Displaying items by tag: Passover

Our Editorial Article this month is an extremely encouraging review from the Passover to Pentecost Group - a number of Christian prayer and missions networks who have come together in John 17 Unity to co-ordinate their events and initiatives with a common goal - contending for revival!

Read the FULL REPORT  |  Download PDF

It’s our desire to see a massive full-scale revival and awakening erupt in the nations of the earth! We have been asking for another historic move of the Holy Spirit, a Gospel Explosion to sweep across the globe and awaken a generation to wholehearted love for Jesus!

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14).

Despite the challenges that we are all facing with the pandemic, we are seeing massive numbers of people coming to faith in Jesus Christ, gospel movements emerging in the nations, and disciple making churches being planted in unreached areas. Since launching this collaborative effort in 2020 of prayer, mission, and church leaders partnering together, we have seen 20 million new Jesus followers added to the church!

Our theme for 2021 has been ‘Hope of the Coming Harvest.’ As you read through these first-hand reports, you will be encouraged to see evidence of this global harvest emerging in the nations. This year we estimate approximately 70 million believers were mobilized in united prayer partnering together with 50 million believers sharing their faith from Passover through to Pentecost!

It has been astounding to watch so many come together in an expression of John 17 ‘oneness’ across nations, denominations, and generations for the fulfilment of the Great Commission. Only Jesus gets the credit. He is the One who is leading the global prayer and mission’s movements. May the Lord continue to knit our hearts together as ‘family’ growing in love for one another, centered on the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and grounded on the authority of God’s word! May we continue to see a global Christ-awakening in the nations of the earth, as prayer is prioritized, believers are mobilized, unity is maximized, and communities are gospelized.

It’s all about a Christ-awakening, where the Spirit of God uses the Word of God to re-awaken God’s people back to God’s Son for all that He is! We want to enter into the power and pleasure of being obsessed with the magnificence of Jesus. He is the dominating personality in this age and in the age to come!

God is truly bringing us into a ‘decade of harvest.’ One of the goals that we launched in 2020 was to see 100 million in united prayer for a ‘billion soul harvest.’ During the month of May this year millions were praying and sharing their faith around the world in partnership with the Go Movement.

Thank you to all those who have served, prayed, worshipped, and collaborated in these various Spirit-led, Christ-exalting, prayer and evangelism initiatives!

WHAT AN AMAZING SEASON FROM PASSOVER TO PENTECOST 2021!

“May the Lamb who was slain receive the due rewards for His suffering.”

Read the FULL REPORT  |  Download PDF

Jason Hubbard & Andy Page - International Prayer Connect
Graham Power & Anja Letsatsi - Global Voice of Prayer,
together with the global prayer & mission networks

INTRODUCTION

Our Editorial article this month is an extremely encouraging report from the Passover to Pentecost Group - a number of Christian prayer and missions networks who have come together in John 17 Unity to co-ordinate their events and initiatives with a common goal - contending for revival!

Download PDF of this Review

It’s our desire to see a massive full-scale revival and awakening erupt in the nations of the earth! We have been asking for another historic move of the Holy Spirit, a Gospel Explosion to sweep across the globe and awaken a generation to wholehearted love for Jesus!

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14).

Despite the challenges that we are all facing with the pandemic, we are seeing massive numbers of people coming to faith in Jesus Christ, gospel movements emerging in the nations, and disciplemaking churches being planted in unreached areas. Since launching this collaborative effort in 2020 of prayer, mission, and church leaders partnering together, we have seen 20 million new Jesus followers added to the church!

Our theme for 2021 has been ‘Hope for the Coming Harvest.’ As you read through these firsthand reports, you will be encouraged to see evidence of this global harvest emerging in the nations. This year we estimate approximately 70 million believers were mobilized in united prayer partneringtogether with 50 million believers sharing their faith from Passover through Pentecost!

It has been astounding to watch so many come together in an expression of John 17 ‘oneness’ across nations, denominations, and generations for the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Only Jesus gets the credit. He is the One who is leading the global prayer and mission’s movements. May the Lord continue to knit our hearts together as ‘family’ growing in love for one another, centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ, and grounded on the authority of God’s word! May we continue to see a global Christ-awakening in the nations of the earth, as prayer is prioritized, believers are mobilized, unity is maximized, and communities are gospelized.

It’s all about a Christ-awakening, where the Spirit of God uses the Word of God to reawaken God’s people back to God’s Son for all that He is! We want to enter into the power and pleasure of being obsessed with the magnificence of Jesus. He is the dominating personality in this age and in the age to come!

God is truly bringing us into a ‘decade of harvest.’ One of the goals that we launched in 2020 was to see 100 million in united prayer for a ‘billion soul harvest.’ During the month of May this year millions were praying and sharing their faith around the world in partnership with the Go Movement. Thank you to all those who have served, prayed, worshipped, and collaborated in these various Spirit-led, Christ-exalting, prayer and evangelism initiatives!

WHAT AN AMAZING SEASON FROM PASSOVER TO PENTECOST 2021!

