THE PROMISE OF THE HOLY SPIRIT FOR OUR TIME

Understanding the work of the Holy Spirit today is challenging for many Christians just as it was for the Jews to grasp the full ministry of Jesus Christ in His time. The Jews anticipated the Messiah primarily as a political king, focusing on passages like

Isaiah 9:6 (ESV)”For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder…

“while overlooking other important prophecies. When Jesus arrived as the suffering Servant the Lamb who takes away the sin of the world (Isaiah 53) they missed the deeper purpose and rejected Him as the Messiah (see John 1:11).

As believers today, we understand the Messiah will ultimately reign in glory like King David (cf. 2 Samuel 7:12-16), bringing salvation and deliverance from spiritual enemies.

In a similar fashion, many Christians today equate the Holy Spirit primarily with speaking in tongues (glossolalia), often neglecting the breadth of His work in the church and His unfolding purpose for this age. The Holy Spirit is not limited to one manifestation; He is actively working in multiple ways, especially in the end times.

Today, we explore the multifaceted ministry of the Holy Spirit, particularly His activity during the last church age.

The Seven Spirits of God

In Revelation 1:4 (NIV) John writes:
“John, To the seven churches in the province of Asia: Grace and peace to you from him who is, and who was, and who is to come, and from the seven spirits before his throne…”

The “seven spirits” mentioned here are often misunderstood. God is Spirit (John 4:24) and has one Holy Spirit, but this passage symbolizes sevenfold aspects or ministries of the Holy Spirit a fullness and completeness of His work (cf. Isaiah 11:2, where the Spirit of the Lord is described as having seven qualities: wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge, fear of the Lord, and delight in the fear of the Lord).

These seven spirits correspond to the seven churches described in Revelation chapters 2 and 3, representing different stages of church history. Biblically, we understand we are now in the seventh and final church age Laodicea (Revelation 3:14-22), which began approximately in 1906, coinciding with the Pentecostal and Charismatic movements.

This seventh spirit signifies the final outpouring of the Holy Spirit before Christ’s return.

The First and the Last: Strength and Significance

In Scripture, the first and last stages of a process are often the most significant and powerful whether it’s the foundation and finishing of a building or the start and finish of a race (Hebrews 12:1-2). Similarly, the Holy Spirit’s activity was powerful at Pentecost (the first church) and will be powerful again in the Laodicean church age, but in a unique and intensified way.

The early church experienced great signs and wonders (Acts 2:1-4; Acts 19:11-12 (ESV)). However, after the apostolic age, many of these miraculous gifts diminished as the Spirit worked differently through the ages (1 Corinthians 13:8-10), and many gifts seemed to disappear from view in subsequent church history.

The Restoration of the Gifts

In Laodicea, starting around 1906, we see a restoration of apostolic gifts and power, marking the return of the sevenfold Spirit’s manifestations. This includes gifts like prophecy, healing, tongues, and miracles, confirming that the Holy Spirit is preparing the church for the final phase of His work (cf. Ephesians 4:11-13).

Yet, this revival also brought confusion, false prophets, and exploitation of spiritual gifts for personal gain (2 Peter 2:1-3), reminding us to discern carefully.

The Special Outpouring on Faithful Servants

A crucial distinction is made in Joel 2:28-32 (ESV):

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit. And I will show wonders in the heavens and on the earth, blood and fire and columns of smoke.”

Here, God promises a general outpouring of the Spirit on all believers, empowering them with prophecy, dreams, and visions. This outpouring is universal for all who believe.

However, the greater, more extraordinary outpouring is reserved for God’s faithful servants both men and women who will perform wonders and miracles as signs to prepare the world for the coming of the Lord. This second outpouring is characterized by supernatural phenomena unprecedented since the times of Moses and Elijah (cf. Exodus 7-11; 2 Kings 2).

The Purpose of These Signs

These signs will not be for show, fame, or profit as is often the case with false prophets (Matthew 7:15-20; 2 Corinthians 11:13-15). Instead, they will serve to:

• Confirm God’s presence with His faithful servants
• Draw back the genuine remnant of believers who have been confused by false teachings
• Prepare the way for Christ’s imminent return

Are you saved? Are you one of God’s faithful servants, ready to receive this special outpouring of the Spirit?

The time is near. Serve the Lord with faithfulness today, so when this final outpouring arrives, if you are alive, you will be part of this powerful work. We are called to serve God according to the gifts He has given us (1 Peter 4:10-11).

Let us seek the Holy Spirit earnestly and align our lives with His plans, living according to God’s will here on earth.

Shalom.

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