Have you ever received a very nice present from someone, something that you really treasure? Perhaps it might be a very nice piece of jewelry. Maybe an item that you add to a treasured collection that you have. Maybe the gift is not anything material, but something of great value, like the gift of one’s friendship. On this Sunday we commemorate a great gift that God gave to all believers in His Son, Jesus Christ, and that is the gift of the Holy Spirit, which indwells all Christians. Today’s Scripture is from the Old Testament Book of Joel, and speaks of that gift which God gave to all Christians on that date, the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, along with speaking of coming signs in the heavens, and a call to salvation. Let’s look at what message the prophet Joel had for us from God.
This Sunday marks the Day of Pentecost, which follows a little over a week after Ascension Day, the day when the Lord Jesus ascended back into heaven. Ascension Day is forty days after Easter. Prior to that first day of Pentecost, during all of the days of the Old Testament, and throughout the days of the earthly life of Jesus, no one had the Holy Spirit permanently indwelling them. This included great and godly people like Moses, Elijah, or Isaiah. The Holy Spirit would temporarily come upon various people, but would not stay permanently.
Joel brought us a prophecy, a promise from God that He was going to pour out His Holy Spirit upon believers, men and women who have a saving relationship with Jesus (vs. 28-29). The fulfillment of this prophecy came on the Day of Pentecost, approximately fifty days following Jesus’ resurrection, and which we read of in Acts 2:1-21. From that day onward the Holy Spirit has indwelt believers from the moment of their salvation.
The phrase “all flesh” in verse 28 does not mean that the Holy Spirit comes upon everyone, regardless of whether they have a saving relationship with Jesus or not. It means that those who are saved will receive the Holy Spirit whether they are male or female, whether they are rich, poor, slave or free. They will receive the Holy Spirit whether they are a priest or minister, or whether they are a lay person in the congregation, and no matter what country or nationality they are from. God’s gift of the Holy Spirit is for everyone who has asked Jesus to be their Savior. And as we read through the New Testament, particularly the Epistles, we see just how precious a gift the Holy Spirit is for believers in their life and daily walk with the Lord.
As we continue on in our Scripture passage from Joel, we read of some disturbing signs and wonders in the sky and heavens (vs. 30-31). Since those did not happen on that Day of Pentecost in Acts, we can understand that Joel’s prophecy has a 2-part fulfillment, part on that Day of Pentecost with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and another part at a later time, which Joel indicates will be right prior to the coming of the Day of the Lord. The Day of the Lord is a time of God’s judgment on the earth and unbelievers, culminating with the return of the Lord Jesus. Joel indicates that, among other things, there will be blood, fire, smoke, and celestial disturbances. We see many of these fulfilled in the events described in the Book of Revelation, again describing events prior to the Second Coming of Jesus.
Our Scripture concludes with a call to salvation (vs. 32). God gives a promise that whoever calls on the Name of the Lord shall be saved. This promise is given to all of mankind. It doesn’t matter who you are, salvation is offered to you if you will call upon the Lord and ask Him to save you in the Name and through the Blood of His Son, Jesus. Anyone, male or female, young or old, rich or poor, prisoner or free, Jew or Gentile, all are welcome and will be accepted, if only they call upon the Lord. Salvation is available to all who turn to Jesus Christ (Romans 10:13).
What about you? Have you called upon the Name of the Lord and received salvation? If you have, then along with receiving eternal life, you also have God’s precious gift of the Holy Spirit indwelling you. If not, do not hesitate another day, as you do not want to face God’s judgment and the Day of the Lord without having asked the Lord Jesus to be your Savior.
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