Acts 2:17-18 (ESV)
"And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy."
Peter quoted these words from Joel on the Day of Pentecost as his fellow disciples were speaking the Gospel message to the crowd in foreign languages. What must have been felt by all who experienced the movement of the Holy Spirit that day? Even those who did not believe the spoken message must have felt the movement of God though they willingly ignored Him. But Peter's words here cut deep into the hearts of at least 3000 who heard them that day. And even today his words speak volumes.
Peter quoted these words from Joel on the Day of Pentecost as his fellow disciples were speaking the Gospel message to the crowd in foreign languages. What must have been felt by all who experienced the movement of the Holy Spirit that day? Even those who did not believe the spoken message must have felt the movement of God though they willingly ignored Him. But Peter's words here cut deep into the hearts of at least 3000 who heard them that day. And even today his words speak volumes.
Peter understood that the coming of the Holy Spirit was the beginning of the end. The Day of Pentecost was now a time which marked the end of one age and the beginning of another. We now live in "the last days" and the next great redemptive act will be the second coming of Christ. We do not know the day or hour, but He is coming soon.
Peter sensed the urgency that must be had by the disciples. Peter in essence was saying, "There is no time to waste in speaking the truth of the Gospel message to all who would hear it. Now is the time to believe because we are living in the last days that the prophet Joel spoke of so many years ago." And the same can be said for us today. We are still living in "the last days" and our Savior will come at any moment. Are we living our lives with urgency? Do we see those around us who do not know the truth of our Savior and our hearts break for we know the truth of their final destination: the fiery, lonely, torturous pits of Hell? Or are we comfortable, waiting for Christ to come, take us away, and we never need to think of this earthly home again?
Now is the time to act. People all around us are dying to hear the Gospel message. Are you willing to speak up in these "last days" and like Peter speak the truth no matter the consequences?
Are you living your life with urgency or complacency?
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