It was in the time of John the Baptist. Jesus came to John; He said, “Baptise me.” Jesus was baptised in the River Jordan, and immediately the Holy Spirit came on Jesus. From that moment, the miracles began. All the miracles that happened came because of the power of God through the Holy Spirit.
That Holy Spirit is here today, and I want you to understand the power.
You know, I think one of the least-read books in the Old Testament is the book of the Prophet Joel. He prophesies in chapter two. He says, “Rejoice, people of Kazakhstan, Armenia, and wherever you're from.” He says, “The Lord has given you the first rain.” Now, in the Bible, rain is a picture of the Holy Spirit. He says, “I will give you the first rain, and then I will give you the last rain.” In verse 25, He says, “I will restore to you in Kazakhstan and in every country you’re from – I will restore the years the locust has eaten, and My people will never be ashamed.”
He says it will come to pass in the last days that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh. Verse 30: “I will show wonders in the heaven and on the earth – pillars of fire and of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness, the moon into blood.” All these things are prophesied that God will do.
I believe that God has not yet shown all His power. All my life, I’ve been searching for the power of God. Oh yes, I received the Holy Spirit when I was 14 years old, but I’ve never had enough of the power of God. How does God show Himself? By miracles, by signs, by wonders! Our God is a God of miracles, a God of power – a God who changes men, a God who can stop war, a God who can destroy nations, a God who has incredible power.
The Bible says God is going to send Jesus one more time before the world destroys itself. God is going to send Jesus to take us home to the Kingdom. But before He comes, He will show and demonstrate His power. God is going to demonstrate His power here, and I will go anywhere in the world – I’ll come here to Kazakhstan, I’ll go to your country – searching for the power of God. I believe that is the promise, and I believe we’re going to see a powerful spiritual awakening.
Because in verse 14 of chapter three, it says: “Multitudes in the valley of decision, for the day of the Lord is near.” I believe we’re going to see many thousands come to Christ because of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit. Jesus is coming! The Bible says He is coming soon. Almost every prophecy in the Bible concerning the return of Jesus has already been fulfilled.
There is war in Israel right now. I don’t believe there will be peace in Israel before Jesus comes. All the nations spoken of in the Bible are already gathered against Israel. And I’ll tell you what the Bible says – it may shock you: Israel will be defeated. Did you hear me? Israel will be defeated. And when Israel is defeated, Jesus comes back to rescue Israel! He gathers the nations in the valley in front of Jerusalem – it’s all here in the Bible, named the Valley of Jehoshaphat, between the Mount of Olives and Jerusalem.
The Bible says Jesus will return to the Mount of Olives and defeat all the enemies of Israel in that valley. Then Jesus enters Jerusalem, and for 1,000 years, He will rule the world! Those of you who know Jesus will live – not for a hundred years, but for a thousand years – with Jesus, right here on earth!
My job is to prepare for His coming and to see the miracles.
Years ago, I was preaching in a football stadium in Siberia. A woman was completely healed the first night. She told me, “David, go into the hospital tomorrow.” I said, “No, that's not my job.” But the Holy Spirit told me to go. The next morning, I went with her and entered one room with three men. The first two had broken backs – God healed them, and they got out of bed. The third man was totally blind. I simply prayed, “O God, show Your power. I can’t heal anybody. Jesus, show Your power.” God opened his eyes. He was reading the small print of my interpreter’s Bible! The next morning, the mayor summoned me to his office and asked across the room, “What did you do yesterday?” I replied, “I talked about Jesus, the Son of God.” He said, “No, you emptied the whole hospital!” When God healed that blind man, he ran through the hospital shouting that Jesus was alive, and the patients got out of their beds and went home. That is the power of God!
I remember preaching in Bulgaria nearly 40 years ago, before freedom came. We wanted to hold meetings in a stadium belonging to the Communist Party. They refused: “You cannot have it; we belong to the Communist Party, and you cannot preach the Gospel.” I prayed, “God, change these men.” Suddenly, the power of God hit them, and they said, “We can’t rent it to you, but we will give it to you completely free of charge!” Ten thousand people came to the centre of the city. Even the police knelt when they heard the name of Jesus because they saw the power of God.
God wants to pour out that power on you, on your city, and on your nation. But you have to call on God. You have to release the power.
Look at the three crosses: the Son of God in the centre, the thief on the left mocking Him, and the man on the right saying, “Jesus, remember me when You come into Your kingdom.” Turn to the Man on that centre cross. Call on Him. He holds the only key to the gates of heaven.
Let’s pray: “Oh God, send the fire! Send the power of the Holy Spirit in Jesus’ name. Baptise me with fire. Show Your power in my life before You come. Work the miracle now.”