The Day of Pentecost

Jesus promised us when He ascended to heaven that He would send the Holy Spirit to take His place and He outlined the Holy Spirit’s work as well.

“Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send him unto you. And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment: Of sin, because they believe not on me; Of righteousness, because I go to my Father, and ye see me no more; Of judgment, because the prince of this world is judged.” – John 16:7-11

He will convict of sin because people do not believe in Jesus whose blood is the only payment for sin. He will convict of righteousness because Jesus has ascended to His Father and provided ‘right standing’ for all those who believe in Him. He will also convict of judgment because Jesus has won the war against Satan and Satan’s time has been set. It is till the measure of sin has reached its fullness. According to Scripture, we are close to that time now but only God knows the finality of the hour of judgment. We can only know it is coming as sure as we know the Lord is coming back again for His people.

A key message of Scripture is that we must be ready because we will be judged.

“Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.” – 1 Cor. 3:13

What is this Day that Paul refers to in this verse? Following are some Scriptures that are cross referenced to this phrase –

“Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.” – 1 Cor. 1:8

“In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.” – Rom. 2:16

“and to give you who are troubled rest with us when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels, in flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God, and on those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.  These shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power,when He comes, in that Day, to be glorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who believe, because our testimony among you was believed. ” – 2 Thes. 1:7-10

The Lord’s Return

It seems clear that the Day being referred to is the Day of the Lord’s return with His saints and angels to judge the earth and those that are in it. It also seems clear that both believers and unbelievers will be here.

What is also clear is that what we have done in life will be judged. To the believers, how we build on the foundation laid by the Apostles will judged, whether we build with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, or straw will be revealed.

“For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” – 1 Cor. 3:11-15

This judgment not only refers to the outward works we have done but also to what we done in our bodies, because our bodies are the Temple of God.

“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, God will destroy him. For the temple of God is holy, which temple you are.” – 1 Cor. 3:16,17

What are the things that defile our temple? Paul lists just a few: malice, wickedness, and sexual immorality, and anything that is not sincere or true. He also lists covetousness, idolatry, drunkenness, or extortion (financial cheating), or being a reviler of the truth. There are many more faults listed in other scriptures, such as lying, but the thought is to guard against any thought or deed that defiles our inward temple. If we do not guard against these things and allow our temple to be defiled, God will destroy us! This is serious.

Since we do not know when the Day of Christ is, the only wise course is to try to be ready at any time! How we need to be open to the Holy Spirit, in prayer and listening to His voice. We need to be immersed in the Word of God like never before for that is how our temple will be purified.