also shall roar out of Zion, and utter his voice from Jerusalem; and the heavens and the earth shall shake: but the Lord will be the hope of his people, and the strength of the children of Israel. 17. So shall ye know that I am the Lord your God dwelling in Zion, my holy mountain: then shall Jerusalem be holy, and there shall no strangers pass through her any more.
My early memories of the Church were about teaching 'the issues' and history from the Scriptures, training men and women to be a good influence where ever they went. The Apostle Paul and even Calvin spoke to this.
And I guess that engagement is what Joel 3 (KJV) is all about: Israel's return to the world stage, and old issues.
Christendom has been historically about engaging the problems of the Middle East and Israel.
Even both Gulf Wars were about maintaining the Peace of Jerusalem.
Three Frogs of Revelation 16 – Syria, Iraq, Iran.
And 3 part Jerusalem: Jewish, Christian, and Muslim.
Armenian is Christian.
If our governments are favorable to Israel and Christianity, something positive happens. Not only there but here, even if it takes a war. 'Pray for the peace of Jerusalem'.
Right now, our governments and judiciaries seem to be more interested in eliminating God, Jesus, and the Big 10 or Law and Order.
Anyway: After WW II, Christian and Jewish influence, especially here and England, wanted to get Israel back to its homeland.
The United Nations, or 'all the nations', setup Govt. House in the Valley of Jehoshaphat to keep peace. 1948. God was 'pleading a case for Israel'.
Defense attorney, not a prosecutor. Watch Perry Mason?
(Wow, does God impose His desires and commands, or plead with us to submit, or else?)
Peace between Israel and say those around Israel or 'the heathen' around Israel (Iraq, Syria, Egypt, etc.).
In 1967 all hell broke loose, Israel was attacked from all sides. Plowshares into spears, etc.
Of course, with UN help, Israel was successful, and they secured their borders. And Israel has flourished (new wine, etc.).
But it has been an ongoing struggle ever since, including and especially today's diplomatic fiasco from Washington. A man and administration of lawlessness. Update: as of 2016 we now have an administration more favorable to Israel and of course we have the Babel Pushback of those being irresponsible to God in almost everything.
Sorry I could not do a verse by verse. But I have a theory that if we look for history first (and apply it correctly), then prophecy, fulfilled or not, is easier to define. Does that make sense?
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3 Nights & 3 Days: To defeat the power of darkness, in the earth.
Jonah 1:17. Now the Lord had prepared a great fish to swallow up Jonah. And Jonah was in the belly of the fish three days and three nights.
Matthew 12:40. For as Jonas was three days and three nights in the whale's belly; so shall the Son of man be three days and three nights in the heart of the earth.
Like the 6 literal days of Genesis 1, would it be illuminating and profitable to find 3 literal days? In my day, one literal day followed the next literal day.
There is a logical and practical explanation for 3 days and 3 nights: Friday is the 1st day, Saturday is the 2nd, and Sunday is the 3rd.
Others have tried to find 3 literal days, maybe ignored the historical record, and even hoped to change history.
But, just using the Scripture record can we find 3 literal days? Like, looking at the Bible in context to find ‘realism’ answers?
Jesus gave himself up on Thursday night for the mission to ‘defeat the power of darkness (Lu. 22:52 below)’ and it was completed by Sunday night. The day and night sequence is an issue, but was it “And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.” Or was it 2 fishes and 5 loaves?
But then again, Matthew the Gospel writer and a Jew, knew that the Jewish day began at sunset, and yet non Jews knew this as nighttime. I guess like Matthew 1 and those Missing Kings, Matthew, even under Inspiration, must have thought, is this right?
Anyway, all I may accomplish is that I can sleep in and sing the Hallelujah Chorus much later on Easter Sunday. At least, I have 3 whole days, as well as Maundy Thursday. And I can say ‘The Lord is risen indeed’ as the Apostles did, on Sunday Night, also. And I can rest assured that God’s Word is pretty reliable. At least the King James versions. And of course the originals are the ‘gold standard’.
Thursday - Night 1 = Luke 22:52. Then Jesus said unto the chief priests, and captains of the temple, and the elders, which were come to him, Be ye come out, as against a thief, with swords and staves? 53. When I was daily with you in the temple, ye stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness. 54. Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house.
Friday - Day 1 = Luke 23:44. And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. 45. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. 46. And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.
Friday - Night 2 = Luke 23:53. And he took it down, and wrapped it in linen, and laid it in a sepulchre that was hewn in stone, wherein never man before was laid. 54. And that day was the preparation, and the sabbath drew on. 55. And the women also, which came with him from Galilee, followed after, and beheld the sepulchre, and how his body was laid. 56. And they returned, and prepared spices and ointments; and rested the sabbath day according to the commandment.
