Some Biblical Facts about the Future

If you are going to ask a few unbelievers concerning the future you are likely to get either one of two views. The first, known as the 'futurologist' view, will tell you that unless you plan for the future, therE simply will not be one. Yet, there is no point planning because we are living in a world of swiftly accelerating change. In every walk of life the effects of change are felt. Knowledge doubles every ten years. Discovery treads on the heels of dicovery. We have broken irretrievably with the past, and are racing headlong into the future. Our only hope, according to the futurologists, is to try to keep on moving ahead.

The other view comes from the pessimists who reject the futurologist's view entirely. As the future is in such doubt, they would argue, we may as well live life to the full now, and let the future takes care of itself. As doomsday is just around the corner, they believed, we might as well turn our backs on the future and concentrate on the present - or even the past.

The Christian's View

Whether we think we can foresee our planet's future, or whether we believe it does not have one, the important thing for the Bible-believing Christian to realize is that the world is not out of control, nor is it under man's control. God is in control of events, as He has always been. History, as someone has said, is 'His Story'. He determines the direction and speed of world events and one day He will bring human history to an end.

So, if we are tempted to feel that things have got out of hand, or if the pace of change causes us anxiety, we need to be reminded that God not only knows what lies ahead, but He has told us in His Word. It is believed that over a quarter of the Bible is predictive, and nearly 90% of those predictions have already come true. Indeed, not many predictions remain to be fulfilled before this Age (the Church Age) ends. It is without doubt that God knows the future. God plans the future and God tells the future, so that we may live the present correctly by relating ourselves to what is going to happen. God wants us to know what lies ahead, because it affects how we conduct ourselves now.

This message concerns what God has revealed to me about the future and I believe many Bible-believing Christians do have different opinions. But generally, those who believe that the Bible reveals God's Truth to man, agree about the following general outline of events that lies ahead of us.

The immediate future

The immediate future is concerned with what the Bible calls "this present evil age" (Galatians 1:4, NKJV). The King James Version calls "this present evil world". Both 'age' and 'world' are translated from the Greek word 'aion'. The picture of the world in the final days is depressingly familiar and it covers every aspect of life today - social, polical, ecclesiastical, natural and even spiritual.

In the social sphere

In the social sphere, the 'last days' will see an emphasis on pleasure for its own sake (2 Tim. 3:1 - 5). Alongside this there will be a repudiation of authority and a growth in lawlessness (Matt. 24:12). Violence will flourish. So will immorality of every kind (Jude 7; Romans 1:29). Family life will break up and there will be conflict between social groups and conflict between parents and children.

Jesus said, "Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death" (Matt. 10:21).

The result of all this will be wide-spread, almost universal fear. All of this is quite specifically predicted in the words of Jesus Himself.

In the political realm

In the political realm, there will be a decline of democracy and an increase in dictatorship, as frightened people, perplexed by "wars and rumors of wars" (Matt. 24:6; Mark 13:7; Luke 21:9), turn to the 'strong men' to solve the problems of the nations by force. Great efforts for peace and security will fail, increasing the "distress of nations with perplexity" (Luke 21:25), as foretold by the Lord Himself. You will find at least a dozen examples of exactly what is happening in many nations of the world. Have you ever wondered why a tiny wealthy Asian country trusts their leaders to rule their country with an authoritarian government? They also spent billions to build up a 'powerful' air force. Or have you noticed why many Western countries are in the midst of electing new government? They hope their new leaders will solve their problems - especially in finance, economic downturn and in problems due to religious differences.

In all this turmoil, I believe that Israel has a vital role. The Jewish return to their homeland and the re-establishment of Israel seem to me events of enormous significance. All eyes of the world are focusing on Israel now. There are a few books written about the rebirth of Israel and what follows.

In the ecclesiastical area

In the ecclesiastical area, the 'last days' will be marked by compromise and weakness, both in the world and in the Church. In many cases, ministers will become deceivers, false peophets, even setting themselves up as Messiahs. The cults (Christian cults) will multiply; fables and fancies will lead men astray.

The New Testament Scripture has much to say about false prophets, false teachers and other false ministers of the Gospel. Let me just mention few examples:

Jesus said, "Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect" (Matt. 24:11, 24, NKJV).

Peter said, "But there are also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Lord who bought them, and bring on themselves swift destruction" (2 Peter 2:1).

These false prophets and false teachers even denied "the Lord who bought them". In other words, they denied the redemption through (or purchased by) the blood of Jesus.

John said, "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1).

Paul said to the Ephesian elders: "For I know this after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves" (Acts 20:29, 30).

Now we can understand why so many churches have been started by many so-called Christians to "draw away disciples after themselves"!

In the natural realm

In the natural realm, disasters like earthquakes, landslides, mudslides, floods and pestilence (just to name a few) will testify to the delicate relationship between man and the physical world he inhabits. There seems to be a kind of psychosomatic connection between man and nature. When man is disordered, nature is disordered, too.

Isaiah painted a vivid picture of the judgment on the earth:

"Behold, the Lord makes the earth empty and makes it waste, distorts its surface and scatters abroad its inhabitants. The land shall be intirely emptied and utterly plundered, for the Lord has spoken this word. The earth mourns and fades away. The world languishes and fades away; the haughty people of the earth languish. The earth is also defied under its inhabitants, because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore the curse has devoured the earth, and those who dwell in it are desolate. Therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men are left" (Isaiah 24:1, 3 - 6, NKJV).

Ultimately, the sun, moon and stars will also be affected.

In the spiritual sphere

In the spiritual sphere, world-wide evangelism will mark the last of the 'last days'.

Jesus said, "And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come" (Matt. 24:14, emphasis added).

Notice that 'all the world' means every nation, tribe and tongue. It is believed that the Gospel has already been taken to every country.

Yet this increasing evangelism and there is more evangelism being under taken now than at any tim in Church's history, will not win the majority to Christ. Why? There are two reasons for this.

Lack of faith

Jesus said, "Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He realy find faith on earth" (Luke 18:8)?

In the context people have been praying and interceding for lost souls and yet ridicule, opposition, scoffing and outright persecution will be the main result.

Jesus said, "Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:10).

But Jesus also said, "Remember the word that I said to you. 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they keep My word, they will keep yours also" (John 15:20).

Salvation belongs to our God (Rev. 7:10)

Jesus said, "No one can come to me unless the Father who sent Me draws him, and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:44, emphasis added).

The word 'draws' comes from the Greek word 'helkuo' which also means 'drags'. Therefore the above verse means no one can believe on Jesus unless the Father drives (or urges or drags) him to Him. The initiative comes from God the Father.

God's perspective of the future


You may refer to my earlier message - "The Last Days according to God's Perspective".


Many so-called Christians are saying that in the last days things are getting worse and worse. The situation of the world is going to be darker and darker; the Antichrist is coming and there will not be any revival. Instead there is coming a great falling away. The Church is going downhill and Christians are back-sliding. Things are really bad.


At the same time many Bible-believing Christians are saying that there will be a great revival in the last days; there will be a great harvest and in-gathering of souls. God is going to pour out His Spirit upon all flesh. The first outpouring happened at Pentecost and the second outpouring is coming soon and many Christians will receive the double portion. The Church is going to be victorious and God is preparing a glorious Bride - the Bride for His Son, Jesus Christ.


Yes, things are going to get worse in the world, but at the same time things are going to get better in the true Church of Jesus Christ. The fact is, if you allow the world to get into your Church then you are in darkness and things will get worse for you! This is the prophecy of prophet Isaiah (Please read Isaiah 2:2, 3 and Isaiah 60:1, 2).


Jesus is coming back for His Bride


When is the Lord coming back for His Bride? Will it be before or after the coming of the Antichrist? The Bible does not reveal exactly when the Lord is coming back for His Bride, but Paul, under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, said something about the timeline of the events of the future.


Paul said, "Let no one deceive you by any means; for the Day will not come unless the falling away comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God. And now you know what is restraining, that he may be revealed in his own time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way. And then the lawless one will be revealed, ...." (2 Thess. 2:3, 4, 6 - 8, NKJV, emphasis added).


Here are some statements of truth:


1. The Antichrist is known by many names - the man of sin, the son of perdition and the lawless one. The word 'Antichrist' simply means 'instead of Christ' rather than 'against Christ'.


2. "He who now restrains will do so until He is taken out of the way" means the Holy Spirit (note the word 'He'). The true church is the temple of the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit also lives in individual true believers. Therefore, when the Holy Spirit is taken out of the way, the true Church is also taken out of the way. This is the rapture of the true Church.


3. This is the timeline of future events - the falling away (the great apostasy); rapture of the true Church; the Antichrist will be revealed and then the Great Tribulation will follow immediately.


The above clearly says that the True Church will not go through the Great Tribulation.


The Second Coming of Jesus


It is important to understand that the rapture is not the Second Coming of Jesus. The Lord will not actually come back to rapture the true Church. He is going to meet the true believers "in the air" (1 Thess. 4:17).


