And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also on the servants and on the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit. Joel 2:28-29
We see see in Joel chapter 2 verses 28-29 that it is prophesied in the last days that God (YHVH) would pour out His Holy Spirit (Ruach haKodesh). We will seek to briefly examine this passage as well as related passages to see the greater picture of just what this pouring out of God’s Holy Spirit (Ruach haKodesh) is and what it might look like in the lives of those called by God (YHVH) in these, the last days.
Let us begin by examining the words here in there original Hebrew to get a broader understanding of what is being told to us. The Hebrew word for Holy Spirit is “Ruach haKodesh" - Kodesh meaning "holy" or "Set-Apart”.
(Strongs h7307 - Ruach)
1) wind, breath, mind, spirit
a) breath
b) wind
1) of heaven
2) quarter (of wind), side
3) breath of air
4) air, gas
5) vain, empty thing
c) spirit (as that which breathes quickly in animation or agitation)
1) spirit, animation, vivacity, vigour
2) courage
3) temper, anger
4) impatience, patience
5) spirit, disposition (as troubled, bitter, discontented)
6) disposition (of various kinds), unaccountable or uncontrollable impulse
7) prophetic spirit
d) spirit (of the living, breathing being in man and animals)
1) as gift, preserved by God, God's spirit, departing at death, disembodied being
e) spirit (as seat of emotion)
1) desire
2) sorrow, trouble
f) spirit
1) as seat or organ of mental acts
2) rarely of the (human) will
3) as seat especially of moral character
g) Spirit of God
1) as inspiring ecstatic state of prophecy
2) as impelling prophet to utter instruction or warning
3) imparting warlike energy and executive and administrative power
4) as endowing men with various gifts
5) as energy of life
6) as manifest in the Shekinah glory
7) never referred to as a depersonalised force
We can see that the Spirit (Ruach) of God (YHVH) is most often referred to as wind, or the breath of God (YHVH). Wind is what moves a sailing ship. It is the unseen force, that causes an object to move in the direction it is moving. It is the wind, the breath that comes from the mouth of God (YHVH) that sets out to accomplish His purpose. This can also give us the understanding that God's Word, which proceeds from His mouth accomplishes the same purpose. Jesus said "Man shall not live on bread alone, but on EVERY WORD that comes from the mouth of God." in Matthew 4:4. Because it is His Word, His breath, which gives us life.
We might immediately think of John 3:8, The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.”
We may also think about it in terms of cause and effect. The Spirit (Ruach) is the initial cause, that when it moves upon something (or someone), that something or someone reacts in accordance with the direction or the will of the initial cause. That which is seen, if you will, is effected by what is unseen.
Genesis 2:7 And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.
We also see from the very beginning that the Holy Spirit (Ruach haKodesh) “moved” on the face of the waters at creation. A thorough study of the Spirit (Ruach) will reveal that the Spirit (Ruach) is mentioned when God (YHVH) “moves” or is in “action”, describing God (YHVH) doing something. Therefore we may think of the Spirit (Ruach) as the motivating force, the wind, or breath of God (YHVH), which is love.
So the question we should then ask is, “just what will the Spirit (Ruach) of God (YHVH) MOVE us to do?”, “What does love in action look like?”, and “What does it have to do with the end of this age?”
The Bible is of no private interpretation (2 Peter 1:20) so we will seek to learn what the Spirit (Ruach) moves us to do from the Word itself. Since we know that we are indwelt with the Holy Spirit (Ruach) of promise upon salvation (Ephesians 1:13), we can safely assume that when the Bible discusses “God in us” it is telling us what God (YHVH) is doing in us via His Spirit, His WORD (Yeshua) planted in us (James 1:21). It is the Spirit of God (YHVH) that is the motivator in our lives and gives us the desire and the power to do what is pleasing to God (YHVH) which is accomplished out of love them flows from Him ultimately.
Philippians 2:13 For it is God who works in you both to WILL and to DO for His good pleasure.
What is pleasing to God? How do we DO that?
1 John 3:22-24 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS and do those things that are PLEASING in His sight. And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Yeshua Messiah and love one another, as He gave us commandment. Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us.
Now some may argue that the commandment is simply to “believe” in Jesus (Yeshua) and we’re “good to go” but believing is not just intellectual ascent, but it is “doing what you heard”. In fact, Jesus (Yeshua) said that ALL the commandments could be SUMMED UP in “ ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind,’ and ‘your neighbor as yourself.’” Luke 10:27.
All the commandments of God (YHVH) are to teach us how to love God (YHVH), and love others. Let us consider again the words of James.
