The Empire of the Holy Spirit

We have noted previously that the story of the incarnation opens with a flurry of Holy Spirit activity. It appears from the gospels also that at this time the spirit world was stirred into activity (John 5:43; Matthew 24:24; Ephesians 6:12) in opposition to the coming of the promised Christ (to reverse the curse). The gospels indicate that there was a view held by both the heathen and Jew that an individual could be “possessed” by a supernatural power (Acts 16:16; 1 Corinthians 12:2). It is not surprising then that the apostles would warn the Church of other spirits who would come in opposition to the spirit of Christ (Acts 20:29; 2 Thessalonians 2:3; 1 John 2:18). It seems that the reason for this activity of “spiritual wickedness” was that Christ’s first advent ushered in the period known as “the last days.” The devil evidently realized that his time is short time (Revelation 12:12).

It is in this context that we must understand Pentecost. Christ promised One who would “possess” (rule) believers and defend them against “spiritual wickedness.” This Spirit of Promise is referred to in Scripture as the Spirit of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:19) who would be with believers until the end of the age (Matthew 11:28) as the co-Fulfiller of the Great Commission.