“May the Lamb who was slain receive the due rewards for His suffering.”

Jason Hubbard & Andy Page - International Prayer Connect
Graham Power & Anja Letsatsi - Global Voice of Prayer, together with the global prayer & mission networks

April 2nd 2021
GOOD FRIDAY WORLDWIDE BROADCAST

April 14th – May 23rd 2021
YESHUA FAST

Like the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness for the 40 day fast (the biblical era shifting fast) that inaugurated the first great Jewish harvest of souls, there was a sense that this 40 day Jesus (Yeshua) Fast April 14th – May 23rd (Pentecost Sunday) was a tipping point for a new day of salvation for Israel and harvest in the earth.

The Yeshua Fast was hosted by Lou Engle Ministries.

10,000 plus prayer warriors from across the globe were a part of these 40 days of prayer fasting for Israel and the Great Harvest.
The Israel Virtual House of Prayer was also birthed during this time as thousands logged on for 24/7 prayer for Israel.

Contact:
LOU ENGLE | Lou Engle Ministries
www.thejesusfast.global | www.israelvhop.com

May 17th 2021
SHAVUOT GATHERING

During the Shavuot Gathering, thousands around the globe had the privilege of standing with and hearing from our family in India and the Middle East. The enemy has brought turmoil to these regions, but the Lord will bring beauty out of ashes. Where the world is seeing destruction, we declare resurrection. Where the spirit of death has been prevalent, we speak abundant life. During our time together we felt the Lord release an atomic bomb of love over us. This love is washing, healing, and transforming our nations through the release of His Spirit and the power of His Kingdom.

In light of the conflict happening in the Middle East, we choose to rise up and speak from a higher Kingdom perspective. Ishmael came out of the womb of Hagar the Egyptian. Egypt, as the mother of the descendants of Ishmael and all who identify with his spirit, holds the authority to call home her descendants. The orphan spirit that has long plagued the Arabs must be broken. It is time for the restoration of the house of Abraham. During this gathering, a deep longing was released from the heart of Egypt to call home the sons of Ishmael. There is no other hope except through love, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

During the Shavuot Gathering, a pure sound was released to call forth blessing over the children, the orphans, and all those who were suffering in India. Devastated by the recent wave of the pandemic, we stand with our family in India in unrelenting prayer. We lift up the name of Yeshua and intercede for the healing and revival of this beautiful nation. The heart of the family is that none will be left behind. We ache with India, may her pain become our pain.

Contact:
RACHEL DEMIAN | Watchmen for the Nations
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | www.watchmen.org

May 13th – 22nd 2021
10 DAYS PENTECOST

During the 10 Days leading up to Pentecost (May 13-23), 10 Days partnered with the Global Family 24/7 Prayer Room to host increased 24/7 prayer via Zoom. Four daily teachings were hosted as part of prayer time as a way to encourage and build up the intercessors with anointed leaders from all 6 continents. Many of these teachings were very anointed and impactful, and the cumulative effect was very powerful. Various in person 10 Days Pentecost gatherings took off in various locations including Colorado, Dallas, and especially in Pakistan where 15 locations joined in separate from the Zoom. We were amazed as God multiplied prayers during this time, no doubt much beyond what we can currently see.

Testimony from Indian Pastors on 10 Days Pentecost:

“During the 2 hours we prayed with great intensity for India - as India was going through great despair with Covid - and in the church there was great sadness and mourning for many Pastors who lost their lives due to Covid. But the Indian pastors and church leaders who join said that in this adversity, God has encouraged the church in building the spiritual strength of Pastors and prayer warriors, there has been much prayer and fasting during the Pentecost period, much united prayer on Zoom. Church leaders put aside their differences to join together in prayer - for God’s hand to move in India and prayed in unity for Salvation for India. And God has answered their prayers - there has of recent been a substantial reduction in Covid numbers, and they are working together in a unity which they did not have before. They are also joining together to reach out to their communities and offering food and help to the community. And the Zoom prayers of Pastors and leaders joining together from different cities in India is continuing. Last 2 weeks when they have joined for prayer it has been so uplifting to hear their faith filled prayers of thanksgiving as they are praying with hope for God to open hearts and minds in India.”

Contact:
JONATHAN FRIZ | 10 Days
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 10Days.net

May 22nd 2021
MARCH FOR JESUS

The March for Jesus is a procession of praise through the streets of the city, celebrating the Lordship of Jesus Christ and culminating in a grand worship event in which Christians publicly proclaim the Glory, the Majesty and the Supremacy of the Savior. It’s all about Jesus ... and nothing else.

The theme for March for Jesus 2021 was “Worthy Is the Lamb” drawn from Revelation 5:12. There was a sense that the church in specific and the nation of USA in a larger context is in desperate need of recognizing the healing and forgiving power of Jesus Christ. When John the Baptist saw the Messiah approaching the Jordan River to be baptized, he shouted “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). One day the elders and the angels will shout in agreement with John as in heaven Christ is heralded as the Worthy Lamb. In May 2021, we experienced an aspect of this during the March for Jesus.