The Second coming of Christ is for the judgment of Gentile nations during the final world war directed at Israel. And He will set up His Millennium Kingdom on earth. The will be discusse in my next message.

Practical Benefits of the Holy Spirit

I wonder how many people have read the old story entitled "Daddy Long Legs". It told the story of a little orphaned girl and her mysterious, anonymous benefactor. Only once had she ever seen the man who provided her with gifts and little luxuries, and then she saw only his shadow, distorted by the light so that he appeared long, thin and spidery - hence her for him, "Daddy Long Legs".

Sadly, and incredibly, that is a picture of the relationship many Christians have with the Holy Spirit. They know He exists because they receive blessings and gifts from Him from time to time. But He remains a mysterious, anonymous benefactor - a shadowy figure with whom they have no direct personal contact at all.

One reason for this is that so much of the Holy Spirit's work is done anonymously. We are aware of the results, but not the origin. This is especially true in three areas -what Jesus said concerning the coming of the Holy Spirit:

"And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment" (John 16:8, NKJV).

In the matter of the conviction of sin, the Holy Spirit makes us inwardly aware of sin, righteousness and judgment - but we may not and probably will not, be aware of Him as a Person at that time.

However any truly Spirit baptized Christian knows that the Holy Spirit can be known and experienced personally and consciously. He can have an unceasing direct and personal contact with the Holy Spirit in his Christian walk.

I believe there are four practical benefits (or privileges) of the Holy Spirit in the life of every believer - these are the birthright of every Christian.

Personal introduction to the Holy Spirit

I have already mentioned in my recent messages that each believer should enter into a consious relationship with each Person of the Godhead (Members of the Trinity) - the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. The full Christian experience involves repenting towards God (Acts 20:21), believing in Jesus (Acts 16:31) and 'receiving' the Holy Spirit (Acts 8:15, 17). In the New Testament these three steps (together with water baptism) in Christian initiation are clearly set out.

Unfortunately some believers tended to run the second and third experiences into one - they have equated receiving the Holy Spirit with 'receiving' Jesus. But clearly these two experience are not identical. The New Testament calls us to believe in Jesus and receive the Ho;y Spirit.

The Bible does mention 'receiving' Jesus, but we cannot equate this as believing in Jesus. The only references to 'receiving' Jesus are in John 1:12 and Colossians 2:6.

"He came to His own, and His own did not receive Him. But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His Name" (John 1:11, 12, NKJV).

The above verses clearly have an historical reference - He came to His fellow Jews. Furthermore it refers to Jesus in the flesh. It was then literally possible to 'receive' Him or invite Him into their homes. To 'receive' Him into their homes does not mean that they believed in Him. But to those who believed, He gave them the right to become children of God.

Paul said, "As you therefore have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him" (Col. 2:6).

Paul was writing to believers already in the Church. The Greek word translated 'received' is a compound one which includes 'introduced to' as well as 'taught about'.

On every other occasions when God is spoken of as entering the life of the believer, it is in the Person of the Holy Spirit. Various verbs and terms describe this experience - He comes upon, He falls on, He is poured out upon; believers are filled with, baptized in, anointed or sealed by the Holy Spirit.

However one describes it, this personal introduction to the Holy Spirit is the privilege of everyone who believes in Jesus.

Spiritual ability

When we come to Christ, we come complete with our natural aptitudes and abilities and we give them to Him. He may use some, and He may not use others. What is certain is that any gift of ours which He does use will be 'anointed' by the Holy Spirit. Without it, whatever we do brings glory to us. But when our gifts are anointed by the Holy Spirit, they bring glory to God.

The fact is, not many of us are hightly gifted by nature. God's family is not natably more gifted than the rest of the human race. Most Local Churches are run by those who bring their natural gifts and aptitudes - music, administration, or manual skill - and give them to Christ. But how limited our concept of 'gifts' is, if we stop there. And how impoverished the Church is, too! It is our privilege to receive supernatural gifts from the Holy Spirit.

The Holy Spirit is the great Giver. He Himself is a gift - the Gift of God. For the most part, these gifts are given for the benefits of others, but this does not mean they are not gifts to us.

In 1 Corinthians 12, Paul listed some of these gifts. These are not natural gifts enhanced, but supernatural gifs freely conveyed to believers. Notice that these gifts regularly used and developed become ministry - Ephesians 4:11 lists some of them. Teaching regularly used, produces teachers. Prophecy developed and employed produces prophets. It is not the other way round. The gifts make the office, not the office the gifts. Most of these gifts are connected with the natural gift of speech. That is especially true of tongues and prophecy. Let us consider them briefly.


Gift of tongue


Contrary to most Christians believed, it is the gift for beginners. It gives help where at that stage is most needed, in praise and prayer, where the novice may find himself tongue-tied and hesitant. It is not the highest gift, but neither is it, as some seem to imply, senseless hysterical babbling. Unfortunately many Christians equate speaking in tongues as a measure of spirituality and maturity.


Paul used it as much as anyone and approved of it, even though God gave it to the infant Church (like the Church in Corinth).


Gift of prophecy


Prophecy is a more advanced gift (1 Cor. 14:4) and as Paul said, "He who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but he who prophesies edifies the church" (1 Cor. 14:4). Prophecy is not inspiring preaching, though like preaching, it exists to serve and help others.


Prophecy is the uttering of a message in your own language, directly inspired by the Holy Spirit. The 'prophet' is simply a messenger. He has something to pass on, exactly as it was given.


These gifts of speech are important. Our God is a God who speaks. Words are at the very heart of Christianity. But more than that - the mouth (tongue) is so powerful an organ that it can create or destroy (James 3:6). Yet this same faculty of speach, redeemed and anointed, can be the means of extraordinary blessing to others. You can say things from God that will minister to others - things that you could never speak in your own power.


Growing maturity


Growing maturity is not the result of the gifts of the Holy Spirit, as many seem to think. The gifts do not necessarily make you a better or more mature Christian. Look at the Church at Corinth with its squabbles and sins and unsound doctrine! Paul said that they were enriched in everything and they have no shortage of gifts (1 Cor. 1:5 - 7). The gifts are to help others, not ourselves. And it is tragically possible to have all the gifts of the Holy Spirit and remain a carnal, selfish Christian.


But the Holy Spirit does want to make us holy. He is concerned with our sanctification. But it is not, and cannot be, a single, sudden gift. Holiness is the product of growth in the Holy Spirit. Holiness is God's will for His people, but it is achieved, not through receiving His gifts but through walking in the Spirit. There is no short cut. As we walk in the Spirit, the fruit of the Spirit grows (Galatians 5:16 - 25). Also read Romans 7 and 8, where Paul shows us why and how we need to grow in Christian maturity.


Unfortunately many Christians have never moved from Romans 7 to Romans 8. Romans 7 describes a common Christian experience, in which the inside wishes to please God but the outside constantly fails. This is a kind of spiritual spastic condition in which a believer is the captive of his own bad habits, torn between what he knows he should be and what he knows he is.


A Christian is meant to go on into the experience described in Roman 8 in order to live a normal Christian life, expected of our Lord.


Paul said, "There is therefore no condemnation to those who are Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit, for the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death" (Romans 8:1, 2, NKJV).


This experience is meant to be ours. It is one of the benefits of the life in the Holy Spirit.


Transformation of soul and body


You may refer to my earlier message - "The Spirit, Soul, and Body of Man", which gives quite a detailed study.


If someone is to ask - "Where is the soul in the body?" I will ask him - "Where do you think is the music in the organ?" If you can answer the second question you can also answer the first! You could dismantle the organ, but you would never find its music. Similarly you could ask a surgeon to cut open your body, but he would never find your 'soul'.


The Bible says: "And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul" (Genesis 2:7, KJV, emphasis added).


In other words, the 'soul' of man is the life of his body. You cannot see his 'soul' but without it he is dead!


Paul said, "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by hi Spirit that dwelleth in you" (Romans 8:11, KJV).


In other words, the Holy Spirit who raised up Jesus physically from the dead will quicken our mortal bodies.


The word 'quicken' in Greek means 'make alive' or 'give live'. And so the Holy Spirit is the live giver to our bodies.


In 1 Corinthians 15 Paul tells us how your mortal physical body is going to be transformed to a spiritual body at the Second Coming of Christ, or more precisely, when Christ comes for His true Church - His Bride. Here he lists out a series of specific changes that will take place.


1. The present body is corruptible, subject to corruption - to sickness, decay and old age. The new body will be incorruptible (Verse 42).


