Today’s selected reading continues in the New Testament narrative of the spiritual body of the Lord Jesus Christ as it was written by the beloved physician Luke in the book of Acts. More specifically today’s reading begins with the forty-second verse of the second chapter and continues through to the eleventh verse of the third chapter. “And they continued stedfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers. And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles. And all that believed were together, and had all things common; and sold their possessions and goods, and parted them to all men, as every man had need. And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, praising God, and having favour with all people. And the LORD added to the church daily such as should be saved” (Acts 2:42-47).

 

            “Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour. And a certain man lame from his mother’s womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple; who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms. And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us. And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ancle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God. And all the people saw him walking and praising God: and they knew that it was he which sat for alms at the Beautiful gate of the temple: and they were filled with wonder and amazement at that which had happened unto him” (Acts 3:1-11).

 

            When you come to this particular portion of Scripture you will encounter the events which transpired on the day of Pentecost after the Holy Spirit had arrived. The second chapter of the New Testament book of Acts is an incredibly powerful passage of Scripture for not only does it reveal Jesus fulfilling that which He had promised to do but it also reveals the manner in which Jesus would come unto His apostles and followers. If you take the time to read the words found in this portion of Scripture you will encounter the incredibly awesome and powerful events which took place on the day of Pentecost just ten days after Jesus had ascended unto the right hand of the Father. In fact if you wish to truly understand the words which are found in this passage of Scripture you must needs turn and direct your attention back to the previous chapter for it is in the first chapter of this New Testament book we encounter and come face to face with the awesome events which transpired up until the time the Lord Jesus Christ was taken up unto the Father in heaven. It is in the first and opening chapter of this New Testament book we find the beloved physician Luke writing unto his companion and brother Theophilus concerning the events which would take place after the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ and after the arrival of the Holy Spirit. AFTER THE ASCENSION AND AFTER THE ARRIVAL! The entire New Testament book of Acts is centered upon the tremendous truth that Jesus would indeed ascend unto the right hand of the Father as He said he would and from the right hand of the Father would send the promise and person of the Holy Spirit.

 

            We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of the words which are found in the opening chapter of this New Testament book for it calls and draws our attention to the powerful truth surrounding the events which would take place on the day of Pentecost and how they were intrinsically linked to the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ. With this being said we must needs recognize that in order for Jesus to send the promise of the Father which was the person of the Holy Spirit He would indeed need to ascend unto the right hand of the Father who was in heaven. In order for the person of the Holy Spirit to come just as the Lord Jesus Christ had promised He would Jesus would need to depart from this earth and return unto the right hand of the Father. It would be entirely and altogether impossible for both Jesus to dwell in the flesh as well as for the Holy Spirit to be present within and upon the earth for the arrival of the Holy Spirit was intrinsically bound to the departure of Jesus. The entire foundation for the coming and arrival of the Holy Spirit centered and hinged upon the departure of the Lord Jesus Christ. If we wish to understand the arrival of the Holy Spirit we must first understand the departure. There would and there could be no arrival without and apart from a departure and it was expedient for Jesus to depart from this earth and ascend unto the right hand of the Father which was in heaven. Oh we dare not and must not mis and lose of this and how incredibly important it us for it calls and draws our attention to the awesome and powerful truth surrounding the Lord Jesus Christ needing to ascend unto the right hand of the Father and from that place would send the Holy Spirit. Oh there is a part of me that can’t help but wonder what it was like in heaven after the arrival and return of Jesus Christ from the earth. We know that there were ten days which would pass from the time Jesus ascended from the earth and unto the right hand of the Father and that the Holy Spirit would not come until the appointed time ordained and appointed by the Father.

 

            AFTER THE RETURN! AFTER THE ARRIVAL! This reality and concept of Jesus’ return unto heaven is actually quite remarkable and astounding when you take the time to think about it as I can’t help but wonder what it was like in heaven when Jesus returned from the earth where He would dwell among men in the person and form of human flesh. There is a part of me that wonders what it was like in heaven leading up to Jesus’ departure from its midst and journeying unto the earth that He might be born of the virgin Mary. I can’t help but wonder what it was like in heaven as the cherubim, as the seraphim, as the four living creatures and all the entire angelic host witnessed something they had perhaps never experienced before—the departure of one of their own as they would make their way unto the earth. I have to admit there is something truly astonishing when you take the time to think about what it would and could have been like in heaven as the Lord Jesus Christ prepared to depart from its midst and take on the form of human flesh. While it is true we can never and will never know what it was like in heaven as the Lord Jesus prepared to depart from the earth we must needs recognize and understand that all of heaven must have experienced something truly captivating as the Logos and eternal Word of the living God was preparing to depart from its midst, lay aside the glory He had with the Father who was in heaven and come unto the earth that He might take upon Himself the form of human flesh. It would be in heaven the Lord Jesus Christ would lay aside the glory He had with the Father from the beginning that He might take upon Himself the form of human flesh. THE SHEDDING OF GLORY AND THE TAKING UP OF FLESH!

