I was curious about Joel 2: 28-29. “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.” Are the people in verse 28 only the church? And who are the servants in verse 29?
This prophecy was for Israel and is focused on the End Times, although Peter used it to explain the manifestation of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost (Acts 2:17-21). In doing so he gave the phrase “last days” its widest possible application, including all the Church age as well as Daniel’s 70th Week.
Ezekiel said God will begin pouring out His Spirit on the house of Israel following the Battle of Ezekiel 38 (Ezek. 39:25-29) to bring them back into their Old Covenant relationship, sparking a world wide return of Jews to the promised Land. And in Zechariah 12:10 we’re told this will enable them to recognize Jesus as their Messiah toward the end of the Great Tribulation.