1 Cor.14:1 – Pursue love, yet desire earnestly spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy.
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit during the first century of the church marked the end of a long drought in regard to the working of the Spirit in our world. Throughout the centuries the Lord had moved in the land of Israel through the prophets and through prophesy and signs and wonders. That had come to an end at about 400 BC and the supernatural power of God was non-existent, even among the people of God. That was the amazing and shocking effect of the outpouring of the Spirit on the day of Pentecost, everyone in the church began to speak in tongues and many, men and women alike, began to prophesy. The Lord was doing something never heard of before and it served as a great shock factor to the world. Prophesy was only for the called out prophets and speaking in tongues was something that had never been experienced before. Here is how the Life in the Spirit Commentary describes this.
“The age of the Spirit was long ago predicted by the prophets: “This is what was spoken by the prophet Joel”. In the Old Testament only a few people experienced the Spirit. From Pentecost on, God makes available to all his children the fullness of the Spirit. The charismatic power of the Spirit is no longer limited to the leaders of God’s people. Basing his message on Joel’s prophecy, Peter promises that the outpouring of the Spirit is for “all people.” It is universal in scope—on young men as well as old, on daughters as well as sons, even on those of low estate, both men and women. Instead of just on kings, priests, and prophets, the Spirit is to be poured out on believers of every race, nationality, and gender.”
So now here we are some two thousand years later and the church in our country has played down the very thing that launched the church in the beginning. Without the obvious power of God among us we have no hope to effect the world. I personally believe we have entered a new and very important season in the church in America. The culture has deteriorated morally quite significantly in my lifetime, the time is right and the people are ready for another wave of the Spirit of God that effects our culture. Prophesy, speaking in tongues, and the other gifts of the Spirit will be at the forefront as we approach the end of the church age. So just as the Lord said to Ezekiel, “Prophesy to these dry bones son of man. Prophesy that they make come alive and live in these last days.”
Amen Pastor