 

            Although it is true we can never and will never know—at least not while we are here upon the earth—what it was like in heaven as Jesus prepared to lay aside His glory and the garments of His divinity in heaven to take upon Himself the garments of flesh it is incredibly unique and challenging to think about it. With this being said I can’t help but wonder what it was like in heaven as Jesus ascended unto it from the earth after having departed from the earth. We know from the first and opening chapter of the book of Acts that after Jesus had blessed His apostles and followers who were with Him on the mount called Olivet and after He had given them parting instructions He would ascend from the earth among them in their midst and would be removed and received from their sight by a cloud. Oh I find it completely and utterly fascinating to think about the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ for once He arrived in heaven the eternal Father, the only begotten Son and the person of the Holy Spirit would all be reunited in the glory and majesty of heaven. We know that one day in the courts of the Lord is like a thousand years here upon the earth and I can’t help but think about and consider the awesome and powerful truth about what those ten days from the time Jesus ascended unto the right hand of the Father until the time the Holy Spirit was released upon the earth were actually like. What was it like in heaven when the eternal and divine Logos returned unto and among them and remained and abode with the Father once more. For thirty-three years the Lord Jesus Christ was present in the midst of the earth completely and entirely removed from heaven and from the glory of the Father as He was present among and with us here in the earth. Oh stop and think about the fact that for thirty-three years heaven’s absence was earth’s presence and heaven’s absence was indeed and was in fact earth’s gain.

 

            I have to admit there is something truly unique about those ten days which transpired between the time of the ascension of the Lord Jesus Christ unto the right hand of the Father which was in heaven and the arrival of the Holy Spirit. There is something truly unique and captivating when you take the time to think about the Lord Jesus Christ departing from this earth for through His departure from the earth He would arrive and return unto the right hand of the Father which was in heaven. We know from the fifteenth chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the physician Luke that all of heaven rejoices when one sinner which was lost is found for heaven cannot contain its excitement when such a one comes home. With this being said we know that in the parable of the prodigal son—that son which took the inheritance of the father and squandered it on riotous living in a foreign land—when he made his way unto his father and unto his father’s house his father saw him in the distance. Jesus makes it very clear that when the father saw the son returning home and beheld him in the distance he arose from his place and ran to meet his son right where he was. After the father and the son perhaps shared an emotional and quite possibly a tear laden embrace and exchange both the father and the son would walk together unto the father’s house. It would be when and after the father and the son returned unto the father’s house the father would call for a robe to be placed upon his son as well as signet ring and sandals. Not only this but the parable also points to and reveals the father calling for the killing of the fatted calf and a great banquet and feast being thrown in celebration of the son returning home after being away for such an extended period of time.

 

Oh I can’t help but wonder what it was like when the father saw his son in the distance and ran toward him, what it was like when the father and the son returned unto the father’s house, and even what it was like for the prodigal son which was lost to be found once more and which was dead to be alive once more. I wonder what it was like during that feast and banquet which the father had thrown for his son after his son had returned home from his tremendous journey into a far country where he would waste his father’s substance and inheritance on riotous living. It is actually quite astounding to think about and consider this particular truth—particularly and especially when you think about and consider the return of a different Son unto the Father’s house. We know from this parable that there was the return of a prodigal son which once was lost yet now was found and was dead but is now alive who would return unto his father’s house after coming to his senses in the midst of a pig’s pen. With this being said it is absolutely incredible to think about what it was like when it wasn’t a prodigal son who returned unto the house of his father but when the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father returned unto the Father’s house after being on an incredibly long journey in the form and person of flesh in the midst of the earth. For thirty-three and a half years heaven would be without the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father—the divine Logos and Word of the Father—for the Word had become flesh and dwelt among us. For thirty-three years the eternal and only begotten Son would abide within the earth in the form of human flesh after having laid aside His garments of glory that He might take upon Himself the form of human flesh. For thirty-three years the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father would remain and abide in the earth in the form of human flesh as He would dwell among us to fulfill the Immanuel prophecy which literally means “God with us.”

 

It is with all of this in mind I find myself wondering how the Father responded when His eternal and only begotten Son returned unto heaven after having finished and completed the work which was ordained and appointed for Him. We know that the father of the prodigal son saw him in a distance and ran to meet him as soon as he saw him. Is it possible that the parable of the prodigal son is not only meant to demonstrate and reveal the powerful narrative surrounding those sons and those daughters which once were lost yet would be found and which once were dead but are now alive but also meant to contrast this narrative with the eternal and only begotten Son who was never lost but rather went on a long journey that He might fulfill that for which He had been ordained, appointed, called and sent? Is it possible that the parable of the prodigal son is a contrast between this earthly son who had taken his father’s inheritance and possessions and goods and squandered them on riotous living to satisfy his own desires with the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father in a similar manner departed from the Father’s house and went into a far country yet did not do so to squander His Father’s inheritance but rather to establish and receive it? Oh I can’t help but think about the fact that the parable of the prodigal son was not only meant to be an illustration of those which were lost and yet were found as well as those which were dead and yet are now alive but it was also meant to shine an incredible light on the journey which the eternal and only begotten Son took from the Father’s house and how He departed unto a far country that was removed from the Father’s house. What if the parable of the prodigal son was meant to be more than simply a parable which illustrated what was once lost and what was once dead but was also a parable which contrasted that with the eternal and only begotten Son who departed from His Father’s house that He might journey unto a far country separate from the house of the Father?

