On the day of Pentecost, the apostle Peter said; “that is what was spoken by the prophet Joel,” or, put simpler; ‘this is that.’ He stated explicitly that the events of that day, the out-pouring of the Holy Spirit, the 120 speaking in “other tongues” was the fulfilment of the words of the prophet Joel; “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” (Joel 2.28-29).

What Joel said would happen did happen. And it happened on that day, the day of Pentecost.

As an aside, there have been other incidents which were similar, or partial fulfilments. (That is often the way with Biblical prophecy.) For example, he out-pouring of the Spirit on the household of Cornelius is often described as ‘the Gentile Pentecost.’ But Peter does not say ‘this is that,’ although he does liken the events at Cornelius’ house with those on Pentecost itself; “they have received the Holy Spirit, just as we have.”

Turning to the events of 2022, there is a worldwide ‘cost of living crisis.’ Most television news is parochial, so we in the UK see evidence of growing queues at foodbanks, etc. However, there are similar experiences across the world, as prices of basic foodstuffs rise. In the majority world, this has exacerbated the initial effects of climate change; more frequent and longer and more severe droughts and famines. And, in due course, there will be a wider impact of the present conflict in the Ukraine, which is a major exporter of wheat. I have heard it said that their present inability to export will send 100 million people into starvation.

Does the Bible predict this?

In John’s vision of the seven seals, he saw a rider on a black horse (Rev 6.6): “then I heard what sounded like a voice saying among the four living creatures, saying, ‘a quart of wheat for a day’s wages, and three quarts pf barley for a day’s wages, and do not damage the oil and the wine!’” Suddenly, wheat and barley, staple food, will become scarce and expensive. Although oil and wine will remain plentiful.

I am not bold enough to claim; ‘this is that.’ But this is something like that.

The God who is the author of scripture is the God in overall control of world history. The interaction between nations, the consequences of globalisation, mean that an event in one part of the world can have substantial implications to many millions in another continent. We live in one world, God’s world.

I cannot easily ‘translate’ the ‘quart of wheat’ and ‘a day’s wages’ into modern pounds, euros and dollars. So how much worse will be the severe shortages which John foresaw?  If ‘this’ is not ‘that,’ then something very dreadful is perhaps on the horizon as world history draws to its close.

However, and I write this as Easter-time, our confidence is that God is good; that Jesus Christ, God’s Son, has risen from the dead. The final enemy, death, has been defeated. Through faith in Him, we have confidence that there is an eternal future which will be free from tears, death, mourning and crying.

Moses asked God, “you have been telling me, ‘Lead these people,’ but you have not let me know whom you will send with me. You have said’ ‘I know you by name and you have found favour with me.’ If you are pleased with me, teach me your ways so I may know you and continue to find favour with you.” (Ex 33.12-13). Moses knew that there was something more than the covenant that God had entered into with His people.

Moses saw beyond the transactional basis of the covenant (do this and you will live) to the potential of a real relationship with God.

And it seems that God did answer this request.

The Psalmist reports, “He made known His ways to Moses” (Ps 103.7). In fact, and before the request above, we read, “the Lord would speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks with his friend” (Ex 33.11).

This language looks forward to the new covenant, through Jesus Christ.  One reason why Jesus’ words were so revolutionary and why He was so opposed by the religious leaders of His day, were that He invited ordinary people to know Him. Outrageous!

The request to know God’s “ways” is something beyond knowledge of a set of rules, it is to know a way of life, like Paul speaks of (2 Tim 4.10).

For centuries, Christianity has exercised influence over the western world. Although of course, Jesus Christ lived, died and was raised again in Judea, in the Middle East, much of the early growth of the Church was into Europe. This had a huge influence on legislation, the arts, literature, taxation, etc.

However, in the past 200 years this influence has waned. And increasingly so. This book SEVEN MEN WHO RULE THE WORLD FROM THE GRAVE introduces the reader to seven seminal thinkers who have contributed to that process of secularization. The thinking Christian will do well to consider the writings of these men, and how their ideas have developed beyond their lifetimes, to influence the western world and beyond.

The writer is based in the US, not Europe, so his writing reflects a slightly different viewpoint. He suggests that Europe’s declension into secularization is somewhat ahead of the US.

His critiques of Marx and Kierkegaard suffer from an implied defence of capitalism and, I think, the American dream as a positive good in itself.

The story is not all bad news. Jesus Christ taught His followers to pray, “your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” And that prayer will surely be answered. In the face of secular and other anti-Christian influences across our world, our confidence is in Jesus Christ who has defeated sin and death and instituted a glorious eternal kingdom.