The physician Luke wrote how Jesus' disciples and others were gathered in an upper room in Jerusalem when suddenly there was a loud noise and “cloven tongues” sat upon them. They began to speak in languages that were previously unknown to them, and a multitude of people gathered outside the home to see what was happening and “were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What does this mean? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine. But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, You men of Judaea, and all you that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words. For these are not drunken, as you suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel”, and in chapter two and verse seventeen of the book of Acts Luke shared how Peter referred to God's words through the prophet Joel, “I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh” where we read:
And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
The verse begins, “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh:” Luke began with the words, “and it shall come to pass” which means “and it will happen, come on the scene and occur” “in the last days” or “within the supreme, uttermost and end of the time period or years”, “says God” which refers to “utters, declares and proclaims the Godhead and trinity which is comprised of God the Father, Christ the Son and the Holy Spirit”, “I will pour out” which means “I, God, will gush out, shed forth, bestow and distribute largely” “of my Spirit” or “from God's third person of the triune God who is the Holy Spirit and is coequal and is co-eternal with the Father and the Son” “upon” which means “which is the Greek word “epi” that means upon” “all flesh” or “each, every, the whole and everyone who lives in human fleshly bodies such as men and women”. Luke shared how “Joel” the prophet shared God's word about “pouring out” His “Spirit” “upon” every person.
The verse goes on to say, “and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:” Luke continued with the words, “and your sons and your daughters” or “and the male and female offspring and descendants of people” “shall prophesy” which means “will speak forth by divine inspirations, predict and foretell future events”, “and your young men” or “and the youthful attendants or servants of people” “shall see visions” which means “will behold, gaze at and watch appearances, visible forms and divinely granted ecstasies”, “and your old men” or “and the elderly, advanced in years and senior people” “shall dream dreams” which means “will see what appears in sleep”. Luke shared how “Joel” declared God's words about the “sons and daughters” of people “prophesying”, “younger people” observing divinely granted ecstasies and “older people” seeing what appears while they sleep”.
When we meditate upon Luke's words in this verse, we learn the effect of God's “Spirit” being “poured out” “upon” people in the “last days”. People both young and old will experience “divine” manifestations in their lives. God gave “His Holy Spirit” to the people in the upper room, and they began to speak in previously “unknown tongues”. The people in the multitude heard them speak in their own native languages, and they spoke of the “wonderful works” of God. God desires to reach all people with His “gospel” or “good news” which declares His “salvation” from sins through His Son Jesus. Jesus died on the cross and rose from the dead three days later so people may receive forgiveness of their sins and everlasting life with Him. Those who are wise will ask God to “pour out” His “Spirit” upon them, and receive whatever divine manifestation of His Spirit He decides to give them.
Next time Luke shares how Peter continues, “on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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