 

Oh the more I think about and consider this the more I am brought face to face with the awesome and powerful truth that in the parable of the prodigal son we find the father beholding his son in a distance and running to meet him. I have to admit there is a part of me that can’t help but wonder what it was like when the eternal Father saw His only begotten Son in a distance as He would make His way unto the Father’s house once more. Is it possible that the eternal Father rose from His throne and went to meet His Son after seeing Him in the distance? Is it possible that just as the earthly father in this parable of the prodigal son rose from his place after seeing his son which once was dead yet now alive and which once was lost yet now found returning home and ran to meet him so also did the Father rise from His place to receive His only begotten Son after He returned home? I can’t help but read the parable of the prodigal son and see it is a strong and powerful contrast between this earthly son who had taken what his father had given him and wasting it on riotous living and the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father taking that which was the Father and establishing it for the Father and in the Father’s hand. We know from chapter’s thirteen through the final chapter of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John that Jesus had indeed finished that which the eternal Father had ordained and appointed Him to do. We know that Jesus Himself would declare that He had indeed finished the work which ordained and appointed unto Him by the eternal Father which was in heaven. We know that the Lord Jesus Christ departed from the Father’s house in heaven that He might take that which belonged to the Father and raise it up and establish it in the earth. Oh how incredibly unique and powerful this is when you take the time to consider it in light of the parable of the prodigal son and how it might not have been designed solely to demonstrate that which once was lost being found and that which once was dead and yet now alive but also to demonstrate the journey the eternal and only begotten Son would take after departing from the Father’s house and coming unto the earth.

 

I sit here today thinking about and considering how incredibly unique and powerful this is and I am brought face to face with the awesome and powerful truth surrounding the Lord Jesus Christ—not only departing from the Father’s house and leaving for a far country but also for the Lord Jesus Christ to return unto the Father’s house after having been in a foreign country for thirty-three years. I can’t help but imagine what it would and could have been like for the eternal and only begotten Son after finishing and completing the work which had been ordained and appointed unto Him in the earth to make His way back to the Father’s house. Once the work which had been ordained and appointed for Him to do had been completed He would indeed ascend from the earth and would return unto the Father. Oh imagine if the eternal Father rose from His throne that He might meet His only begotten Son as He made His way back to the Father’s house. Stop and imagine the eternal Father rising from His throne in heaven upon the mountain of God as He would run to meet His eternal and only begotten Son who was returning unto Him. Is it possible that the Father rose from His throne which was in heaven that He might run unto His only begotten Son who was returning home? Oh we know that in the parable of the prodigal son that the father would clothe him with a robe of fine linen, would place a ring upon his hand and would place sandals upon his feet and I can’t help but wonder if when the eternal and only begotten Son returned unto the house of the Father if He did not receive garments from the Father—perhaps garments which He had laid aside when He departed from heaven and came unto the earth.

 

CLOTHE THE SON WITH THE BEST ROBE! CLOTHE THE SON WITH A RING ON HIS FINGER! CLOTHE THE SON WITH THE FINEST SANDALS! Oh there is a part of me that can’t help but wonder whether or not when and as the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father returned unto the house of His Father that His Father did not place upon Him a robe and garments once more. The eternal and only begotten Son had spent thirty-three and a half years being clothed with flesh as He took upon Himself the seed of Adam and the seed of Abraham and now the only begotten Son was returning unto the right hand of the Father. Is it possible that when the only begotten Son of the Father returned unto the Father’s house the Father clothed Him once more with His own glory and with the glory which the Son had with the Father from the beginning? Oh there is a part of me that can’t help but wonder what it was like for the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father to return home unto the Father’s house and to be greeted by His Father who saw Him in the distance. The parable of the prodigal Son is entirely and altogether captivating when you take the time to think about it for I am absolutely convinced that this earthly father’s response when his son which once was lost and yet now was found and which once was dead and yet now is alive returned is a powerful picture of the response of the eternal Father when His only begotten Son returned home unto His Father’s house. Pause for a moment and think about the tremendous rejoicing that would take place in heaven—not only because the eternal and only begotten Son had returned but also that He had indeed finished and completed the work which was ordained and appointed for Him to do within the earth. What a tremendous rejoicing and celebration would indeed take place when the eternal and only begotten Son returned home to the Father’s house after having been away on a long journey for more than three decades.

