Let's Prophesy
The Book of Joel in the Bible has a special message in Joel 2:28. It talks about prophecy, which means getting messages from God predicting the future events. Every born-again Christian can prophesy over their own life and over the life of others by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Fulfilment Of Joel’s Prophecy:
Joel 2:28, as previously mentioned, promises that God will pour out His Spirit on all flesh, and people will prophesy. This ancient prophecy sets the stage for understanding the events of the Day of Pentecost. This event, described in Acts 2:1-21, is often seen as the fulfilment of Joel’s prophecy.
On that day, the apostles and other disciples were gathered in Jerusalem. Suddenly, there came a sound like a rushing wind, and tongues of fire appeared, resting on each of them. They were filled with the Holy Spirit, and as a result, they began to speak in different languages. This miraculous event attracted a crowd of people from various nations who had gathered for the Jewish festival of Pentecost.
Prophesying Over Others:
With the understanding that we have been recipients of divine guidance and inspiration through the Holy Spirit, we can extend this blessing to others. Just as the apostles prophesied on that day, we can prophesy over our children, friends, and fellow believers. This can be done through prayer, blessing, encouragement, and speaking words of wisdom and guidance which can edify the people of God. Our ability to prophesy is a gift that keeps the spirit of Pentecost alive, providing hope and encouragement to those who follow in Jesus’s footsteps.
Recognizing Prophecies:
Matthew 16:1-4, on the other hand, records an incident in which the Pharisees and Sadducees approached Jesus, asking for a sign from heaven. Jesus responded by saying, “When it is evening, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red.’ And in the morning, ‘It will be stormy today, for the sky is red and threatening.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.” The connection between these verses lies in the theme of discernment and understanding signs. Jesus criticizes the religious leaders for their inability to interpret the spiritual signs and recognize the significance of His teachings.
Prophetic Warning:
Matthew 24:1:14, In this passage, Jesus predicts various signs and events that will precede the end of the age, including false messiahs, wars, natural disasters, persecution of believers, and an increase in wickedness. He also emphasizes the importance of endurance and the preaching of the gospel to all nations before the end comes. This passage serves as a prophetic warning and a call to remain steadfast in one’s faith and commitment to God in the face of future trials and tribulations.
*Collectively, these passages emphasize the following points*:
- Joel 2:28 emphasizes the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the practice of prophecy. It encourages believers to receive divine insights and share them with others.
- Matthew 16:1-4 illustrates the need for discernment and understanding the spiritual signs of the times. It shows how even religious leaders can miss these signs when they focus solely on external, visible evidence.
- Matthew 24:1:14 reinforces the significance of recognizing the signs of the end times and maintaining faith during trials and tribulations and urgency of preaching the gospel to save many souls.
So Let’s Prophesy the words of Jesus, spoken long ago but as relevant as ever, to come to life in our world today. The teachings of Jesus hold a timeless significance, offering guidance, hope, and a vision of God’s Kingdom on Earth.