While most States in the USA still comply with the tail-end of Covid restrictions, 38 cities in 20 States Marched for Jesus in their communities as a united expression of worship.

Contact:
GARY FROST | The March for Jesus
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.themarchforjesus.org

May 23rd 2021
PENTECOST GLOBAL BROADCAST & GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER

“I was so aware of Holy Spirit’s presence from the beginning of this. I continued interceding almost the entire time and we continued praying afterwards… The diversity of colors, cultures, languages, ages was the Kingdom and was powerful. We have to show this to the world because that is what the Kingdom of God looks like. When all of the languages and ethnicities hear and see their heart language being spoken, Holy Spirit shows up…” Stephen Goode, YWAM Asia

In addition, many exciting reports were received concerning Global Day of Prayer events being hosted in different parts of the world, including the Philippines, Australia, Brazil, Germany, USA, Namibia and many other parts of Africa.

In Brazil, it was reported that around 140 denominations and mission agencies participated in Global Day of Prayer 2021, with 240 hours of non-stop prayer. On the last day they had a whole day meeting online with well-known Brazilian leaders sharing and praying, and reaching not only Brazil but many African Portuguese speaking countries and Portugal – truly dynamic!

Contact:
ANJA LETSATSI | Global Voice of Prayer
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.globalvoiceofprayer.com

PRAYER COVENANT AFRICA – GO MONTH REPORT

May 30th – August 28th 2021
90 DAYS OF HOPE & GLOBAL DAY OF HOPE

It’s time to Release the Sound of Hope! From 30 May – 28 August this year we are turning our prayers into action as believers around the world hit the streets to share the Good News and serve their communities in creative ways.

Through the process of Pray Care Share we aim to inspire Hope and empower not only ourselves but the lives we intend to touch during this time.

The Global Day of Hope on August 28th 2021 will be a worldwide celebration of HOPE with a dynamic 2 hour broadcast featuring key leaders, music, powerful testimonies and more across regions and time zones.

1. Pray - for your friends, family, community, nation, and the world to know the hope of Jesus.
2. Care - for the people in your community who are lonely or in need to give them hope.
3. Share - your hope story and the good news that Jesus saves with one person everyday.

Contact:
PAT STEELE | Hope Movement
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.globaldayofhope.com

INTRODUCTION

Our Editorial article this month is an extremely encouraging report from the Passover to Pentecost Group - a number of Christian prayer and missions networks who have come together in John 17 Unity to co-ordinate their events and initiatives with a common goal - contending for revival!

Download PDF of this Review

It’s our desire to see a massive full-scale revival and awakening erupt in the nations of the earth! We have been asking for another historic move of the Holy Spirit, a Gospel Explosion to sweep across the globe and awaken a generation to wholehearted love for Jesus!

“For the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14).

Despite the challenges that we are all facing with the pandemic, we are seeing massive numbers of people coming to faith in Jesus Christ, gospel movements emerging in the nations, and disciplemaking churches being planted in unreached areas. Since launching this collaborative effort in 2020 of prayer, mission, and church leaders partnering together, we have seen 20 million new Jesus followers added to the church!

Our theme for 2021 has been ‘Hope for the Coming Harvest.’ As you read through these firsthand reports, you will be encouraged to see evidence of this global harvest emerging in the nations. This year we estimate approximately 70 million believers were mobilized in united prayer partneringtogether with 50 million believers sharing their faith from Passover through Pentecost!

It has been astounding to watch so many come together in an expression of John 17 ‘oneness’ across nations, denominations, and generations for the fulfillment of the Great Commission. Only Jesus gets the credit. He is the One who is leading the global prayer and mission’s movements. May the Lord continue to knit our hearts together as ‘family’ growing in love for one another, centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ, and grounded on the authority of God’s word! May we continue to see a global Christ-awakening in the nations of the earth, as prayer is prioritized, believers are mobilized, unity is maximized, and communities are gospelized.

It’s all about a Christ-awakening, where the Spirit of God uses the Word of God to reawaken God’s people back to God’s Son for all that He is! We want to enter into the power and pleasure of being obsessed with the magnificence of Jesus. He is the dominating personality in this age and in the age to come!

God is truly bringing us into a ‘decade of harvest.’ One of the goals that we launched in 2020 was to see 100 million in united prayer for a ‘billion soul harvest.’ During the month of May this year millions were praying and sharing their faith around the world in partnership with the Go Movement. Thank you to all those who have served, prayed, worshipped, and collaborated in these various Spirit-led, Christ-exalting, prayer and evangelism initiatives!

WHAT AN AMAZING SEASON FROM PASSOVER TO PENTECOST 2021!

“May the Lamb who was slain receive the due rewards for His suffering.”

