The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1876-04-05

needs no farther refutation, and seems to be
introduced to show the striking contrast,
the true explanation of these singular events.
The connection of thought will be seen in the
paraphrase given by Alexander; "Passing
by the charge of drunkenness, as too absurd
to be repealed except by simply reminding
you how early in the morning it still is, !
now proceed to tell you the true meaning of
the strange things which you have just seen
and heard"
A Prophecy Applied, vs.. 1921.
V. Is. Peter now explains this great
event by quoting prophecy of Joel Iii: IS
3D. written about 500 years before, which
he applies to what was then occurring
Peterquotss the Septuagint translation slight
ly modified. 1t does not differ essentially
from our own version. The prophecy is to
be understood not as confined to this one
event, but as embracing the whole dispense
ton, yet properly applied to the striking
events that ushered in that dispensation.
V. II. "The last days are the days OF
the Messiah's Kingdom, the gospel dispen-
sation, which is to continue to the end OF
the world This was only the beginning of
the period to which the prophecy applied.
Similar in purport is the positive form OF
expression, &" 1 will pour out of my Spirit.
The whole of the blessed influence of the
Spirit was not then given. There are sever
al blessings He has yet "the residue OF
the Spirit, Nal. ii Is and will continue
to bestow it. "All flesh" all mankind, I'M
plies very general spiritual influences in this
dispensation. The extraordinary, and mi,
raculous influences of the Spirit upon the va
rious classes here named, represent 6gura,
lively the ordinary gracious influence of the
Spirit upon the heart, blessings which were
not confined to the Apostles and those coz
verified on that eventful day, but which were
to be granted to the church in every age.
/
Y. Is. The servants, literally the SLAVES,
both male and female were to have the same
spiritual blessings. The distinctions of the
Mosaic law were to be abolished. All con-
ditions, and ages, of both sexes were to share
alike in the spiritual baptism under the new
dispensation. So an Apostle afterwards
taught; "FOr as many of you as have been
baptized unto Christ have put on Christ
There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is
neither bond nor free, there is neither male
nor female" (Gal. iii %
vs.. 10, 20. The pOrtents here mentioned
as to occur in the heavens and on the earth
are of terrible character, and no doubt rep.
resent Gods judgments. Similar language
is found in some of the other prophets, and
may indicate political and social commissions
and revolutions but ifso, these come as judg
ments of God upon his enemies. In "tht
Burden of Babylon" Us. xiii: 9-13,) the
calamities threatened under these commissions
of nature are to "punish the world for their
evil, and the wicked for their iniquity.''-
In another passage Of the same book Isaiah
xxxiv: J these terrors stand in similar re-
lation. In previous chapter the prophet
has described a King who "shall reign il
righteousness, and in this passage describes
the overthrow of those who oppose his power.
An examination of other passages will lead
to the same conclusion, (Ezek. xxi: Z, 8;
Hag. ii ST, quoted and applied in Heb.
xii: $500 A most striking parallel is
found at the opening of the sixth seal in
Revelation wi: 1910 when Christ's ene-
mics, amidst these very terrOrs described in
this prophecy, call upon the rocks and noun
tains to fall upon them, and hide them from
the face of Him that stitch upon the throne
sud from the wrath of the Lamb. Ia the
passages in Haggai and in Revelation these
judgments are in immediate connection with
the gracious influence Of the Spirit, as in the
passage before us. The substance Of these
and other passages of scripture describing
the reign of Christ in this new dispensation
was given in condensed form by his Forerun-
ner, when he said of Hin, i" He shall bap-
tie you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire. I"
The baptism of the Spirit was given on Pen
teeost; the baptism of FIRE was to be dread
ed by al who would not receive the gracious
baptism.
''The great and notable day of the Lord, !"
is the day of his triumph over his enemies,
as the result of these destructive judgments.
In a restricted sense it may come at any
time of Christ's triumph over the enemies of
the gospel; but in its full sense it refers to
the final and complete triumph of the King
V. 81. A precious gospel promised is
quoted. The previous promise and threat
enings alike urge its acceptance. Urging
submission to Christ by both classes of mo-
tivea, his gracious offers and his threatened
judgments, is found in many inspired pre-
sensations of the claims of the kingdom
(See Ps. ii u; Heb. xii: "a, 25) Every
one that should call upon the Lord, that is
lock to him in the exercise Of gospel faith,
should be saved. The Lord, the Jehovah of
the Old Testament, is Christ of the New Tes-
tanent. And this nronise TO those who call