“For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call.” Acts 2:39
The day of Pentecost is certainly one of the most important moments in the history of mankind. For those believers living before that day, apart from a limited amount of individuals, there was what we might say, “a taste” of heaven, and the life of Christ. However, on that day, when there was the “pouring out” of the Spirit, what had been a small amount of water to a thirsty soul, became a river of blessing. Not only was the outpouring a very real moving of the Spirit upon believers gathered in Jerusalem, seeking the Father, for the realization of His promise, but it would become like a “well of water” within the heart, a source of life springing up into the realm of the eternal. That day, God by the Spirit, the very Spirit of Christ, came to dwell in the heart of man, not to just be present, but to fill to overflowing, to strengthen beyond measure, to lead in paths of righteousness for the advancement of the kingdom of God, and the accomplishing of His will and purposes on this earth. That day, the history of the world changed. From a human perspective, though thousands were saved, and added as members to the body of Christ, the living church, which appeared to be so very small, and limited in scope, would eventually reach around the globe, and touch every “tongue, tribe, and nation.” The promise that God gave to Abraham was, “…that all the nations of the earth shall be blessed in him.” (Gen. 18:18) The continuance of this promise is seen in the life of Jacob, where the Lord told him, “…in thy seed shall all the families of the earth be blessed.” (Gen. 28:14) That blessing, which Paul declares to be, “…all spiritual blessings in heavenly places IN CHRIST.” (Eph. 1:3) When the Spirit came at Pentecost, the realization of the promise of the Father, Christ came to dwell in the hearts of men, and this, eventually unto the ends of the earth. This is why there will be a new song sung in heaven by the redeemed of all ages, declaring: “Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for Thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by Thy blood our of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” (Rev. 5:6) On the day of Pentecost God changed the world, and it was because of a promise fulfilled. What then should be the repercussions today?
Before Jesus was judged and crucified, He addressed the issue of the promise of the Father with his disciples. He said, “And I will pray the Father, and He shall give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you for ever.” (Jn.14:16) The very real comfort of God, revealed by the consciousness of His presence, His peace and assurance, would testify to every believer of God’s presence in the heart and power in the life. But this promise of the Father would go farther than that, as the great purpose of His coming would be the salvation of multitudes on the face of the earth, and as a result, in the body of Christ to reveal His life in a lost and dying world. The revelation of God’s glory has been, and will always be, the great issue of man’s existence, His purpose. When the Spirit was poured out at Pentecost, that realization of the greatest manifestation of the Life of Christ throughout the world became possible. It would be towards this objective that Christ’s words in what is called the Great Commission makes this whole subject gloriously relevant: “All power is given unto Me in heaven, and in earth. Go ye therefore and teach ALL NATIONS, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” (Matt. 28:18,19)
The “acceptable time” is now to believe the Father’s promise.
Dear Father, Fill us with Thy Spirit. In Jesus’ name, Amen.