2. The present body is mortal - subject to death. The new body will be immortal - incapable of death (verse 44).


3. The present body is of dishonor. In Philippians 3:21, Paul called it "our lowly body" with frailty, insufficiency, weaknesses and limitations. However, the new resurrection body will be a body of beauty and glory, free from all of man's present limitations (Verse 43)


4. The present body is a natural body - literally, a 'soulish' (from the Greek word 'psuchikos') body. However, the new resurrection body will be 'spiritual'. Clothed in the new body, the whole personality of the resurrected believer will function in harmony and perfection under his spirit's control (Verse 44). The harmony of the spirit controlled soul and body was lost after the Fall. The Holy Spirit will restore it as we are clothed in the new spiritual body.

The Third Person of the Godhead

It is always said that the Holy Spirit is a Person and that Person is the third Person of the Godhead. Why is He the third Person? Is He less important than the other two Persons of the Godhead? What is the relationship between the Holy Spirit and Jesus and Father God?

There is a very important verse in the Gospel according to John which will give some light to the above questions:

Jesus said, "But when the Helper comes, whom I shall send to you from the Father, the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father, He will testify of Me" (John 15:26, NKJV).

Here are some statements of truth:

1. The 'Helper' and the 'Spirit of truth' are two of the Names of the Holy Spirit. We shall talk more about this as we go on.

2. Notice that Jesus said that "the Spirit of truth who proceeds from the Father", and He did not say that "the Spirit of truth who proceeds from Himself".

3. Church history tells us that this verse caused a serious division between the Christian Churches - the West and the East. Western Christianity teaches that the Holy Spirit proceed from the Son as well as from the Father. But the Eastern(Greek and Russian Orthodox Churches) Christianity refuses to say "and from the Son". In other words, it says "from the Father".

I believe Western Christianity is somewhat influenced by the deity of the Son (Christ). They think that since the Bible mentions 'Spirit of Christ' twice in the New King James version (Romans 8:9 and 1 Peter 1:11) it must have come from both the Father and the Son. Notice that the very verse (John 15:26) Jesus said He is going to send the Spirit (though it proceeds from the Father). This shows that Jesus associates Himself with the Father, and He tells us that He Himself will operate through the Spirit, exactly as He Father does.

Furthermore, the Scripture shows that wherever the Spirit is, the Father and the Son are there also.

Jesus said, "And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He abide in you forever" (John 14:16).

The Father and the Son will abide (dwell) within us in the form of the Holy Spirit - the three are always working together. The relationship between the Son and the Spirit is exactly the same as the relationship between the Father and the Spirit.

Names or descriptive Titles given to the Holy Spirit

In the Bible you can find two groups of names or descriptive titles given to the Holy Spirit - one, names that relate Him to the Father and second, names that relate Him to the Son. The following are some examples:

1. Names that relate the Holy Spirit to the Father:

His is called the Spirit of God (Gen 1:2); the Spirit of the Lord (Luke 4:18); the Spirit of our God (1 Cor. 6:11); the Spirit of the Lord God (Isaiah 61:1); the Spirit of your Father (Matt. 10:20 - spoken by Jesus); the Spirit of the living God (2 Cor. 3:3); and the Spirit of Him (God the Father) (Romans 8:11).

2. Names that relate the Holy Spirit to the Son:


He is called the Spirit of Christ (Romans 8:9); the Spirit of Jesus Christ (Phil. 1:19); the Spirit of His Son (Gal. 4:6); and the Spirit of the Lord (Acts 5:9).


A question we need to ask is - Why the Spirit is called holy? Well, His objective is to produce holiness and He does that in nature and creation, as well as in human beings. But His ultimate work is to make us holy people, holy as the children of God. It is also probable that He is described as the Holy Spirit in order to differentiate Him from the other spirits - the evil spirits. That is why we are told to test the spirits and to prove them, and to know whether they are of God or not (1 John 4:1).


The Holy Spirit is subordinate to the Father and to the Son


Jesus said, "The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My authority, but the Father who dwells in Me does the works" (John 14:10).


In other words, the works that Jesus did were not His own. The Father gave Him the works; the Father told Him what to do.


Jesus said further, "However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come" (John 16:13).


In other words, the Holy Spirit does not speak from Himself, just like the Son, He is given what to speak. And, indeed, His work, we are told, is to glorify Christ (John 16:14). The Spirit does not glorify Himself; He glorify the Son.


I hope you see the subordination here. Here is the division of the work. The Son says that He has come to glorify the Father, and the Spirit's work is to glorify the Son. Each one reflects the glory of the other. This is the mystery of the amazing doctrine of the Trinity! It is also one of the most amazing and remarkable things about the Biblical doctrine of the Holy Spirit.


The Holy Spirit seems to hide Himself and to conceal Himself. He is always, as it were, putting the focus on the Son. I believe the best test of all as to whether we have received the baptism of the Spirit is to ask ourselves - what do we think of, and what do we know about the Son? Is the Son real to us? That is the work of the Spirit. He is glorified indirectly; He is always pointing us to the Son.


The amazing wisdom of God


Let us put it more specifically, the division of work betwee the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit.


1. The Father - is all the fullness of the Godhead invisible.


Paul said, ".... who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power, Amen" (1 Tim. 6:16).


2. The Son - is all the fullness of the Godhead manifested visibly.


Paul said, "For in Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead bodily; and you are complete in Him who is the head of all principality and power" (Col. 2:9).


3. The Holy Spirit - is all the fullness of the Godhead invisible, acting immediately and directly upon us.


So, thus we can say that the Spirit by His power makes manifest the Father in the image of the Son. God has become visible, and through the Spirit the Son is made real to me. So I go to the Father with confidence and with assurance. God the Son is the revealed God - God is known. God the Spirit is that divine Person who exercises His power immediately upon me. Or, you can think of the Spirit is God the giver of life, the Lord.


The astounding thing that you and I know is that "the Word (the eternal Son) became flesh and dwell among us" (John 1:14). We know that is true. We know that God did come, that the fullness of the Godhead was in Christ, that He died for our sins and blotted them out and bore their punishment and that in Him we are just before God and clothed with His righteousness.


What the Holy Spirit does


The Holy Spirit is often called the 'executor'. The Holy Spirit makes the peace of Jesus ours. What the Father wills and the Son makes possible, the Holy Spirit does. The following are some of the works of the Holy Spirit:


1. Creation


The creation of the world is a perfect example of this. The Father willed and ordered it - "Let there be light" (Gen. 1:3); the son was involved - "All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made" (John 1:3); but the Holy Spirit hatched it out - "The Spirit of God was hoving over the face of the water" (Gen. 1:2).


As we look at what God has made we see wonder, order and beauty, and those are the hall-marks of the creative Spirit. He is a Being of infinite variety, always creatively active, never simply doing the same things over and over again but making everything new.


We need the freshness of the Holy Spirit in the Church today. We need His creativity to do something new, rather than endlessly repeat what was done in our grandparents' day. it is a mark of the Holy Spirit when the Church is creatively involved in doing a new thing in a new way.


2. Israel


It was the Holy Spirit who brought Israel into being and maintained her existence against all odds. And He usually did it by taking ordinary men and women and making them extraordinary.


Solomon was known for his wisdom, but actually he was foolish. That was obvious from his behavior when he was left to his own devices. Only when the Spirit was upon him did he show that wisdom for which he was justly famous.


And the same could be said for so many great figures of the Old Testament: Abraham, the Judges, Elijah, Elisha, David, Moses, Amos, Jeremiah and so on. The one thing they had in common was that they were ordinary men filled with God's Spirit. "The Spirit of the Lord came upon him" was the sign in the Bible that extraordinary accomplishments were about to ensure.


3. The Bible


The Holy Spirit gave us the Bible - "Holy men of God spoke (or wrote) as they were move by the Holy Spirit" (1 Peter 1:21); "All Scripture is given by inspirition of God" (2 Tim. 3:16). Not one of its authors knew he was writing part of the Bible at that time, yet there is a consistent unity throughout which testifies to the presence of the Holy Spirit in the whole operation.


That is why those who read the Bible need the Holy Spirit's aid to interpret it. After all, He is the Author, and so is also the best interpreter.


4. Christ


Every part of Christ's ministry on earth was done in the power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus became man as the Son of Mary through the Holy Spirit - "That which is conveived in her is of the Holy Spirit" (Matt. 1:20). Every stage in Christ's ministry was touched by the Holy Spirit's influence. At His baptism, the Holy Spirit descended visibly in the form of a dove. He began His first sermon shortly afterwards with these words: "The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, ..." (Luke 4:18). His miracles were the work of the Spirit - "But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, ..." (Matt. 12:28). And at every phase of His life, death and resurrection (Acts 13:30), the third Person of the Trinity was involved.


5. The Church


The Holy Spirit gave us the Church. After the resurrection, Christ's disciples, the embryonic Church and His sole representatives on earch, were a frightened, subdued group of men. It took the resurrection and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost to get them going and send them out. Subsequently, every aspect of the life of the Church has been marked by the work of the Spirit - its worship, ministry, evangelism and service.


Without Him a Church is merely a club. it can raise money, recruit members, erect building, and perform rituals. But without the Holy Spirit it will not be a Church (Please refer to my earlier postings - "Churches that are merely storehouses" and "The Holy Spirit and the Church").