 

Oh the more I think about and consider this the more I am brought face to face with wondering what it would and could have been like in heaven during those thirty-three years as the eternal and only begotten Son was absent from heaven’s midst and yet present in the midst of the earth. What was it like in heaven during those thirty-three years as the eternal and only begotten Son took upon Himself the form of human flesh and dwelt among men as the word which was made flesh? Not only this but I can’t help but wonder what it was like in heaven when the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father returned home unto the Father’s house after having finished and completed the work ordained and appointed for Him to do. What a truly remarkable and astonishing thing it is to actually take a step back and think about what it must have been like in heaven as the eternal and only begotten Son returned from His long journey within the earth and as the Father undoubtedly saw Him coming in the distance. Not only this but there is not a doubt in my mind the Father knew His eternal and only begotten Son was preparing to return unto Himself and unto the kingdom which was in heaven and I can’t help but wonder if there wasn’t a powerful preparation that was made for the return of the Son. Oh there was a popular movie trilogy series called Lord of the Rings and the final move in the trilogy was entitled “Return of the King” and there is a part of me that can’t help but think that when Jesus returned unto heaven and unto the right hand of the Father it wasn’t merely the return of the King but it was “The Return of the Son.” When and as Jesus ascended from the earth and returned unto His Father who was in heaven it would literally be the return of the Son who would come home unto His Father and come home unto His Father’s house.

 

Dear reader it is truly something worth thinking about and considering when you read these words for it is absolutely remarkable to think about what it would and could have been like as the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father departed from the earth and ascended unto heaven that He might return unto His Father and unto His Father’s house. Having finished and completed the work which was ordained and appointed for Him to do Jesus would ascend unto the right hand of the Father and would once more abide in the house of His Father. Oh what it must have been like for the eternal and only begotten Son to ascend from the earth and pass through the first heaven, and pass through the second haven and arrive in the third heaven where the Father, where the Holy Spirit and where all the angelic host was present. What’s more is that for a period of ten earth days the eternal Father, the only begotten Son and the Holy Spirit were reunited once more in perfect union and harmony in the midst of heaven. For a period of ten earth days the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit would indeed be united together in the kingdom of the Father in heaven before the Holy Spirit would be the next to depart from heaven that He might abide within and upon the earth. The eternal and only begotten Son had already taken upon Himself the form of flesh that He might dwell among us here in the earth and once His work upon the earth had been completed and finished He would return unto the right hand of the Father. After the eternal and only begotten Son returned unto the Father’s house in heaven it would then be the person of the Holy Spirit’s turn to depart for the earth that He might dwell within those who believe upon the name of the Lord Jesus and who walk with and follow Him.

 

The more you read and think about this the more you must consider that the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father took upon Himself the form of human flesh that He might dwell with us as God with us. For thirty-three years the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father would indeed dwell among us in the form of flesh as the Word which was in the beginning, as the Word which was in the beginning with God, and as the Word which was God would in fact dwell among us. When the work of the eternal and only begotten Son had been completed in the earth He would indeed lay aside the garments of flesh and blood which He had taken upon Himself that He might once more be clothed with the glory which He had with the Father since the beginning. We dare not and must not miss the tremendous significance and importance of this for it calls and draws our attention to the tremendous truth of the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father returning unto heaven and unto the right hand of the Father to prepare and make ready that which needed to take place for the Holy Spirit to descend upon the earth that He might abide with men. Oh how absolutely incredible it is to think about and consider the fact that for ten earth days the eternal Father, the only begotten Son and the Holy Spirit would make the necessary preparations for the departure of the Holy Spirit as it would now be the Spirit’s turn to depart for the earth that He might abide with men. The eternal and only begotten Son had already departed for the earth and had already dwelt among men in the form of flesh and blood and now the Holy Spirit would depart for the earth that He might dwell within those who walk with and follow the Lord Jesus Christ.

 

There is truly something incredibly awesome and powerful about the words and language we find here in the New Testament book of Acts for there is a strong and powerful link between the ascension of the Lord Jesus and the arrival of the Holy Spirit. This link is found and can be seen in the fourteenth, fifteenth and sixteenth chapters of the New Testament gospel narrative written by the apostle John. It is within these chapters we find Jesus emphatically declaring and teaching His disciples that it was expedient and necessary for Him to depart from the earth and return unto the right hand of His Father which was in heaven. It would be as a direct result of His departure from the earth that the way would be made for the arrival of the person, the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit. Oh we dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this particular truth for it calls and draws our attention to the fact that the time would come for the only begotten Son of the Father to depart from this earth and return unto the Father that He might be clothed with His glory—the glory which He had with the Father from the beginning. It was absolutely necessary for the only begotten Son of the Father to depart from the earth and return unto His Father’s house in heaven for it would be through His departure the Holy Spirit would be able to dwell and abide in the earth within the spirits and lives of those who call upon the name of the Lord and are saved. I have said it once and I will say it again that it was entirely and altogether impossible for Jesus to dwell in the form of human flesh and for the person of the Holy Spirit to be present within the earth for it would be Jesus who would dwell among us in the flesh but it would be the Holy Spirit who would dwell within us as the representative and manifestation of the Father and the Son in the earth.

