"And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days"- Joel 2:28-29 (NIV).
Afterward? After what? Joel is prophesying about the devastation preceding the Lord's return: The Day of the Lord (1:15). Fire will devour the land (v.19), streams will dry up (v.20), and locusts will take what is left (v.4). The sun and moon will be darkened (2:10). A heavenly army, forces beyond number, will advance against the world (1:6; 2:11); a day like never seen before (1:2) and we are to tell our children, who are then to tell their children, generation to generation until the time arrives (1:3). Lives and souls are at stake. And then...the "afterward:" reconciliation and restoration. Jesus said, "Be always on the watch, and pray that you may be able to escape all that is about to happen, and that you may be able to stand before the Son of Man" (Luke 21:36). These warnings should, but don't frighten non-believers and trouble those who haven't made a commitment to Jesus yet. We grieve for their afterward.
No comments:
Post a Comment
Feel free to leave your thoughts and devotions for our Lord and Savior.