Times of refreshing
Thankfully, in every generation since the Day of Pentecost, God, through Christ, has preached the gospel of sonship by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. 1Pe 1:12. By receiving, believing and participating in this message, men and women can enter heaven as sons of God. The Scriptures refer to this ministry as "the day of visitation" and "times of refreshing from the Lord". 1Pe 2:11-12. Act 3:19. For example, the apostle Peter declared, "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, so that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord, and that He may send Jesus Christ, who was preached to you before." Act 3:19‑20.
The word of God resides in the hearts and mouths of His people. They are His witnesses on the earth. These are believers in every generation who have been persecuted for Christ's sake. Jesus and the apostle Peter identified these witnesses as "the blessed of God". Mat 5:11‑12. 1Pe 4:14. They are blessed because they are recipients of God's grace in the fellowship of Christ's offering and sufferings. Because of this, they are able to minister the word of grace to others.
Light comes into the world through the testimonies of those who are ambassadors of Christ. 2Co 5:20. Hearers who receive and walk in the light of their message receive salvation. However, many people remain under condemnation because they love the darkness of their own way and understanding, rather than the light that comes from God through the messengers He sends. Joh 3:19. Sadly, this can be true even in the church. This is evident among congregants who presume that God, through forgiveness, has justified their fleshly way of living. They do not see, nor accept, the need to be delivered from their other law through participation in the sufferings of Christ in order to be born of the Spirit and enter heaven.
The word of God resides in the hearts and mouths of His people. They are His witnesses on the earth. These are believers in every generation who have been persecuted for Christ's sake. Jesus and the apostle Peter identified these witnesses as "the blessed of God". Mat 5:11‑12. 1Pe 4:14. They are blessed because they are recipients of God's grace in the fellowship of Christ's offering and sufferings. Because of this, they are able to minister the word of grace to others.
Light comes into the world through the testimonies of those who are ambassadors of Christ. 2Co 5:20. Hearers who receive and walk in the light of their message receive salvation. However, many people remain under condemnation because they love the darkness of their own way and understanding, rather than the light that comes from God through the messengers He sends. Joh 3:19. Sadly, this can be true even in the church. This is evident among congregants who presume that God, through forgiveness, has justified their fleshly way of living. They do not see, nor accept, the need to be delivered from their other law through participation in the sufferings of Christ in order to be born of the Spirit and enter heaven.
