“Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under heaven. When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard their own language being spoken. Utterly amazed, they asked: ‘Aren’t all these who are speaking Galileans? Then how is it that each of us hears them in our native language?'” -Acts 2:5-11

The Fulfillment of God’s Promise

From the commission of Jesus before His ascension until now, God is seeing to it that His word is fulfilled! The nations will be reached with the gospel! Even during the seven years of tribulation that the world will endure, angels will take the gospel to the north, south, east, and west (Revelation 14:6)! But right now, on our watchful hour, He asks us to partner with Him in this wonderful mission that we see being born in this passage of Scripture.

The Spirit Gathers the Nations

Somehow, the 120 from the upper room ended up on the streets of Jerusalem (or part of the temple courts). It isn’t clear where they were standing. But the Spirit was gathering the nations to these flammable ones who were preaching the wonders of God in different languages. The list of nations indicates the geographical spread of Judaism as the pilgrims came for Pentecost. It also indicates the imminent spread of the gospel as it was being sent forth. Remember in Acts 1:8, it begins with Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, and to the ends of the Earth. (He keeps His word!)

God’s Heart for All Peoples

From the days of creation to the end of Revelation, God is looking for worshippers from every tribe, tongue, and nation. More than 1,600 Scriptures confirm God’s pursuit and passion to be worshiped by all people as His glory covers the Earth. Jesus paid the ultimate price and will receive the ultimate reward for His suffering. As the nations gather in Jerusalem, the beginning answer to the Great Commission is ignited. Look at just two confirming passages to the ultimate fulfillment of this crucial beginning:

“And they sang a new song, saying: ‘You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.'” -Revelation 5:9-10

“After this I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” -Revelation 7:9-10

“So, what was God teaching the church with this marvelous sign? The obvious point is that the gospel is for the nations. Thus, the church must spread the gospel to every people, tribe, and to those of every language, for that is God’s redemptive plan.” -Tony Merida, “Exalting Jesus in Acts”

Stepping Out in Faith

What is so profound to me as I have been pondering this passage of Scripture with the Lord is that they had no idea what was going to ensue when they were told to “‘wait for the promise (Acts 1:4, ESV).’” They waited in obedience and expectation. But there could have been some among the 120 who were simply offended by how God showed up. They didn’t want the unknown—He had never done anything like this before, ever. I wonder if a few of them were even offended by the scene God exploded in Jerusalem that day. I wonder if some of them thought, “Can’t we do a more relationship-building type of evangelism; why the tongues of fire and weird languages we have never spoken before, making us look drunk? I’ve got an image in the community I need to preserve.”

I remember a man once asking me, “If God had you pray for a man to grow a leg who didn’t have one, would you obey Him by faith?” At that point in my journey with Jesus, I had never thought of that proposition. Now, I would run into that moment! But I believe the Church has to wrestle with two current questions: Will I allow God to offend me with however He wants to move; and second, am I OK looking like an absolute fool for Jesus among believers and those far from Him?

Some of those 120 could have said, “If this is the crazy we are going to walk in from here on out, I’m not doing it; I’m out. No one said this is how it was going to happen.” There’s no indication of offense that I derive from Acts 2. (However, Peter does have to give testimony and defense of the gospel, which resulted in a massive harvest of souls.) But what if God wanted to do something in you and through you that is so outside of your theological grid, comfort zone, or personal experience? Would you trust His character to walk into it and allow Him to do anything through you so others could encounter Jesus?

Trust and Obedience

This passage is a beautiful example of how God keeps and fulfills His promise. What He has begun, He promised to complete! That’s not just filling Heaven with every tribe, tongue, and nation. It’s also the promise of what He has begun in you, His Bride, who has been called to proclaim the gospel as your primary identity and calling. He’s just looking for those willing and hungry to walk in the manifest fullness of Christ in you, for the sake of the world He died for. Would you dare pray this with me: Lord, do in me whatever You want, no matter how offended I am by You. I want You more than I want to preserve my independence from You, my own dignity, and the unknown theological box I have placed You in that You deserve to be freed from.

“Ultimately, Pentecost demonstrates that God keeps his promises. He had promised to send His Spirit, and Pentecost was the moment in salvation history when he did just that. For today’s readers, Pentecost means that every believer has access to the promised Spirit of God and has been gifted by that same Spirit, who arrived at Pentecost to carry on the mission of the church: proclaiming the gospel of Jesus Christ. The coming of the Spirit means we have all we need to boldly herald the gospel, and no excuse for not doing so.” -R. Albert Mohler, Jr., “Acts 1-12 For You”

Closing Prayer

And together we close this day with this prayer of worshipful desperation:

“The Spirit and the bride say, ‘Come!’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come!’ Let the one who is thirsty come; and let the one who wishes take the free gift of the water of life. …

“He who testifies to these things says, ‘Yes, I am coming soon.’

“Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.

“The grace of the Lord Jesus be with God’s people. Amen.” -Revelation 22:17, 20-21

A Few Key Notes

• Join us for Training the Bride to War! This study will equip the Bride of Christ for this hour and train her hands to war. Sign up for this six-week study beginning April 2. Register here.
• We are hosting an Arise Missions Conference for women pastors, mission leaders, and women who want to begin a mission movement in their churches to mobilize and equip women to find their calling and role in the Great Commission. Join us on April 9 as we seek to build your faith and answer the why and how of missions. Register now to get the early bird ticket price!