'Pouring out the Spirit' question. Which last days?

S

Santana Jan 8, 2010

Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

Is God going to pour out His spirit in greater measure in the last of the last days...like now?

or

We know that the last days began when Jesus died and rose...so does this verse mean whenever we are baptised with the Holy Spirit we will dream dreams see visions?

or both?

T

TaylorOtwell Jan 8, 2010

Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, said the verse was being fulfilled on Pentecost. (Acts 2:16-17) ...

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Santana Jan 8, 2010

I keep hearing Pastors say it's going to come in greater measure when things get really dark.

Are they just refering to that we will cling to Jesus more and get it in it's fullness?

T

TaylorOtwell Jan 8, 2010

I'm not sure. I would think that an increase in the spiritual vitality of the church probably needs to come from repentance on our part at this point. Even the more "fiery" of us are pretty apathetic when we compare ourselves to ages past (thinking particularly of the English Puritans, early martyrs, etc.)

Prayer for God to quicken our hearts to keep His commandments is definitely needed.

With care in Christ...

L

Lysa Jan 14, 2010

I think both!

This is just my opinion but to me Samson is good example, when everyone thought all was lost; he brought down the enemy’s house!! I can’t prove it but I think Samson is ~~[b]~~“a type”[/b] of Christian (the one that everyone loves to judge and has given up on), who will at the end ask God as their strength returns to do one last exploit in His name.

Kind of like that prodical son who squandered all of the portion of the His Father's riches but for whom upon returning - the fatted calf was slain! I’m just saying.... it’s something to think about.

Is God going to pour out His spirit in greater measure in the last of the last days...like now?

Oh yes definitely! I have lots of Baptist friends but there have been four... count them; f.o.u.r. who have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit over the summer! Two the same night in May (mother and daughter), one in June and the other in July!

God is moving and would work but who will let Him? (Isaiah 43.13)

L

Lysa Jan 14, 2010

TaylorOtwell wrote:
Peter, inspired by the Holy Spirit in Acts 2, said the verse was being fulfilled on Pentecost. (Acts 2:16-17) ...

Maybe I misunderstood you Taylor, if I did - I apologize. But there are two reasons I humbly submit that it couldn't just pertain to that day only is 1. Peter didn’t say it was being fulfilled as if it would never take place again. The actual KJV words he said to the Jews who were in attendance were, ~~[i]~~“this is THAT which was spoken by the prophet Joel”[/i] (v16). Correct me if I’m wrong but I think he was essentially saying, “Don’t think we’re crazy or drunk, we have scripture to back up what is taking place and it can be found in Joel!” (Nowhere did Peter elude that it would never happen again.)

2. If it was meant for only that day, then Peter’s whole speech to the Jews would have all been based around THAT day and would essentially made Acts 2.21 null and void. ~~[i]~~ And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.[/i]

I could be wrong but I believe God is organized like that and logical and nice and tidy; everything would have been organized around this only happening this one day.

(edited for clarity) If I misunderstood Taylor, that makes this post null and void!! :)

God bless,