Wave Of Glory

In the days leading to Pentecost, Jerusalem did bear witness to events that will alter religious history for ever. In those days, taxation, oppression, lack of spiritual insight, and confusion in religious order become the norm. Israel was reeling from scores of effects. Just as it is today, man, has been yearning for a drastic spiritual change.

 We have encountered all manner of teachers hyping us every day, employing every possible trick in the book in an effort to ready ourselves for things we should expect. Some are true, and others have no biblical backing. But many have danced along, embracing the rhythm, if only something drastic, and closer to Christ's bidding will be more achievable. God in heaven doesn't do anything through the eye of man, or through his (man) creativity. He doesn't behave like Baal, neither can he do things just because man is hyped in the same way the prophets of Baal got themselves hyped, and cut themselves - only to be mocked by prophet Elijah who fully understood spiritual dynamics in the days of his ministry.

Now a man from Nazareth came with a strong message that was full of authority. He didn't fear to claim publicly he had been send by his Father, to the chagrin of religious leaders of the day, who had for long loaded God's people with various yokes! In the Synagogues he spoke with authority on various topics. And no one would dare challenge him. "He opened the eyes of the blind, cast out devils, healed the lame, raised the dead to life, fed those who were hungry, to the utter consternation of the rabbinical order, whose words had no life, nor truth or grace."

As masses got confused,especially with  unfolding events, and other circumstantial evidences attributed to his accurate presage, he was ( Jesus) preparing his servants for the events that will precede his earthly ministry and into post-Christ ministry. He warned them of various dangers, and instructed them on how to comport themselves in such situations. He told them of his impending death, and how the sheep was going to be scattered after the Shephard is smitten. Peter ignored this by telling Christ, he will ( Peter) not abandon him, even if others did so, provoking Christ to tell him, he was going to deny him thrice before the rooster  crow. Mathew 26:34

This man was different: he was meek, dinning with sinners, and publicans until, he became the talk of the villages, towns, and cities. Even Judean King was desiring to see him. He made a grand entry into the city of Jerusalem riding on a donkey, and the crowd went wild- saying "Hosanna Hosanna, blessed is he that comes in the name of The Lord,  by both who went before him and those who followed."  Mark 11:9

Before Passover, it had become obvious that his death was imminent. The religious leaders who were working tirelessly to see he is stopped in his trucks because of envy, went a head and plotted his killing. They picked him up at the garden where he had gone to pray in the company of his disciples. And they tortured him, and wrought evil on him that gives life. This was done to fulfill the scriptures. He was sentenced to die on the cross. And fear gripped Jerusalem, as his disciples abandoned him.

One notable thing took place when he gave his ghost on that tree, the whole place began to shake, and remember it was already dark, and the vail in the temple was rent from the top to the bottom; soldiers who were all along mistreating him, when they saw this, "confessed" surely this was the Son of God.
The disciples gripped with fear, could not believe he had resurrected from the dead, and,  "had became the first- born of the resurrection." He appeared to them a number of times, preparing them for the promise of the Father.

In the midst of fear, confusion, lack of direction, and hard questions being raised, a group of 120 people were already holed up in a room upstairs, praying and waiting for the promise told them when they saw him going up. It doesn't say they were fasting as some pundits suggest.

Jerusalem had been inundated with people from all walks of life. They were here for the feast of Pentecost. Events that took place during Passover week were still fresh on the minds of some. Then in the third hour of the day, something extra - ordinary happened. There was a great visitation on the persons holed upstairs, they were all filled with the Holy Ghost- speaking in tongues as God gave them ability. They spoke in languages of various people present. And clearly were they heard by those gathered in Jerusalem praising God. It was such great awakening. A marvelous site to behold, others were shocked to see these Jewish folks speaking in their respective dialects with clarity, the wondrous works of God. It was a turning point. But still some others had the audacity to mock them, saying, "these folks are intoxicated with new wine,"prompting Peter to deliver one of the most moving power packed sermon, that cut through their hearts resulting in them asking, "what should we do in order to be saved?" Peter gave them a ready answer, and about three thousands people were converted that day!
 Time is coming when "a wave of glory" will be seen. Peter quoted prophet Joel, who had prophesied that "God shall pour out of His spirit upon every flesh." And Joel says this shall be in the last days. When everything seem bleak, when questions seem not to attract any meaningful answer, when things are going awry, remember God hasn't forgotten his promise. He is calling out on his people, preparing them for the great out- pouring.

