The two most important spiritual shifts in history happened "suddenly" when the Holy Spirit came into this world with the sound of heaven (wind), and they will end in the "twinkling" of an eye with the sound of a trumpet when we will be transformed and taken from this world!
The beginning of the Church happened during Pentecost when the Holy Spirit descended upon the disciples after Jesus' ascension into heaven. The disciples were expectant and united because Jesus had promised them a "Helper that would abide with them forever. (John 14)
"When the Day of Pentecost had 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 the whole house where they were sitting." Acts 2:1-2
The Holy Spirit came "suddenly" into this world marking the second most powerful spiritual shift that has ever happened in history, after Jesus' death and resurrection. He came baptizing the disciples and establishing the foundation of the Church.
He came to change everything. In the Old Testament, David's prayer was, "Do not cast me away from Your presence and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me." This prayer was valid back then because God used to pour the Holy Spirit only on certain people, His anointed ones. However, He also had the power to take it away from them, as He did with Saul.
Today, we no longer have to pray David's prayer. When we are in Christ, we are baptized with the Holy Spirit, and He comes to live inside us, sealing us until the day of redemption. We know that nothing or no one can take us away from Him. We can experience the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, our Helper who will be with us forever. Today we don't even have to pray "Holy Spirit, come!" He has already come, He is already with us, the Church.
"In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise." (Eph 1:13)
The coming of the Holy Spirit into this world was supernatural, it came with a sound of heaven, like "rushing winds." It manifested in the disciples in a supernatural way, with "tongues as of fire" resting on them, enabling them to speak in other tongues. Everyone was amazed!
Just as it happened suddenly at the beginning, the end of the Church era (The Age of Grace,) it will happen suddenly with the rapture. We, the Church, are now gathered spiritually in Jesus, anticipating the fulfillment of the Blessed Hope. The Holy Spirit came solely to build the Church, and once His work is complete, the era of the Gentiles will come to an end. Then, in the "twinkle of an eye", we will meet Jesus in the air. Instead of hearing rushing winds, we will hear the sound of the last trumpet. The Holy Spirit will transform not our language- but our bodies into incorruptible ones, marking the end of the Church era.
"In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed." (1 Cor 15:52)
God marks His most powerful spiritual shifts "suddenly" and in the "twinkle of an eye," leading us to concentrate our attention and focus on Him. This requires two fundamental ingredients from us: expectancy and faith.
Expectancy is a "state of hopeful anticipation and readiness." It is an active posture of eagerly awaiting Him.
Faith is the unwavering trust and confidence in God and His Word. It empowers us to persevere, to overcome obstacles, and to walk in obedience to God's will.
These two fuels our relationship with God. They work hand in hand, propelling us on our journey, aligning our hearts with God's purposes, and empowering us to do His work.
At any time, on any day, in any given moment—suddenly, in a twinkle of an eye—He will descend in the clouds, and with the sound of a trumpet, we will be changed and will meet Him in the air!
Be ready! Keep looking up! He is coming!
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