The Battle of Armageddon - Part 1: The Valley of Jehoshaphat
by Patricia Jones, February 4, 2012
In Joel chapter 3, we read about a proclamation that goes out to the Gentiles, commanding them to prepare for war.
Joel 3: "9 Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up. 10 Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears; let the weak say, I am strong. 11 Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about; thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Jehovah. 12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. 13 Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe; come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great. 14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision; for the day of Jehovah is near in the valley of decision."
In Joel 3:10, the Gentiles are being commanded; "beat your plowshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears, let the weak say, I am strong." A ploughshare is basically like a very large garden hoe; it is used to till, aerate, and prepare the earth for planting and fruitfulness. Pruning hooks are used to reach high branches and they look like a sickle with a long handle. They have a long pole, or handle, with a curved saw blade and usually a clipping mechanism on one end. They are used especially for pruning small trees. Pruning hooks are used to improve or maintain the health of the plant, and to increase the yield or quality of flowers and fruits. In Joel 3:10, the Gentiles are being commanded to beat their instruments used for cultivating land, (which they were using in order to produce a harvest), into weapons of war. They can no longer devote their time to sowing seed in order to yield a harvest; the day of a great battle is drawing near and they must prepare themselves for war. This could be linked to John 9:4 that says, "The night cometh when no man can work." In ancient times, metal was heated by fire in order to be molded, or hand-beaten, into weapons of war, such as swords and spears. Joel 3:10 also says, "let the weak say, I am strong." In Matthew 5, Jesus taught us that the meek shall inherit the earth. Matt 5:5 "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." But we also know, that Scriptures describes the true believers as being "strong", or "mighty". In Joel 3:10, the Hebrew word that was translated into the word "strong", is Strong's H1368, which is found in Deuteronomy 10.
Deut 10:17 "For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty[1368], and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward."
In Joel 3:9, the call is going out to "wake up the mighty men", and in Joel 3:12, we read, "Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about." The Hebrew word that was translated as "wake up" in the phrase "wake up the mighty men", and "wakened" in the phrase, "let the heathen be wakened", is Strong's H5782. Why are they being "wakened"? To be awakened would imply that they were asleep. This could be linked to the parable of the ten virgins who fall asleep in Matthew 25. They were first seen going forth with their lamps and then they all fall asleep. In Joel 3, the Gentiles are commanded to wake up and no longer sow seed with their tools for cultivation.
Joel 3:12 "Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about."
The Hebrew word used for the name “Jehoshaphat” is Strong’s 3092, which means "Jehovah has judged". It is derived from 2 Hebrew words; Strong’s 3068, the noun Yehovah, and Strong’s 8199, the verb Shaphat, which means, to judge, govern, vindicate, or punish. According to my source, the name “Jehoshaphat” means, “Jehovah has judged”. And I thought it was interesting that it was in the past tense, “has judged”. We find the following 2 verses in Joel 3.
Joel 3:2 “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.”
Joel 3:12 “Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.”
As we read further into Joel chapter 3, we find another reference to a valley called, "the valley of decision".
Joel 3:13-14 “Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe; come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of Jehovah is near in the valley of decision.”
The word “decision” used here was translated from the Hebrew adjective, charuwts[H2742]. Its usage in the Old Testament is recorded as having been translated into the following words; gold (6 times), diligent 5, decision 2, threshing instrument 2, sharp 1, sharp things 1, wall. Because the word charuwts[H2742] is an adjective, it is a word that is decribing this valley, (which it is safe to assume it is speaking of the same valley as the Valley of Jehoshaphat). Therefore this Hebrew word could be describing this valley as; a golden valley, a decisive valley, a (threshing instrument) valley, a sharp valley, etc. In Isaiah 41:15, we find H2742 used as follows.
Isaiah 41:15 “Behold, I will make thee a new sharp[H2742] threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat [them] small, and shalt make the hills as chaff."
Now that we can understand the adjective charuwts[H2742] that is used in the phrase, "valley of decision", we can see that this adjective is describing this valley as being "like a sickle”, or something "like a sharp threshing instrument”. In Joel 3:13, the Hebrew word that was translated into the word, “sickle”, is Strong’s H4038, which is the Hebrew noun “Maggal[H4038]”.
Joel 3:13 “Put ye in the sickle [H4038], for the harvest is ripe."
In the book of Revelation, there are 6 passages regarding the thrusting of a sharp sickle in order to reap. We see that there is a gathering of the clusters of the vine of the earth, and reaping a vine harvest of the earth, gathering the vine, and casting it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. Notice that the clusters of the vine are not cast into the great winepress. In Revelation chapter 14:14, we see one like unto the Son of Man, who is sitting on a cloud, ant to sit means to rule, and in his hand is a sharp sickle.
