The Promise, The Purpose, and the Power (5)

Fire Power

Luke 24:49 (NKJV)

49 “Behold, I send the Promise of My Father upon you; but tarry in the city of Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high.”

Luke 24:50 NKJV

50 And He led them out as far as Bethany, and He lifted up His hands and blessed them.

Luke 24:51 NKJV

51 Now it came to pass, while He blessed them, that He was parted from them and carried up into heaven.

Luke 24:52 NKJV

52 And they worshiped Him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy,

The Fire Fell

Acts 2:1–15 NKJV

1 When the Day of Pentecost had fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came a sound from heaven, as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 Then there appeared to them divided tongues, as of fire, and one sat upon each of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5 And there were dwelling in Jerusalem Jews, devout men, from every nation under heaven. 6 And when this sound occurred, the multitude came together, and were confused, because everyone heard them speak in his own language. 7 Then they were all amazed and marveled, saying to one another, “Look, are not all these who speak Galileans? 8 And how is it that we hear, each in our own language in which we were born? 9 Parthians and Medes and Elamites, those dwelling in Mesopotamia, Judea and Cappadocia, Pontus and Asia, 10 Phrygia and Pamphylia, Egypt and the parts of Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from Rome, both Jews and proselytes, 11 Cretans and Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.” 12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, “Whatever could this mean?” 13 Others mocking said, “They are full of new wine.” 14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, raised his voice and said to them, “Men of Judea and all who dwell in Jerusalem, let this be known to you, and heed my words. 15 For these are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day.

Acts 2:16–20 NKJV

16 But this is what was spoken by the prophet Joel: 17 ‘And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. 18 And on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days; And they shall prophesy. 19 I will show wonders in heaven above And signs in the earth beneath: Blood and fire and vapor of smoke. 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the coming of the great and awesome day of the Lord.

Acts 2:21 NKJV

21 And it shall come to pass That whoever calls on the name of the Lord Shall be saved.’

The Testimony of the Works of God in Every Language

Acts 2:9–11 (NKJV)

9 (1) Parthians and (2) Medes and (3) Elamites, (4) those dwelling in Mesopotamia, (5) Judea and (6) Cappadocia, (7) Pontus and (8) Asia,

10 (9) Phrygia and (10) Pamphylia, (11) Egypt and the parts of (12) Libya adjoining Cyrene, visitors from (13) Rome, both Jews and proselytes,

11 (14) Cretans and (15) Arabs—we hear them speaking in our own tongues the wonderful works of God.”

The Shekinah Symbolized By Fire

[The] Shekinah... is a visible manifestation of God on earth, whose presence is portrayed through a natural occurrence. The word shekinah is a Hebrew name meaning “dwelling” or “one who dwells.” Shekinah Glory means “He caused to dwell,” referring to the divine presence of God. (christianity.com)

The word Shekinah is not in the Bible, but the description is.

In the classical Hebrew and Aramaic manuscripts of the Old and New Testaments, the word shekinah is actually not found. It was first introduced by Jewish rabbis through targums and literature in the period between the completion of the Old Testament and the onset of the New Testament.

The etymology of “Shekinah” is from the Hebrew word shākan, which means“to reside or permanently stay.”

Thus the “shekinah” in the Old Testament is the visible, tangible presence of God.

First appearance in the Bible:

Exodus 13:20–22 NKJV

20 So they took their journey from Succoth and camped in Etham at the edge of the wilderness. 21 And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so as to go by day and night. 22 He did not take away the pillar of cloud by day or the pillar of fire by night from before the people.

Examples of Shekinah Glory in the New Testament

The divine presence of God is also found in the New Testament:

“An angel of the Lord appeared to them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were terrified.”(Luke 2:9)

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.”(2 Corinthians 3:18)

“And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God.”(Revelation 21: 3)

The Shekinah revealed in Christ

“For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity lives in bodily form, and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.” (Colossians 2:9-10)

John 1:14 NKJV

14 And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.

God’s Glory Revealed in His People

1 Peter 2:9 NKJV

9 But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;

1 Peter 2:10 NKJV

10 who once were not a people but are now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now have obtained mercy.