Now, by looking at other scriptures, it seems clear that the Holy Spirit is the divine agent in both these redemptions, the partial and the total. If we refer to Joel's great prophecy: "_I will pour out my Spirit upon all flesh_," and then to Peter's reference to the same, as recorded in the Acts, we are led to ask, Was this prediction completely fulfilled on the day of Pentecost? Clearly not. Peter, with inspired accuracy, says: "_This is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel_," without affirming that herein the prophecy of Joel was entirely fulfilled. Turning back to the prediction itself, we find that it includes within its sweep "the great and the terrible day of the Lord," and the "bringing again of the captivity of Judah and Jerusalem" (Joel 2: 31; 3: 1), events which are clearly yet future. If again we examine the vivid prophecy of Israel's conversion, we observe that their looking upon him whom they pierced, and mourning for him, follows the prediction: "And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem the Spirit of grace and supplication" (Zech. 12: 10). So in the picture of the desolations of Jerusalem, as they have actually existed during the present age, the prophet represents this judgment of thorns and briars and forsaken palaces and desertion of population, as continuing "_until the Spirit be poured upon us from on high_" (Isaiah 32: 15). Indeed the Scriptures seem to be harmonious in {211} their teaching that, after the present elective work of the Spirit has been completed, there will come a time of universal blessing, when the Spirit shall literally be "poured out upon all flesh"; when "that which is perfect shall come" and "that which is in part shall be done away." Thus in the doctrine of the Spirit there is a constant reference to the final consummation. "The Holy Spirit of God, in whom ye were sealed _unto the day of redemption_," says Paul (Eph. 4: 30). Again: "Ourselves also which have the first-fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves, groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, _the redemption of our body_" (Rom. 8: 23). All which the Comforter has yet brought us, or can now bring us, is only the first sheaf of the great harvest of redemption which awaits us on our Lord's return. "Ye have received _the Spirit of adoption_, whereby we cry Abba, Father" (Rom. 8: 15); but for the adoption itself we wait; sons of God already by birth from above, we with the whole creation yet wait for "_the manifestation of the sons of God_" (Rom. 8: 19).