Jason Hubbard & Andy Page - International Prayer Connect
Graham Power & Anja Letsatsi - Global Voice of Prayer, together with the global prayer & mission networks

April 2nd 2021
GOOD FRIDAY WORLDWIDE BROADCAST

April 14th – May 23rd 2021
YESHUA FAST

Like the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness for the 40 day fast (the biblical era shifting fast) that inaugurated the first great Jewish harvest of souls, there was a sense that this 40 day Jesus (Yeshua) Fast April 14th – May 23rd (Pentecost Sunday) was a tipping point for a new day of salvation for Israel and harvest in the earth.

The Yeshua Fast was hosted by Lou Engle Ministries.

10,000 plus prayer warriors from across the globe were a part of these 40 days of prayer fasting for Israel and the Great Harvest.
The Israel Virtual House of Prayer was also birthed during this time as thousands logged on for 24/7 prayer for Israel.

Contact:
LOU ENGLE | Lou Engle Ministries
www.thejesusfast.global | www.israelvhop.com

May 17th 2021
SHAVUOT GATHERING

During the Shavuot Gathering, thousands around the globe had the privilege of standing with and hearing from our family in India and the Middle East. The enemy has brought turmoil to these regions, but the Lord will bring beauty out of ashes. Where the world is seeing destruction, we declare resurrection. Where the spirit of death has been prevalent, we speak abundant life. During our time together we felt the Lord release an atomic bomb of love over us. This love is washing, healing, and transforming our nations through the release of His Spirit and the power of His Kingdom.

In light of the conflict happening in the Middle East, we choose to rise up and speak from a higher Kingdom perspective. Ishmael came out of the womb of Hagar the Egyptian. Egypt, as the mother of the descendants of Ishmael and all who identify with his spirit, holds the authority to call home her descendants. The orphan spirit that has long plagued the Arabs must be broken. It is time for the restoration of the house of Abraham. During this gathering, a deep longing was released from the heart of Egypt to call home the sons of Ishmael. There is no other hope except through love, forgiveness, and reconciliation.

During the Shavuot Gathering, a pure sound was released to call forth blessing over the children, the orphans, and all those who were suffering in India. Devastated by the recent wave of the pandemic, we stand with our family in India in unrelenting prayer. We lift up the name of Yeshua and intercede for the healing and revival of this beautiful nation. The heart of the family is that none will be left behind. We ache with India, may her pain become our pain.

Contact:
RACHEL DEMIAN | Watchmen for the Nations
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. | www.watchmen.org

May 13th – 22nd 2021
10 DAYS PENTECOST

During the 10 Days leading up to Pentecost (May 13-23), 10 Days partnered with the Global Family 24/7 Prayer Room to host increased 24/7 prayer via Zoom. Four daily teachings were hosted as part of prayer time as a way to encourage and build up the intercessors with anointed leaders from all 6 continents. Many of these teachings were very anointed and impactful, and the cumulative effect was very powerful. Various in person 10 Days Pentecost gatherings took off in various locations including Colorado, Dallas, and especially in Pakistan where 15 locations joined in separate from the Zoom. We were amazed as God multiplied prayers during this time, no doubt much beyond what we can currently see.

Testimony from Indian Pastors on 10 Days Pentecost:

“During the 2 hours we prayed with great intensity for India - as India was going through great despair with Covid - and in the church there was great sadness and mourning for many Pastors who lost their lives due to Covid. But the Indian pastors and church leaders who join said that in this adversity, God has encouraged the church in building the spiritual strength of Pastors and prayer warriors, there has been much prayer and fasting during the Pentecost period, much united prayer on Zoom. Church leaders put aside their differences to join together in prayer - for God’s hand to move in India and prayed in unity for Salvation for India. And God has answered their prayers - there has of recent been a substantial reduction in Covid numbers, and they are working together in a unity which they did not have before. They are also joining together to reach out to their communities and offering food and help to the community. And the Zoom prayers of Pastors and leaders joining together from different cities in India is continuing. Last 2 weeks when they have joined for prayer it has been so uplifting to hear their faith filled prayers of thanksgiving as they are praying with hope for God to open hearts and minds in India.”

Contact:
JONATHAN FRIZ | 10 Days
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. 10Days.net

May 22nd 2021
MARCH FOR JESUS

The March for Jesus is a procession of praise through the streets of the city, celebrating the Lordship of Jesus Christ and culminating in a grand worship event in which Christians publicly proclaim the Glory, the Majesty and the Supremacy of the Savior. It’s all about Jesus ... and nothing else.

The theme for March for Jesus 2021 was “Worthy Is the Lamb” drawn from Revelation 5:12. There was a sense that the church in specific and the nation of USA in a larger context is in desperate need of recognizing the healing and forgiving power of Jesus Christ. When John the Baptist saw the Messiah approaching the Jordan River to be baptized, he shouted “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). One day the elders and the angels will shout in agreement with John as in heaven Christ is heralded as the Worthy Lamb. In May 2021, we experienced an aspect of this during the March for Jesus.

While most States in the USA still comply with the tail-end of Covid restrictions, 38 cities in 20 States Marched for Jesus in their communities as a united expression of worship.

