Correspondence: The Spirit - Sending and Quenching; Heb. 10:23-25

Hebrews 10:23‑25  •  3 min. read  •  grade level: 6
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Question 117: Was the Holy Spirit not sent forth before the Lord Jesus was glorified? G. A. G.
Answer: 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 Spirit. (2 Peter 1:2121For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but 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, 2019By which also he went and preached unto the spirits in prison; 20Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. (1 Peter 3:19‑20).) John the Baptist was filled with the Holy Spirit 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.)
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.
Question 118: Where does “Quench not the Spirit” in 1 Thessalonians 5:1919Quench not the Spirit. (1 Thessalonians 5:19) apply? F. C.
Answer: 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. 18:2020For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them. (Matthew 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. Ephesians 4:3030And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30) refers to our individual behavior at all times, because the Spirit dwells in us.
Answer: 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 Hebrews 10:3737For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. (Hebrews 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, that is, 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. 5:22For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night. (1 Thessalonians 5:2); Jude 1414And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, (Jude 14),15; 2 Tim. 4:11I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (2 Timothy 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.