Someone has said, "If God were to take the Holy Spirit out of our midst today, about 95% of what we are doing in our Local Churches would go on, and we would not know the difference". I fear that may well be true, and if it is, it is simply because human beings have been trying to do 'in the flesh' what can only properly be done 'in the Spirit'.


Pentecost came when our Lord had finished the work for His people and risen and He became the Head of the Church. The Church became His body and the Spirit was given to fill the body.


We need to understant that Church is the temple of the Holy Spirit and that each individual member of the Church is also the temple of the Holy Spirit:


Paul said, "Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you? If anyone defiles the temple of God (the Church), God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are" (1 Cor. 3:16, 17, NKJV).


Paul was talking about the Church as the temple of the Holy Spirit.


Paul also said, "Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own" (1 Cor. 6:19).


In this case, Paul was talking about each individual member of the Church as the temple of the Holy Spirit!

Imagine the act of humiliation for the third Person of the Godhead to come and to dwell in you and me! But there is a price for us to pay - we can grieve the Holy Spirit (Eph. 4:30).

The Mystery of Salvation

As we have discovered in my previous message - "The Mystery of God's Love", the Gospel is a mystery (Eph. 6:9) and the Christian faith is a mystery (1 Tim. 3:9), it is reasonable to say that Salvation is also a mystery.

In the Old Testament, in both Hebrew and Greek, the word 'salvation' means, "various forms of deliverance, both temporal and spiritual".

God delivered His people from their enemies and the snares of the wicked:

David, the psalmist said, "And the Lord shall help them and deliver them; He shall deliver them from the wicked, and save them, because they trust in Him"

The psalmist said, "Deliver me from the workers of iniquity, and save me from bloodthirsty men" (Ps. 59:2).

David, the psalmist said, "Deliver me from the guilt of bloodshed, O God. The God of my salvation. ..." (Ps. 51:14).

In the New Testament, the doctrine of salvation reached its fulfillment in the death of Christ on our behalf. Salvation is regarded almost exclusively for the deliverance from the power and dominion of sin.

Christ is the Author of salvation:

"And she (Mary) will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21).

Peter said: "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

The writer of Hebrews said: "But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone. For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings" (Heb. 2:9, 10).

Factors involved in Salvation

Let us examine seven factors involved in salvation:

1. Salvation is from sin

We have all got troubles - Loneliness, restlessness, fear (of the present world-wide economic crises, of joblessness, of poverty, of old age, of death, of sicknesses and diseases), and boredom. We all know that nothing but trouble abound. But what is the trouble? What is the cause of it all?

God's answer is sin. If you are coming to God to get all the other troubles sorted out, but do not bring Him this one (sin), you are unlikely to find a real solution.

Paul said, "For there is nof difference; for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, ..."Romans 3:21, 23, NKJV).

God wants to deal with the root of all our troubles - sin. That is the deadly disease, of which all our other problems are merely the symptoms. Sin numbs our 'spiritual nerves' so that we do not feel acutely the evil of sin, nor the presence of God all round. We become spiritually insensitive.

It is not just a question of the wrong things we do. It goes much deeper. It is what we are, inherited from our parents and their parents before them; way down to Adam and Eve. Sin is a congenital disease. it is from that destiny which Jesus described as 'hell', that we need saving.

2. Salvation is after repentance

What is 'repentance'? Does it mean feeling sorry - desperately sorry, perhaps - for what we have done? No, that is remorse, but not repentance. Judas was remorseful after betraying Jesus but never repented (Matt. 27:3).

A well known evangelist gave an altar call at the end of a meeting said: "Don't come out to the front to receive Christ unless you're prepared to leave your sin on your seat!"

That is what repentace is all about - being willing to let our sins go. It shows we really want to be saved. What is quite impossible is to have our sins and have salvation at the same time. The two are mutually exclusive!

3. Salvation is by grace

The three most important and humble things for everyone to understand are - Firstly, that I could do nothing to save myself. Secondly, that God did not require me to do anything. Thirdly, that Christ had done it all!

I believe that word 'grace' means two simple things: Bad deed are no hindrance, and good deed are no help when you come to God for salvation. It does not matter what dreadfrul things you may have done in the past. They cannot put you beyond redemption. And it does not matter what good deeds you may have done in the past either. They cannot save you. Indeed, they may be a hindrance, if you come to God not empty-handed but with one hand full of your own goodness. It takes both hands empty to receive grace.

4. Salvation is through faith

Paul said, "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Eph. 2:8, 9).

What is faith? The first thing to establish is that it is not a matter of feeling. Faith is not feeling, although wonderful feelings may follow faith in Chrsit.

Someone said correctly: "I do not feel that my sins are forgiven, but I know they are because God has said so in His Word".

The writer of Hebrews said, "Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen" (Heb. 11:1).

In other words, faith is to take the truth of God's Word and apply them personally, without doubting. It is putting my life into the hands of Jesus and giving Him full responsibility in my life's journey. It is, in a sense, an act of trust in which the believer take his life and puts it into the hands of Christ and trusting Him completely.


5. Salvation is with assurance


It is God's will that you should know you are His. When people ask, "Are you saved?" He does not expect His children to answer, "I hope so" or "I think so". He wants us to be sure of it, not with arrogance but with faith; not sure of ourselves, but sure of Him and His promises.


Paul said, "The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs - heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together" (Romans 8:16, 17).


Because we are God's children we can call Him 'Father'. it is the birthright of children, and He intends it for us. However, this does not mean that - once saved is always saved.


6. Salvation is to holiness


Salvation is not only 'from' sin, but 'to' holiness. In other words, it is not simply a negative exercise. The Bible talks about being "saved to the uttermost". We are saved for a purpose, a destiny and that destiny is holiness - the holiness of God.


The writer of Hebrews said, "Therefore He (Jesus) is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them" (Heb. 7:25, emphasis added).


Holiness is a moment by moment relationship with God and not a static thing. A believer who is filled with the Holy Spirit will understand that holiness is no longer seems unattainable but a present reality. The presence of God becomes so real and intense in his normal, day-by-day experience.


7. Salvation is for eternity


When God saves you He saves for eternity: totally, and permanently. God has never done anything by halves. Salvation is for ever, or it is not salvation at all.


Jesus said, "Therefore you shall be perfect, just as your Father in heaven is perfect" (Matt. 5:48).


Notice that (as we shall discuss below) salvation is a process, not a crisis. No one is perfect the moment he receives salvation. Salvation is continuous, and the process is not yet complete in any of us. Salvation is also personal because it is a Person - it enters in a Person, and without Him it is nothing. Salvation, in one word, is Jesus!


The Process of Salvation


Two important facts concerning salvation are:


1. Basically, salvation means the translation of a person from the kingdom of Satan to the Kingdom of God:


Paul said, "He (God) has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love" (Col. 1:13).


2. The Bible says: 'Being saved' meant 'being salvaged from sins' rather than 'being saved from hell'. Notice that the latter was the result of the former. Jesus was not given His Name (the Messiah) because He would save His people from hell, but because He would save them from their sin.


An angel appeared to Joseph and said: "And she (Mary) will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins" (Matt. 1:13).


Many people want to be saved from hell; few want to be saved from their sins. Most want to enjoy the pleasure of sin and escape the penalty of eternal condemnation. Christianity is offered to those who want to escape from thier sins. The Gospel offers men the freedom to live right and truely want to be 'saved' unto righteousness.


Salvation is a continuous on-going process


Paul said, "But we are bound to give thanks to God always for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God from the beginning chose you for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth, ..." (2 Thess. 2:13, NKJV, emphasis added).


In other words, 'salvation' comes through the process of sanctification by the Holy Spirit and the knowledge and belief in the truth of God's Word!


"Salvation', like 'sanctification' is a continuous process. It is a concept (of continuity) in the New Testament, no so much a point beyond which one is 'saved' as a process through which one is being 'salvaged'.


Aspects of the the continuous process of salvation


There are three aspects of the continuous process of salvation:


1. The past - Jesus died for us and thus accomplished our salvation. We are saved through the sacrificial death of Jesus. All we need to do is to confess and believe the Lord Jesus:


Paul said, "If you with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the death, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).


2. The present - A 'saved' person is also in the process of being saved and delivered from the power of sin:


Paul said, "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Phil. 2:12).


This aspect of salvation is taught in details in Romans 6.


3. The future - The ultimate impact of the salvation that Jesus had won for us will be known only in His Second Coming. Our experience of salvation will be complete, the last taint of sin will be removed, and we will be perfected at last - as the Bride of Christ (Eph. 5:25 - 27), without spot, wrinkle or blemish.


The writer of Hebrews said, "... so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. To those who eagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation" (Heb. 9:28, NKJV, emphasis added).

