THE GLORY AND BEAUTY OF PENTECOST

When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. Acts 2:1-3 ESV 

Pentecost was a celebration of the first fruits of the harvest also known as the Festival of Weeks (Deut 16:10).

Pentecost was the commemoration of the giving of God’s the law at Mount Sinai. Two thousand years ago, Pentecost reached its highest point and fulfillment.

The Passover Lamb of God was crucified and killed, in effect He was sacrificed for the sins of many (Isaiah 53:5). On the third day, Christ triumphantly rose from the dead. However, before He ascended to His Throne in Heaven, He promised His disciples to wait for the gift (Acts 1:4).

After fifty days, Jesus promise was confirmed by a glorious phenomenon. It happened at Jerusalem, when they were altogether in one place. 

Amazingly, on the day of Pentecost the glory of God came down. The mighty thunderous noise and the wind and in the form of fire was evident. God appeared and manifested with sound and visual (Acts 2:1-3).

The two external display was for the people to literally experience God’s glory and majesty. Pentecost was the inauguration of the New Covenant but also the blessings of God presence on and with His people.

Firstly, the external display of the 'Fire' represents God’s presence of purity and holiness but also judgment as He will judge His enemies (Matthew 3:11).  In addition, the fire which is God’s Holy presence is a symbol of the Holy Spirit and His presence resting on His people.

It melts the stony heart, stirring zeal for Christ and enlightens to see and know God. When the Holy Spirit rested on them, it was the ultimate blessing of God as He takes up permanent residence on His people. 

On the morning of the third day there were thunders and lightnings and a thick cloud on the mountain and a very loud trumpet blast, so that all the people in the camp trembled. Then Moses brought the people out of the camp to meet God, and they took their stand at the foot of the mountain. Now Mount Sinai was wrapped in smoke because the LORD had descended on it in fire. The smoke of it went up like the smoke of a kiln, and the whole mountain trembled greatly. And as the sound of the trumpet grew louder and louder, Moses spoke, and God answered him in thunder. The LORD came down on Mount Sinai, to the top of the mountain. And the LORD called Moses to the top of the mountain, and Moses went up. Exodus 19:16-20 ESV 

Similarly, in the Old Testament at Sinai, God came down to the people. God appeared with loud thunderous noise and in the form of fire. There were lightning flashes and a thick cloud. His presence was to remain in the midst of His covenant people but in the tabernacle in the Holy of Hollies.

In the Mosaic Covenant, God dwelt in the tabernacle and to meet Him one should go to a place where He was. But in the New Covenant, God is ever closer to His people. At Pentecost, the old order of worship passed away and a new dawn of a new temple and worship. 

And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance. Acts 2:4 ESV 

The second external display was the Spirit empowered 'Languages'. These languages were human earthy languages as the other people present in Jerusalem perfectly understood them (Acts 2:5-11).

Jesus promised His disciples that they will speak in new tongues (Mark 16:17). Therefore, they spoke earthly languages that were unknown to them but with the supernatural power of Holy Spirit they spoke words God gave them.

They praised God as the Spirit gave them words which were not of their own making. As people gathered to worship and make God the centre, at Pentecost God reversed the judgment at Babel.

Therefore its name was called Babel, because there the LORD confused the language of all the earth. And from there the LORD dispersed them over the face of all the earth. Genesis 11:9 ESV 

At the Tower of Babel, the pride of humanity was evident as they made themselves the centre of focus and worship. Incredibly, at that time every nation spoke one language but the people were rebellious against God’s commands (Genesis 11:1-8). 

As judgement on the nations, God confused their one language and scattered them, as a result there were many languages on the earth.

This gives rise to different man made religions. However, at Pentecost, as people were gathered in God’s name to worship Him, they were blessed. When they heard the disciples speaking in their languages, God was using this sign to call those whom He had scattered at Babel.

The beauty of Pentecost was that the New Covenant is the age of the Church with many languages becoming one nation through the Gospel. God is building a New Nation with people from every tribe and language. In Christ, all people are one ( Galatians 3:28).

One the other side of this, the languages were a sign of judgment to unbelieving Israel. The prophet Isaiah spoke the words of God to Israel that through the people of strange tongues their unbelief will be confirmed (Isaiah 28:11-12).

Paul applied these verses to teach the Corinthians Churches the use of tongues and it purpose to unbelief (1 Corinthians 14:21-22).

On the day of Pentecost there were many nations in Jerusalem and as the disciples spoke in different tongues some were amazed but others mocked. Therefore, we see the two sides of this phenomenon, those who are blessed and judged. 

The glory of God continues as He inspired Peter to preach the gospel as a result God called 3000 people into His kingdom. The New Testament Church began with the power of the Spirit and many people from different languages were called (Acts 2:14-41).

Hence, the church will continue to grow until Christ return. So we’ve discovered that there are two signs at Pentecost with two sides of both blessings and judgments. 

Lastly, those who are in Christ are a New Creation. They’ve been called through the power of one message the Gospel to be part of God’s people from every tribe and language on earth.

As Spirit baptised people, let our hearts burn and be zealous for the Lord. The Holy Spirit baptism should also purify our souls and enlightens the eyes of our hearts to see the Glory of Christ. Therefore, let’s worship, obey and honour His glorious Name.