The Last Days

We are in the “Last Days” but what does that mean?

Something that is happening but not completely

Travis conceived

Half of Peters Sermon - We need to understand the context.

Acts 2:14–24 “14 Then Peter stepped forward with the eleven other apostles and shouted to the crowd, “Listen carefully, all of you, fellow Jews and residents of Jerusalem! Make no mistake about this. 15 These people are not drunk, as some of you are assuming. Nine o’clock in the morning is much too early for that. 16 No, what you see was predicted long ago by the prophet Joel: 17 ‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. 18 In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants—men and women alike— and they will prophesy. 19 And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below— blood and fire and clouds of smoke. 20 The sun will become dark, and the moon will turn blood red before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives. 21 But everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ 22 “People of Israel, listen! God publicly endorsed Jesus the Nazarene by doing powerful miracles, wonders, and signs through him, as you well know. 23 But God knew what would happen, and his prearranged plan was carried out when Jesus was betrayed. With the help of lawless Gentiles, you nailed him to a cross and killed him. 24 But God released him from the horrors of death and raised him back to life, for death could not keep him in its grip.”

WHY am giving so much background

The church is very divided on how to interpret the Bible - the best way to do this is by giving context.

That - Turkey

Bird walking on the ground

Thanksgiving dinner

Someone acting silly

The Country - Republic of Turkey

What does it look like?

Peter - Follower of Jesus - Filled with Holy Spirit - stepping out and speaking up.

Peter knew the context around him didn’t understand the things of Jesus

Religious - not Christian

Other 11 - Support of the group

ACTS of the Apostles - Action and words

“Preach the gospel at all times and if necessary use words”

St. Francis of Assisi - almost 1,000 years ago

The Church (1) extremely powerful and wealthy

That was a major revival Across western Europe

Gothic Churches built

Church was central in many cities and towns around the western world

Quoting the Old Testament

Prophesy is only fulfilled if spoken and understood

Understanding - revelation (realization) OR experience

Radical behavior - that is surrendered to Jesus and loving

Addressed the elephant in the room!

Spirit is upon all people - to Prophesy

What is prophesy - 3 aspects

Repent for breaking the Covent

Idolatry - Sin

Adultery - Ticket

Social Injustice

Reliance on religious Ritualism

Judgement if no repentance

exile

Revelation - seals and bowels

Hope beyond judgment

YHWH Spirit - Forgiveness and relationship with God.

Sons and Daughters

Young and Old - how do you know if they are dreams and visions.

Dreams and Visions are:

Divine communication

Young = energy moving to the things happening in the near future

Old = wisdom and dreaming of what will happen much further down the road

Rich and poor

Which category do you fall into?

Male or Female, Young or Old, Rich or poor?

Wounders in heavens above - a bunch of this has happened!

Wonders in heavens above?

Signs on earth below

Blood - Jesus

Fire and smoke - flames resting on each of them.

The sun will become dark - Matt 27:45 Darkness for 3 hours

Moon will turn blood red

This is still not completed. There is more to come

Figurative or literal - Debate

Revelation 6:12

Hasn’t happened yet. Will happen

The great and glorious day of the LORD

Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.

What is the name of LORD to call on? vs 22-24

Betrayed

Judas

Isreal

Rome

Peter

The resurrection of Jesus has happened once and for all.

Cleansing us to speak and act with the power of the Holy Spirit

Baby being born

Jesus is a coming.

Conclusion

All God’s People are now empowered as end-time prophets for Christ