How else can one account for it? They all ran away and hid after the crucifixion. They were gathered in an upper room trying to make sense out of what had happened Jesus had been crucified. And yet all of the twelve Apostles would go on to boldly proclaim the gospel and suffer martyrdom (all except John). What changed? How did they go from cowardice to courage?
Jesus actually predicted what would happen, and what his disciples would experience following his crucifixion. As they were arguing among themselves about who would be chiefs in the new regime, Jesus promised them:
“If you love me, you will obey what I command, and I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever, The Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept him, because it neither sees Him or nor knows Him but you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you. I will not leave you as orphans.” John 14:15-18 NIV
Acts 2 reports that
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the sound of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to reset on each of them. All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2: 1-4 NIV
The 42nd verse of the same chapter records:
“They devoted themselves to the Apostles teaching, and to the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe and many wonders and miraculous signs were done…” Ibid. v.42
It’s 2022, and today is Pentecost Sunday. It is also D Day, the day we commemorate the Allied invasion of Europe known as Operation Overlord.
Perhaps it is time for the church to cry out to our Lord to pour out His spirit yet again OVER our troubled world…another Operation Overlord. The government wants to create a Ministry of Truth. What we desperately need is THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH.
Is the rapture about to happen? Is the Antichrist starting his takeover of the entire world? I don’t know, and neither do you. What I know for sure is that we desperately need the Power of Pentecost.
Come Holy Spirit! Fill US afresh
This we pray in Jesus’ Name. Amen