Joel Chapter 2 – part 8 of 9

Imagine, if you will, the shadowy figure of a prophet in the upper room. What is he saying to the assembly there? “Be glad, then, ye children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God.” Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. “For he hath given you the former rain moderately” – and they would remember how the seventy were sent out to teach and to heal. “And he will cause to come down for you the rain, the former (or first) rain, and the latter rain in the first month.” What day is it? Pentecost. The word of the Lord is to be fulfilled this day. And the prophecy continues. “And the floors shall be full of wheat” – Peter will himself gather in over three thousand today – “And the vats shall overflow with wine and oil.” Scripture says they were all filled with the Spirit. The early church literally overflowed with new wine and oil of gladness. “And I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten.” Amen! “And ye shall know that I am the Lord your God.” For brevity, we will not quote the entire passage, but leave you to read it – and see it – for yourself. Every word came true. Joel is discerned to be a prophet indeed. “And it shall come to pass afterwards, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophecy” – Phillip had four daughters, virgins, that did prophecy – “your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.” The New Testament, the church history, the stories of many today, give evidence that this is so. “And also upon the servants and upon the handmaids in those days” – what days? the days of the former and the latter rains – “will I pour out my spirit.” It was not enough that He should pour out His blood for us, pour out His life for us, but He will pour out His Spirit also. He came to give, to give, to give. Let us only receive, and we shall find His abundant life in us. It is Christ in us, the hope of glory. It is By My Spirit, saith the Lord of Hosts. It is God dwelling in you, you see. Without Him, we can do nothing. But with God, all things are possible.