¶ 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:
And it shall come to pass afterward {H310}, that I will pour out {H8210} my spirit {H7307} upon all flesh {H1320}; and your sons {H1121} and your daughters {H1323} shall prophesy {H5012}, your old men {H2205} shall dream {H2492} dreams {H2472}, your young men {H970} shall see {H7200} visions {H2384}:
"After this, I will pour out my Spirit on all humanity. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions;
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.
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:
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Acts 2:16
But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; -
Acts 2:21
And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved. -
Ezekiel 39:29
Neither will I hide my face any more from them: for I have poured out my spirit upon the house of Israel, saith the Lord GOD. -
Isaiah 32:15
Until the spirit be poured upon us from on high, and the wilderness be a fruitful field, and the fruitful field be counted for a forest. -
Acts 2:39
For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, [even] as many as the Lord our God shall call. -
Acts 2:2
And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. -
Acts 2:4
And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance.
Joel 2:28 (KJV) is a pivotal prophetic declaration, offering a profound message of hope and divine empowerment following a period of judgment and repentance. This verse introduces a revolutionary promise of the Holy Spirit's outpouring, a turning point in God's interaction with humanity.
Context
The Book of Joel begins with a vivid description of a devastating locust plague, which serves as a powerful metaphor for the impending "Day of the Lord"—a time of divine judgment. Following a call to sincere repentance and a promise of agricultural restoration, Joel shifts focus to an even greater future blessing. Joel 2:28-32 outlines a spiritual revival that transcends the immediate restoration, painting a picture of God's abundant grace and a new era of spiritual accessibility. It speaks to a time "afterward" (Hebrew: 'achar ken), indicating a future beyond the immediate crisis and physical restoration, pointing towards a spiritual transformation.
Key Themes
Linguistic Insights
Fulfillment and Significance
The most dramatic fulfillment of Joel's prophecy occurred on the Day of Pentecost, as recorded in Acts 2. Peter, witnessing the disciples speaking in tongues and experiencing the Spirit's power, explicitly quotes Joel 2:28-32, declaring that this was the very fulfillment of God's ancient promise. This event marked the birth of the Church and the beginning of the "last days," where the Holy Spirit indwells all believers, not just a select few. This outpouring signifies a new covenant reality, where God's Spirit dwells within His people, a promise echoed in Ezekiel 36:27 and Jeremiah 31:33.
Practical Application
For believers today, Joel 2:28 holds immense significance:
Reflection
Joel 2:28 is a powerful reminder of God's boundless grace and His desire for intimate fellowship with humanity. It transformed the spiritual landscape, ushering in an era where God's Spirit is accessible to all who believe, enabling them to participate in His divine purposes and experience His presence in profound ways.