◄ What Does Acts 2:33 Mean? ►

People living at the time of the Cross experienced both pre-Cross and post-Cross teachings and had to go through the painful transition from Law to grace, as they moved from a dispensation based on the Mosaic Law to living in the post-Cross Church age.

The day of Pentecost was the beautiful birthday of the Church when the Holy Spirit (Whom Jesus had promised to send only a short time earlier), was poured out on all the believers who had faithfully gathered "all-together in one place," as instructed by the Lord Jesus. And Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, opened up the Scriptures to the men of Israel. He not only witnessed to the fulfilment of many Old Testament prophecies that pointed to the Lord Jesus as the Messiah of Israel, but explained that Jesus of Nazareth Whom they had crucified, was both Lord and Christ, and indeed "King of the Jews."

Israel was looking for a conquering King Who would sit on the throne of David, save them from Roman domination, and set up the promised kingdom; not a suffering Servant Who had to die for their sins first. Yet both roles were prophesied in the Scriptures, but the latter needed to be fulfilled before the former could come to pass - the Cross must take place before the Crown.

Both Psalm 16 and 132, were used in Peter's Spirit-filled monologue to authenticate Jesus' claim to be Israel's King and the Messiah of God, and David (both king and prophet of Israel), prophesied that one of his descendants would be raised up to sit on his own throne which Peter pointed out spoke of Christ's glorious Resurrection from the dead, for David was assured that God would not leave the body of this promised descendent in the grave to decay into dust, nor would He allow His flesh to see corruption.

The truth of the gospel that Peter taught on that day, caused over 3000 men of Israel to repent of their sins and to be born again into the newly formed Body of Christ. But Peter was to astonish these fledgling believers, and those that were listening to his teaching even more, by announcing that this same Jesus was not only resurrected from the dead as David foretold, but He had ascended into heaven in power and great glory and been exalted by God to sit at His right hand where He is now seated on God's heavenly throne.

And Peter further explained that having been raised up to this exalted heavenly position by the most high God, the Lord Jesus also received from the Father the promise of the Holy Spirit which had just been poured out on all the believers who were "all-together in one place," as promised by the Lord Jesus, only a short time earlier.

Today there is a Man in heaven Who is seated on the right hand of the Father in power and great glory, having been raised from the dead, highly exalted, and given the name that is above every name. And one day, Jesus will return to fulfil the promise given to David; that a descendent will be raised up to sit on his throne forever. But until that time, the Lord Jesus remains seated in heavenly glory at the right hand of the Father, until God makes His enemies His footstool.

As Christians, we have received the high privilege of being born into the family of God, baptised into the Body of Christ by the Spirit of God, and sealed by Him until the day of Christ. And because we are spiritually positioned in Him, we are seated together with Him in heavenly places and have been given all we need for life and godliness. Let us share the good news of the gospel of Christ during this Church age, for the day is coming when Christ will stand up in preparation to return as the promised, conquering King of Israel.

Heavenly Father, thank You for Your many precious promises and prophesies. Thank You that Christ came to die on the Cross in my place, and that in Him I have been raised into newness of life and seated with Him in heavenly places. May I live my life to Your praise and glory, as I look for that day when You come to take me to my heavenly home. What a day that will be when You finally stand up to complete Your finished work and return as King of kings and Lord of lords. In Jesus' name, AMEN.