James 2: 14-17 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
James is not saying we are saved by our works. He is saying that the works are evidence of a changed heart. What is unseen is evidenced by what is seen. We see this principle at work in Matthew 4:4
But He answered and said, “It is written, ‘Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’”
What is seen is the bread, what is unseen is the WORD that goes into a man. It is planted according to James 1:21.
So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls. James 1:21
What is unseen is the WORD planted in our hearts, it is that which gives life unto men, or if you will, gives man his identity. Once the heart is changed, the behavior that comes forth from the man will change to reflect the inward change resulting in behavior that is no longer hostile to God (YHVH) and His Law (Torah).
Now that we have established firmly that believing is not merely intellectual assent but doing that which is pleasing to our Father because of what HE has done in us. Let us continue on. The passage in John we were examining indicates that pleasing God (YHVH) is that we keep His commandments (Torah). Can we validate this elsewhere in scripture?
Ezekiel 36:24-28 For I will take you from among the nations, gather you out of all countries, and bring you into your own land. Then I will sprinkle clean water on you, and you shall be clean; I will cleanse you from all your filthiness and from all your idols. I will give you a new heart and put a new spirit within you; I will take the heart of stone out of your flesh and give you a heart of flesh. I will put My Spirit within you and cause you to walk in My statutes, and you will keep My commandments and do them. Then you shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; you shall be My people, and I will be your God.
Take note that God (YHVH) is “regathering” His people (Israel) from among the nations where they were scattered. He is putting His Spirit (Ruach) into them which causes them to keep His commandments (Torah) which we already discovered is indeed what is pleasing to Him.
God Promises to Regather His people Israel
Nehemiah 1:9. If you turn unto God, and keep His commandments, He will gather you and bring you back from your scattered condition.
Jeremiah 30:10-11. God is with Israel. He will return them from captivity.
Jeremiah 31:10. He that scattered Israel will regather,
Ezekiel 34:11-16, 21-22. God will regather His sheep and feed them, overcoming the harm done to them by the false shepherds.
Dueteronomy 4:27-31 And the Lord will scatter you among the peoples, and you will be left few in number among the nations where the Lord will drive you. 28 And there you will serve gods, the work of men’s hands, wood and stone, which neither see nor hear nor eat nor smell. 29 But from there you will seek the Lord your God, and you will find Him if you seek Him with all your heart and with all your soul. 30 When you are in distress, and all these things come upon you in the latter days, when you turn to the Lord your God and obey His voice 31 (for the Lord your God is a merciful God), He will not forsake you nor destroy you, nor forget the covenant of your fathers which He swore to them.
Now we need to clearly establish that keeping God’s commandments (Torah) is NOT a prerequisite to salvation. Salvation is a free gift from God (YHVH) by His grace. Rather keeping God’s commandments are the EVIDENCE of one’s salvation (again what is seen is evidence of what is unseen). It is the fruit of a changed life. A life once hostile to God (YHVH) and his Law (Torah - Instructions).
Consider Ephesians chapter 2.
And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Messiah (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Messiah Yeshua, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Messiah Yeshua. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Messiah Yeshua for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands— 12 that at that time you were without Messiah, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Messiah Yeshua you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Messiah. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Yeshua Messiah Himself being the chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together for a dwelling place of God in the Spirit.
We are really starting to see the bigger picture. We saw in Ezekiel how in the latter days, YHVH would regather His people scattered into the nations. Here in Ephesians we see that we are no longer gentiles and foreigners but fellow citizens with Israel which is confirmed in Romans 11 as well as numerous OT examples. We won’t get into the “grafted in” teaching here, but would encourage you to check out 119 Ministries teaching on this very subject and study it for yourself.
Verse 15 says that God (YHVH) is our peace and has abolished the “enmity” that is toward the commandments. Enmity actually means “hostility towards”. It doesn’t mean that the Law (Torah - instructions) is enmity and that Jesus (Yeshua) abolished it. Rather it means that Jesus (Yeshua) removed the hostility of our inner man toward the law. It means that without God (YHVH) we were hostile toward Him, we were enemies of God (YHVH). Before we have been redeemed by the blood of Jesus (Yeshua), we are under the authority of sin to obey it (sin by definition is lawlessness, or disobedience to Gods Law (Torah-instructions) 1 John 3:4). We are slaves to sin and unrighteousness because of our sinful nature. But once we are redeemed, we are in-dwelt with the Spirit (Ruach) of God (YHVH), our inward nature is changed. God (YHVH), in His grace, sent His son that we might be reconciled back unto Him, and be pleasing to Him by keeping His commandments (Torah) which we were not able to do before because we did not have the WORD (Yeshua) dwelling in us. Trying to keep God’s commands without Him is futile and will only lead to death because the nature of the person has not changed.