Contact:
GARY FROST | The March for Jesus
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.themarchforjesus.org

May 23rd 2021
PENTECOST GLOBAL BROADCAST & GLOBAL DAY OF PRAYER

“I was so aware of Holy Spirit’s presence from the beginning of this. I continued interceding almost the entire time and we continued praying afterwards… The diversity of colors, cultures, languages, ages was the Kingdom and was powerful. We have to show this to the world because that is what the Kingdom of God looks like. When all of the languages and ethnicities hear and see their heart language being spoken, Holy Spirit shows up…” Stephen Goode, YWAM Asia

In addition, many exciting reports were received concerning Global Day of Prayer events being hosted in different parts of the world, including the Philippines, Australia, Brazil, Germany, USA, Namibia and many other parts of Africa.

In Brazil, it was reported that around 140 denominations and mission agencies participated in Global Day of Prayer 2021, with 240 hours of non-stop prayer. On the last day they had a whole day meeting online with well-known Brazilian leaders sharing and praying, and reaching not only Brazil but many African Portuguese speaking countries and Portugal – truly dynamic!

Contact:
ANJA LETSATSI | Global Voice of Prayer
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.globalvoiceofprayer.com

PRAYER COVENANT AFRICA – GO MONTH REPORT

May 30th – August 28th 2021
90 DAYS OF HOPE & GLOBAL DAY OF HOPE

It’s time to Release the Sound of Hope! From 30 May – 28 August this year we are turning our prayers into action as believers around the world hit the streets to share the Good News and serve their communities in creative ways.

Through the process of Pray Care Share we aim to inspire Hope and empower not only ourselves but the lives we intend to touch during this time.

The Global Day of Hope on August 28th 2021 will be a worldwide celebration of HOPE with a dynamic 2 hour broadcast featuring key leaders, music, powerful testimonies and more across regions and time zones.

1. Pray - for your friends, family, community, nation, and the world to know the hope of Jesus.
2. Care - for the people in your community who are lonely or in need to give them hope.
3. Share - your hope story and the good news that Jesus saves with one person everyday.

Contact:
PAT STEELE | Hope Movement
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
www.globaldayofhope.com

After the resurrection, Jesus taught his disciples about God’s kingdom for forty days (Acts 1:3) and then he was “taken up” to heaven (Acts 1:2, 11). The cross and empty tomb are at the very heart of the gospel message proclaimed by Jesus’s followers throughout history.  However, for many evangelical Christians and churches, Jesus’s ascension is simply an afterthought to Good Friday and Resurrection Sunday. 

As we prepare for Pentecost 2021, I want to highlight ten aspects of Jesus’s ascension in hopes that this climactic event will be an important bridge of understanding and inspiration for us linking Passover to Pentecost.  Let’s give attention to the Ascension!

First let’s lay the biblical foundation of what we believe concerning our Lord Jesus! We believe and declare that Jesus Christ is God incarnate, fully God and fully man, that he was conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin, lived a sinless life, and offered himself as a substitutionary sacrifice for sinners. By the blood of his cross he satisfied the wrath of God, obtained for us eternal redemption, the forgiveness of sins, spiritual adoption as sons and daughters, life everlasting, and defeated the powers of darkness. He was raised bodily on the third day and ascended to the right hand of the Father, there to make intercession for the saints (Isaiah 53:1-12; Matthew 1:18-25; John 1:1-18; Romans 8:34; 1 Corinthians 15:1-28; 2 Corinthians 5:21; Galatians 3:10-14; Ephesians 1:7; Philippians 2:6-11; Colossians 1:15-23; 2:15; Hebrews 7:25; 9:13-15; 10:19; 1 Peter 2:21-25; 1 John 2:1-2; 3:8).

10 Ascension Aspects

1. Prophecy of Psalm 110

One of the most frequently quoted Old Testament passage found in the New Testament is Psalm 110! Believers identified this passage as one of the most helpful in interpreting what was happening before their very eyes! 

“The Lord says to my Lord: “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.”  The Lord sends forth from Zion your mighty scepter. Rule in the midst of your enemies!  Your people will offer themselves freely on the day of your power, in holy garments; from the womb of the morning, the dew of your youth will be yours.  The Lord has sworn and will not change his mind, “You are a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek” (Psalm 110:1-4).

David’s themes are just as true for us today:

-The Messiah sits down at God’s right hand

-He extends his scepter, making everyone, even his enemies his subjects

-His followers volunteer to join him in his kingdom’s advance

-He reigns on their behalf assuming the role of God’s High King and Priest

2. Jesus continues to work after the ascension.

In Acts 1:1–2 we read, “In the first book, O Theophilus, I have dealt with all that Jesus began to do and teach, until the day when he was taken up...” The small but important word began signals that Jesus’s ascension does not mark the cessation but the continuation of his work as Lord and Messiah.

