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A
b
3:9 -17.
Gentile harvest.
a
3:18.
New wine restored.
B
3:19 -21.
Egypt and Edom a desolation.
The whole prophecy deals with the nation, and the nations. It looks to
the Day of the Lord, and has no room for, or reference to, a church in which
there is neither Greek nor Jew.
The quotation made by Peter is divided into two parts. The first was
partially fulfilled on the day of Pentecost: the second would have followed
had Israel repented. They did not repent, and consequently the signs in
heaven await the day of the Lord, with which the book of the Revelation is
prophetically concerned. What should intervene between the two parts of
Joel's prophecy was no part of Peter's ministry to explain. He confessed
later, when writing to the same dispersion, that they would find help
regarding this interval in the writings of Paul (2 Pet. 3:15,16).
We must now indicate the relation of the two parts of Joel's prophecy,
quoted by Peter, showing the present interval. This of course was not
mentioned by Peter, for the times and the seasons which the Father had put in
His own power had not been revealed to him. We, too, only know that a new
dispensation fills the gap, because Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ, has
made known the fact.
Joel 2:28 -31
A
I will pour out of My Spirit.
(1)
Upon all flesh.
(2)
Sons.
(3)
Daughters.
The last days anticipated.
(4)
Old Men.
Sevenfold beginning at Pentecost.
(5)
Young Men.
'The powers of the age to come'.
(6)
Servants.
(7)
Handmaids.
B
Present Interval -- Israel not repentant.
(Gap occurs here)
B
Future Day -- Israel repent and look upon Him
whom they pierced.
A
I will show wonders.
(1)
Heavens.
(2)
Earth.
(3)
Blood.
Sevenfold conclusion.
(4)
Fire.
Wonders, as spoken of in the
(5)
Pillars of smoke.
Apocalypse, and Isaiah 13:9,10.
(6)
Sun.
(7)
Moon.
In addition to this most emphatic reference to the restoration of
Israel, are the words of Acts 2:30 and 33: