“…for You were slain, and have redeemed us to God by Your blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” Revelation 5:9
Dear Ones:
It is in looking at events at “the end of time,” that we discover the accomplishment of a commission that was put in place from the beginning of time, confirmed in the writings of the prophets, declared by Jesus, propulsed on the day of Pentecost, and now, is in the process of being fully realized. In Isaiah’s writings, the centerpiece of redemption’s story is seen in Chapter 53 where we see the Lamb of God, who takes upon Himself the sin of the entire world. In Joel’s prophecy concerning the outpouring of the Spirit upon all flesh, we discover the beginning of its effect by the Spirit, as it begins to be realized on the day of Pentecost. It is in the first chapter of Acts Of The Apostles, that we see several things that confirm to us God’s provision, in answer to Jesus’ command to His church, to make disciples of all nations. It is after His resurrection that the Lord Jesus spoke to His disciples concerning the baptism with the Holy Spirit. It would be at this outpouring, specifically upon every believer in the upper room, that they would “receive power,” power to BE witnesses unto Christ in Jerusalem, in all Judea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost parts of the earth. (1:5,8) What does it mean to BE a witness of Christ? The Lord’s words through Isaiah are so very clear on this matter: “‘You ARE My witnesses,’ says the Lord, and My servant whom I have chosen: that you may KNOW and BELIEVE Me, and UNDERSTAND that I am He: before Me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after Me.” (43:10) Why is this so very important? It is because on the day of Pentecost, when the Spirit was poured out, there was no need for any person to convince the disciples that God was the Father of Jesus, and that God had come in the flesh in Christ, to redeem us all. Why? Because the Spirit of God was now IN the disciples, filling them, testifying to them of the veracity of God, and His saving power. They had become witnesses, not just because they were designated and commanded to be such, but because the living Christ was now dwelling in their hearts by the Spirit. It would be as they were filled with the Spirit, that the testimony of God in the message of the Gospel, would begin its journey unto the uttermost parts of the earth. The question then arises, are all believers a part of this “great commission,” this command and provision by Christ, to reach the ends of the earth with the Gospel?
On the day of Pentecost, we see that every disciple, man and woman, in the upper room that day, was baptized by the Spirit of God. With the sound of a “rushing mighty wind,” and “cloven tongues like as of fire,” sitting upon each of them, the POWER of the Spirit of God was given, and received. The next thing that occurred was that these disciples came in contact with devout Jews “…out of every nation under heaven.” (2:5) These Jews then heard, “…in his own language,” (v.6) “…the wondrous works of God.” (v.11) Every man would hear in his own tongue, the proclamation by the disciples. There would be the witness of God in them, in the power and demonstration of the Spirit, through this message, in every language. Being amazed at this, and then hearing Peter’s discourse, Scripture tells us that they were “pricked in their hearts,” and inquired as to what they should do. That day, the spreading flame by the Spirit, in accordance with the Great Commission of Christ, began to burn and spread…unto the ends of the earth. To this day, that flame is still spreading, by the same power, and in accordance with the same commission, to all believers.
Dear Father, open our eyes to see our specific part in this great commission. Fill us with the power of Pentecost, that Thy word will go forth unto the ends of the earth. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Love, Dad