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NASB | Acts 2:16 but this is what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Acts 2:16 but this is [the beginning of] what was spoken of through the prophet Joel: |
Subject: An Exegete of Acts 2 |
Bible Note: Hi Doc, I think you made a very thorough presentation of a preterist view of Joel’s prophecy, as referenced by Peter in Acts 2. My only issue with this exegesis of the passage in Acts is that it does not account for all elements of the prophecy quoted. There are exactly 3 places in scripture that speak of the moon becoming blood. Those are Joel 2, Acts 2, and Revelation 6. When during the life of Jesus, or during the times of the apostles, do you see the fulfillment of "Blood, fire, and columns of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood"? You say you will let others find those references, but the truth is that they are not there to be found. The sun was darkened, according to Luke 23:45, but we do not see these other references except in the prophecies of John and Ezekiel. The opening of the sixth seal, and the judgment against Gog and the hordes with him are parallel to this passage, which also both immediately precede the Day of the LORD. A correct exegesis of any scripture must completely and fully harmonize with all the rest of scripture, and to claim that this prophecy was fulfilled in its entirety at that time is to assume facts not in evidence, as these cosmic signs (particularly the blood moon) are not recorded as having happened. To account for all the elements of Joel’s prophecy, I believe it is a prophecy not of just the events of that day, but rather is a prophecy of the Church, which I addressed more fully in my post 158801. Peter did not in fact say “this is the fulfillment of Joel’s prophecy”, but he did say “this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel”, which includes the thought of the fulfilling of Joel’s prophecy, but does not come right out and state that it is now a past tense completed fulfillment. But more to the point, let’s ask the question, “What, exactly, was it that Peter meant when he said ‘this’?” “This is that which was spoken of.” The people came because they heard the disciples speaking in their own languages, and asked “what is this?” Peter answered “this is that which was spoken of…”, but it wasn’t the disciple’s speaking in tongues that he was refering to, that was just an outward manifestation. He was refering to the pouring out of the Holy Spirit, citing Joel’s prophecy. “What is this you see happening? You see the pouring out of God’s Spirit. And some will prophecy, and some dream dreams, and some see visions. And you will see signs, in the heavens and on earth.” How do we justify going back and saying that the middle of the prophecy happened before the beginning, and the end happened, well, sometime, we really don’t know when, but it did? What is the textual basis? We are told when the sun is darkened and the moon turns to blood. It will be when John has said it will be, at the openning of the sixth seal, the beginning of the wrath of God, when God removes His church which He founded on that Pentacost. “This, that you see and hear happening, this that Joel wrote about, this is the birth of the Church! The Church that will be filled with the Holy Spirit, that will prophecy, and dream dreams, and see visions! During this time of the Church, you will see signs in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke, the sun darkened, the moon turned to blood, before the Day of the LORD, when this time of the church will be over, because it will be the time of God’s wrath.” Also, would not prophecy mean “to speak forth the words of God” rather than “to declare the truth of God” which I understand you to mean (correct me if I am wrong) “to talk about God”? This passage, if understood in this way (as of the Church), is in complete harmony with Paul’s teachings in Romans 12, Corinthians 12-14, Ephesians 4, and other places that teach us regarding how the Church is empowered, and how it functions. This passage, if understood in this way, let’s us see the God’s plan for the Church concealed in the Old Testament, and revealed in the New. This passage, if understood this way, is harmony with all other church doctrines. These are my thoughts. (I didn’t get them from televangelists) Love in Christ, Mark |