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Peter now quotes Joel 2:28-29. He turns the crowd’s attention to something familiar, the
Old Testament prophets. Although Joel was not necessarily prophesying about the
coming church age, his prophecy is used by Peter to tell of a similar outpouring of the
Holy Spirit at Pentecost(after the second advent of Jesus). This portrays the dual kingdom,
the church and the millennium. There is a former and a latter rain spoken of by Joel
before he brings out this prophecy of the millennium (Joel 2:23). The former rain was
given at Pentecost, and the latter rain will occur at the beginning of the millennium.

IN THE LAST DAYS

Act 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all
flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams:

And it shall come to pass (eimi: it shall be) in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of
my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young
men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.
The “last days” is a reference to the time period of Jesus’absence from the earth (Hebrews
1:2). The “last days” began at Pentecost and will continue through the rapture of the
church and for the duration of the Tribulation.

The church age is God’s spiritual preview of the millennial reign of Jesus. During the
church age, Jesus rules only over His body, the church; during the millennium, he will rule
over the entire earth for 1000 years. Many scriptures dealing with the millennium have
a double meaning in the New Testament because they are also speaking of the church
age.

The outpouring of the the Spirit is for all believers, male and female, young and old. There
is no gender or age distinction in the body of Christ (Galatians 3:29). Part of the ministry
of the Holy Spirit is supernatural guidance. The Spirit’s guidance is no longer confined to
the inward voice. Dreams and visions are now available to all who trust in the Lord, young
and old, male and female. In the Old Testament, this type of guidance was only given to
those who fill spiritual offices. Now it is available to all.

Act 2:18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit;
and they shall prophesy:

“Menservants” and “maidservants” refer to gender and social distinctions. The Holy
Spirit not only cares deeply for men and women, He makes no distinction in whether a
person is rich or poor or of high- or low-class standing.

Prophecy does not mean everyone will operate as a prophet, but it does mean they will
receive spiritual revelation and utter words of edification to other believers (1 Corinthians
14:4).