 

When Jesus took upon Himself the form of human flesh He would indeed be present among us within the earth for thirty-three years with flesh and blood. For thirty-three years the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father would dwell among us in the earth having taken upon Himself the form of flesh and blood. When, however, He would return unto the Father the way would be made for the Holy Spirit to depart from heaven and arrive in the midst of the earth. When previously the person of Jesus was the link and connection to the Father which was in heaven as Jesus showed and demonstrated unto us the Father the Holy Spirit would now be present among us as our direct link and connection to heaven. What’s more is that not only would the person of the Holy Spirit be our direct link and connection to heaven but He would also be our direct link and connection to the Father and the Son. Please do not miss and lose sight of this for it calls and draws our attention to the awesome and powerful truth surrounding the arrival and manifestation of the Holy Spirit in the earth as through the Holy Spirit we would have direct access to the eternal Father and would have direct access to the only begotten Son. When the Lord Jesus Christ ascended and departed from the earth and returned unto the right hand of the Father it would then be the Holy Spirit’s turn to depart for the earth that through the Holy Spirit the only begotten Son and the eternal Father might not only come unto us but might also dwell within us. It would be through the person of the Holy Spirit Jesus could indeed come unto us again—this time in the form of the Holy Spirit that He might no longer abide and dwell with us in the form of flesh and blood but might dwell within us in the form of spirit. It would be through the person of the Holy Spirit the Lord Jesus Christ would indeed be present within us as the new representative and manifestation of the divine glory and presence of the living God in the earth.

 

The person, the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit dwelling within and among us here upon the earth must be understood and recognized for it calls and draws our attention to the fact that whereas the eternal and only begotten Son dwelt among us in the form of flesh and blood for thirty-three years the Holy Spirit would now dwell within us for an indefinite period of time. Jesus would indeed lay aside His garments of glory and divinity when He took upon Himself the form of flesh and blood and yet when the Holy Spirit would come to the earth He would not shed any garments of divinity or glory. What’s more is that whereas the person of the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father took upon Himself the form of flesh and blood as He Himself was clothed with flesh and blood so also would the Holy Spirit clothe Himself with flesh and blood. We must, however, recognize and understand that there was a vast difference between Jesus clothing Himself with flesh and blood and the Holy Spirit clothing Himself with flesh and blood. When the Lord Jesus Christ came unto and among us in the earth and clothed Himself in flesh and blood He would do so in and of Himself and His own person. Jesus would be clothed in flesh and blood as a man that He might dwell and abide with us. For thirty-three years Jesus would be the Word which was made flesh and dwelt among us. For thirty-three years Jesus would be clothed with flesh and blood in Himself and in His own person. When, however, the person of the Holy Spirit would come to the earth He would also clothe Himself with flesh and blood yet it would be entirely and altogether different. As the Holy Spirit descended and came upon the earth He would indeed clothe Himself with flesh and blood yet not that He Himself might be a man but that He Himself might be clothed with man. Jesus clothed Himself with flesh and blood that He might become a man while the Holy Spirit clothed Himself with flesh and blood that he might dwell within man.

 

Stop and take a moment to think about it for when Jesus took upon Himself the form of human flesh He would dwell among us as the Word made flesh. When Jesus took upon Himself the form of human flesh He would do so that He might dwell and abide with us as a man in the flesh upon the earth. The flesh and blood which Jesus took upon Himself was that he might dwell with us within and upon the earth. This would not be so for the person and presence of the Holy Spirit for the person of the Holy Spirit would clothe Himself with flesh and blood in an entirely different way. When Jesus clothed Himself with flesh and blood it would be as a single man that He Himself might dwell among us as a seed of Adam and the seed of Abraham, yet when the Holy Spirit came unto and among us within the earth He would not clothe Himself with the flesh and blood of a single man or woman but with the flesh and blood of many men and women. The Holy Spirit would come to the earth among us that He might clothe Himself with us for it would be through His clothing Himself with us that He would be able to dwell within us. Jesus took upon Himself the form of flesh and blood that He might dwell with us and the person of the Holy Spirit would also take upon Himself the form of flesh and blood yet it would be done in an entirely different way. The person of the Holy Spirit would clothe Himself with flesh and blood that He might indeed dwell within and among us here upon the earth. The flesh and blood which the eternal Holy Spirit would take upon and clothe Himself with would be that of countless men and women who walked with and followed the Lord Jesus Christ and called upon His name.

 

Oh there is something truly awesome and powerful about this concept of the Holy Spirit clothing Himself with flesh and blood for He would do so in an entirely different way than Jesus Himself would. When Jesus returned from the earth having spent thirty-three years being clothed with flesh and blood it would be the time for the Holy Spirit to depart for and descend upon the earth that He might dwell within us. When the Holy Spirit departed for the earth and arrived on the day of Pentecost it wasn’t merely that the Holy Spirit would dwell and abide with us but that the Holy Spirit might dwell and abide within us. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it calls and draws our attention to the fact that the Holy Spirit would indeed take upon Himself the form of flesh and blood—albeit an entirely different manner than the only begotten Son. It was the divine will of the Father that the only begotten Son take upon Himself the form of flesh and blood that by doing so He might dwell and abide with us as God with us. Jesus would indeed take upon Himself the form of human flesh that through Him the eternal God and Father might dwell and abide with us. With that being said, however, we must needs recognize and understand that Jesus’ being clothed with flesh and blood had limitations, restrictions and boundaries to it—namely, that He could only be in one place at a single time. When Jesus clothed Himself with the form of human flesh He could only be in one place at one time and men and women would have to come unto Him where He was. Having been in the form of human flesh and blood Jesus was limited and restricted in what He could do for He was confined to the same elements you and I are in the flesh. Having been in the form of flesh and blood Jesus was subject to hunger, to thirst, to pain, to suffering, and certain other things you and I face and experience on a consistent and daily basis in the flesh.