3. Jesus’ ascension is his heavenly enthronement as King.

At Jesus’s ascension he is installed as the true king of the world. Jesus’s kingdom cannot be destroyed and will not pass away! According to Revelation 3:21 Jesus conquered and sat down with his Father on his throne, where he receives unending praise (Revelation 5:6–13). Jesus will reign at God’s right hand until all enemies are subdued under his feet (Psalm 110:1; Acts 2:34–35; 1 Corinthians 15:25; Hebrews 1:13). Thus, God’s kingdom has been inaugurated through the enthronement of Jesus, who now sits on heaven’s throne and will return to consummate his kingdom on earth as in heaven.

4. Jesus’s ascension is his return to his Father.

Before and after his death and resurrection Jesus declares that he was sent by his Father and must return to his Father.

“I came from the Father and have come into the world, and now I am leaving the world and going to the Father” (John 16:28; cf. 13:1, 3).

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” And when he had said these things, as they were looking on, he was lifted up, and a cloud took him out of their sight.  And while they were gazing into heaven as he went, behold, two men stood by them in white robes, and said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into heaven? This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven” (Act 1:8-11).  

Daniel 7:13–14 (ESV), “I saw in the night visions, and behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man, and he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.  And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom, that all peoples, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed” (Daniel 7:13-14).

Daniel 7:13-14 speaks of Jesus coming to the Father in heaven to receive vindication and authority at his ascension. Jesus Christ, fully God, returns to heaven now fully human as well. 

“The ascension is the story of a body moving to heaven. It is not escape from the bodily realm, but the entry of humanity — in all our physical-ness — into heaven, the sphere of God. Far from diminishing the importance of the body, the ascension is the ultimate affirmation of bodily existence. The Son of God himself has a body — not as an historical convenience, but as a permanent presence in heaven” - David Matthias

He is crowned as King of Kings and Lord of Lords in the very middle of history, in fulfillment of John 17:4-5,

“I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work that you gave me to do. ⁵ And now, Father, glorify me in your own presence with the glory that I had with you before the world existed” 

There has been no sweeter reunion in the history of the world than Jesus’s return to his Father! Perhaps the closest analogy is a courageous, wounded soldier returning to his loved ones after a hard-fought victory. Jesus fully accomplished his mission and glorified the Father on earth, and at Jesus’s ascension the Father glorifies the Son in heaven (John 17:4–5). Take heart that Jesus’s homecoming to his Father prepares the way for our homecoming to be with Jesus forever (John 14:2–4).

5. The ascended Lord Jesus is our heavenly mediator and high priest.

Jesus is the unique mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5). His death and resurrection secure our forgiveness, justification, and reconciliation with God (Romans 4:25–5:1; 2 Corinthians 5:18–21). Note also that the exalted Lord Jesus is now in heaven interceding for his people as our true high priest and advocate (Romans 8:34; Hebrews 1:3; 7:25; 8:1; 1 John 2:1). During his earthly ministry Jesus’s work was geographically limited — he didn’t teach in Ethiopia while healing in China. But now he is at work everywhere and able to hear and respond to his people’s prayers no matter the time or place. He sympathizes with our struggles and promises to do whatever we ask in his name (John 14:13–14; Hebrews 4:15–16).

6. The ascended Lord Jesus will return as King and Judge.

In Acts 1:11 two angels explain to the disciples, “This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” Jesus’s heavenly reign will one day be fully realized on earth (Revelation 11:15; 19:10–16; 22:3). Jesus taught us to pray, “Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). At his return, the Lord Jesus will execute divine judgment, vindicating his people and judging his enemies.

7. Jesus is Reigning Now

Jesus Ascended! Not ascended passively but actively  - He went up (Acts 1). Forty days after he rolled back the stone, he ascended to sit on the throne, reigning and ruling Now as King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He has been exalted above every name in this age and the age to come! Right now, we share in the ascended life of the ascended one.  The ascension validated every aspect of Christ’s redeeming work for us, unleashing his active unrelenting reign over us! On the cross, Jesus offered up himself for our sins. Then in heaven, in triumph he offered up himself as the all sufficient sacrifice whose blood continues to cleanse us from all sin. Exaltation was the Father’s reward for Jesus’ unwavering submission to him for us. 

8. Jesus’s passion and ascension are linked together forever!

He went from victim to victor, from worm to warrior, from humiliation to glorification, from tortured to triumphant, from degradation to exaltation, from a lowly bleeding Lamb to a glorified Lion-Lamb!  The awful agony he once endured has been vindicated by the awesome dominion he now exhibits.

Jesus went from wearing a cruel crown of thorns to wearing a golden crown of glory, from robes dipped in blood to a kingly robe of splendor, from a mock scepter in his hand to a scepter of authority, from the insults of men to the worship of angels, from the filth of sin to the beauty of holiness.

See his head and hair, once soaked in blood, now dazzling white as snow…See the One whose eyes stung and dripped with blood, now blazing like fire… See his face, once swollen and raw from patches of His beard torn out…now shining brighter than the sun in all its brilliance…See his body, once stripped naked, now clothed in eternal majesty…See his hands pierced, now bleeding infinite splendor, See his feet once spiked to a stake of timber, now gleaming like burnished bronze…See his side once pierced and now hear him say, “This wound in my Heart is for YOU!” 

