Acts 2:17, commentary and pictures

God promises that in the last days He will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh, so that sons and daughters prophesy, young men see visions and old men dream dreams, embracing both sexes and every age. Peter applied Joel's afterward, meaning the last days, directly to Pentecost, where the united praying disciples received power and glory to speak in other tongues and witness for the risen Saviour. That outpouring began the fulfillment but did not exhaust it, since dreams and visions and the signs in heaven and earth were not all present then, and it will be more evident later and fully fulfilled in the closing work of the gospel. The Pentecost outpouring was the former rain that started the gospel work like rain bringing up seed, and the same prophecy is to be fulfilled again at the close as the latter rain that ripens the harvest with a renewed, more abundant manifestation of power and light for the final warning. The revival of the spirit of prophecy with prophecy, visions and dreams in the true church is a notable sign of the last days and the approaching end, given not as a new rule of faith but to comfort God's people, correct those departing from Bible truth, and lead them to God and His written Word. The promise calls believers to expect much, claim the Spirit's help and seek the outpouring in united, praying, contrite faith, and those filled are given love and power that bring conviction of sin, repentance and baptism, steadfastness and daily additions to the church, and bold witness to many nations.

Wording and Pentecost Setting

The promise is that in the last days God will pour out His Spirit upon all flesh, so that sons and daughters shall prophesy and young men shall see visions and old men shall dream dreams, embracing both sexes and every age and reaching beyond any select group to people of every kind fitted for a special work. Before Christ's second coming these gifts of prophecy, visions, and dreams will again be manifest in the true church, which near His appearing will have the testimony of Jesus as the spirit of prophecy as part of its closing experience. The words are Joel's prophecy, where his "afterward" means the last days, and Peter applied them directly to what happened to the disciples at Pentecost as the fulfillment of the Father's promise for the last days. Its fulfillment began in the apostles' days but was partial, since the dreams and visions and the signs in heaven and earth were not all present then, and the prophecy as a whole belongs to the last days with dreams and visions among the signs that precede the great day of the Lord.

At Pentecost the disciples were gathered together in one place and in one accord, united as a company through whom the Spirit of God could work mightily. They had assembled and prayed and held fast to God in trouble and perplexity, and the Spirit came upon them with power and glory and revealed His glory, while Satan tried to distract from the evidence of truth. Rested upon by the Holy Spirit they received power to bear witness to Christ before people gathered from many nations, and those who heard carried the message of repentance and forgiveness in His name to their homes and beyond. This united, praying position is the setting Peter explained by the verse, showing what happens when believers assemble in that way.

The manifestation the verse explains was Spirit-given speech in other tongues with power to witness for the risen Saviour and to teach Jesus and the plan of salvation, fitting servants for a special work. The disciples spoke as the Spirit gave them utterance in the languages of their hearers, and Peter used the prophecy to show this was a work of the Spirit and divine empowerment, not drunkenness. Mockers who were not under the Spirit's influence failed to recognize His work and charged drunkenness, but Peter declared in the third hour of the day that the speaking with other tongues that amazed the multitude was not new wine but the power of the Holy Spirit. The outpouring was heaven's communication that Christ had been received in the heavenly courts and that His coronation and inauguration as Lord, celebrated with angels and all heavenly intelligences, was complete.

There the Spirit unfolded Jesus and glorified Him before eyes that before saw no beauty in Him to desire Him, for the glorious inner beauties of His work and character are not discerned with natural eyes but by the Spirit quickening people to see them. That unfolding of Jesus in a sermon preached in the demonstration of the Spirit and with power, with Jesus lifted up, was the great subject that brought three thousand souls to repentance in one day. Under the moving of the Spirit's power those listening hear in their own tongue, for the Spirit may give utterance in languages not known by the speakers so hearers understand the message in their own language, even in orderly conversation among several people. The wonders described in the verse are to be shown, including prophetic messages spoken by sons and daughters, and the Spirit's direction may be confirmed when a prophecy comes to pass.

Last-Days Fulfillment Pattern

The outpouring at Pentecost began the fulfillment but did not exhaust the prophecy, for the dreams and visions and the signs in heaven and on earth were not all present then. Its fulfillment in the apostles' days was partial, and the Spirit is to be given more evidently to God's people later, making them a light in moral darkness. The verse's last days can mean the whole Christian age, which must include its final day, so the prophecy is not confined to Pentecost and the gift of tongues seen there. That period did not end eighteen centuries after Pentecost, nor did the close of Revelation in A.D. 96 end the time in which such revelations may be given, but it continues until Christ appears in the clouds.

Part of the prophecy's fulfillment falls in the eighteenth century, with the darkening of the sun in 1780 and the bloodlike appearance of the moon that night. The moon's appearance as blood is figurative rather than a literal turning to blood, and these signs in sun and moon stand alongside wonders in heaven and on earth and the revival of prophecy, visions, and dreams. Dreams and visions are among the signs that precede the great day of the Lord, and their occurrence is expected through the time before Christ appears. The prophecy was partly fulfilled when the Spirit was poured out at Pentecost, but it will be fully fulfilled through the divine grace that accompanies the gospel's closing work.