The Mystery of God's Love

The word 'mystery' is mentioned 22 times in the New King James version of the Bible. Here are some of the important ones:


The Kingdom of God is a mystery (Mark 4:44); the Wisdom of God is a mystery (1 Cor. 2:7); the rapture is a mystery (1 Cor. 15:51); God's will is a mystery (Eph. 1:9); the Church is a mystery (Eph. 5:32); the Gospel is a mystery (Eph. 6:19); Christ is a mystery (Col. 4:3); lawlessness is a mystery (2 Thess. 2:7); Godliness is a mystery (1 Tim. 3:16); and the Christian faith is a mystery (1 Tim. 3:9).


Moses said to the children of Israel, "The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law" (Deu. 29:29, NKJV).


Solomon said, "It is glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter" (Prov. 27:2).


The word 'kings' here refers to Christian believers (Rev. 1:6).


Paul said, "Let a man so consider us, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God" (1 Cor. 4:1).


Therefore, in general, God and the things pertaining to God are secrets and mysteries, hidden and waiting to be searched out by His saints - us.


Dr. A. W. Tozer was aware of this and he once prayed:


"O Majesty unspeakable, my soul desires to Thee. I cry to Thee from the dust.


Yet when I inquire after Thy Name it is secret. Thou art hidden in the light which no man can approach unto. What Thou are, cannot be thought or uttered. for Thy Glory is ineffable.


Still, prophet and psalmist, apostle and saint have encouraged me to believe that I may in some measure, know Thee. Therefore, I pray, whatever of Thyself thou has been pleased to disclose, help me to search out as treasure more precious than rubies or the merchandise of fine gold; for with Thee shall I live when the stars of the twilight are no more and the heavens have vanished away and only Thou remainest. Amen."


God's attributes and attitudes


It is true that the Bible does not actually say that God's love is a mystery. Since everyting about God is a mystery, God's love is also a mystery. But it does not mean that we know nothing about God's love. In fact the Bible says a lot of things about God's love.


But we cannot begin to talk about God's love without knowing something about the attributes and attitudes of God. His attributes are: His greatness, His power, His goodness, His creativity, His personality and so on. His attitudes are: His feelings, His likes and dislikes, His motives, His actions and so on.


It is beyond the scope of this message to talk anything abut His attributes in any detail except that God is omnipotent (all powerful), omniscient (all knowing) and omnipresent (present everything).


God alone is perfect


It is impossibe to talk about the moral attitude of God without facing a great probloem because it it almost impossible for us (being imperfect) to comprehend Him. God is perfect in all His ways, and it is almost impossible for us to realize what that means, as we never encounter perfection in human existence. Our source of revelation is the Scripture.


Here are some examples of the perfection of God: God is absolutely honest - He cannot lie (Heb. 6:18). He is absolutely fair. No one have any grounds for accusing God of injustice (Gen. 18:25; Heb. 12:23). He is sbsolutely pure - no impure thought, intention, word or action ever occurs to Him. He is absolutely loyal - He keeps His promise. He cannot deny Himself (2 Tim. 2:13).


The most common Biblical statement of God's perfection is 'God is good'. But, unlike Jesus, we do not normally use the word 'good' in this absolute sense.


Jesus said to a certain ruler: "Why do you call me good? No one is good but One, that is, God" (Luke 18:19, NKJV)


God alone is good or perfect, in this absolute sense.


The expression of God's Love


The Bible calls Christian believers 'saints'. Paul addressed the believers in the Church at Corinth, as 'saints' ((1 Cor. 1:2). God can make a sinner perfect. He can take a sinner and turn him into a saint. He can take a person full of vices and faults, the worst of men, and begin a process of transformation.


God looks at the life of a person and says, "I can see a saint, because I have begun to do something in that life and I'm not going to stop until my glory is in it". God, in other words, is willing and able to make people perfect, and that is the only way for anyone to get to heaven. That is the expression of God's Love!


Someone may ask: "If that is true, why does God not just go ahead and make me good, holy and perfect without delay"? The answer is - you cannot compel a man to be holy. Before a life can be made perfect, God has to wait for one thing - our willingness to be made perfect. This willingness is, in Biblical language, called 'repentance'! When we are willing to repent, God is going to say: "Give me that old life - no matter how bad it has been; how low or corrupt, I will make it perfect and give you eternal life".


That life is not easy or comfortable, because God keeps on stirring it up, uncovering various imperfections, putting His finger on them, and dealing with them in a long process that leads to perfection in Christ.


The nature of God's Love


The Bible says 'God is love'. It does not say, as it well might, that 'God has love' or that 'God is loving', but that God is love.


John said, "He who does not love does not know God, for God is love" (1 John 4:8).


As far as I know, there is not one religion, whose god can claim that - he is love. Therefore, the followers of all religions do not know genuine love and consequently do not know God.


The nature of God's love is revealed by answering these two questions - Why does God love us? How does God love us?


1. Why does God love us?


At a start, instead of asking "Why does God love me?" first let us ask, "Why did God love and choose Israel? Out of all the world why He chose this one nation of people to reveal His salvation through His Son?


God gave His reason in Deuteronomy 7 - "The Lord did not set His love on you nor choose you because you were more in number than any other people, for you were the least of all peoples; but because the Lord loves you, and because He would keep the oath which He swore to your father, the Lord has brought you out with a mighty hand, and redeemed you from the house of bondage, from the hand of Pharoah king of Egypt" (Deu. 7:7, 8).


Notice that God loves Israel because He loves Israel and because He is love! His love lies not in them at all, but in Him!


Similarly, we can say God loves me not because I am lovable but becuse He is love. His love is unconditional - called 'agape' in Greek. It is the love that one could have for a person who has nothing within himself to attract that love. It is the love only God can give - a love which begins in the lover and goes on to create in the loved one all the attractive and lovable qualities that were not there to begin with.


Paul said, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:7, NKJV).


Jesus described human love as, "love those who love you" (Matt. 5:46). The best expression of human love is what Jesus said: "Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one's life for his friends" (John 15:13).


2. How does God love us?


The general notion of God's love is that it is a kind of sentimental sympathy for our plight, a love which turns a blind eye to our shortcomings and simply wants us to be happy. If that is true, then this kind of 'love' is totally inconsistent with the perfection and holiness of God.


It is often argued by well-meaning people that a God of love would never exclude anyone from heaven. Surely, they say if you believe in the love of God you cannot also believe in ideas of hell or judgment?


But this is not the 'love of God' we read of in the Bible. If God overlooked my sin He would not be showing real love, but unconcern. Because he loves me, and because His love is pure and holy, He did something far more costly than simply to overlook my sin. He gave His only Son to die for my sin. He paid the price, which makes sin the most expensive commodity in the World! It is expensive for the sinner - it cost him eternal life. It is expensive for God - it cost Him the death on the cross of His son Jesus.


Sin has to be paid for, because this is a moral universe, where God reigns - and He is perfect, holy, just and true. God's holiness demands that all sins must be punished, but God's love provided the Cross of Jesus by which men can have forgivness and cleansing.


There is the divine dilemma. God hated sin but He loved sinners. God wanted to destroy sin, but He wish to save the sinner who committed it. How could He separate the two? Even before the first man committed the first sin, God knew the answer, and He also knew what that answer would cost - the sacrifice of His only Son. That is how He loved us!


Paul said, "But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ did for us" (Romans 5:8).


There can be no Christianity without a cross. There can be no true reconciliation and no true relationship with God that does not begin beneath the shadow of that Cross. That is the cost of our forgiveness.


Paul said further, "For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life. And not only that, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received the reconciliation" (Romans 5:10, 11).


The measure of God's Love


The cost of our forgiveness has been borne entire by God. Try to appreciate something of the suffering of Jesus. Try to imagine the physical agony of crucifixion under a hot sun; the mental agony of being executed for crimes He did not commit; the spiritual agony of being cut off from His own Father, of going through hell itself. We must also try to appreciate the suffering of the Father. He was not an indifferent spectator of His Son's sufferings for mankind. Far from it, Christ's agony was the agony of the Godhead.


God shared the agony of Calvary. The Father put your sins and my sins on His own Son to save His people. That is the measure of His love.


Indeed, God's love does not finish at the Cross. There the guilt of sin was dealt with, but God goes on pouring His love into our lives to sustain us in the forgiven life. Not only did Jesus take my place in His death, He takes my place in life, too. So Jesus died in my place and lives in my place, and God's love begins to remould me until I am perfect, fit for glory.


The Amazing Grace


God is love and He loves us in our sin, not by letting us off but by providing His Son to die for us. By grace we received God's love - a love that is not deserved and cannot be earned, a love that is simply poured out (Romans 5:5) at the expense of the Giver. Someone defined grace as "God's riches at Christ's expense". There simply is nothing to pay. God has done it all. No wonder it is called 'Amazing Grance'!