Rev 14:14 “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.”
Then in verse 15, we see that the time to reap has come.
Rev 14:15 “And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap; for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.”
In verse 16, we see that the one that sat on the cloud, thrusts in his sickle to reap the earth.
Rev 14:16 “And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.”
In verse 17, we see another angel that comes out of the temple in heaven with a sharp sickle.
Rev 14:17 “And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.”
In verse 18, we see another angel crying out to the other angel that had the sharp sickle, instructing him to thrust in the sharp sickle in order to gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, because the grapes are ripe.
Rev 14:18 “And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.”
Then in verse 19, it shows the angle with the sickle gathering the vine and casting it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
Rev 14:19 “And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.”
A winepress is a receptacle, or vat, in which grape clusters are thrown in and put under great pressure, or trodden, forcing them to burst open and release their grape juice, which we call new wine. In order for this grape juice to be turned into new wine, the grapes must be allowed to fully ripen and ferment for a couple of weeks. So in actuality, these grapes have already begun to rot by a process called fermentation. In the book of Matthew, we find the following verses regarding grapes.
Matthew 26:29 "But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."
Mark 14:25 "Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
Luke 22:18 "For I say unto you , I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come."
John 15:1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman."
John 15:4 "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me."
John 15:5 "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
The following 3 passages are regarding a winepress.
Isaiah 63:3 "I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment."
Rev 19:15 "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God."
Rev 14:20 "And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs."
Joel 3: "9 Proclaim ye this among the Gentiles; Prepare war, wake up the mighty men, let all the men of war draw near; let them come up. 10 Beat your plowshares into swords, and your pruninghooks into spears; let the weak say, I am strong. 11 Assemble yourselves, and come, all ye heathen, and gather yourselves together round about; thither cause thy mighty ones to come down, O Jehovah. 12 Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about. 13 Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe; come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great. 14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision; for the day of Jehovah is near in the valley of decision."
In Joel 3:10, the Gentiles are being commanded; "beat your plowshares into swords and your pruninghooks into spears, let the weak say, I am strong." A ploughshare is basically like a very large garden hoe; it is used to till, aerate, and prepare the earth for planting and fruitfulness. Pruning hooks are used to reach high branches and they look like a sickle with a long handle. They have a long pole, or handle, with a curved saw blade and usually a clipping mechanism on one end. They are used especially for pruning small trees. Pruning hooks are used to improve or maintain the health of the plant, and to increase the yield or quality of flowers and fruits. In Joel 3:10, the Gentiles are being commanded to beat their instruments used for cultivating land, (which they were using in order to produce a harvest), into weapons of war. They can no longer devote their time to sowing seed in order to yield a harvest; the day of a great battle is drawing near and they must prepare themselves for war. This could be linked to John 9:4 that says, "The night cometh when no man can work." In ancient times, metal was heated by fire in order to be molded, or hand-beaten, into weapons of war, such as swords and spears. Joel 3:10 also says, "let the weak say, I am strong." In Matthew 5, Jesus taught us that the meek shall inherit the earth. Matt 5:5 "Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth." But we also know, that Scriptures describes the true believers as being "strong", or "mighty". In Joel 3:10, the Hebrew word that was translated into the word "strong", is Strong's H1368, which is found in Deuteronomy 10.
Deut 10:17 "For the LORD your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty[1368], and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward."
In Joel 3:9, the call is going out to "wake up the mighty men", and in Joel 3:12, we read, "Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about." The Hebrew word that was translated as "wake up" in the phrase "wake up the mighty men", and "wakened" in the phrase, "let the heathen be wakened", is Strong's H5782. Why are they being "wakened"? To be awakened would imply that they were asleep. This could be linked to the parable of the ten virgins who fall asleep in Matthew 25. They were first seen going forth with their lamps and then they all fall asleep. In Joel 3, the Gentiles are commanded to wake up and no longer sow seed with their tools for cultivation.
Joel 3:12 "Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about."
The Hebrew word used for the name “Jehoshaphat” is Strong’s 3092, which means "Jehovah has judged". It is derived from 2 Hebrew words; Strong’s 3068, the noun Yehovah, and Strong’s 8199, the verb Shaphat, which means, to judge, govern, vindicate, or punish. According to my source, the name “Jehoshaphat” means, “Jehovah has judged”. And I thought it was interesting that it was in the past tense, “has judged”. We find the following 2 verses in Joel 3.
Joel 3:2 “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.”
Joel 3:12 “Let the heathen be wakened, and come up to the valley of Jehoshaphat: for there will I sit to judge all the heathen round about.”