 

When the Holy Spirit came among us and took upon Himself flesh and blood it would not the flesh and blood of a single body that He might dwell within and upon one single person as was evidenced through the person of the Lord Jesus Christ. On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit descended upon the earth and was manifested among us that He might clothed Himself with the flesh and blood of the apostles, those early followers of Jesus which made up the early Church at the beginning, and so much more. We must needs recognize that when Jesus came in the form of flesh and blood He was in fact one hundred percent human and therefore His physical body undoubtedly would and could have grown old with age. When, however, the person of the Holy Spirit came unto and among us He would not be confined to the same limitations and restrictions for He would clothe Himself with the flesh and blood of the countless men and women who called upon the name of the Lord and believed upon Him throughout the centuries since the days of the apostles and early Church. For two thousand years the person of the Holy Spirit has been clothing Himself with flesh and blood yet would clothe Himself with it in the sense that He would dwell within us. The Holy Spirit came to the earth—not that He might dwell and abide with us as some external invisible force and presence among us but rather that he might dwell within us. Jesus came to the earth and took upon Himself the form of flesh and blood that He might dwell with us in that single person and yet the person of the Holy Spirit would not operate the same way. The person of the Holy Spirit would clothe Himself with flesh and blood in the same way the glory of the eternal Father would abide within both the Tabernacle and the Temple. Just as the living God would dwell within the Tabernacle and Temple and would clothe Himself with both so too would the Holy Spirit clothe Himself with the temples of flesh and blood which were men and women.

 

Oh dear reader I ask you to carefully consider the words and language that is presented here for when we read the events which transpired on the day of Pentecost we must needs acknowledge the fact that the Holy Spirit did indeed come to the earth that He might clothe Himself with flesh and blood in an entirely new and living way. One of the main purposes, roles and functions of the Lord Jesus Christ taking upon Himself the form of flesh and blood was that He might dwell with us and that through his dwelling with us so also would the eternal and only begotten Son of the Father dwell with us. The Holy Spirit would indeed be manifested in the midst of the earth that through His coming to the earth He might dwell within us in the persons of men and women throughout the years. For more than two thousand years the person and presence of the Holy Spirit has been clothing Himself with the flesh and blood of the saints as He was not sent to the earth to be this invisible, existential and eternal presence abiding and dwelling with us. It isn’t about you and I as flesh and blood and as men and women dwelling in the earth with the Holy Ghost of heaven but rather you and I being the temples and the sanctuaries of the Holy Spirit. What’s more is I would dare say that Jesus’ taking upon Himself the form of human flesh was not only a powerful sign of God dwelling with us but was indeed a powerful portent of what was to come as the Holy Spirit would indeed dwell within us. There is something incredibly awesome and powerful about this when you take the time to think about and consider it for it brings us face to face with the powerful truth surrounding the person and presence of the Holy Spirit and how the Holy Spirit would indeed dwell within us as He clothed Himself with flesh and blood—and not just the flesh and blood of one single person and body but the flesh and blood of countless men and women.

 

The more we take the time to consider the events which took place on the day of Pentecost the more we are brought face to face with the fact that when the Holy Spirit descended upon the earth and was manifested on the day of Pentecost He did so as the new representative and manifestation of heaven and of the Father. For three and a half years the person of the Lord Jesus was the representative and manifestation of heaven as the Lord Jesus Christ would be the image of the invisible God in the earth. After Jesus departed from this earth and returned unto the right hand of the Father which was in heaven the person, the presence and the power of the Holy Spirit would descend upon the earth and would be manifested unto and among us as the representative of both the Father and the Son. When Jesus came to the earth He came to teach and show us all things concerning the Father while the Holy Spirit came to the earth to teach and show us all things concerning the Father and the Son. By the time the Holy Spirit arrived the eternal and only begotten Son had already come in the flesh. This would make the work and assignment of the Holy Spirit all the more captivating when you take the time to think about it for the Holy Spirit would come to the earth that He might demonstrate, show, manifest and teach us all things concerning the Father and the Son. Jesus would come to the earth to show us the Father and that the Father might dwell with us as was prophesied by the ancient Hebrew prophet Isaiah while the Holy Spirit would come to the earth to teach and show us all things concerning both the Father and the Son. When the Holy Spirit came to the earth Jesus had already manifested Himself among us having demonstrated, taught and revealed the Father unto us. Jesus would in the flesh show us the Father which was in heaven and when the Holy Spirit came to the earth he would show unto us both the Father and the Son.

