Author : Ofer Amitai, Messianic pastor Jerusalem and Director of Israel Prayer Centre
On this day over two thousand years ago, the Holy Spirit came as a violent rushing wind and as fire.
When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place. And suddenly a noise like a violent rushing wind came from Heaven, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And tongues that looked like fire appeared to them, distributing themselves and a tongue rested on each one of them. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak with different tongues, as the Spirit was giving them the ability to speak out. Acts 2:1-4
He came as a violent rushing wind, He came as fire, He came from Heaven, and the streets were filled with praise and the telling of “the mighty deeds of God.” (vs. 11)
Today, instead, on Pentecost Day, rockets are raining over us, fire is raining upon us, but not from Heaven. The streets are filled with the sound of alarm, fear, hatred, and cursing.
Yet we are certain that:
God reigns supreme:
In Ephesians 1, Paul prayed that we would know and understand both the power and authority of God who: “raised Him from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, far above all principality and power and might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.” Eph. 1:20-21
There is no demon on earth or below the earth or in the heavenliness that is not under God’s absolute power and authority. There is no principality or power or might or dominion anywhere that is not under the control and power and the reign of God. There is no limit to God’s power or authority over everything and anything that He created. Period.
His Word is unbreakable and unimpeachable.
Yeshua said: “Heaven and earth will pass away, but My words will not pass away.” Luke 21:33
Israel will be a tremendous blessing in the midst of the earth
A blessing to the world, including our neighbors who are currently raining rockets upon us. What they consider as nakba – a disaster (that Israel has been established), will be known among them as the greatest blessing that has ever come upon them. When? When Israel is restored to God through Messiah!
For if their [Israel’s] rejection proves to be the reconciliation of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? Rom. 11:15
Resurrection power indeed! The unleashing of God’s life-giving Holy Spirit. That is the kind of violence I would like to see – God’s life-giving “violence” by which He destroys sin, death, evil, darkness.
What was the Body of Messiah doing when the Spirit came on Pentecost? They were praying! What can we do? The same, we can pray!
Pray with us from Joel 2:18-28
Then the LORD will be zealous for His land, And pity His people. “Behold, I will send you grain and new wine and oil, And you will be satisfied by them; I will no longer make you a reproach among the nations.
Fear not, O land; Be glad and rejoice, For the LORD has done marvelous things!
Do not be afraid, you beasts of the field; For the open pastures are springing up, And the tree bears its fruit; The fig tree and the vine yield their strength.
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. The threshing floors shall be full of wheat, And the vats shall overflow with new wine and oil.
“So I will restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten, The crawling locust, The consuming locust, And the chewing locust, My great army which I sent among you.
You shall … praise the name of the LORD your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you; And My people shall never be put to shame.
Then you shall know that I am in the midst of Israel: I am the LORD your God And there is no other. My people shall never be put to shame.
“And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions.
Title: Israel Pentecost Prayer Update
Author : Ofer Amitai, Messianic pastor Jerusalem and Director of Israel Prayer Centre
Date : 18th May 2021