As we read further into Joel chapter 3, we find another reference to a valley called, "the valley of decision".
Joel 3:13-14 “Put ye in the sickle, for the harvest is ripe; come, get you down; for the press is full, the fats overflow; for their wickedness is great. Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of Jehovah is near in the valley of decision.”
The word “decision” used here was translated from the Hebrew adjective, charuwts[H2742]. Its usage in the Old Testament is recorded as having been translated into the following words; gold (6 times), diligent 5, decision 2, threshing instrument 2, sharp 1, sharp things 1, wall. Because the word charuwts[H2742] is an adjective, it is a word that is decribing this valley, (which it is safe to assume it is speaking of the same valley as the Valley of Jehoshaphat). Therefore this Hebrew word could be describing this valley as; a golden valley, a decisive valley, a (threshing instrument) valley, a sharp valley, etc. In Isaiah 41:15, we find H2742 used as follows.
Isaiah 41:15 “Behold, I will make thee a new sharp[H2742] threshing instrument having teeth: thou shalt thresh the mountains, and beat [them] small, and shalt make the hills as chaff."
Now that we can understand the adjective charuwts[H2742] that is used in the phrase, "valley of decision", we can see that this adjective is describing this valley as being "like a sickle”, or something "like a sharp threshing instrument”. In Joel 3:13, the Hebrew word that was translated into the word, “sickle”, is Strong’s H4038, which is the Hebrew noun “Maggal[H4038]”.
Joel 3:13 “Put ye in the sickle [H4038], for the harvest is ripe."
In the book of Revelation, there are 6 passages regarding the thrusting of a sharp sickle in order to reap. We see that there is a gathering of the clusters of the vine of the earth, and reaping a vine harvest of the earth, gathering the vine, and casting it into the great winepress of the wrath of God. Notice that the clusters of the vine are not cast into the great winepress. In Revelation chapter 14:14, we see one like unto the Son of Man, who is sitting on a cloud, ant to sit means to rule, and in his hand is a sharp sickle.
Rev 14:14 “And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle.”
Then in verse 15, we see that the time to reap has come.
Rev 14:15 “And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to him that sat on the cloud, Thrust in thy sickle, and reap; for the time is come for thee to reap; for the harvest of the earth is ripe.”
In verse 16, we see that the one that sat on the cloud, thrusts in his sickle to reap the earth.
Rev 14:16 “And he that sat on the cloud thrust in his sickle on the earth; and the earth was reaped.”
In verse 17, we see another angel that comes out of the temple in heaven with a sharp sickle.
Rev 14:17 “And another angel came out of the temple which is in heaven, he also having a sharp sickle.”
In verse 18, we see another angel crying out to the other angel that had the sharp sickle, instructing him to thrust in the sharp sickle in order to gather the clusters of the vine of the earth, because the grapes are ripe.
Rev 14:18 “And another angel came out from the altar, which had power over fire; and cried with a loud cry to him that had the sharp sickle, saying, Thrust in thy sharp sickle, and gather the clusters of the vine of the earth; for her grapes are fully ripe.”
Then in verse 19, it shows the angle with the sickle gathering the vine and casting it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.
Rev 14:19 “And the angel thrust in his sickle into the earth, and gathered the vine of the earth, and cast it into the great winepress of the wrath of God.”
A winepress is a receptacle, or vat, in which grape clusters are thrown in and put under great pressure, or trodden, forcing them to burst open and release their grape juice, which we call new wine. In order for this grape juice to be turned into new wine, the grapes must be allowed to fully ripen and ferment for a couple of weeks. So in actuality, these grapes have already begun to rot by a process called fermentation. In the book of Matthew, we find the following verses regarding grapes.
Matthew 26:29 "But I say unto you, I will not drink henceforth of this fruit of the vine, until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."
Mark 14:25 "Verily I say unto you, I will drink no more of the fruit of the vine, until that day that I drink it new in the kingdom of God."
Luke 22:18 "For I say unto you , I will not drink of the fruit of the vine, until the kingdom of God shall come."
John 15:1 "I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman."
John 15:4 "Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me."
John 15:5 "I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing."
The following 3 passages are regarding a winepress.
Isaiah 63:3 "I have trodden the winepress alone; and of the people there was none with me: for I will tread them in mine anger, and trample them in my fury; and their blood shall be sprinkled upon my garments, and I will stain all my raiment."
Rev 19:15 "And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God."
Rev 14:20 "And the winepress was trodden without the city, and blood came out of the winepress, even unto the horse bridles, by the space of a thousand and six hundred furlongs."
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