That full accomplishment comes in the closing work of the third angel's message when it goes forth with a loud voice, the earth is lightened with God's glory, and the Spirit is poured out in special measure upon His people. Prayers for that promised descent have been gathered up and kept, none lost, accumulating until they overflow and pour forth over the world as a healing flood of heavenly influence and accumulated light. The verse marks the period when God's promised work is manifested among His people through revelations from heaven in warnings, reproofs, and explanations of the Word. It calls them to know they have reached this prophesied time and to remain watchful, as was recognized at a meeting in Copenhagen where a man who had opposed his Sabbathkeeping Christian wife was convinced as he heard the message.

Former and Latter Rain

The outpouring at Pentecost was the former rain that started the gospel work as rain causes seed to spring up and take root, and the same promise is to be fulfilled again at the close as the latter rain that ripens the harvest for gathering. The last days embrace the whole Christian age including its final day, so Pentecost began the fulfillment without exhausting it, and believers since have received a measure of the Spirit while the fuller outpouring remains for the close with its remaining signs and manifestations. The former rain helped the gospel take root at its opening, and the latter rain corresponds to it at the closing of the work, bringing empowerment like Pentecost.

The latter rain at the close brings a renewed manifestation of divine power like Pentecost, even more abundant than the former rain with its glorious results. It revives primitive godliness among God's people before the final judgments fall, renewing the power known in apostolic times. Its fulfillment begun only partially in the apostles' days will later be more evident, making God's people a light in moral darkness and spreading great light throughout the world. It accompanies and empowers the final warning of the third angel as that work goes forth.

Those who allow unbelief to quench the Spirit will be unprepared to receive the promised blessing. Those who failed to receive and value the early rain will not recognize or understand the value of the latter rain when the Spirit is poured out.

The promise is fulfilled in special measure upon God's people for the closing work of the third angel's message when it goes forth with a loud voice and the earth is lightened with divine glory. The glory for that closing work has been accumulating, and every prayer ascending for the fulfillment of the promised descent of the Spirit has been gathered up and kept, with none lost. Those stored prayers add up until they overflow and pour forth over the world as a healing flood of heavenly influence and accumulated light.

Prophecy Visions and Dreams

The revival of the spirit of prophecy with prophecy, visions, and dreams in the true church is a notable sign of the last days and of the approaching end, set alongside signs in the sun, moon, and stars and wonders in heaven and on earth. The outpouring began at Pentecost but did not exhaust the prophecy, since dreams and visions and the signs in heaven and earth were not all present then, so its fulfillment was partial in the apostles' days and belongs as a whole to the last days before the great day of the Lord. “Last days” extends through the very last day and did not end eighteen centuries after Pentecost, but continues until the end approaches and Christ appears. Part of the fulfillment falls in the eighteenth century through the darkening of the sun in 1780 and the bloodlike appearance of the moon that night, which is figurative rather than a literal turning to blood. Before Christ’s second coming the gifts of prophecy, visions, and dreams will again be manifest in the true church, and the church near His appearing will have the testimony of Jesus, which is the spirit of prophecy.

The existence of counterfeit spiritual manifestations points to the reality of God’s genuine work by these gifts and to the coming fulfillment of His word. God has not left His people without spiritual gifts in an age of deception. Visions promised for the last days are not a new rule of faith or a new rule of faith and practice separate from the Bible. They comfort God’s people and correct those who depart from Bible truth, and they lead people to God and His written Word. They may show how His Word is fulfilled in past, present, and future, as God dealt with Peter when preparing him to preach to the Gentiles.

Dreams from the Lord are as truly fruits of the spirit of prophecy as visions. Not every dream is from God: ordinary dreams arise from daily concerns and false dreams may come from Satan. Genuineness is shown by the person receiving it and the circumstances in which it is given. The promise supports accepting genuine Spirit manifestations in particular cases, including a child’s Spirit-given direction about where to go that agreed with the promise and came to pass when its prediction of imprisonment was fulfilled. It likewise embraces prophetic claims connected with a life of kindness and purity, strength and encouragement received through believing visions, and a vision exposing injustice in rejecting others on dreams and impressions that brought confession, comfort, and encouragement.

As at Pentecost those not under the Spirit’s influence failed to recognize His work and mocked the Spirit-enabled utterance as drunkenness, so a similar manifestation in the last days could also be mocked.

All People Empowered

The promise is that in the last days God pours out His Spirit broadly, not on a select few but on all kinds of people, on men and women, on sons and daughters including boys and girls, on young and old, and on servants and handmaids. Sons and daughters are enabled to prophesy, young men to see visions, and old men to dream dreams, fitting them for a special work and giving power to witness for Christ. What was seen at Pentecost was the fulfillment of Joel's prophecy in this inclusive outpouring, and the promise still reaches across ages and genders to God's people in the last days.

In the last days children and youth will be empowered to bear witness to the truth with simplicity, spirit, and power, proclaiming present truth and the final warning. Many will help proclaim it to the world when older church members cannot readily do the work or are hindered, and when others no longer present it simply as Jesus did. Children rightly educated in Christian and present-truth teachings will speak and work for Him in the closing work of the earth, and their witness can astonish hearers and help win souls. Constrained by the Spirit, with truth as a fire in their bones and a burning desire to enlighten those in darkness, they hasten to give light and declare the message of heaven and present truth.

