| |
It
is also important to remember that the Old Testament prophets and
King David wrote scripture by the Holy Spirit. It was the Holy Spirit
who came upon them and "moved" them to write (2 Pet. 1:20-21).
The Holy Spirit has always been present.
| |
.
. . Paul had spoken one parting word, “The Holy Spirit
rightly spoke through Isaiah the prophet to your fathers
. . . (NASB) Acts 28:25
. . . who by the Holy Spirit, through the mouth of our father
David Thy servant, did say . . . Acts 4:25 |
New
Testament Ministry. When
Jesus was here on this planet, the Holy Spirit was still present.
He ministered to Jesus in a number of ways. One of the most obvious
was during the time He was in the desert when Satan tried to cause
Him to sin (Matt. 4:1-11). Matthew 4:1 says the Holy Spirit led Him
into the wilderness. Jesus also told the religious leaders that He
cast out demons by the Spirit of God (Matt. 12:28). Later in His
ministry He rejoiced in the Holy Spirit (Luke 10:21). In fact, His
mother Mary had become pregnant by the Holy Spirit (Matt. 1:20).
What does all of this mean? The Holy Spirit has always been present
and working among us.
But the ministry of the Holy Spirit changed after
Jesus returned to heaven. Jesus had promised that He would send the Holy Spirit.
| |
But
the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in
My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your
remembrance all that I said to you. (NASB) John 14:26
And behold, I am sending forth the promise of My Father upon
you; but you are to stay in the city until you are clothed
with power from on high. (NASB) Luke 24:49
. . . you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come
upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem,
and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part
of the earth. (NASB) Acts 1:8 |
Now
we must ask a key question. Why did Jesus say this if the Holy Spirit
was already here? The answer is found in this next verse.
| |
But
if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells
in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also
give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells
you. (NASB) Romans 8:11 |
The
Holy Spirit now lives inside of those who
believe in Jesus Christ. In the Old Testament the Holy Spirit
only came "upon" an individual. In the Old Testament, the
Holy Spirit did not remain with a person (Ps 51:11). Since Pentecost
the Holy Spirit does not leave believers (Eph 4:30).
Ministry
During The Tribulation. At the start of the Tribulation the
Holy Spirit will no longer restrain Satan
and his evil angels.
| |
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.
(NASB) 2
Thess. 2:7 |
The
Holy Spirit is currently limiting evil. That seems hard to believe,
but things will get worse during the Tribulation. The message in
this passage is that He will no longer be restraining. That does
not mean that men and women will not be able to become Christians.
The Holy Spirit will still be at work just as He was in the Old Testament,
but he will no longer be living within individual believers. He will
influence them or come upon them.
Conclusion: The
book of Revelation also makes it clear that many people will become
Christians. That is the message of Revelation 6:9-11; 7:4-17; and
Revelation 20:4. God desires all men to believe in Jesus Christ.
| |
.
. . who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge
of the truth. (NASB) 1
Timothy 2:4 |
|
|