Understanding the Kingdom of God

Three of the most confusing terms found in the Bible are "The Kingdom", "The Kingdom of God" and "The Kingdom of Heaven". The term "The Kingdom" is generally used to describe the dominion ruled by the Lord Jesus for the unbelieving world. The other two terms are used to describe the dominion ruled by the Lord Jesus for believers.

Contrary to what many Christians, including Bible teachers, believed, the terms, "The Kingdom of God" and "The Kingdom of Heaven" are neither identical nor interchangeable despite the fact that Matthew employed the terminology of the "Kingdom of Heaven" and Mark and Luke, when presenting practically the same teaching; employed the phrase "Kingdom of God".

The "Kingdom of God" is evidently a more comprehensive term than the "Kingdom of Heaven" and it embraces all created intelligences, both in heaven and on earth, who are willingly subject to God and thus in fellowship with Him. The "Kingdom of Heaven" (more precisely the "Kingdom of Heavens - in Greek) is a term descriptive of any type of rulership God may assert on the earth at a given period or dispensation. This will become clearer as you read on.

The Kingdom

As a predicted Kingdom it has reference to the establishment of the Kingdom of Israel on the earth:

"Therefore, when they (Jesus' disciples) had come together, they asked Him, saying, 'Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel'" (Acts 1:6, NKJV, emphasis added)?

Notice that, in relation to the Old Testament prophecies, the term "Kingdom" is used to describe both the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven. The reason being, the Bible uses the term "Kingdom" to designat the rulership of the Lord over the Gentle nations of the earth.

David, the psalmist said, "For the kingdom is the Lord's, and He rules over the nations" (Ps. 22:28).

The Lord being the King of the nations, rules over all the nations (Gentile and Israel) of the earth.

Daniel's prophecies concerning the Kingdom

Daniel was called to interpret Nebuchadnezzar's dream. After the kingdom of Nebuchadnezzar there would arise four other kingdoms. All these were political kingdoms. After these kingdoms, the God of heaven would set up an everlasting Kingdom - a spiritual Kingdom:

"And in the days of these kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom which shall never be destroyed; and the kingdom shall not be left to other people; it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand forever" (Dan. 2:44).

Daniel was given a vision of God (the Ancient of Days) and the Son of Man (Jesus Christ).

"I was watching in the night vision, and behold, One like the Son of Man, coming with the clouds of heaven! He came to the Ancient of Days, and they (beasts) brought Him near before Him. Then to Him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve Him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and His kingdom the one which shall not be destroyed" (Dan. 7:11 - 14, emphasis added).

Here is a further description of this everlasting Kingdom:

"Then the kingdom and dominion, and the greatness of the kingdom under the whole heaven, shall be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and all dominions shall serve and obey Him" (Dan. 7:27, emphasis added).

The above prophecies indicate that all political kingdoms will be destroyed by the Kingdom of God. Only His Kingdom and His Dominion shall not pass away and shall not be destroyed. And His Kingdom will be given to Christians (saints)!

The difference between the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven

Jesus Himself indirectly declared that the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven are not similar.

The entrance to the Kingdom of God (a spiritual kingdom) is by a spiritual rebirth:

Jesus said to Nicodemus, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).

Jesus continued, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God" (John 3:5).

Even though you are born again and consequently entered the Kingdom of God, there is no assurance that you will enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

At the close of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gave a warning:

"Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven" (Matt. 7:21, NKJV, emphasis added).

So, the condition of entering the Kingdom of God is born again by the Spirit of God; the condition of entering the Kingdom of Heaven is by doing God's will. Obviously, these two apparently similar Kingdoms are not the same. But you cannot do God's will unless you are born again. And so, only born again believers will ultimately enter the Kingdom of Heaven!

Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven

Every kingdom (political or spiritual) has a king or ruler and Jesus is the King of the Kingdom of Heaven.

Let us look a what the Gospel according to Matthew says about Jesus and the Kingdom of Heaven:

"In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, and saying, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand!' For this is he who was spoken of by the prophet Isaiah, saying: 'The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight'" (Matt. 3:1 - 3, emphasis added).

John the Baptist astonished his hearers when he announced that this expected and hoped-for Kingdom was "at hand" in the Person of Jesus.

Jesus repeated this message: "From that time Jesus began to preach and to say, 'Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand'" (Matt. 4:17).

He went even further by announcing clearly that the Kingdom was already present in His ministry:

"But if I cast out demons by the Spirit of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you" (Matt. 12:28).

Jesus was, therefore the full embodiment of the Kingdom of God and the Kingdom of Heaven. The entire ministry of Jesus is understood in relation to this important declaration of the presence of the Kingdom. His ethical teachings (the Beatitudes), for example, could not be understood apart from the announcement of the Kingdom. They are ethics of the Kingdom; the perfection to which they point makes no sense apart from the present experience of the Kingdom.

The Kingdom has been growing from stage to stage during Jesus' earthly ministry. He Himself was there, embodying the Kingdom of God in His Person; and the circle gathered around Him partook of the blessings of the Kingdom.

A call to the highest level of righteousness

Participation in the new reality of the Kingdom involves a follower of Jesus in a call to the highest level of righteousness.

Jesus said to His disciples: "For I say to you, that unless your righteousness exceeds the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matt. 5:20).

The "righteousness" of the scribes and Pharisees consisted in outward observances of ceremonial and traditional law. They offered sacrifices, fasted often, prayed much, were punctilious about ablutions, and tithes, and the ceremonies of religion, but neglected justice, truth, purity, and holiness of heart (read Matt. 23:13 - 33). The righteousness that Jesus required in His Kingdom was purity, chastity, honesty, temperance, the fear of God, love of God and men, blameless before God and men. It is pure, eternal and holy.

Kingdom of Heaven and Kingdom of God explained

It is true that Jesus did not actually define the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God, but to His disciples He explained them using parables.

A parable is a simple story, drawn from everyday experience, to communicate a spiritual truth. Jesus used parables to illustrate the truth about the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God (please read my earlier posting - "The Purpose of Parables").

Jesus explained to His disciple why He spoke to them in parables:

"Because it has been given to you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them (the scribes, Pharisees and Sadducees) it has not been given. Therefore I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand. But blessed are your eyes for they see, and your ears for they hear" (Matt. 13: 11, 13, 16, NKJV, emphasis added).


The above passage of Scripture clearly shows that only believers can understand the Kingdom of Heaven and the Kingdom of God.


It is interesting to note that the parable of the wheat and tares (Matt. 13:24 - 30) and the parable of the dragnet - good and bad fish (Matt. 13:47 - 50) are only spoken of in connection with the Kingdom of Heaven. On the other hand, the parable of the sower is applied to both Kingdoms (Matt. 13:18 - 23).


The two opposing Kingdoms


The two opposing spiritual kingdoms are the Kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan or the kingdom of the world.


It is important to understand that God is not ruling in this world; He is not ruling on the earth now. But thank God, He will one day - when Jesus returns to establish His Kingdom on earth.


Paul said, "And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age (world) has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God" (2 Cor. 4:3, 4, emphasis added).


"The god of this age" is Satan. After the Fall Satan has dominion in this world. He will have that dominion and he will be god of this world, until Adam's "lease" runs out.


That is the reason why Paul and Peter wrote the following passages of Scripture:


"And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, ..." (Eph. 2:1, 2, emphasis added).


"For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us" (Romans 8:18).


"But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy" (1 Peter 2:9, 10, emphasis added).


Here are some statements of truth:


1. Paul and Peter were writing to believers who were born again and thus had entered the Kingdom of God.


2. Even though you are in the Kingdom of God, you still suffer under the rulership of the "god of this age". But this suffering cannot be compared with the glory of the Kingdom of Heaven when it is revealed!


3. Before you were born again, you were under the dominion of "the prince of the power of the air" - Satan.


4. God had "called you out of darkness into His marvelous light" means He had called you out from the kingdom of the world into the Kingdom of God.


Conclusion


John heard a loud voice from heaven saying: "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away" (Rev. 21:3, 4, emphasis added).


The above description is the ultimate Kingdom of God - God's tabernacle on the new earth. This will be the dwelling place of Christ and His bride!

To be filled with the Holy Spirit

The early Church depicted in the Book of Acts reveals that the Holy Spirit should fill the Church of Jesus Christ and that He should fill individuals who make up His Church. In fact all believers were filled with the Holy Spirit before they became a Church. That is the reason why in the contrmporary Pentecostal or Charismatic Local Church it is common for Pastors or preachers to invite or even to persuade believers to come forward to receive the baptism of the Holy Spirit at the end of the Church service. Many do come forward but very few are baptized in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues. Why? There are two reasons for this: One is misconception of being filled. The other is failing to meet the conditions.

Misconceptions of being filled

Here are some basic misconceptions of being filled with the Holy Spirit:

1. Some think that you can be filled with the Holy Spirit without knowing it. I cannot find in the Old Testament Scripture nor in the New Testament Scripture, neither in Christian biography, in Church history nor in personal Christian testimonies, the experience of any person who was ever filled with the Holy Spirit and who did not know it. No one was ever filled with the Holy Spirit who did not know that he had been so filled!

