Joel 2:28-32 (ESV) And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. 29 Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. 30 “And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. 32 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved. For in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem there shall be those who escape, as the LORD has said, and among the survivors shall be those whom the LORD calls.
Advent. Jesus has come. He lived perfectly and satisfied the righteous requirements of
God’s law. Jesus was put to death by God through the hands of Roman officials as the propitiation for sin, past, present, and future. He was buried. He rose. He ascended into heaven.
When our great God and Savior, Jesus ascended into heaven, as his disciples stood there watching, angels also stood there and encouraged his disciples that as they saw him go away, that he would come again.
Before he left, Jesus taught his disciples that he would send the Holy Spirit and they would receive power to be his witnesses.
They were amazed. Perhaps a little sad. Perplexed. Clearly instructed. So, they waited for Jesus’ promise.
Acts 2 records Jesus’ promise being fulfilled on the 50th day after Passover, Pentecost. They are together, and the Holy Spirit is sent, and boom, they are empowered just as Jesus promised. Now, in front of everyone, Jesus’ disciples are telling the good news to the nations gathered for the festival in the public square.
Peter promptly recalls the Scripture from Joel 2:28-32, and he preaches that Scripture to the people gathered and tells them that it is fulfilled in Jesus in whom they are to believe. Three thousand people get rescued from the dark kingdom right there on the spot. Wow!
This incredible event happened and fulfills God’s word because Jesus came, was obedient, was victorious, ascended to provide atonement for all who would believe, and pour out his Spirit on all those who would believe in him, without discrimination.
Jesus’ coming and promise to return with the guarantee of the Holy Spirit and promise that he would keep his word, provides the most unifying event in Christian history, the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The Holy Spirit resides in all Christians who have repented by putting their faith in Jesus and who follow him eagerly, awaiting his second advent.
Advent. Glory is revealed and given and promised in even greater abundance when he returns.
Theology in the Dirt 