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- Preaching the Living WORD through
the Written WORD - 2 Tim 4;:2 - |
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THE
PROPHECY OF JOEL IN ACTS Acts 2:12-21
(6/09/13) Grace Bible Church,
Gillette, Wyoming Pastor Daryl Hilbert I. AMAZEMENT AND PERPLEXITY OF PENTECOST
(12-15) A. Meaning of Divine Signs Questioned (12) 1. On the day the Day of Pentecost, the
apostles were gathered together. They heard a
rushing wind from heaven and witnessed tongues as of fires resting upon one
each of them. They began speaking in foreign languages through the
supernatural gifting of the Holy Spirit. Many, who were of from foreign
regions, were present and
heard these Galileans speak in their foreign dialect. 2. Obviously, this “amazed” (existēmi - astounded beyond comprehension)
and “perplexed” (diaporeō -
bewildered, at a loss) the crowd because the men speaking in foreign
dialects were simple Galileans. 3. There were some who
were asking the right question, “What does this mean?” They understood that signs have purpose
and meaning from God. They understood that speaking in tongues was a sign. But they did not understand what the particular meaning of
this sign was. All signs from God in the Bible should raise the same
question, “What does this mean?” B. Meaning of Divine Signs Mocked (13) 1. There were some, however, who were
skeptics or impious believers. They mocked God’s divine sign of tongues. 2. They suggested that those speaking in
tongues were drunk (“full of” gleukos
- “sweet or strong wine”). There will always be those who do not
understand divine signs and profane the hand of God. C. Meaning of Divine Signs Explained (14-15) 1. Once again, Peter takes the leading role
among the apostles. He “declared” or emphatically addressed (apophthegomai - speak loudly and emphatically)
the Jews (“Men of Judah”) who have come for the Day of Pentecost. He also
addressed any and all who happened to be present
(“all who live in Jerusalem”). The “men of Judah” were the ones who asked
about the meaning of tongues. The ones “living in Jerusalem” were probably
unbelievers who mocked the Spirit’s gift of tongues. 2. Peter first addresses the mockers denying
that those speaking in tongues were “drunk” (methuō
- drunken, 1Th 5:7). He argues that it was only 9am, being the “third
hour.” 3. It is to the men of Judah that Peter
explains the meaning of tongues. Peter’s explanation was once
again based on the Scriptures. He quoted from the prophet Joel (Jl
2:28-32), to show that the sign of tongues came from God, established the
authority of the apostles, and validated their message. II. PETER’S EXPLANATION OF PENTECOST (16-21) A. Context of Joel 2:28-32 1. Joel was the prophet to the southern
Kingdom (Judah). The kingdom was weak from attacks from Tyre, Sidon, and
Philistia as well as a long drought. In addition, an invasion of locusts
brought an economic disaster (Jl 1:4). God prophesied through Joel to Israel
that the “Day of the Lord” was coming. All Israel will see the judgment of
the Lord upon their enemies. 2. The “Day of the Lord” was an expression
that referred to divine judgment. Joel prophesied that judgment would take
place in the near future (Jl 2:1-5) and distant future (Jl 2:31). The act of
judgment on Israel’s enemies will also include God’s blessing and salvation
for Israel (Jl 2:28-29, 32). B. Reference by Joel to End Time Events 1. God’s blessing would include the “pouring
out” of the Holy Spirit (Jl 2:28). However, Joel was speaking about end time
events and the Millennium, not the Day of Pentecost. a) Tribulation (Jl 2:30-31) (1) By comparing Joel’s prophecies with events
prophesied in Revelation, we see this referred to the Tribulation. The
Tribulation will be a seven year period of divine cataclysmic events also
known as “Daniel’s seventieth week” (Da 9:27) and “Jacob’s Trouble” (Je
30:7). (2) References in Revelation: “Blood” (Re 6:8;
8:7-8; 9:15; 14:20; 16:3); “fire” (Re 8:8-10); “smoke” (Re 9:2-3, 17-18;
18:9, 18); “darkened” sun (Re 8:12; 9:2); and “moon” like blood (Re 6:12). b) Second Coming of Christ (Jl 2:31) (1) It is stated in Joel that these signs are “before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes” (Jl 2:31). (2) The “Day of the Lord” speaks of divine
judgment as a whole, which includes the event of the Second Coming (Re 19:1-3
cf. Re 11-16; also cf. 1Th 5:2). (3) Matthew also records the association of
these signs with the Christ’s second coming (Mt 24:29-30). c) Millennium (Jl 2:28-30) (1) The mention of the “pouring out” of the
Holy Spirit has specific reference to the Millennium. The Millennium is the
1,000-year reign of Christ on earth after His Second Coming (Is 11:1-5; Re
20:2-7). (2) The Millennium is
characterized as a time when the earth will be “full” of the knowledge
of the Lord (Is 11:9b). It will also be a time when His Law will be written in the hearts of His people (Je 31:33-34).