Rom 8:3 For what the law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to deal with sin. He condemned sin in the flesh 4 SO THAT THE RIGHTEOUS REQUIREMENT OF THE LAW (Torah-instructions) MIGHT BE FULFILLED IN US, who do not live according to the flesh BUT ACCORDING TO THE SPIRIT. 5 For those who live according to the FLESH set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 To set our minds on the FLESH leads to DEATH, but to set our minds on the Spirit leads to life and peace. 7 That is why the mind that is set on the FLESH is hostile toward God. FOR IT REFUSES TO SUBMIT TO THE AUTHORITY OF GOD'S LAW (Torah-instructions) because it is powerless to do so. 8 Indeed, those who are under the control of the flesh CANNOT PLEASE GOD.
Ephesians 5:9 (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth),
Psalm 119:39 Turn away my reproach which I dread, For Your judgments are good.
Psalm 119:172 My tongue shall speak of Your word, For all Your commandments are righteousness.
Psalm 119:142 Your righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And Your law (Torah-instructions) is truth.
Let’s go back to the Spirit (Ruach) of God (YHVH) moving us to keep His commandments (Torah), we need a second witness to back up this claim.
Consider Jeremiah 31: 31-34;
31 “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 32 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt, My covenant which they broke, though I was a husband to them, says the Lord. 33 But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law (Torah-instructions) in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 34 No more shall every man teach his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for they all shall know Me, from the least of them to the greatest of them, says the Lord. For I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin I will remember no more.”
We see here confirmation that the Spirit (Ruach) would put His LAW (Torah-instructions) on our minds and hearts. We also notice that this covenant is made with Israel and not with any gentiles, but Israel (all 12 tribes and those joining themselves to Israel), again we encourage you to dig in for yourself on what it means to be “grafted in” and check out the teaching by 119 Ministries (www.119ministries.com).
Now you might be saying to yourself “but nobody can keep the law (” to which we would agree that we will likely stumble and fall short as we begin walking out our faith, but that’s hardly an excuse not to try. Moreover, if we believe the Word, we know we can indeed do what God desires in our life because of His WORD dwelling in us. Consider Philippians 4:13:
I can do all things through Messiah who strengthens me.
You might also think that the Old Testament Law was just for those “Jews” and not for Christians today. But that is a HUGE misconception that needs to be cleared up. First one must realize where the name “Jew” came from.
After King Solomon died, his son Rehoboam became King and taxed the nation of Israel to the point of civil war, the nation split into the kingdom’s of Judea (tribes of Benjamin and Judah), and Israel (remaining 10 tribes of Israel). Shortly thereafter, Assyria invaded the Northern Kingdom which was the catalyst of those tribes being scattered into the nation. The account can be found in 1 Kings 14. The Southern Kingdom of Judea remained although eventually those people were exiled too but they became known as Jews, a shortened term for Judeans.
Not only was the law (Torah-instructions) given to ALL of Israel (not just the Jews) but it was also given to the stranger and foreigner in the land with them. (Exudus 12:49, Leviticus 24:22, Numbers 9:14, 15:15, 29) Once again, see “grafted in”.
Now some might try to argue that the Law (Torah-instructions) was given to Israel for their salvation and now that Jesus (Yeshua) has come all that old testament stuff has been done away with and we are not under the law but under grace. This too, needs to be corrected. Let’s examine Deuteronomy 30:11-14.
11 “For this commandment which I command you today is not too difficult for you, nor is it far off.12 It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 13 Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ 14 But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart, that you may do it.
Verse 14 says " the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your heart that you may obey it. This is a key aspect of this portion. Where else do we find similar language about the Word of God (YHVH), His commandments being in our heart?
“The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the WORD of faith which we preach): 9 that if you confess with your mouth the Adonai Yeshua and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. Romans 10:8-9
It's the same Word yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8). So we can clearly see that it was God’s plan from the very beginning that His WORD, Jesus (Yeshua) was to be on our lips and in our hearts, that we might be moved by His Spirit (Ruach) to do what is pleasing to Him, which is to keep His Law (Torah-instructions).
So what does all of this mean? What can we conclude?
First, let’s review Joel 2:28-29
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: And also on the servants and on the handmaids in those days will I pour out my spirit.
We see there are three things that can be said will occur when the Spirit (Ruach) is poured out.
