PENTECOST -- A REVEALING BEGINNING -- Tomorrow:
"And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance." (Acts 2:1-4)
Devotion 15 of 28
" . . . and it filled all the house where they were sitting."
Other versions read, "and it filled the whole house where they were sitting" (NKJV), "and it filled the entire house where they were sitting" (NRSV), "and all the house where they were was full of it" (BBE), "and it filled the house where they were meeting" (NLT), and "and it filled the whole house in which they were sitting" (AMPLIFIED).
This was not a sound that filled all of Jerusalem, nor was it a sound like some of those that went throughout the land of Egypt (Ex 10:13,19). This was a focused sound "from heaven" that "filled all the house where they were sitting." It was the prelude to a new era during which the Lord would be the concenter of all activity.
There is some resemblance between the filling of this house and the dedication of the Tabernacle and Temple.
THE TABERNACLE DEDICATION. "Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD FILLED the tabernacle. And Moses was not able to enter into the tent of the congregation, because the cloud abode thereon, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle" (Ex 40:35).
THE DEDICATION OF THE TEMPLE "And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud FILLED the house of the LORD, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD" (1 Kgs 8:10-11). "It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of music, and praised the LORD, saying, For He is good; for His mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God" (2 Chron 5:14).
HERE, THERE WAS A DIFFERENCE
At the dedication of both the tabernacle and the temple, when they were filled, no man could enter. Here, however, it was the place where they were sitting that was filled! The people were not excluded from the place where extended revelation was given! When the tabernacle was filled, even Moses could not enter into it (Ex 40:35). When the Temple was filled, the priests "could not stand to minister" in the Temple (2 Chron 5:14). However, on the day of Pentecost, when the house was "filled," the people remained. No one had to leave.
SOMETHING HAD HAPPENED
It is obvious that something has happened in the heavenly realms that enabled Divine influence to be among men without major disruption. A reconciliation had, in fact, taken place, so that what was before noted for destroying and causing fear upon the earth was now endured with peace and tranquility. When the sound of a rushing mighty wind from heaven falls upon the ears of men, and they do not run in fear, an accord between heaven and earth is being exhibited that was never before known. We are witnessing a gracious act.
PRAYER POINT: Father, IN THE NAME OF Jesus, I thank You for the calming effects of reconciliation.