In the midst of all that is happening, we know there will be a wave of glory, one that has never been seen before.   Haggai 2:9 talks about the latter glory of this " house" shall be greater than the former. We are entering a critical stage, that calls upon us to be ready for the wave of glory that possibly may usher in his second coming. That is why the church has been engaged in a constant war by the enemy, so that she isn't ready. Keep your lamps burning with enough oil for the bridegroom is so close to coming.

The Intrigues Of The Times.

It has been conspicuously illusive in the gospel sphere in modern times, and we are at each other's neck constantly, apportioning all manner of blame, for that illusive gospel authority, with which the early church leaders wielded. Jesus Christ was categorical in his ministry here on earth, on what was fundamental, as it pertained to the gospel he presented to man kind.

Today, the Church has found herself grappling with many challenges.  And everyone is positioning himself or herself as the " truth" dispenser in this last days. Many a times the saints have been punching the air instead of hitting at the enemy who is prowling around. Ephesians 6:12 states " for we wrestle not against flesh and blood." It goes on to list what we wrestle against." When saints abdicate their spiritual responsibilities, then an avenue is created for deception to creep in. What most people don't realize is that " the enemy has thrived on deception." John 8:44
 " Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murder from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his on: for he is a liar and the father of it."

When examining that passage of scripture, it paints a clear picture of what the enemy does, and he is a father of it, and that is deception. Remember The Lord was saying this to a Jewish throng which was infuriated by what he had said to them. He told the throng that "if you continue in my word, you shall be my disciples indeed, and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free."

We need to know, for a fact - if we don't continue in his word, we shall not be his disciples indeed, and we shall not know the truth, and we won't be free from the deceptions, lusts, envyings and all the intrigues  of the master deceiver. The Lord made this plain. And it's our responsibility to grasp what he told his servants.

There are many things going on today that fit the enemy's billing. "when we lean on our initiatives, mundane strategies, and entertaining thoughts that are hostile to the word of God, we are in danger of being deceived. It is incumbent upon all those called as stewards of the mysteries of God, to do what is right in the eyes of God. Emulations, competitions, pulpit rhetoric and jabs aimed at tearing down each other, have derailed the demonstrative manifestation of God's power.  Paul tells the Corinth church that, "when I came to you, I never did it with oratory prowess, but rather with demonstration of Gods power"!
I have seen several times, wastage of energy when folks tried to prove to each other, who among them is endowed with Gods revelation, and truth. Arguments upon arguments, that never produced spiritual productivity, but enhanced strive, and doctrinal schism that split the church every often, losing thousands every year to the world they were escaping from.

        Intrigues
When we take stock of what is going on among the saints of God, you will be stunned. Remember Christ said vividly that "ye belong to your father the devil."And he went on to explain what manner of traits he has. "Scheming, spiritual murders, lies galore have become the order of the day." Few are ready to speak the truth, for fear of  antagonizing their cronies, who they know for sure have erred. Whereas spiritual hunger is quite noticeable today, many have been starved spiritually by our delicate handling of the message of the cross. We are borrowing heavily from the world. We use phrases and quotes from renowned philosophers. By so doing we think we look more educated in things of the kingdom, but alas, we come out stripped off our spiritual positioning.

While all this is going on, the enemy is in a celebratory mood, because of the intrigues he has sold to his adherents, who aren't even aware, that for sure they are advancing his deception and traits.

We can still see God in our lives, by way of doing what he told us. We are obligated to continue in his "word" and not words of other men. This way, when the enemy comes in like a flood, the spirit shall lift up a standard against him. For us to see The Lord confirming his word, we must adhere to his instructions. If we don't,  then, we are advancing the traits of the deceiver. It doesn't matter how big in size one's congregation is, or  how his natural abilities are palpable, or the riches that catches human eye, if one doesn't observe the masters word, and continuing in it, such one is already deceived, and many shall he lead astray.

Saints need to hear God, and when they do, the preachers work is easy, and not intricate like most want it to be, so that many will depend on them, without ever standing on their own. But let us echo Paul's words to Timothy his son in the faith. He told him " study to show yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." He knew how important that was in a young ministers life.

It's still important to most of us as well." Let's keep doing what is noble, and acceptable in his eyes.
To be continued.