Pentecost - III

Pentecost is of also vital significance in understanding that there is something provisional about the overcoming of babel and dwelling of God with his people in our time.

This provisional state awaits a final consummation.

The apostle Paul explained,
“We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.” (Romans 8:22-25)

The coming of the Spirit, though it reminds of what remains in the future, is in itself the guarantee that this future will come to pass.

Again Paul,
“Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.” (2 Corinthians 1:21-22)

And thankfully, in this provisional state we find ourselves, the Spirit ministers assurance to us, enabling us to persevere;
“…we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us.” (Romans 5:2b-5),
“The Spirit himself testifies with our spirit that we are God's children.” (Romans 8:16),
“…the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express.” (Romans 8:26)