Joel 2:29

I will pour out My Spirit on all people: In Israel, the empowering gift of God’s Spirit had previously been given only to select individuals such as:

• judges (Judges 3:10; 15:14),

• priests (2 Chronicles 24:20),

• kings (1 Samuel 10:10), and

• prophets (Isaiah 61:1).

A time was coming when the Holy Spirit would be given to everyone among God’s people, regardless of gender, age, or social status. This fulfilled what Moses wanted, that every Israelite might be a prophet (Numbers 11:29), allowing all to prophesy and see visions.

In Acts 2:1–47, Peter expanded this promise to include people from all over the known world who were gathered in Jerusalem, regardless of their ethnicity (Acts 2:39; see also Galatians 3:28).

The prophet envisioned a future day of the Lord. On this day, God would share his Spirit in new ways and show signs and wonders for everyone to witness. The apostle Peter said this prophecy came true on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:16–21).

In the distant future, God will restore his people's spiritual lives. He will give his Spirit to all who respond to him with faith. He will judge the peoples and nations that refuse to recognize his authority.