THE TWOFOLD “PENTECOST SEAL”
Gospel Readings: – John 19:30, Acts 1:8
“It is finished” is the last words the Lord Jesus-Christ spoke at the cross, and the verse in Acts 1:8 is the last words He spoke before being taken up to heaven. Thus, some people have frequently asked why the Lord said “It is finished” and then later added that the Holy Spirit was to come upon the Apostles.
In our African cultures witch doctors have got a strong power and influence on the society because they always seal their followers with visible marks that prove to people they are with them everywhere and every time. Each witch doctor has his own kind of talismans he gives out and special words he pronounces while vaccinating his customers. When you go to see them, you tell them in details about your concern and before they do anything for you, they first check whether you might have been at another witch doctor or not. There are known points on the human body where they vaccinate people and the marks remain visible forever. From these marks, a witch doctor can easily discover whether you have been treated by a highly powered one than him or just a usual one or a beginner. Once he finds it is a greater one, he simply gives you a powdered product to lick and does not vaccine you BECAUSE HE HAS REALIZED THAT THE ONE YOU WENT TO PREVIOUSLY IS MORE POWERFUL AND HIGHLY RESPECTED THAN HIM.
The PENTECOST SEAL is the highest powerful spiritual SEAL Jesus Christ gave to His Church. Once Satan discovers that a Christian has really been sealed with the PENTECOST SEAL, he won’t touch his soul, because he knows he has got in him:
– The power to convict the world of sin
– The power of righteousness that witnesses firmly for Christ
– The power of Judgement that condemns Satan (John 16: 8-11)
That’s the warning God gave Satan when he asked to go and attempt Job: “Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.”(Job 1:12). Why? Because Job had the PENTECOST SEAL in him! He was then untouchable spiritually, unmovable in the faith and invincible in prayer. Amen! But Job’s wife was not sealed so: “Do you still hold fast to your integrity? Curse God and die!” she stated firmly (Job 2:9). Such fallen wives and husbands as well exist in many Christian homes and churches today, yes, NOW, AT TIS MINUTE, trying to discourage faithful God’s servants. Jezebels and Herods, Sanballats and Tobiahs, are populating the Church of Christ and are stopping Her progress to heaven because they have either lost their PENTECOST SEAL or never been sealed so spiritually through receiving Jesus as their personal Lord and Saviour.
A seal is something that testifies a document is truthful. Did you know that if the Lord Jesus Christ had not sent the Holy Spirit TO SEAL all the Salvation work He did for you and me at the Cross, Satan was already preparing to seal the Gospel and the Resurrection and Christ’s Return in glory as being LIES? Yet he is trying to do so even today.
Having our passport sealed with a visa for a country we plan to travel to does not mean we are automatically authorized to leave our country and go. No! Before embarking at the airport, the immigration services still have the power to allow or stop us to get into the transit zone. Having our passport stamped with a second SEAL from the immigration is the last and important step that means “Yes, you are correct, so, go ahead!”.
After He had revealed the Apostles the nature of the first PENTECOST SEAL, the Lord added: “I still have many things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now” (John 16:12). Why? Because there was still a second PENTECOST SEAL to receive. Which one? That of THE SPIRIT OF TRUTH (John 16:13a), in other words, THE SPIRIT OF THE WORD OF GOD. “Sanctify them by your Truth. Your word is Truth” (John 17:17).
Christians who call yourselves “SPIRIT-FILLED CHRISTIANS”, where are you going on the battlefield of the FAITH without having the second PENTECOST SEAL within you, THE SPIRIT OF THE WORD OF GOD:
– that guides the believer into all truth (John 16:13a)
– that tells him things to come (16:13b)
– that glorifies Christ the Lord? (16:14)
Job’s wife had not even received the second PENTECOST SEAL, so she cried out and said “Curse God and die!”. Christian brethren, how are you standing at this Pentecost? Are your two PENTECOST SEALS marks still visible and shining or have they disappeared as you went through temptations and fire trials in your life? The blood of Jesus Christ is still there to RE-SEAL you today and fill your spiritual tank and RE-SEND you ahead on the battlefield as A VICTORIOUS WARRIOR! Amen!
In Christ’s Love,
Bishop, Dr. Justin Baransananikiye
CHRISTIANS STRENGTHENING CHRISTIANS,
An International Ministry of
The Episcopal Free Church-Province of Burundi
P.O. Box 197 Gitega, Burundi
Tel: 257 79 877 097
Email: baransajust@gmail.com
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