What a whirlwind of events it had been for the 120 gathered together in the upper room (Acts 1:13). The pain of witnessing Jesus succumb to the cruel instrument of the Roman crucifixion to then being confounded by the case of missing Jesus and the empty tomb to finally the joy of the appearance of the glorified Christ in their midst as they hid in fear behind locked doors (John 20:19), and also in many other instances (Acts 1:3). Now the past 10 days since Christ’s Ascension from Mount Olive has passed by in a blur, inside the upper room where the last supper was shared. The last grain of sand in the hourglass had long fallen. The perpetually spinning gears of society had come to a grinding halt inside this room. Only the sun rays breaking through the narrow slits in the walls offered any distinction of time to the 120 men and women. The sound of continued prayer filled the room (Acts 1:14). These were men and women who had physically conversed with Christ while He was still on earth. So their prayers were just continued conversations with Him. How long though would they continue on like this? Jesus’ parting instructions did not give them such details. It simply said: Tarry ye…until ye are endued with power from on high (Luke 24:49 KJV). Tarry simply meant sit down. Probably the dreaded command that an overly enthusiastic and playful child does not want to listen to. But these men and women firmly grasped every part of that Christ’s instruction with a single-minded resolve. Jesus said He would be crucified and He was (Matthew 26:2). Jesus said He would be resurrected on the third day and He was (Matthew 17:22-23). And so if Jesus said He will clothe us with power, He most certainly will! In this assurance (Hebrew 11:1) they endeavored in prayer seeking Christ (Hebrews 11:6). The sun had dawned on the 10th day, as its early, soft rays filled that upper room. This wasn’t going to be another normal day. No, the annals of Heaven had ordained this day to be a course changer in the fabric of history. The annals of God had ordained it to ignite with the 120 gathered here, but this would only be the beginning of a new age – the age of the new covenant. One marked by the grace of Jesus and the power of God’s Spirit (1 Corinthians 4:20). With the sound of violent rushing wind and cloven tongues of fire the Holy Spirit changed the atmosphere and filled each of the 120 present there on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:2-3). In a moment everything had changed and nothing would ever be the same again in their lives.

As the dawn of God’s eternal kingdom draws near. Like the camp fire which burns bright in the night and is smoldering embers at dawn’s break, emanating a dull warmth and only a mere remnant of the once blazing fire. The church today has become like the embers of the fire of Pentecost. The annals of Heaven have decreed and ordained another time, similar to that of Pentecost still yet to come (Joel 2:28). And what I like to believe is that the annals do not specify the names through whom this would be attained. As if God is still waiting to see those faithful men and women who would step-up like the 120 in the upper room. Men and women who believe as if they had seen and heard it themselves, in the atoning death, miraculous resurrection and the promise of the glorious return of Christ – the Son of God, through the inner witness of the Holy Spirit (1 John 5:6). Men and women given to prayer in one-minded resolve of becoming His witnesses through power. We have a church that is ready to go everywhere. We have a church ready to do all the good works. And maybe today God needs a church which would obey its very first mandate. That which birthed it. That which was to be heeded before the “Go” and the “Do.” That which makes her a true witness of God’s power.

Tarry ye/stay/sit down…I will clothe you with power from on high! (Luke 24:49)