I have always believed the prophecies in the Bible, Joel 2, God’s Promise of the former and latter rain. I believed that the first outpouring of the Holy Spirit was on that first Pentecost, but that we can and should experience the second Pentecost now. Although I had received my personal Baptism by the Holy Spirit aged 14, I wanted something greater, the promise of Joel 2.
Our God is about to do great things! His power is on the increase. Biblically God’s power cannot become smaller! At a time of national calamity, Joel 2.21&23 says, ‘Rejoice and be glad, for the Lord is about to do great things – in YOUR nation! ... Be glad, rejoice in your God, because He gave you the former rain moderately, and He will give you the latter rain!’ I know Israel well: the former (first) rain is when they plant the seed, the last rain is just before the harvest and it is greater than the first – that’s why I believe we are living in a new Day of Pentecost (harvest) now! When the church was born on the Day of Pentecost, it was born in fire! And before Jesus comes back, we’re going to have another greater baptism in fire!
My first visit behind the Iron Curtain was over 65 years ago. I was an evangelist, a pastor in England, yet I saw how people had lost the anointing, lost the power. I was determined I would have an experience with God that was incorruptible, that could not be destroyed, that would last until the appearing of Christ! I heard that the first World Pentecostal Conference in Jerusalem would be held on the Day of Pentecost, in May 1961. – I was determined to be there to receive a new baptism of fire! My Bible says that the church of God began in fire on the Day of Pentecost, and the church will end in fire when Christ returns!
When I got there I was so disappointed. I had gone for only one reason: to be in Jerusalem believing God would send another Pentecost. There were 3000 in the conference: 2999 tourists, and me! Nothing happened, nobody laid their hands on me, I didn’t fall over, I didn’t feel any power, nothing. I had done everything to be there, spent two years organising, in order to meet with God, and nothing, absolutely nothing happened! And I came home.
Yes, I was initially disappointed – but many years later, I realised I DID receive it! I know, because it changed my life!
The world has to see God’s power! He’s a God of power and authority, a God who enables me to do exploits! Jesus said to His disciples, “You see the miracles I do, but when I go to Heaven, you’re going to do bigger!” (John 14.12.) Are you seeing bigger miracles than Jesus? But that’s what we need! We need a baptism of fire and power! The fire of God, the power of God – that’s the challenge. God has called us to receive the gifts of the Holy Spirit and do exploits! There is a song, ‘God raised me up to stand on mountains, He raised me up to walk on stormy seas’ – God raised YOU up to stand on mountains, He raised YOU up to walk on stormy seas! God raised YOU up to heal the sick, raise the dead, work miracles and preach the Gospel – and He sent the Holy Spirit to do this through YOU! When you’ve got the Holy Ghost, God does everything! – Because it’s the Holy Spirit who gives you the gift of faith to do it! ‘Those that know their God will be strong and do exploits! (Daniel 11.32 KJV.)
We’ve got to be changed. Transformed, by the fire and the power of the Holy Spirit. Then work because Christ is coming soon!
'Be glad then, you children of Zion, and rejoice in the Lord your God; for He has given you the former rain faithfully, and He will cause the rain to come down for you – the former rain, and the latter rain in the first month, (Joel 2.23, NKJV).