Saturday - Day 2 = Matthew 27:62. Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate, 63. Saying, Sir, we remember that that deceiver said, while he was yet alive, After three days I will rise again. 64. Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. 65. Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can.
Night 2, Day 2? 1 Peter 3:18. For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 3:19. By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20. Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water.
Sunday - Day 3 (morning) = Luke 24:1. Now upon the first day of the week, very early in the morning, they came unto the sepulchre, bringing the spices which they had prepared, and certain others with them. 2. And they found the stone rolled away from the sepulchre. 3. And they entered in, and found not the body of the Lord Jesus. 4. And it came to pass, as they were much perplexed thereabout, behold, two men stood by them in shining garments: 5. And as they were afraid, and bowed down their faces to the earth, they said unto them, Why seek ye the living among the dead?
Matthew 28: 8. And they departed quickly from the sepulchre with fear and great joy; and did run to bring his disciples word. 9. And as they went to tell his disciples, behold, Jesus met them, saying, All hail.
Sunday - Day 3 (interim?) = Matthew 27: 52. And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, 53. And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. (Acts 1:9. And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. / MT 24: 30. And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.)
(Spending Sunday with the Heroes of the Faith, that ‘great cloud of witnesses’? What a Novel idea. And what did they do for 40 days? If I were Moses, Joshua and Caleb, I would have walked to Egypt and back. A trip that originally took 40 years, one way. Or Abraham revisiting his journeys on how he became the Father of the Faithful. Or Isaac and Jacob discussing how Jacob was jealously maligned for being a man of integrity. Could they have had a Banquet? Remember Jesus cooking for the disciples in John 21? How about Adam and Eve discussing with the saved thief on the cross how he waited 3 days, while they waited like 3000 years. And poor Lazarus, who missed the first banquet by a couple of days. We can talk to him later…)
Sunday - Day 3 (evening) = Luke 24:13. And, behold, two of them went that same day to a village called Emmaus, which was from Jerusalem about threescore furlongs. 14. And they talked together of all these things which had happened. 15. And it came to pass, that, while they communed together and reasoned, Jesus himself drew near, and went with them. ….
28. And they drew nigh unto the village, whither they went: and he made as though he would have gone further. 29. But they constrained him, saying, Abide with us: for it is toward evening, and the day is far spent. And he went in to tarry with them. 30. And it came to pass, as he sat at meat with them, he took bread, and blessed it, and brake, and gave to them. 31. And their eyes were opened, and they knew him; and he vanished out of their sight. 32. And they said one to another, Did not our heart burn within us, while he talked with us by the way, and while he opened to us the scriptures? 33. And they rose up the same hour, and returned to Jerusalem, and found the eleven gathered together, and them that were with them, 34. Saying, The Lord is risen indeed, and hath appeared to Simon. 35. And they told what things were done in the way, and how he was known of them in breaking of bread. 36. And as they thus spake, Jesus himself stood in the midst of them, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.
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(From Ussher’s Annals of the World)
6504. (Sir Robert Anderson gave the dates for the passover from 22 AD to 37 AD. {*Anderson, The Coming Prince, 1:104} Note that the passover would start at sundown on the previous day and end at sundown for the date shown. The passover meal would be eaten the previous evening. These dates are:
Year Passover
AD Day Date
22 Sunday April 22
23 Thursday March 25
24 Wednesday April 12
25 Sunday April 1
26 Thursday March 21
27 Wednesday April 9
28 Monday March 29
29 Sunday April 17
30 Thursday April 6
31 Tuesday March 27
32 Monday April 14
33 Friday April 3
34 Tuesday March 23
35 Monday April 11
36 Friday March 30
37 Thursday April 18
6505. Anderson independently confirmed the date that Ussher computed for the passover for 33 AD.
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Four Old Photographs
Abraham Lincoln 1862?
Bethlehem 1862
Nazareth 1862
Jerusalem 1893
Somehow Lincoln’s November 19, 1863 Gettysburg Address (a version) sounds appropriate:
Four score and seven years ago our fathers brought forth on this continent a new nation, conceived in liberty, and dedicated to the proposition that all men are created equal.
Now we are engaged in a great civil war, testing whether that nation or any nation so conceived and so dedicated, can long endure. We are met on a great battlefield of that war. We have come to dedicate a portion of that field, as a final resting place for those who here gave their lives that that nation might live. It is altogether fitting and proper that we should do this.
But, in a larger sense, we can not dedicate, we can not consecrate, we can not hallow this ground. The brave men, living and dead, who struggled here, have consecrated it, far above our poor power to add or detract. The world will little note, nor long remember what we say here, but it can never forget what they did here. It is for us the living, rather, to be dedicated here to the unfinished work which they who fought here have thus far so nobly advanced. It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us—that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion—that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain—that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom—and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth. Abraham Lincoln November 19, 1863.