“And, being assembled together with them, commanded them that they should not depart from Jerusalem, but wait for the promise of the Father, which, saith He, ye have heard of Me.” Acts 1:4
It was during the ministry of the Lord Jesus, and close to the moment when He would die on Calvary, that He said to the disciples: “I tell you the truth: it is expedient that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.” (Jn. 16:7) The Holy Spirit was already present in Christ, working in some measure through the disciples when Jesus said these words. However, that which the disciples may have heard in Jesus’ teaching was not fully grasped, nor could they have imagined the effect of the wind and fire of the Spirit’s special coming to them. They were to be soon baptized into Jesus Christ, by the Spirit. The coming of the Spirit of God at Pentecost to accomplish a particular work in every believer, was essential for the realization of this “great salvation” which they were called upon to know, experience, and take to the rest of the world, in the form of their testimony, but also by the demonstration and power of the Spirit. The new creation in Christ, that they would become, when the Spirit of Christ came to dwell in their hearts and souls, was to change everything. The external blessing that Christ was to them while He walked on this earth, by His words and influence, would now become within them Life, Light, and Love…by the power of the Spirit. Christ would come to dwell in them by the Spirit. The living water, that blessed Fountain and River, would reside in the depths of their being, rising up, and gushing forth with controlled blessing to a lost and dying world, as the truths of the glorious gospel were proclaimed and believed. The world would be turned upside down. And even though the mighty Roman Empire would fall, yet the testimony of Christ by His Spirit in the hearts and lives of believers, would remain. No amount of opposition, or persecution, or device of Satan, would be able to stamp out Christianity, and put out the living Flame of the Spirit. God had come to stay, by living in the hearts and souls of men. Christ came for the first time to be born as a man, and eventually go to the Cross for all men, that they should be cleansed and forgiven of their sins. He rose from the dead, now seated at the right hand of the Father, to testify of His power to save, deliver, give eternal life, and secure forever those who put their trust in Him. Between the event of Pentecost, just after his first coming, until the moment when the promise of his second coming will be revealed, history is being made. The question is: “What is this history that God has designed and willed for His glory, and the eternal blessing of men?” The answer resides in the purpose, power, and appropriation of the risen Christ by the Spirit. The Spirit of Pentecost is still working to exalt Christ by the saving and sanctifying of men, who live for the glory of God, by the power of the Spirit, according to the will of God.
In this intermediary period of the church and the Spirit, God gave to John the Apostle, a vision. It was the vision of the resurrected Christ in His glory and power, who had ascended to the Father’s right hand. This overwhelming sight that caused John to fall down as if he were dead, was tempered by the proclamation of the love of God for every believer. The vision’s purpose was to inspire, stir up, and strength in faith the believer and the church, so that, until Christ comes the second time, His kingdom and will should come on the earth, as in heaven.
Dear Father, Empower us today to live by the faith of the Son of God. In Jesus’ name, Amen.