Joel 2:28-32

Prophecy pointing to Pentecost -- Joel 2:28-32: The last verses of Joel two are a very famous prophecy quoted by Peter on the day of Pentecost on which the church was established. (Acts 2:17-21) These event transpired in the "the last days" of the Jewish dispensation. In the church age the Spirit of God would bring blessing upon all flesh, whether Jew or Gentile. The outpouring of the Spirit on that day would be accompanied by miracles upon all flesh. This was proof that the gospel was for all people, whether high or low, rich or poor.

Joel used several figurative expressions to describe the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. He said there would be wonders in the sky above and on the earth below. There will be blood and fire and clouds of smoke. The sun will turn dark, and the moon will be as blood before that great and terrible day of the Lord comes. Many unusual physical things did take place in connection with the crucifixion of Jesus. Also these expressions were common in the Old Testament when prophets were predicting the fall of nations. The fall of Babylon was pictured with the words, "For the stars of heaven and the constellations thereof shall not give their light: the sun shall be darkened in his going forth, and the moon shall not cause her light to shine." (Isaiah 13:10) These words described to the Jewish mind in a very vivid way the ending of the Jewish system and the beginning of the Christian system.

Joel closed this section with the words, "whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered." Observe the statement "shall be saved" in Acts 2:21. "And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved." Any that wish to enjoy the remission of past sins must call on the name of the Lord by obeying the gospel plan of salvation. In no other way is one promised pardon.