 

THE HOLY SPIRIT: CLOTHING HIMSELF WITH FLESH AND BLOOD! THE HOLY SPIRIT: THE DIVINE REPRESENTATIVE OF HEAVEN! THE HOLY SPIRIT: SHOWING US THE FATHER AND TEACHING US ALL THINGS CONCERNING THE SON! THE HOLY SPIRIT: DWELLING WITHIN US! THE HOLY SPIRIT: ABIDING WITH US FOR EVER! WHEN THE HOLY SPIRIT CAME TO THE EARTH AND WAS MANIFESTED AMONG US HE WOULD DO SO FOR AN INDEFINITE PERIOD OF TIME FOR HE WOULD INDEED ABIDE WITH US FOREVER UNTIL THE END OF THE AGE WHEN JESUS WOULD GATHER TOGETHER UNTO HIMSELF THE DEAD IN HIM WHICH WOULD RISE AGAIN AND WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN! It is actually truly astonishing to read the narrative that is found in the second chapter of the New Testament book of Acts for within it we find the arrival of the Holy Spirit—that which was promised by the Lord Jesus Christ while He was still dwelling among us. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this as it calls and draws our attention to the wonderful beauty of the Holy Spirit. We know from the gospel narratives—specifically in the first chapter of the gospel written by the apostle John—that the Word became flesh and dwelt among us as well as from the final chapters of this same gospel that Jesus revealed unto His disciples after He was raised from death to life that He still possessed flesh and blood. In the beginning of the gospel narrative written by the apostle John we discover the Word became flesh that He might dwell among us while in the final chapters of this same gospel we find Jesus declaring unto His disciples that He was resurrected from the grave with flesh and blood. For another forty days after His resurrection from the grave Jesus would show Himself alive being in the form of flesh and blood as well as showing His scars which were the proof of his suffering and dying in the flesh. It is absolutely incredible for us to understand this for when we think about and consider the first coming of the Lord Jesus Christ we must recognize that He did in fact in the form of flesh and blood within Himself that He might dwell with us.

 

When the Holy Spirit came unto the earth it would be something entirely and altogether different for when the Spirit came He would not come in flesh and blood. The Spirit would not take upon Himself the form and nature of flesh and blood as Jesus the Christ had done. The Holy Spirit of the eternal God would indeed come to the earth and would involve flesh and blood, however, He would not take upon Himself the same manner of flesh and blood as Jesus did. Jesus would indeed clothe Himself with flesh and blood as a body would be prepared for Him but when the Holy Spirit came to the earth it wouldn’t merely be a singular body made of flesh and blood that would be prepared and made ready for Him. When the Holy Spirit came a spiritual body of many members made of flesh and blood would be made ready and prepared for Him. This body made up of many members would be first evidenced in the upper room where one hundred and twenty brethren including the apostles, Mary the mother of Jesus, Jesus’ brethren and others would be gathered together in one accord. With this being said it’s important for us to understand this concept of being of one accord, in one place, and being of one mind. We know from the gospels that Jesus took upon Himself the form of one singular body that was made up of flesh and blood. This singular body which Jesus took upon Himself would be made up of flesh and blood and would have its own members which would comprise and make it up. With this being said we must needs recognize that just as Jesus Himself took on the form of one singular body made of flesh and blood so also would the Holy Spirit take upon Himself the form of human flesh and blood as one body would be made up of many members.

 

I sit here today thinking about and considering this tremendous truth as it calls and draws our attention to the truth surrounding the Holy Spirit having a body made ready and prepared for Him upon His arrival on the day of Pentecost. In fact there is not a doubt in my mind that what took place during those ten days from the time Jesus ascended unto the right hand of the Father in heaven unto the time the Holy Spirit arrived was indeed a preparation and making ready of a body for the Holy Spirit to dwell within. This is something truly worth thinking about and paying attention to for it brings us to the place where we recognize the Holy Spirit would indeed arrive within and upon the earth yet He would arrive within, among and upon a body that had been prepared and made ready for Him. Initially that body would be made up of many members—one hundred and twenty to be exact—and yet each of these members were of one heart, one mind and were in one place in one accord. It is absolutely crititcal that we focus on this concept of unity and oneness for just as Jesus took upon Himself one singular body made up of flesh and blood and had many members, so also would the Holy Spirit take upon Himself a spiritual body that would be made up of many members. As we think about the person and presence of the Holy Spirit we must recognize that when He arrived and came to the earth He did in fact take upon Himself flesh and blood—yet not as Jesus took upon Himself flesh and blood. The Spirit would take upon Himself flesh and blood as he would clothe Himself within each and every one of those members which were made up of flesh and blood. The Holy Spirit would indeed arrive to the earth and would clothe Himself with flesh and blood as He would be the abiding presence of the Father and the Son within the members of the body of Christ.

 

Please do not miss and lose sight of how incredibly important and powerful this is for it forces us into the place where we recognize how the Holy Spirit would indeed clothe Himself within the temples made of flesh and blood yet made without human hands. When the Holy Spirit came to the earth He would indeed inhabit and dwell within men as the representation and manifestation of the living God and it would be through that indwelling He would clothe Himself with the flesh and blood of men and women that the Father and the Son might dwell within us. We must needs recognize and understand that when the Holy Spirit came to the earth He did not Himself come in the form of flesh and blood as Jesus had done subjecting Himself to the same boundaries, limitations and restrictions as Jesus did in the flesh. When the Holy Spirit came to the earth He came in His true nature and form of Spirit that He might inhabit and dwell within us as flesh and blood. Flesh and blood would remain upon the earth and yet those temples and bodies made up of flesh and blood would serve as that which the Holy Spirit would clothe Himself with upon the earth. The Holy Spirit would indeed dwell within and upon the earth yet He would not do so simply as an invisible ghost and being among us in the earth. The Holy Spirit isn’t dwelling among us as an invisible ghost that was sent by the only begotten Son from the right hand of the Father but rather is dwelling within us as a companion and Comforter. As Jesus dwelt with us while in the form of flesh and blood so also would the Holy Spirit dwell within us as we ourselves are flesh and blood and provide the temple for which He inhabits and dwells.

