Ques. 117. Was the Holy Spirit not sent forth before the Lord Jesus was glorified?
G. A. G.
Ans. All God's works at all times are done by the Holy Spirit, whether in creation or redemption. They are done by the Father's will, by the work of the Son, by the power of the Spirit.
In the Old Testament times the Spirit came upon men. Holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost. (2 Peter 1:21.) The Spirit preached through Noah. (1 Peter 3:19, 20.) John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Ghost from his birth. (Luke 1.) But the Holy Spirit could not take His permanent abode in man till the blessed Son of God came; then we read, "Him hath God the Father sealed", God witnessing to His sinlessness: "This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." (Matt. 3.)
When the work of redemption on the cross was accomplished and Christ was glorified, all who then and until His coming believe the gospel of their salvation, are sealed with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 1:13.); this witnesses to the power of the precious blood that cleanses from all sin. (Acts 10:43; Eph. 4:30.)
He never leaves us. We are sealed unto the day of redemption, that is, till the Lord comes to take us up to be with Him.
Ques. 118. Where does "Quench not the Spirit" in 1 Thess. 5:19 apply? F. C.
Ans. In the meetings of the believers. We do not find a man presiding over a meeting in Scripture, where believers are gathered for edification. The Lord is in their midst (Matt. 18:20), and the Holy Spirit is to guide them, and occupy them with Christ. If the Lord lays it on the heart of one to speak or take part, and he does not do it, such a one is quenching the Spirit. If the Lord gives the word to one, and the others refuse to hearken, they, too, are quenching the Spirit. If one speaks when he should not, he is also quenching the Spirit. "Despise not prophesyings." Verse 20 shows I should hearken and prove all things, and hold fast the truth. Eph. 4:30 refers to our individual behavior at all times, because the Spirit dwells in us.
Ques. 119. Does Heb. 10:23-25 refer to the coming of Christ for His saints? or does "the day" mean "the day of the Lord"? Is it the period of time between the coming of the Lord in the air for His saints until His coming with His saints? W. H.
Ans. There is no passage in Hebrews that refers particularly to the coming of Christ in the air for His saints. We might apply such passages as Heb. 10:37 as the moment of our deliverance, but so might the believing Jews in the tribulation The Epistle to the Hebrews covers both. The passages referred to above are looking on to a time of judgment, i.e., the day of the Lord, which begins when the Lord comes with His saints to the world as a thief in the night. (1 Thess. 5:2; Jude 14,15; 2 Tim. 4:1.)
The period of time between the Lord's coming for His saints and His coming with them to judge, is called the tribulation.