BEHOLDING THE LATTER RAINS OF HIS GLORY

[Albert Finch]

"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place." - Acts 2:1

Pentecost happened at an appointed time, in an appointed place, with an appointed people. There was unity in the midst of those who had gathered continuously and with definite purpose to seek God for the promised outpouring. Men and women contended together for visitation from the Lord.

They did not know the exact time it would happen, or even the precise manner in which God would meet with them, but nonetheless they understood that they were moving towards a manifestation of Heaven on earth heretofore unknown, and their total individual and corporate focus was in meeting with God in a life-changing encounter.

God is still looking for a desperate people who are longing to meet with Him in surrender to His presence, so that He might fill us up with the power of His Spirit and send us out to a world in deep need of His transformational love.

GOD POSITIONS US

"Suddenly a SOUND like the blowing of a violent wind came from Heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting." - Acts 2:2
At Pentecost, the sound of Heaven was released on earth with awe-inspiring effects; it must have been an awesome event to witness the wind and the fire from Heaven as it came in fulfilment of the promised gift of the Holy Spirit being given to the Church. We can never outdo God, and the "latter rains" of His glory will come as such a deluge that we will never be able to fully prepare for what is coming, yet God positions us for blessing and breakthrough by creating faith, expectation, and a longing for more of His love, presence, and power in our hearts.

They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each one of them. (Acts 2:3)
In this Pentecostal, pre-ordained moment of outpouring, everyone's spiritual eyes were opened to see how Heaven was touching earth. No one was in any doubt that God was on the move!

It is said of the Azusa Street Revival that fire was seen coming down from Heaven to touch the little warehouse where the revival meetings were held, and simultaneously, fire was seen rising up from the roof of the same building. When the fire of God was burning – everyone could see the fire!

AZUSA STREET REVIVAL ACCOUNT

The following extract (from John Lake) vividly recalls a moment of the fire of God burning in Azusa Street:

"When I asked her to describe the Shekinah Glory Fire reported by many, she told her story. She recalled the fire department coming because of a call that the building was on fire. When they arrived, they didn't smell any smoke or see any evidence of fire. She remembered that it was Seymour, Bosworth, Lake, Smith and Sines that ran out.
Sister Carney did go out one time to see the flames for herself. Remember, the fire department had been called on several different occasions, as passers-by would report seeing flames leaping up from the roof of the building. Finally, Sister Carney asked John Lake why the fire department kept coming and looking for the fire. He explained that the fire was coming down from Heaven into the building and fire was going up from the building and meeting the fire coming down. Fascinated, Sister Carney went out, walked about half a block and saw the awesome sight for herself. To her, this divine connection was just further evidence of God's mighty Presence in that place.
Sister Carney noted that although the Shekinah Glory was present all the time within the building, this divine connection wasn't an everyday occurrence. Whenever this connection was present, the power was even more intense within the meeting."

The glory of God is sometimes visible as a cloud or mist (see Exodus 24:16-17). Jesus also spoke about wanting us to see His glory: "Father, I want those you have given Me to be with Me where I am, and to SEE My glory, the glory You have given Me because You loved Me before the creation of the world" (John 17:24).
"They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each one of them." - Acts 2:3

The fire of God that touched the Believers on the day of Pentecost was a personal encounter with the holy presence of God. We cannot remain the same when we have met with God in the inner chamber of His heart. His FIRE consecrates us and sets us apart for His work. His FIRE speaks of holiness and purity, bringing healing and cleansing wherever it comes to rest. His fire is His love, and our hearts melt in the beauty of His presence.

It is said of Messiah, "The mighty man will become tinder and his work a spark; both will burn together, with no one to quench the fire" (Isaiah 1:31).
In the wilderness, the nation of Israel looked differently from all the other nations because of the presence of God with them -- the pillar of fire. Pentecost was God's fiery kiss of love, searing and sealing His Bride, which moved the pillar of fire from being with us to NOW BEING IN US.

WE ARE CALLED

We, too, are called to a baptism of the Holy Spirit – and FIRE, "I baptise you with water for repentance. But after me will come One whose sandals I am not fit to carry. He will baptise you with the Holy Spirit and with fire" (Matthew 3:11).

Today, may we as God's people posture ourselves in servant love before Him, adoring Him with all that we are so that He might release of a fresh wave of the Holy Spirit and glory FIRE upon – to and through us for the expansion of God's PURPOSE for our lives!

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