- Sons and daughers shall prophesy
- Old men shall dream dreams
- Young men shall see visions
We will start with prophesy
Strong's H5012 - naba'
1) to prophesy
a) (Niphal)
1) to prophesy
a) under influence of divine spirit
b) of false prophets
b) (Hithpael)
1) to prophesy
a) under influence of divine spirit
b) of false prophets
To prophecy is to speak under the influence of the Holy Spirit (Ruach). To speak the WORD of God (YHVH) out of your mouth under the guidance of the Spirit. Interesting that there are many believers that are openly speaking the truth of the WHOLE Word of God (YHVH). Departing from man-made traditions and going back to the ancient pathway.
Dream Dreams
Strong's H2492 - chalam
1) to dream
a) (Qal)
1) to dream (ordinary)
2) to dream (prophetic)
3) to dream (of false prophets)
b) (Hiphil) to dream
2) to be healthy, be strong
a) (Qal) to be healthy
- (Hiphil) to restore to health
See Visions
See - Strong's H7200 - ra'ah
1) to see, look at, inspect, perceive, consider
a) (Qal)
1) to see
2) to see, perceive
3) to see, have vision
4) to look at, see, regard, look after, see after, learn about, observe, watch, look upon, look out, find out
5) to see, observe, consider, look at, give attention to, discern, distinguish
6) to look at, gaze at
b) (Niphal)
1) to appear, present oneself
2) to be seen
3) to be visible
c) (Pual) to be seen
d) (Hiphil)
1) to cause to see, show
2) to cause to look intently at, behold, cause to gaze at
e) (Hophal)
1) to be caused to see, be shown
2) to be exhibited to
f) (Hithpael) to look at each other, face
Visions - Strong's H2384 - chizzayown
1) vision
a) vision (in the ecstatic state)
1) valley of vision (perhaps fig. of Jerusalem or Hinnom)
b) vision (in the night)
c) vision, oracle, prophecy (in divine communication)
Psalm 34:5 They looked to Him and were radiant, And their faces were not ashamed.
Repentence in Hebrew is “Teshuva” and literally means to turn away from sin and toward God (YHVH) to walk in His ways and to do His commandments (Torah) and walk in them. We know that He will not turn away those who repent and seek Him with their whole heart.
Interesting to note here also is that “see” can mean to “gaze at” (Psalm 34:5) and “Visions” seems to indicate a revelation by way of prophecy.
Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may see Wondrous things from Your law.
Could this “Young men shall see visions” mean that they will repent of their sin and turn to behold wonderful things from the Law (Torah-instructions)? It would certainly fit the message given to us throughout the rest of the scriptures.
So in conclusion, it appears that the move of the Spirit (Ruach) of God (YHVH), the Holy Spirit in the last days, is in fact, a move back to God (YHVH), a return to His commandments, judgements and appointed times. The Spirit (Ruach) will fill us, enabling us to keep God’s Law (Torah), and cause us to search out the ancient path God (YHVH) has set before us. To cast off the falsities of this world and it’s religious systems and turn to Him. This is followed by the regathering of His people Israel (all 12 tribes plus those grafted in) to the land He has promised.
This is happening right before our very eyes, as countless believers are beginning to question the traditions that have been handed down to us by the various religious systems we have found ourselves in, and digging into His Word to “behold wonderful things in His Torah”.
14 “Therefore behold, the days are coming,” says the Lord, “that it shall no more be said, ‘The Lord lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of Egypt,’ 15 but, ‘The Lord lives who brought up the children of Israel from the land of the north and from all the lands where He had driven them.’ For I will bring them back into their land which I gave to their fathers. 19 O Lord, my strength and my fortress,My refuge in the day of affliction, The Gentiles shall come to You From the ends of the earth and say, “Surely our fathers have inherited lies,
Maybe you've been feeling like there is something missing in your faith and you don't know what it is. Perhaps you have questions that are not being answered satisfactorily by your pastor or by mainstream christian teachers. Perhaps you have been looking into the scriptures and seeing things you've never seen before. Maybe you have learned things about the Lord that you try to share with other christians only to get blank stairs, which lead you to feeling alone in your walk and faith and you are wondering why, and what is going on. To you I say, take heart, the Father is separating you from the world. You are being moved by His Spirit in you, to walk according to His Word. That is your purpose, and He is revealing that in you. You are being drawn to the ancient pathways. There is no greater purpose or joy than to walk in our Fathers ways and obey His commands, it is true freedom. You're not alone I promise.
Ecclesiastes 12: 13-14 Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter:
Fear God and keep His commandments, For this is man’s all. For God will bring every work into judgment, Including every secret thing, Whether good or evil.
No comments:
Post a Comment