The Abiding Meaning of Pentecost # 3

Pentecost Linked with all the Old Testament Scriptures (continued)

In this record of Acts 2 there is a breaking up and opening of the meaning of the Scriptures. Joel: what was the burden of the Word to Joel? "The Day of the Lord". "But this is that which hath been spoken through the Prophet Joel." "This is that," the day when the Lord came into His own. We speak of having our day; the Lord comes into His day. Pentecost is the Lord coming into His day, He is enthroned; and this Day of the Lord is in two parts; the former took place at Pentecost, and the latter part is in the Book of Revelation.

Pentecost was the introduction of the "Day of the Lord" on the grace side of His sovereignty, and in the Apocalypse it is the judgment side of His sovereignty - one day, but in two halves; and as surely as the Lord Jesus has commenced His reign in grace, so surely He will take the rod of iron to smash the nations in judgement who resist and reject His reign in grace.

The Day of the Lord is in our hearts now, He is sovereign Lord; and so He is offered to the nations in grace, but also we have a message of authority, and if there is a refusal of His grace, there "must" be an acknowledgment of that sovereignty in judgment; for everything shall confess Jesus Christ is Lord.

"Wherefore, also God highly exalted Him, and gave unto Him the name which is above every name ... and every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father" (Phil. 2:9, 11).

In another part of the same record the link is with David and Solomon. With David and Solomon you have introduced a revelation of grace, glory and wonder; it needs the two persons to illustrate the reign and work of the Lord Jesus; and you come into Pentecost where it has its fulfillment and spiritual realization.

David and Solomon are types of the Person of the Lord Jesus, in His work and reign; He is David and He is Solomon, but He transcends them both; He takes up all that is typical in them and fulfills it in His own Person; Pentecost is the climax to the Old Testament Scriptures concerning Christ.

~T. Austin-Sparks~

(continued with # 4)