2. Some think that the Holy Spirit comes upon you gradually and fill you gradually. In the Scripture (as recorded in the Book of Acts), it was never a gradual filling. It says that He fell upon them, He came upon them, He fille them - it was an instantaneous act.

3. Some think that the Spirit-filled life is abnormal. The fact is, if we really mean business about pressing on follow the Lord, we will be brought to the conclusion that it was His plan, and part of the purchase of the blood of Christ, that He should fill everyone who names the Name of Jesus Christ. There isn't anything about the Spirit-filled life that is abnormal, extra, strange or queer. Actually, it is the way that Christians are supposed to be!

The conditions which must be be met

Here are some basic conditions which must be met by anyone who desires to be filled with the Holy Spirit:

1. You must be sure, to the point of conviction, that you can be filled. If you have the impression that you have received everything God has for you the day you received Christ as your savior, you will never move on to the fullness.

The New Testament Scripture tells us that after the filling of the Holy Spirit a believer's life is transformed. Spirit-filled Christians are changed people and they will do what Paul said:

Paul said, "And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ" (Eph. 5:18 - 20, NKJV).

Unless you are convinced about this, I suggest you don't come forward to be baptized in the Holy Spirit yet. I suggest you search and meditate the Scripture, read the Word, and see for yourself what the Lord has spoken.

2. You must be sure that you desire to be filled. Does every believer desire to be filled with the Spirit of God? The answer is no. Many do not wish to pay the price of being possessed by the Holy Spirit.

It is plain in the Scripture that the Holy Spirit wants to fill us and possess us if we are believers. The Holy Spirit is pure, for He is pure, for He is the Holy Spirit. He is wise, for He is the Spirit of wisdom. He is true, for He is the Spirit of truth. He is like Jesus, for He is the Spirit of Christ. He is like the Father, for He is the Spirit of the Father. He wants to be the Lord of your life, and He wants to possess you so that you are no longer in command of the little vessel in which you sail. You may be a passenger on board, or one of the crew, but you definitely are not the captain. The Holy Spirit, the Captain is in command of the vessel.

He expects obedience to the written Word of God. But our human (fleshly) problem is that we would like to be full of the Spirit and yet to go on and do as we please. The Holy Spirit who inspired the Scripture will expect obedience to the Scripture. And if we do not obey the Scripture, we will quench Him.

3. You must be sure that you need to be filled with the Spirit. Why are you interested in the baptism in the Holy Spirit? you have received Jesus, you are converted and your sins have been forgiven. You have studied the New Testament Scripture. You know that you have eternal life and no man can pluck you out of God's hand. In the meantime, you are having a wonderful time going to heaven.

Are you sure that you can't get along all right the way you are? Do you feel that you just cannot go on with your Christian walk resisting discouragement? Do you feel that you cannot obey the Scripture and understand Biblical truth and bring forth fruit and live in victory without a greater measure of the Holy Spirit only the baptism in the Holy Spirit can fulfill? You must come to a place where you would still be happy and joyful if you had only Him! You don't need God and something else. God does give you Himself and lets you have other things too. But there is that inner loneliness until you reach the place where it is only God that you desire. If you have reached that place, then baptism in the Holy Spirit is for you and that you need it desperately!

Bible passages on how to be filled with the Holy Spirit

There are four Bible passages on how you can be filled with the Holy Spirit - baptized in the Holy Spirit.

1. You must present your vessel

Paul said, "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God" (Romans 12:1, 2, NKJV, emphasis added).

"To present your body" means "to surrender your vessel". That must come first. A vessel that has not been presented will not be filled. God cannot fill what He cannot have. God wants us to be intelligent to take the initiative to come to Him. If you will not present your personality, you will not get the fullness of the Spirit of God.

Are you ready to present your body with all of its functions and all that it contains - your mind, your personality, your spirit, your love, your ambitions, your all? This is the first thing and it can be a simple act. Are you willing to do it?

2. You must ask

After presenting your vessel, you must ask.

Jesus said, "For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened. If a son asks for bread from any father among you, will he give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will he give him a serpent instead of a fish? Or if he asks for an egg, will he offer him a scorpion" (Luke 11:10 - 12)?

The answer, of course, to each of these questions is "No", and so Jesus draws His conclusion:

"If you then, being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him" (Luke 11:13)!

God's people all over the world have taken advantage of this gracious offer. They have believed Him - they have asked and they have been filled. How much more shall the Holy Spirit is given to them that ask God, so you ask. First, you present your vessel, and then you ask. That is perfectly logical and perfectly clear. I set aside all theological objections to this text. Many so-called believers say that this is not for today.

Let me just ask them why the Lord left us this promise in the Bible. Why didn't He put it somewhere else? Why did He put it where I could see it if He didn't want me to believe it? Some believers may say, if the Lord wanted to do it, He could give it without our asking. But He chooses to have us ask. "Ask of me I will give thee" - it is always God's order (see Ps 2:8). So why not ask?

3. There must be willing obedience

Peter said, "And we are His witnesses to these things, and so also is the Holy Spirit whom God has given to those who obey Him" (Acts 5:32).

The Spirit of God cannot give a disobedient child His blessings. The Father cannot fill a disobedient child with the Holy Spirit. God gives His Holy Spirit to them that obey Him - those who are obedient to the Word, obedient to the Spirit, obedient to the Risen Lord. Are you ready to obey and to do what you are asked to do? What would that be? Simply to live the Scriptures as far as you understand them - simply, but revolutionary.

4. To have faith in God

Paul asked the questions: "This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being mad perfect by the flesh" (Gal. 3:2)?


The answer is, of course, by the hearing of faith. You are not filled with the Holy Spirit by law-keeping. You are filled with the Holy Spirit by faith and obedience to your Lord. I am talking about His coming and possessing the full body and mind and life and being, taking over the entire personality, directly but gently making it His, so that we may become a habitation of God through the Spirit.


The Holy Spirit and Christians


Here are two important Biblical facts concerning the Holy Spirit and every believer in Christ:


1. Every believer is given a measure of the Holy Spirit


Paul said, "And you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is a deposit guaranteeing our inheritance until the redemption of those are God's possession - to the praise of his glory" (Eph. 1:13, 14, NIV, emphasis added).


2. Any believer who does not have the Spirit of Christ does not belong to Him


Paul said, "You, however, are controlled not by the sinful nature but by the Spirit, if the Spirit of God lives in you. And if anyone does not have the spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Christ" (Romans 8:9, NIV, emphasis added).


The anointing of the Holy Spirit


"Anointing" is an Old Testament word and is an act accomplished by pouring oil on an individual's head. When they poured oil on a man's head, it was not a gradual process. When they poured the oil they turned the oil vessel (container) over and poured it out, and it ran all over and down the skirts of the man's garment.


At the consecration (of priesthood) of Aaron and His sons, it it written:


"And you shall take the anointing oil, pour it on his (Aaron's) head, and anoint him. Then you shall bring his sons and put tunics on them. ..." (Exodus 29:7, 8, NKJV).


Similarly, the anointing and outpouring of the Holy Spirit is not a gradual process, but an instantaneous act of God. God gives us the anointing because we are priests of the New Covenant.

The Work of the Holy Spirit

The importance of the work of the Holy Spirit in the Church and in the lives of individual believers cannot be over emphasized. We need to understand the place of the Holy Spirit in the growth and fruitfulness of the individual believer. I believe if you have the desire to honor or glorify Jesus you will come to understand the work of the Holy Spirit. The following are some areas of truth concerning the Holy Spirit revealed by the Scripture.

Holy Spirit comes as a result of glorifying Jesus Christ

I believe the Church has overlooked one single all-important fact - Wherever Jesus is glorified, the Holy Spirit comes! With reference to the Second Chapter of Acts, contrary to what most people unintentionally assumed, the important thing here was not the Spirit had come - the important thing was that Jesus had been glorified.

Peter and all the disciples were gathered together when the Day of Pentecost was fully come, and they were all with one accord in one place. Suddenly as they gathered there came a sound from heaven as the sound of a rushing mighty wind. It was not the rushing wind itself, but the sound of it. It was the coming of the Holy Spirit. "And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance" (Acts 2:2, NKJV).

some thought these people were drunk. But Peter stood up and explained that it was the fulfillment of the prophecy (Verses 14 - 21). Peter proceeded to tell them how Jesus of Nazareth fulfilled the prophecy.

Peter testified, "This Jesus God has raised up, of which we are all witnesses. Therefore being exalted to the right hand of God, and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, He poured out this which you now see and hear" (Acts 2:32, 33).

So, the important thing, according Peter, was the fact that Jesus had been exalted. Jesus Himself said, "He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:38). And in the next verse John said, "But this He spoke concerning the Spirit, whom those believing in Him would receive; for this Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.

