God’s Spirit Poured Out
March 23, 2022
Commentary
In this passage it seems that Joel has compressed together in prophetic fashion events separated by hundreds of years. Some of these special events of history are:
The locust plague in Joel’s day. The day of Pentecost on which the Holy Spirit was made available to all mankind. The Great Tribulation.The establishment of the Millennium following the events of the Tribulation.The “Day of the Lord” so vividly portrayed by those in Joel’s day will come in full force against the enemies of God’s people one day yet future (v. 31). The promises contained here will find their ultimate and absolute fulfillment as the Lord intervenes on Israel’s behalf (v. 28-32), judges the nation’s enemies (3:1-16), and then establishes His people in their land (3:17-21).
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit predicted by Joel occurred on Pentecost. While in the past God’s Spirit seemed available to kings, prophets and judges. Joel envisioned a time when the Holy Spirit would be available to every believer. Ezekiel also spoke of an outpouring of the Spirit (Ezek. 39:28-29). God’s Spirit is available now to anyone who calls on the Lord. On the day of Pentecost the Apostle Peter quoted Joel 2:28-32 in conjunction with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:17-21). Peter is saying that the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost is the fulfillment of that which was prophesied by the prophet Joel. Judgment and mercy go hand in hand. God’s intention is not to destroy but to heal and to save. However, we must accept His salvation or we will certainly perish with the unrepentant.
Application
The rapture of the Church is the next event on God’s prophetic timetable. When will it happen? No one knows but it could be at any time. I want to be ready with all of my accounts settled with the Lord. I should be ready, just as if I were expecting the President to visit my house tomorrow.
Joel 2:28– 32 (NET)
28 (3:1) After all of this I will pour out my Spirit on all kinds of people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your elderly will have prophetic dreams; your young men will see visions.
29 Even on male and female servants I will pour out my Spirit in those days.
30 I will produce portents both in the sky and on the earth— blood, fire, and columns of smoke.
31 The sunlight will be turned to darkness and the moon to the color of blood, before the day of the Lord comes— that great and terrible day!
32 It will so happen that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be delivered. For on Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there will be those who survive, just as the Lord has promised; the remnant will be those whom the Lord will call.
Illustration: Tozer Holy Spirit Withdrawn From The Church
The late Dr. A. W. Tozer, author and pastor, said, “If the Holy Spirit was withdrawn from the church today, 95 percent of what we do would go on and no one would know the difference. If the Holy Spirit had been withdrawn from the New Testament church, 95 percent of what they did would stop, and everybody would know the difference.” (Lou Nicholes – Author/Missionary)