My Journey to Life, Step 11—God, the Holy Spirit

6. What relationship is there between the outpouring of the Spirit of God at Pentecost and the outpouring of God’s Spirit just before Jesus’ second coming?

Though the Spirit was at work in Old Testament times and genuine believers have always been aware of His presence, prophecy predicted a special outpouring of the Spirit after Christ’s atoning sacrifice, resurrection and glorification in heaven. When, at His ascension, Jesus began a work of intercession in heaven’s sanctuary, the Spirit began a new role as representative of both the Father (John 14:16, 17) and the Son (John 16:13, 14). JTL11 4.6

Jesus instructed His disciples, along with Christ’s other followers, to “tarry in Jerusalem until you are endued with power from on high” (Luke 24:49). They were to pray for the promised outpouring of the Spirit which would give power to their witness. After ten days of deep heart searching, confession, prayer and worship, the one hundred twenty assembled believers received the mighty outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost. JTL11 4.7

This gift of the fullness of the Spirit, appearing as tongues of fire, enabled the joyous recipients to preach the good news of the gospel with power and persuasion—whether in their own language or in languages they could not previously speak. Signs and wonders followed the believers and thousands were converted in one day. JTL11 4.8

This Pentecost experience is referenced in the Bible as the early rain. Just before Jesus comes, the Spirit will again be poured out on God’s people in a supernatural event known as the Latter Rain (Joel 2:23). JTL11 4.9