III. THE JUDGMENT OF CHRIST UPON THE NATIONS

Joel 3:1-15 speaks concerning the judgment of Christ upon the nations—the judgment upon the living (Acts 10:42; 17:31).

A. At the Valley of Jehoshaphat

This judgment will take place at the valley of Jehoshaphat, which is the valley of decision (Joel 3:2, 12, 14).

B. To Recompense the Nations’ Mistreatment
of Israel during the Great Tribulation

The purpose of Christ’s judgment upon the living will be to recompense the nations’ mistreatment of Israel during the great tribulation (vv. 2b-8; Rev. 12:17; 13:7, 10; Matt. 25:41-46a). After Christ casts Antichrist and the false prophet into the lake of fire, He will set up His throne in Jerusalem, and all the living ones as the goats and the sheep will be gathered before Him to be judged by Him. The goats will be the evil ones, those who persecuted the Jews, and the sheep will be the good ones, those who helped the persecuted Jews during the tribulation.

IV. THE VICTORY OF CHRIST WITH HIS OVERCOMERS OVER THE NATIONS AND HIS REIGN AMONG ISRAEL
IN THE AGE OF RESTORATION

Finally, Joel speaks regarding the victory of Christ with His overcomers over the nations and His reign among Israel in the age of restoration (3:9-13, 16-21).

A. Christ with His Overcomers
Defeating Antichrist and His Armies
at Armageddon

First, according to verses 9 through 13, Christ with His overcomers (Rev. 17:14; 19:11-14) as the mighty ones will defeat Antichrist and his armies (the nations) at Armageddon.

B. Christ Reigning among Israel
on the Holy Mountain of Zion within Jerusalem

After the defeat of Antichrist, Christ will reign among Israel on the holy mountain of Zion within Jerusalem (Joel 3:16a, 17, 21b).

C. Christ Being a Shelter and a Stronghold
to the Children of Israel

As Christ reigns in Jerusalem, He will be a shelter and a stronghold to the children of Israel (v. 16b). Because of this, no one will be able to damage Israel anymore.

D. In the Restoration

Christ’s reign among Israel on the holy mountain of Zion within Jerusalem will be in the restoration (v. 18; Matt. 19:28).

1. The Mountains Dropping Down Fresh Wine
and the Hills Flowing with Milk

Joel 3:18a tells us that in the restoration the mountains will drop down fresh wine, and the hills will flow with milk. This indicates how rich the situation will be.

2. All the Waterways of Judah Flowing with Water

In the restoration there will be no shortage of water, for all the waterways of Judah will flow with water (v. 18b). Wherever there is a waterway, there will be a river full of water.

3. A Fountain Going Forth
from the House of Jehovah to Water the Land

A fountain will go forth from the house of Jehovah, the temple, to water the entire holy land (v. 18c). This points to the situation in the New Jerusalem, where a river will flow out of the throne of God and of the Lamb to water the holy city.

E. All the Surrounding Enemies of Israel
Being Punished

Joel 3:19-21a tells us that all the surrounding enemies of Israel will be punished. Therefore, the nations will be punished, Israel will be restored, and Christ will be manifested. This will be a prelude to the new heaven and new earth with the New Jerusalem.