From Pentecost onward the Spirit raises up humble laborers in every region, especially men in humble positions, men in the common walks of life, the uneducated, and children. Its sacred influence appears as signs and wonders amid moral darkness, and even the weakest believers are elevated, refined, and perfected in character as they exercise faith, use entrusted abilities, and submit humbly to its shaping. Constrained by the Spirit they leave ordinary employment to proclaim the last message of mercy, cast off human binding rules and cautious movements, join the army of the Lord, cooperate with heavenly agencies, and fulfill the great commission by sowing gospel seed even in rough places. They are to be prepared for labor as rapidly as possible so that success crowns their efforts, and no one is authorized to hinder them or speak taunting words against them but they are to be bidden Godspeed. Because the Spirit is poured out upon all flesh, even people who have never heard the truth may be convicted by the Spirit as they listen to the last testing message.

When God announces the day and hour of Jesus' coming under this outpouring, the living saints understand His voice. The Spirit's presence then makes their faces shine with God's glory, as Moses' face shone after he came down from Mount Sinai.

Seeking and Living Outpouring

The promise is for the last days, and believers in those days may expect much from God and claim the Spirit's help, holding seasons of prayer to seek the outpouring and receiving its converting power in the heart daily. The outpouring of the life-giving Spirit is the great hope and glory of God's people even in a time of spiritual decline, and God waits to bestow this heavenly gift in mighty power upon His people. Learners in Christ's school receive it in answer to prayer so that they may become ministers of righteousness able to serve and lead sinners to conversion.

The whole second chapter is to be read, received, and presented as a lesson calling for deeper piety, the sincere meekness of Christ, humbled hearts, and daily conversion. The church needs this abundant gift in order to be lights in the world, and believers are to wait, watch, pray, and work while pleading for the outpouring.

Readiness means standing where the disciples stood, united together in one place and in one accord, so that the Spirit can work mightily through a harmoniously united company. It requires assembling especially in trouble or perplexity, praying and holding fast to God until His power and glory are revealed, without letting distraction turn minds from the evidence of truth. The Spirit is given to sincere, contrite, penitent, believing disciples who become channels of light, while the self-sufficient do not receive His inspiration. Getting ready also requires denying self as Christ denied Himself and studying the Scriptures with all one's might in order to carry out the work, for as long as self prevails there will be backward movement rather than forward movement. That same self-denying life of Christ is needed now, with waking from stupor and indifference, so that sinners may be converted.

Those filled with the Spirit are filled with love and power to proclaim a risen Saviour with singleness of desire for the salvation of souls. They rejoice in communion, are tender, thoughtful, self-denying and ready for any sacrifice for the truth, revealing Christ's love in holy words and actions to awaken that love in other hearts, and closely united to Christ they are enabled to obey the new commandment to love one another. The Spirit unfolds Jesus and glorifies Him before eyes that before saw no beauty in Him, and that unfolding was the great subject preached in the demonstration of the Spirit and with power that brought three thousand souls to repentance in one day. The same light and blessing that converted hearts then is needed now to impress minds strongly, calling for coming to God in the simplicity of His Word and presenting His Word to the Father and to the Son. At Pentecost the Spirit rested on the disciples and gave power to bear witness before people gathered from many nations, who then carried the message of repentance and forgiveness in Christ's name to their homes and beyond, and He gave boldness that transforms the person and makes restoration of the soul evident. The baptism of the Spirit brings new life, new energy, and a purifying tide that transforms character, so that consecrated, commandment-keeping people catch the inspiration and seem as prophets, with God working with human effort to give efficiency as love strengthens and loyalty with sympathy and purity makes hearts one with Jesus Christ.

The outpouring produces conviction of sin, repentance and baptism in the name of Jesus Christ for remission of sins, and the gift of the Holy Ghost to believers and their children and to all God calls. It produces steadfast continuance in doctrine and fellowship and breaking of bread and prayers, daily continuance with one accord with gladness and singleness of heart, and the daily addition to the church of those being saved. At Pentecost it empowered preaching everywhere so that thousands were converted in a day, and its expected pattern fruit afterward is a missionary spirit burning in the hearts of those moved by the Spirit.

The history of the early church during and immediately after Pentecost is to instruct God's people today because they must pass through similar experiences. Their part now is to take the Bible from house to house to make people hungry to hear the Word in this judgment hour, with God enlarging small human efforts to satisfy hungry souls and with a world to save and a message to give. The apostolic witness in Jerusalem stands as the pattern for giving the truth a strong public presence in an influential center, showing the importance of representing the message in the nation's capital. That makes it one of the first duties to give a special representation of present truth at Washington, to establish a signal memorial there instead of passing the city by, and to be faithful stewards of that part of the vineyard. Times when the Spirit is poured out in large measure bring blessings and privileges that must be used faithfully, for turning from God after receiving them brings spiritual darkness and evil.