This evening I am thinking about this verse found in Mark's Gospel - Mark 9:1 NIV: "And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.”
It is interesting that this verse stands in its own in this chapter of Mark's Gospel. The chapter continues with the Transfiguration, the healing of the young boy, Jesus predicting His death, the battle that was raging in the popular mind concerning Christ, and finally a warning about sin. For me, this verse stands out and points directly at the day of Pentecost, when power was released upon the gathering of believers.
Jesus had sent out the apostles and later the 72 with the message of the coming Kingdom of God, and with the authority to demonstrate this new Kingdom through the working of miracles, healing, deliverance and such. This was apparently the precursor to the outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon the believers, and thus the birthing of the Kingdom of God on the earth. The power of the Holy Spirit was the crowning sign, the evidence that this was truly the Kingdom of God.
The evidence of the effectiveness of the power of the Holy Spirit in establishing the Kingdom is seen in the signs and fruit born immediately after the outpouring.
We see this described in detail in Acts 2:1-4, 14-19, 37, 41 NIV:
[1] "When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. [2] Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. [3] They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. [4] All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them."
[14] "Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. [15] These people are not drunk, as you suppose. It's only nine in the morning! [16] No, this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: [17] “ 'In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. [18] Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy. [19] I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke."
[37] "When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
[41] "Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day."
Thus after the Holy Spirit was poured out the church immediately experienced a massive burst of growth. Peoples lives were transformed and the church was firmly established. The church continued to see rapid expansion, and the working of many miracles, which again was the evidence presented that proved the Kingdom of God was real.
Here are some verses following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit and the establishment of the Kingdom;
Acts 2:42-43 NIV:
[42] "They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. [43] Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles."
Acts 3:6-10 NIV:
[6] "Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” [7] Taking him by the right hand, he helped him up, and instantly the man's feet and ankles became strong. [8] He jumped to his feet and began to walk. Then he went with them into the temple courts, walking and jumping, and praising God. [9] When all the people saw him walking and praising God, [10] they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement at what had happened to him."
Acts 4:4 NIV:
"But many who heard the message believed; so the number of men who believed grew to about five thousand."
Acts 4:31, 33 NIV
[31] "After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly."
[33] "With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God's grace was so powerfully at work in them all"
Acts 5:12-16 NIV
[12] "The apostles performed many signs and wonders among the people. And all the believers used to meet together in Solomon's Colonnade. [13] No one else dared join them, even though they were highly regarded by the people. [14] Nevertheless, more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. [15] As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter's shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by. [16] Crowds gathered also from the towns around Jerusalem, bringing their sick and those tormented by impure spirits, and all of them were healed."
Acts 5:17-20 NIV:
[17] "Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy. [18] They arrested the apostles and put them in the public jail. [19] But during the night an angel of the Lord opened the doors of the jail and brought them out. [20] “Go, stand in the temple courts,” he said, “and tell the people all about this new life.”
I have included just some of the verses, but it is quite evident that the Kingdom of God was in full demonstration through signs and wonders, shaking of houses, winds from heaven, massive healings, miraculous escapes from jail, all proving that the Kingdom of God was present in power. The Kingdom message devoid of power is just mere words, and Jesus had told his followers to go to Jerusalem and await the outpouring of the Holy Spirit, knowing that mere words would not be enough to birth the Kingdom. Luke recorded Jesus message as follows, Acts 1:4-8 NIV:
[4] "On one occasion, while he was eating with them, he gave them this command: “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. [5] For John baptized with water, but in a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.”
[6] Then they gathered around him and asked him, “Lord, are you at this time going to restore the kingdom to Israel?”
[7] He said to them: “It is not for you to know the times or dates the Father has set by his own authority. [8] But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
The power of Holy Spirit released into the Apostles lives, and lives of the followers, caused a massive growth in the church. Jesus specifically told them to await the outpouring, for it was with the outpouring that they would receive power. This is what Jesus was referring to when He prophesied about the coming of the Kingdom with power in Mark 9:1.
So this evening I am encouraged to hold onto Jesus' promise that we would be filled with power, and this power would be proof that the Kingdom of God was established and expanding. I am encouraged to press into the Lord, waiting for the gift of power when the Holy Spirit comes on me and fills me again. Come Holy Spirit and fill Your church.
Amen!
No comments:
Post a Comment