"For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens ... For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life." (II Corinthians 5:1, 4)
Hear ye every man in our own tongue, speaking the wonderful works of God? In Acts 2, we see the events that had transpired at the tower of Babel in the Old Testament, where confusion of man’s tongue into various languages was introduced, reversed. Even though the scenario reversal was only temporary, God used language to purposely retarded man’s own self-serving purposes.
You will recall that the agenda of men at the tower of Babel was to build a tower that reached high into the heavens. The fallen angels were homesick and their entrance visa into heaven had been cancelled because of their collective terrorist activities and destruction. As a consequence, the most they could do was to hopefully peer into the heavens. But God would not allow that to happen, as stated in the Old Testament scriptures.
However, when the dayspring from on high visited His people, the dispensations changed. The New Testament was ushered in through our Lord God and Saviour Jesus the Christ. (Hebrews 9:8, 14-18) As the Holy Ghost thus signified, this could not happen while the first covenant -- the Old Testament remained. (Hebrews 9:8)
Thus, in the New Testament, the multitudes that gathered together at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost were able to witness God's spin on the tower of Babel. Indeed, something strange to their eyes and ears occurred, one that was possibly as equally strange as the previous Babel event. That is, men who had previously been conversing with one another in normal everyday language suddenly entered into a state of total confusion. In the midst, observers thought they had possibly lost it, or were drunken.
As the scriptures record -- "These men are drunk. Are they not all Galileans? If this is so, how come we hear them speaking in our own language?"
I Corinthians 12 effectively links the correlation and purpose together. Here, Peter standing with the eleven apostles noted that the Lord Jesus had given to Peter (and the others) the keys to the Kingdom of Heaven. Also note that it was Peter who preached God’s reconciliatory Word of truth to this initially Jewish audience. Later, in Acts 10, this same reconciliatory gospel is presented to the Gentiles. It is this preaching of the gospel that opens the door to Heaven thereby allowing the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus the Christ to shine into individual’s believing hearts.
It is at this point that we are introduced to the first message preached by the Spirit of God through the mouths of His newborn adopted sons. Recall that Jesus, after He ascended on high still, through the Holy Ghost directed His apostles whom He had chosen. (Acts 1:2-3) God was still in charge. God's plan of salvation was still unfolding. Acts chapter 2:14-36 expands upon this message, providing further detail into the events that had transpired. [This might be a good time to refresh yourself in these scriptures before proceeding.]
Continuing in Acts 2:36, Peter (standing with the eleven) said, "Therefore, let all the house of Israel know assuredly that God has declared that this same Jesus, whom ye crucified is both Lord and Christ." In the next scripture, the people, hearing this holy Spirit delivery and confirmation of these aforementioned things were pricked in their heart." Asking Peter and the other apostles, "What shall we do?" meant that these people recognized that they were between a rock and a hard place.
"And after the second veil, the tabernacle which is called the Holiest of all ..." (Hebrews 9:3)
"But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building." (Hebrews 9:11)
The Lord from heaven Himself presented this first message, a message that was delivered personally by the administrator of the new covenant. This New Covenant, in case you wondered, is none other than the Spirit of Jesus, who had said prophetically through Joel the prophet, that God would pour out His spirit upon all flesh. But that is not all. This pouring out of His spirit upon all flesh would cause your sons and your daughters to prophesy as well. (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:1-47)
Perhaps, at this point, each one of us should take some time to meditate on this Holy Ghost message, remembering that as God said in Acts 15:16 He would build again the tabernacle of David which had fallen down, replacing the formerly destroyed temple with living stones. Undoubtedly, as revealed here, God is building a triumphant building. Not a building made with brick and mortar, but rather His is the temple in which His Spirit is pleased to dwell.
"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God." (Revelation 21:3)
Stand in the offering plate.
The Lord from heaven Himself presented this first message, a message that was delivered personally by the administrator of the new covenant. This New Covenant, in case you wondered, is none other than the Spirit of Jesus, who had said prophetically through Joel the prophet, that God would pour out His spirit upon all flesh. But that is not all. This pouring out of His spirit upon all flesh would cause your sons and your daughters to prophesy as well. (Joel 2:28; Acts 2:1-47)
Perhaps, at this point, each one of us should take some time to meditate on this Holy Ghost message, remembering that as God said in Acts 15:16 He would build again the tabernacle of David which had fallen down, replacing the formerly destroyed temple with living stones. Undoubtedly, as revealed here, God is building a triumphant building. Not a building made with brick and mortar, but rather His is the temple in which His Spirit is pleased to dwell.
"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, "Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people, and God Himself shall be with them, and be their God." (Revelation 21:3)
Stand in the offering plate.
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