Such a description can only be possible by the “pouring out” of the Holy
Spirit (Is 44:3; Eze 36:26-27; 37:14; 39:29). It was with this reference to
the Holy Spirit in the Millennium that Joel prophecies. C. Peter’s Allusion to Joel on the Day of
Pentecost 1. If Joel was speaking of end time events
and the Millennium, how can Peter apply Joel’s prophecy to the Day of
Pentecost? Some have suggested that Joel’s prophecy was
being completely fulfilled on Pentecost. Others suggest a partial or
analogous fulfillment in regard to the coming of the
Spirit but not the cataclysmic events. 2. It seems best to interpret Ac 2:16-21
with the principle of Double Reference. Double Reference means that there is
an immediate reference to an analogous fulfillment of a prophecy. There is
also another reference to the ultimate fulfillment of the same prophecy. The
first reference is analogous and similar to the ultimate fulfillment. We find
this principle in other prophecies of Scripture (Ps 22:1 cf. Mt 27:46; Is
7:14 cf. Mt 1:23). 3. About the coming of the Spirit on the Day
of Pentecost, this would be a reference to an analogous fulfillment. The
second reference is the ultimate fulfillment of the Holy Spirit in the
Millennium. 4. As for the cataclysmic events, obviously,
they did not take place. Therefore, the cataclysmic events will take be
fulfilled with the return of Christ. 5. Peter explained that the Day of Pentecost
fulfilled Joel’s prophecy when he said, “this
is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel.”
The phrase “this is what” (touto estin to), can be a Hebraism called a “pesher.” A “pesher” was an
“interpretation” concerned with fulfillment more than details. But since the Joel’s prophecy will ultimately be fulfilled
in the Millennium, this was an analogous fulfillment. 6. Peter also began Joel’s quote with the
addition, “'and it shall be in the last
days.” “Last days” can refer to the Day of the Lord
(Isa 2:2; Jer. 23:20; 49:39; Eze 38:16; Hos 3:5; Mic 4:1). But it can also refer to the
present age of redemptive history beginning with the first coming of Christ
(Heb. 1:2; 1 Pet. 1:20; 1 John 2:18). In the latter sense, Peter states that
the Holy Spirit has been given in the present age.
He will bring salvation to all those who “call upon the name of the Lord.” 7. In regard to prophesying, visions, and
dreams, these gifts were analogously fulfilled in
the apostolic era. But they will be ultimately
fulfilled in the Millennium. The sign gifts and revelatory gifts were no longer needed after the completion of the
Scriptures in the first century. They will, however, be exercised in the
Millennium most likely for symbolism to Israel. III. OBSERVATIONS AND APPLICATIONS A. The similarities between the analogous
fulfillment and the ultimate fulfillment are: 1. The Holy Spirit will indwell all those
who “call on the name of Christ” (Ro 10:13; Ac 2:21). In the Millennium
Kingdom the Holy Spirit will initially be upon “all mankind” (Ac 2:17) 2. The Holy Spirit gives spiritual life to
those who are spiritually dead (Ro 6:11; 1Pe 2:24). 3. The Holy Spirit was poured out in the
sense that He now permanently indwells the church (1Co 6:19; Ep 1:13). 4. The Holy Spirit reveals spiritual truths
to the believer through the Scriptures (1Jn 2:27; 1Co 2:14-16). 5. The Holy Spirit gives spiritual gifts and
enables the believer to exercise them (1Co 12:7, 11). |
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