 

I am absolutely and incredible fascinated with this truth—particularly and especially when considering the events of the first and second chapters of this New Testament book. It is in the first chapter of this book we learn and discover how there were one-hundred and twenty souls present in the upper room. It would be these one-hundred and twenty souls present in the upper room that would be the initial body and temple made up of flesh and blood for the Holy Spirit to inhabit and indwell. On this same day, however, that number would increase by three thousand as on the day of Pentecost the Lord Jesus would add unto those initial one-hundred and twenty an additional three thousand souls. Pause for a moment and think about the sheer weight and magnitude of this particular truth as on the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit clothed Himself with one-hundred and twenty men and women made up of flesh and blood and yet before the day was over there would be an additional three thousand that would be added to that number—an additional three thousand whom the Holy Spirit could clothe Himself with. Oh dear reader stop and think about that for a moment and how absolutely incredible it truly is that the Holy Spirit could clothe Himself with more than three thousand men and women made up of flesh and blood at the same time. On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit would take upon Himself the flesh and blood of one-hundred and twenty men and women and yet by the time the day was over the Holy Spirit would perhaps have clothed Himself with another three thousand men and women made up of flesh and blood. Scripture is entirely unclear as to whether or not those additional three thousand souls did indeed receive the person of the Holy Spirit, however it is quite unique to think about how before the day of Pentecost was over more than three thousand men and women made up of flesh and blood would and could have been clothed with the person of the Holy Spirit. It is with this in mind I invite you to consider the following words which are found in the first and second chapters of this New Testament book:

 

“Then returned they unto Jerusalem from the mount called Olivet, which is from Jerusalem a sabbath’s day journey. And when they were come in, they went up into an upper room, where abode both Peter, and James, and John, and Andrew, Philip, and Thomas, Bartholomew, and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus, and Simon Zelotes, and Judas the brother of James. These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication, with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren. And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty)” (Acts 1:12-15).

 

“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. And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation under heaven. Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak in his own language. And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these which speak Galilaeans? And how hear we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites, and the dwellers in Mesopotamia, and in Judaea, and Capadocia, in Pontus, and Asia, Phrygia, and Pamphylia, in Egypt, and in the parts of Libya about Cyrene, and strangers of Rome, Jews and proselytes, Cretes and Arabians, we do hear them speak in our tongues the wonderful works of God. And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine” (Acts 2:1-13).

 

“Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, What shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call. And with. Many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation. Then they that glad received his word were baptized: and the same day there were added unto them about three thousand souls” (Acts 2:37-41).

As I prepare to bring this writing to a close I find it absolutely necessary that you recognize and understand just what took place on this day for not only did the Holy Spirit clothe Himself with one-hundred and twenty in the upper room but before that day was over there would be an additional three thousand souls made of flesh and blood whom the Holy Spirit would clothe Himself with. For thirty three years Jesus was clothed in flesh and blood as a single man and yet on the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit would clothe Himself with one-hundred and twenty men and women who were made up of flesh and blood. How absolutely incredible this truly is when you take the time to think about it as it calls and draws our attention to the tremendous truth that on the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit initially and originally clothed Himself with one-hundred and twenty men and women made up of flesh and blood and before the day was over there would be another three thousand whom He could clothe Himself with. As you continue reading the New Testament book of Acts you will find that not only did the number of those whom the Holy Spirit could clothe Himself with increase but it would also go on to include both Gentiles as well as Jews. How absolutely powerful it is to think that when Jesus became flesh and dwelt among us He would do so among the Jews only and would not go unto the Gentiles, however, when the Holy Spirit came there would eventually come a point when he would be manifested unto and among the Gentiles. We dare not and must not miss and lose sight of this for it calls and draws our attention to the tremendous truth surrounding the Holy Spirit and His coming in such a way and form that He might clothe Himself with flesh and blood as there would be a spiritual body made of flesh and blood that the Holy Spirit could indeed inhabit and indwell. Not only this but in our present generation the Holy Spirit is still indwelling and inhabiting men and women made up of flesh and blood and is still clothing Himself with those who call upon the name of the Lord and are indeed saved. Oh that we would truly recognize and understand this powerful truth and how ever since the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit has indeed been inhabiting and dwelling in the midst of the people of God who believe on the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Oh how truly wonderful it is to read the New Testament book of Acts and understand the Holy Spirit’s presence within the earth is not only meant to reveal the Father but also the Son. Perhaps the single greatest truth we must needs ask ourselves is whether or not we are truly willing and able to allow the Holy Spirit to inhabit and indwell us that there might be a people in the earth who move in the person, presence and power of the Holy Spirit