LEARNING DAILY

 

Genesis 12:3, “I will bless those who bless you, and I will curse him who curses you; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”  God

 

Joel 3:2, “I will gather all nations, and bring them to the Valley of Jehoshaphat; and I will enter into judgment with them there on account of My people, My heritage Israel, whom they scattered among the nations; they have also divided My land.”  God

 

Today, you need to see how the prophecies and words in the Old Testament fit with the New Testament. In Genesis 12:3, the second prophetic word is found about the coming of Jesus Christ. God spoke to Abraham that He would do two things through him. One He would bless all who blees him and curse those who curse him. God’s blessing to Abraham and his descendents would be both spiritual and material blessings. God also promised to curse those people who treated Abraham and/or his descendents poorly.  I believe that is still seen today as there are those who have objected and have tried to prevent the Jewish people from living in the land God gave Abraham. Since Israel was recognized as an independent nation in 1948, there have been numerous wars and continued attempts to disrupt the Jewish way of life in Israel.

 

The second promise given to Abraham is that spiritual blessings would come through his seed; “that seed is Jesus Christ and the blessings refer to the gospel of Christ offered to all people and all nations” (Life in the Spirit Study Bible). This shows that God’s promise from the very beginning of time was to offer salvation and His blessings to all the nations. Yes, this was to be for the Jewish people first and then to the Gentiles. This is being accomplished today by those sent to preach and teach about the Good News (the best news ever!) of Jesus Christ.

 

The verse from Joel above is pretty clear that the nations of the world are facing judgment from the God of Israel, the God that said He would curse those who curse Israel. Does anyone reading this today believe that the Arab nations, or any nation for that matter, are really interested in peace with Israel or in the Middle East? It certainly appears they are intent with the total elimination with the Jewish people and the nation of Israel. Think back through the attempts by United States presidents in their peace-making attempts. They have wanted to give Israel’s land to the Palestinians. No agreement made was every kept and no peace settlement happened. What has happened is the rise of terrorism in the nations that surround Israel.  

 

The nations of the world have been drawn into the problems faced by Israel. It seems that all nations are concerned about the borders of Israel and are being affected by radical Islam’s terrorist tactics. The prophet Joel’s prophetic words regarding the judgement of nations seem to be drawing closer to happening. The Valley of Jehoshaphat is an extended area east of Jerusalem and its meaning is “valley where the Lord judges”. More and more, I believe the time God is going to judge the nations of the world is drawing closer. The message is clear! God is going to destroy all evil and will claim and rescue His faithful people. This judgment will include one last battle, the battle of Armageddon; it will be before Christ’s 1,000-year reign over all the earth. He will judge the nations for their cruelty and treatment of His people.

 

Accountability and judgment is coming! In Joel 3:9, the nations are told to prepare for war. The Lord is going to come against them with a great vengeance. Those who stand against Him and His Word are going to be called to give an account for their sin. You and I, as Believers, must remember that the ungodliness, the sinfulness and evil we see in this world today will not prevail forever. God’s people ultimately win and inherit the earth. “Stay ready so you do not have to get ready!” (Dr, Ed Newton). The true Church of the Lord Jesus Christ could be taken out of this world at any time!