“Every Wound now Bleeds Glory”

He is the fountainhead of all Glory! The One from Whom Glory flows!  Glory that flows from Him, and through Him, and back to Him!

Revelation 5:6 describes this triumphant Lion of the Tribe of Judah as the Lamb of Glory, standing in the center of the throne, ‘looking as if he had been slain.’  Access has been granted to Behold Glory! The worship scene in Isaiah 6:1-8, shifted from the four living creatures covering their faces and feet to NOW in Revelation 4-5, having eyes all around gazing on the glory of the Holy One! The scene shifts from the prophet Isaiah crying out ‘Woe is me,’ to the redeemed in Revelation 4-5 crying out ‘Worthy are You!’

As disciples of Jesus, we enter into this ceaseless and unending praise, joining with the chorus of heaven night and day,

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power, riches, wisdom, strength, honor, glory and blessing” (Rev. 5:12). 

9. Supremacy of Jesus

It’s the Father’s dream to see all things summed up in his Son!  Gods’ preordained plan and purpose is that Christ would have full supremacy in all things. Paul declares,

“making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth” (Eph. 1:9-10).

Jesus ascended. This was and remains the climactic outcome, the ultimate destination for which he descended into our world in the first place. As Scripture records:

. . . he also came down to the lower, earthly places.
The one who came down is the same one who went up.
He went up higher than all the heavens.
He did it in order to fill all creation
(Ephesians 4, NIRV, emphasis added).

Note that phrase: “in order to fill all creation.” This will result, ultimately, in every corner of the universe giving full attention to the Ascension.

Jesus Christ is the All-Consuming One, the All-Sufficient One, the All-Satisfying One!  

“He defies all human categories; there is no language that can adequately describe Him.  He is the incomparable One!  He remains in a class by himself…no duplicates, no clones.  His importance eclipses all others.  He outranks every other being in heaven, earth, or hell.  He is the exalted One; for all eternity he holds the primary focus of our praises.  He holds a position of unrivaled distinction, prestige, and majesty. He will be the joy of all peoples, the desire of all nations.  He is the Victorious One.  None of his enemies will prevail, he will defeat all of his foes unconditionally-both human and demonic and will emerge forever unthreatened, unhindered, and victorious over all opposition, permanently and forever.  He is the Preeminent and Supreme One…in time and space and history he lays claim to the universe, it all belongs to Him.  He is the all sufficient One.  Nothing can exhaust his power or resources.  He will forever prove totally adequate for all of our longings, fears, needs or heart cries.  He is faithful and true!” -David Bryant, Christ is All  

Christ sat down at God’s right hand. He assumed the position of greatest power, and authority.  This also privileges the Son with the closest intimacy with the Father, where plans are formed, counsel is taken, decisions are granted, and secrets are shared.

Being seated assumes Jesus’ official installment as King! It was the beginning of a coronation celebration that anticipates the final day when every knee will bow to him and every tongue confess that Jesus is Lord, to the Glory of God the Father (Phil. 2).

“When Jesus sat down, he became permanently and unconditionally the absolute Sovereign of heaven and earth, without restrictions or rivals. Anything now that is incompatible with his reign will be dethroned and is destined to be destroyed. The rebellion of every human heart must be regarded as treason. On the other hand, the submission of every human heart to him will always be received and regaled as worship.” -David Bryant, Christ is Now

10. The ascended Lord Jesus sends the Holy Spirit to his people.

The ascension of Jesus is about his enthronement over all and our empowerment by the Spirit.  God promised in Joel 2:28, “I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,” and this promise is fulfilled by the exalted heavenly Lord Jesus. The ascended Lord sent the Spirit to be present with his people (John 14:16), to empower them for worldwide mission (Acts 1:8; 4:31), and to transform them to live lives that reflect their king (Romans 8:9–11; 2 Corinthians 3:18).

Just before Jesus ascended, he commissioned his disciples to stay in the city until they were clothed with power from on High!

“And behold, I am sending the promise of my Father upon you. But stay in the city until you are clothed with power from on high.”  And he led them out as far as Bethany and lifting up his hands he blessed them. ⁵¹ While he blessed them, he parted from them and was carried up into heaven. ⁵² And they worshiped him and returned to Jerusalem with great joy and were continually in the temple blessing God” (Luke 24:49-53).

“And when they had entered, they went up to the upper room, where they were staying, Peter and John and James and Andrew, Philip and Thomas, Bartholomew and Matthew, James the son of Alphaeus and Simon the Zealot and Judas the son of James. ¹⁴ All these with one accord were devoting themselves to prayer, together with the women and Mary the mother of Jesus, and his brothers” (Acts 1:13-14).

“When the day of Pentecost arrived, they were all together in one place.  And suddenly there came from heaven a sound like a mighty rushing wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. ³ And divided tongues as of fire appeared to them and rested on each one of them. ⁴ And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit gave them utterance” Acts 2:32–36 (ESV).