It is therefore plain that the glorification of Jesus brought the Holy Spirit. When Jesu is glorified, the Holy Spirit comes. He does not have to be begged - the Holy Spirit comes when Jesus is glorified and when He is honored. How many times have you seen the Local Church "begs" the Holy Spirit wherever or whenever the congregation meets on Sunday or Saturday night?


Jesus Christ is revealed by the Holy Spirit

We need to understand that, by nature, man does not have the ability to comprehend divine things.

Paul said, "But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned" (1 Cor. 2:14, NKJV).

At this point, please refer to my earlier messages: "Saving of Souls" and "The Spirit, Soul, and Body of Man". The natural man has intellectual knowledge and so his knowledge of God is intellectual (in the realm of "reason"). The spirit is the agency by which we apprehend divine things. But the natural man's spirit has died - it is dead because of sin. When we are born again our spirit is made alive again by the Holy Spirit. That is God's plan for us - He gave us His Spirit to apprehend Himself; and intellect (the soul realm) to apprehend theology. Therefore, by theology alone, no one can understand God and divine manifestations.

Jesus said, "I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. However, when He, the Spirit of truth, has come, He will guide you into all truth; for He will not speak on His own authority, but whatever He hears He will speak; and He will tell you things to come. He will glorify Me, for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you" (John 16:12 - 14).

The One who reveals God to us, who reveals Christ to us, is the Spirit of God.

The Holy Spirit gives "The ability to do"

Jesus said, "And when He (Holy Spirit) has come, he will convict the world of sin, ..." (John 16:8).

One of the functions of the Holy Spirit is to show sinners their sins. Another function is to show Christ to the believers.

The last words of Jesus, before His ascension, were: "Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high" (Luke 24:49, emphasis added).

A definition of the word "power" means "the ability to do" - one of the meanings of the Greek word, "dynamite". As an illustration: One man picks up a violin and gets nothing out of it but squeaks and raucous sounds. This man does not have the ability to do. Another man picks up the same violin and he soon playing beautiful and rich melodies. The difference here is this second man has the ability to do.

It is the same with spiritual things. If you are baptized in the Holy Spirit you have the ability to do many things according to his will and calling. If you a soul winner (an evangelist), you will have the ability to win souls. If you are a preacher or a Pastor you have the ability to proclaim the Word of God with authority and power. If you are a Bible teacher you have the ability to make the Word of God plain. Whatever you do in the Name of God, He gives you the ability to do. He gives you the ability to be victorious, to live right, to behold Jesus and love Him, and to live with heaven in view. It is the ability to do.

The Holy Spirit make a difference

The Holy Spirit certainly made a difference in the ministry of the first disciples of Jesus. In order for us to assess the great difference in the men to whom the Holy Spirit has come in power, we will look first at these disciples to whom Jesus spoke.

First of all they were His called and chosen disciples. The Scripture plainly tells us who they were, and it tells us about the long instructions by Jesus Christ Himself. In a sense, they had graduated from the greatest Bible school in the world. Jesus Himself had taught them for more than three years.

Notice also, that they had received and possessed a divine authority. They had an authority that very few believers would dare to try to exercise now. They had been with Jesus throughout the three years; they had seen Him die on the Cross; they had seen Him after He had risen from the dead. So, they knew Him living, dead and living again! They had shown evidence being truly converted persons. There is no doubt about their conversion. Jesus Himself had declared them to be such.

Jesus prayed to the Father: "While I was with them in the world, I kept them in you name. Those whom You gave me I have kept; and none of them is lost except the son of perdition, that the Scripture might be fulfilled. I have given them Your word; and the world had hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world" (John 17:12, 14, NKJV, emphasis added).

This does not sould at all like the Lord talking about a bunch of sinners still needing to be converted. They were true disciples, and they possessed the consciousness of their discipleship and their authority from Christ. They were converted, forgiven and had fellowship with Christ. They had something a lot of ministers do not have now - they had the gift of preaching and worked miracles (Luke 9:6). They worked miracles before the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost. You do not need the baptism of the Holy Spirit to work miracles; you need authority from Christ!

The difference Pentecost made

Here is a list of things that the Holy Spirit did for the disciples after Pentecost.

1. They knew the sudden, brilliant conciousness of the actual divine presence of God. There was the sudden, illuminating knowledge of God Himself actually being present with them.

2. They actually received the joy of the Holy Spirit. In the four Gospels, there was not too much joy. There was instruction, and there was a subdued and quiet peace, but not very much joy. Believers in the contemporary Church always praying for joy, praying for light, praying for every benediction, and yet they don't receive. True joy results the fact that in Christ, we have already died, and risen, and there is not real death out there for the true child of God.

3. They spoke and preached with penetrating power of the Words. When Peter preached at Pentecost, they were stricken in their hearts when they heard him.

"Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, 'Men and brethren, what shall we do'" (Acts 2:37)?

4. There was suddenly the clear sense of the reality of all things. Throughout the four Gospels the disciples were asking questions - while in the Book of Acts and after Pentecost they were answering questions. They stood with authority and answered questions. The same Peter who had sneaked around and warmed his hands at the fire and lied to the girl, who recognized his accent, was standing boldly and with authority to preach the Word of God! What a difference!

5. The infilling of the Holy Spirit brings a sharp separation between the believer (disciple) and the world. After Pentecost, they were looking at another world (the Kingdom of God). Nowadays, a large part of Christianity (both Charismatic and evangelical) is trying to convert this world to the Church (not to Christ). We are bringing the world - the unregenerated, uncleansed, unbaptized, unsanctified right into the Church. If we can just get some famous, wealthy big shots to say something nice about the Church we will tell the world about our Church through the media. We want our pews filled at all costs.

6. They took a great delight in prayer and communion with God. The Gospel recorded that when Jesus and His disciples were at Gethsemane, none of the disciples could stay awake as Jesus prayed (Matt. 26:36 - 45). After Pentecost they became praying people. In the Book of Acts you will find them in prayer meetings. But before that, they would fall asleep.


When the Holy Spirit comes He takes the things of God and translates them into language our hearts can understand. Even if we do not know the will of God and do not know how to pray, the Holy Spirit does know, and He prays with groanings that cannot be uttered (Romans 8:26).


7. They love the Scripture. Notice that Jesus quoted the Scripture in the Gospels but the disciples quoted the Scripture in the Book of Acts. There was a difference! When you are filled with the Spirit you will feel like "eating" the Word. Well, you may not get the Word by eating it, but the Word of God is sweet to the Spirit-filled person because the Spirit wrote the Scripture.


The Psalmist said, "How sweet are Your words to my taste. Sweeter than honey to my mouth" (Ps.119:103).


The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit


To have fellowship with the Holy Spirit means to walk with the Holy Spirit in perfect agreement. Contrary to what professing Christians like to think, many of God's people are not willing to walk in perfect agreement with Him. For this reason, many believers do not have the power of the Spirit, the peace of the Spirit and many of the other qualities, gifts and benefits which the Spirit of God brings.


The fact is that we cannot walk with Him unless we are agreed and if we are not agreed, we will not walk with Him in harmony and fruitfulness and blessing.


Amos wrote, "Can two walk together unless they are agree" (Amos 3:3)?


This is a rhetorical question, equivalent to a positive declaration that two cannot walk together except they are agreed, and the affirmation that if the two walk together, they must in some sense, be one.


We need to understand that the Holy Spirit is a living Person, and He can be known in an increasing degree of intimacy. Since He is a personality, He can never be fully known in a single encounter. God's personality is so infinitely rich and manifold that it will take thousands of years of years of close search and intimate communion to know even the outer edges of the glorious nature of God. When we talk about communion with God and fellowship with the Holy Spirit, we are talking about that which begins now but will grow and increase and mature while life lasts. In other words, we can cultivate our fellowship with the Holy Spirit in our Christian walk.


As I have said at the beginning of this message, wherever Jesus is glorified the Holy Spirit comes. We must also remember that we will know the Spirit more intimately as we make more of Jesus Christ, the Lord of our lives. This is so, because on of the ministries of the Holy Spirit would be to take the things of Christ and show them unto us.


To glorify Jesus is the business of the Church, and to glorify Jesus is the work of the Holy Spirit. I can walk with Him when I am doing the same things He is doing and going the same way He is going and travaling at the same speed He is traveling. I must honor Him by obedience, by witness, and by fellowship.


It all boils down to the need of knowing Him in His Word. The Spirit of God inspires the Word and He will be revealed in the Word. Every problem that touches us is answered by the Word. We need to read the Word, read if often, brood over it, think over it, and meditate over it. As we do this we will understand the presence of the Spirit everywhere, all the time. You will find it impossible to just walk out and hide from His presence.


David, the psalmist said, "Where can I go from Your Spirit? If I ascend into heaven, You are there; if I make my bed in hell, behold You are there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, even there Your hand shall lead me, and Your right hand shall hold me" (Ps. 139:7 - 10, NKJV).