The prophet Joel spoke about the events of the last days of human history. It was called the fullness of time (Galatians 4:4). God sent forth His only begotten Son in order to redeem man (John 1:14; John 3:16). Jesus when He came was approved by the Father with miracles, wonders and signs (Acts 2:22). These events were recorded by the Holy Spirit to generate faith in those who believed the record (John 20:30,31). Since the days of the first century the number of God’s children would be like number of the sands of the sea. Until such time as the Word could be written to generate faith, it was necessary for miracles, wonders and signs until it was finished (I Corinthians 13:10).
Joel in his work pointed to one phase of the work of God in this area. God would use prophecy, dreams and visions to communicate what God wanted done (Joel 2:28). If a man claimed he had a dream or a vision from God, he would need to back up that claim by some sign. As the will of Christ came into effect after His death, the Lord worked with those going out to teach with signs following (Mark 16:20). The Word spoken was being confirmed by the signs. The gospel through this means went into all the known world in the first century (Colossians 1:23).
God also used dreams and or visions to direct the lives of certain individuals. By way example an angel came to Joseph, the husband of Mary in a dream (Matthew 2:13). He was warned to take the baby Jesus and go to Egypt and wait there. We all have dreams as a natural part of sleep. However, in these cases, it is something very different. This was an angel who came in a dream and Joseph accepted it as direction from God. Still further Paul had a vision of a man from Macedonia (Acts 16:9). After the vision he made a journey into Macedonia. This vision was for the purpose of direction.
The Spirit of God shows us two occasions back to back where Paul was making a defense of his faith in Jesus Christ the Lord (Acts 22 and 23). The one in Acts 22, Paul was beaten by a mob of angry Jews. In the account in Acts 23, the soldiers went down and rescued Paul once more. The next night the Lord stood by Paul. He told Paul that as he had spoken in Jerusalem, he would also bear witness in Rome (Acts 23:11). How would Paul get to Rome seeing he was a prisoner in Jerusalem. Now note, God did not tell Paul how but that he would be in Rome. Herein lies a great sublime truth about God and how He deals with us.
There would come a time when direct revelation from God would cease (I Corinthians 13:8). No more visions, dreams or conversation with the Godhead. It was by declaration of God a “…more excellent way” (I Corinthians 12:31). The ceasing of messages from God did not mean God ceased to love us or ceased to work in our lives. God chose the means of the written Word to convey to man how God wanted man to live (II Peter 1:3). Through the power of that Word men who believe and act on it can be saved (Romans 1:16; James 1:21).
Take just a moment to contemplate how God would get Paul to Rome. His life would be threaten by over 40 men. He would be moved by guard under cover of night to Caesarea. He would spend over two years in prison there. He would be placed on a ship to take him to Rome as a prisoner. During the course of that trip he would suffer shipwreck, wind up on an island, cold and be bitten by a viper. Once he was in Rome, he would be under house arrest for over two years.
What effect would this information have had on Paul back in Acts 23:11? In the manifold wisdom of God, God has chosen to not reveal to us what will happen tomorrow. Our Lord said take no thought for the morrow (Matthew 6:34). There is no “crystal ball” or “hidden codes” or “words” in the Bible to reveal what will happen in our future. Revelation is finished, God’s love is confirmed and now we trust Him for our daily bread.
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