“This Jesus God raised up, and of that we all are witnesses. Being therefore exalted at the right hand of God and having received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit, he has poured out this that you yourselves are seeing and hearing.  For David did not ascend into the heavens, but he himself says, “‘The Lord said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” ’ Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified” (Acts 2:32-36).

The disciples met together in the ‘upper room’ in one accord, ‘praying and praising’ joyfully for 10 days.  After 10 days of around the clock worship-saturated prayer, the Sound of a mighty rushing wind was released, a “Boom” in the “Upper Room,” as the Spirit of God was poured out upon them!

As John the Baptist earlier stated,

“This is he of whom I said, ‘After me comes a man who ranks before me, because he was before me.’  I myself did not know him, but for this purpose I came baptizing with water, that he might be revealed to Israel.”  And John bore witness: “I saw the Spirit descend from heaven like a dove, and it remained on him.  I myself did not know him, but he who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘He on whom you see the Spirit descend and remain, this is he who baptizes in and with the Holy Spirit.” (John 1:30-33)

God-the-Son in our flesh who came to take away the sin of the world, is also the One who came to baptize in and with the Holy Spirit.  The two works belong together.  When these two titles are kept together the gospel is really ‘good news.’ Jesus-to-the-rescue takes away sin, and then baptizes humans in and with the Spirit of God. 

The term baptize simply means to ‘immerse.’   The Greek text uses both ‘in’ and ‘with,’ the Holy Spirit. The ’in’ relates to that which we are immersed into, and the ‘with’ speaks of that which saturates us or literally, overwhelms us.  Therefore, Jesus the Baptist dunks us in and drenches us with the very life of the Triune God!

Dallas Willard uses the word ‘engulfment’ to describe this experience.  Jesus promises an engulfment in the Spirit of God.  He promises to cloth us or dress us with ‘power from on High.’ Jesus of Nazareth, God-in-flesh, redeems us from the power and grip of sin and then baptizes us, immerses us, soaks us, dresses us, saturates us, drenches us, and marinates us with the very Life of the Living God!

When the text says that Jesus ‘baptizes,’ it is in the present tense.  In New Testament Greek the tenses of verbs speak of the time of action and the kind of action.  The ‘present’ tense speaks of continuous action, literally ‘to keep on.’ Jesus is the one who keeps on baptizing in and with the Holy Spirit. In other words, He comes to keep on soaking us, keep on drenching us, keep on immersing us, keep on filling us with the Holy Spirit, until every fiber of our being radiates with the very presence of the Living God!

We see this confirmed in the story of the early church! Jesus promises, “in a few days you will be baptized in and with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 1:5).  On the day of Pentecost, ‘they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 2:4).  And then a few chapters later in Acts 4:31, the text says, “the place where they had gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit” (Acts 4:31).

Paul says that it is God’s will that we ‘be filled with the Spirit.’ Not just once, twice, but over and over again! 

“Therefore, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.  And do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit,” (Eph. 5:17-18).

Whereas wine can ruin one’s judgment leading to debauchery, in contrast ‘being filled with the Spirit,’ leads to empowerment, self-control and a life exhibiting the fruits of the Holy Spirit! It is the nature of Jesus to keep on giving his life to us.  He fills us and keeps on filling us in stages, ‘grace upon grace’ as John puts it, transforming us from, ‘glory to glory’ as Paul teaches us (2 Cor. 3:18).

Summary

As we approach Pentecost 2021, let’s ask the Lord for a ‘greater Pentecost,’ a wave of the tangible presence and power of the Holy Spirit coming upon us with great revelation, with great anointing, and with great provision!

• Let’s expect a BOOM in the UPPER ROOM, the coming sound of the Holy Spirit that brings us into a ‘decade’ of harvest and wholistic discipleship of all nations! As John Robb says, “the book of Acts culture will release the book of Acts breakthroughs!”
• Let’s ask the Lord Jesus for a fresh ‘infilling’ of the person and presence of the Holy Spirit. Let’s return to the Holy Spirit, turning away from our own works to a total dependence on the Holy Spirit!
• Let’s meditate on the exaltation and ascension of Jesus and give him his due reward! Let’s return to the place of united worship-saturated prayer, around the throne, around the clock and around the globe all for the Glory of the Lamb!
  • And finally, since a primary role of the Holy Spirit is to glorify and exalt the Lord Jesus, let’s partner with him and -Seek Jesus more fully for all He is by how we pursue and encounter him through prayer which leads us to…
  • Savor Jesus more fully for all He is by how we praise him and treasure him in worship which leads us to…
  • Speak of Jesus more fully for all He is by how we talk about him with other believers which leads us to…
  • Show Jesus more fully for all He is by how we imitate him in word and deed -which leads us to…
  • Serve Jesus more fully for all He is by how we minister to others for his sake -which leads us to…
  • Share Jesus more fully for all He is by how we introduce unbelievers to him as    Lord and Savior!

For the Supremacy of Christ in all things,

Dr. Jason Hubbard – Director
International Prayer Connect