What should we expect in the last days according to Acts 2:17?

Acts 2:17 says, “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams’” (ESV). These words are part of Peter’s message on the Day of Pentecost, where he explains that the extraordinary events taking place—the outpouring of the Holy Spirit—are the fulfillment of the prophecy found in Joel 2:28–32. According to Peter, the arrival of the Holy Spirit marked the beginning of a new chapter in God’s redemptive plan, ushering in what Scripture refers to as “the last days.”

Many people tend to associate the phrase “the last days” strictly with the end times or the period immediately before Christ’s return. However, in the broader context of the New Testament, “the last days” refers to the entire era between Jesus’ first coming and His second. Hebrews 1:2 supports this understanding, stating that God “has spoken to us by his Son” in these last days. This means that the last days began with Christ’s earthly ministry and continue through the present age.

In Acts 2:17, Peter highlights three key aspects of this time period. First, God promises to pour out His Spirit on “all flesh.” This signifies a major shift from the Old Testament, where the Holy Spirit was given selectively to prophets, priests, and kings. Now, through faith in Christ, every believer receives the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 12:13), regardless of age, gender, or social status.

Second, the verse mentions prophecy, visions, and dreams—ways in which God communicates with His people. These are signs of the Spirit’s active presence among believers. While God primarily speaks today through the Scriptures (2 Timothy 3:16–17; Hebrews 4:12), He may also guide, encourage, or warn His people in ways that are always consistent with His written Word.

Third, the broader context of Acts 2 reminds us that the last days will be marked by both spiritual awakening and growing resistance to the truth. As the gospel spreads, so will opposition, deception, and moral decline (2 Timothy 3:1–5). Yet, in the midst of these challenges, God’s promise remains firm: “Everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Acts 2:21).

Acts 2:17 reveals that the last days are characterized by the widespread presence of the Holy Spirit, empowering believers to speak God’s truth and live out their faith. This era is both a time of great opportunity and spiritual urgency. As followers of Christ, we are called to stay faithful, be filled with the Spirit (Ephesians 5:18), and remain rooted in God’s Word. Until the day Jesus returns, we are to proclaim the gospel with boldness and hope (Matthew 24:14; 2 Peter 3:9).