ⓒ 2012 WATV

Jesus was resurrected three days after His death on the cross, and on the fortieth day after His resurrection He was taken up to heaven on Mount of Olives after saying His last words: “You will be my witnesses in Samaria and to the ends of the earth." Ten days later, on the fiftieth day after Jesus’ resurrection, the Holy Spirit was poured out upon the disciples abundantly. From that day on, those who were being saved were increasing in number day by day, and the gospel began to spread even to the Gentiles through the power of speaking other languages. This marked a major turning point for the early Christian church.

This historical event of the New Testament had already been prophesied in the Old Testament. The Israelites were released from Egypt, and on the fortieth day after they crossed the Red Sea, they camped in front of Mount Sinai. Then Moses went up the mountain for the first time to meet with God, which showed that Jesus would go up to heaven. Ten days later, Moses went up Mount Sinai to receive the Ten Commandments. This day is called the Feast of Weeks, which is also known as Pentecost in the New Testament.

In 2012, the members of the Church of God all around the world had worship services in the morning and evening every day to ask for the Holy Spirit during the ten days of prayer, starting from May 17—the Ascension Day, and they hold the Sacred Assembly of the Pentecost on May 27.

Ascension Day Service 2012

ⓒ 2012 WATV

On May 17, the Ascension Day Service was held to commemorate the ascension of Christ. Mother gave thanks to Father for giving His children the hope of going to heaven through His ascension into heaven. She also prayed that all Her children would put off the sinful nature and be beautifully changed to proclaim the salvation of Father throughout the world, as His faithful witnesses.

General Pastor Joo-Cheol Kim said in his sermon, “Let us boast about God, taking pride in the fact that God Almighty, who created the vast universe and is changing us to be conformed to the image of angels, is our spiritual Parents.” Then he asked the members to believe God’s promise to change their lowly body to be like His glorious body—into a spiritual body. Additionally, he urged them to ask for the power of the Holy Spirit during the Prayer Week of the Pentecost so that they would be able to faithfully carry out the mission of proclaiming Elohim God to the ends of the earth, as Elohim’s witnesses (1 Co 15:50-58; 1 Th 4:15-18; Ac 1:6-11; Ps 44:5-8).

For ten days from the evening that day until the day of Pentecost, the members had worship serves in the morning and evening. During the Prayer Week of the Pentecost, they put forth all their strength to preach the gospel, asking God in prayer to open the gates of heaven and to pour out the blessings of the Holy Spirit in abundance upon them.

The Sacred Assembly of the Day of Pentecost 2012

ⓒ 2012 WATV

May 27 was the Day of Pentecost, which was the day of the descent of the Holy Spirit in the early Church. On this day 2,000 years ago, the apostles received the Holy Spirit and boldly preached Jesus to people from every nation, so they were able to save many souls.

Mother asked Father to pour out the Holy Spirit richly and abundantly upon His children all around the world and prayed earnestly that the Holy Spirit movement to deliver the food of life to the thirsty, weary souls suffering from a famine of hearing the words of God would arise like a fire. She also prayed for the power of the Holy Spirit not to wither away but to grow stronger day by day so that the prophesied work of the gospel would be fulfilled quickly.

General Pastor Joo-Cheol Kim gave a historical account of Pentecost and explained its true meaning, saying, “The Holy Spirit poured out on the Day of Pentecost is for the salvation of human beings, which is the will of God. Though we are given different gifts of the Holy Spirit, we all have the same purpose—the salvation of souls.” Then he added, “The power of the Holy Spirit is manifested when we preach the gospel. Without forgetting this fact, let us do our best to carry out our duty as God’s children by leading human beings, who are walking the path of death, being tempted by Satan, into the correct teachings of Christ.” He also expressed his earnest desire to see the glorious day—the day when all the members of Zion will complete the Ten Talent Mission and the whole world will see the salvation of our Elohim (Acts 2; 1 Co 12:4-12; Isa 52:7-10).

After the morning service, Mother convinced Her children that Father had bestowed the Holy Spirit upon them that day, saying, “2,000 years ago, the power of the Holy Spirit worked through the apostles who had great faith. In this age, too, the amazing works of the Holy Spirit will occur through God’s people who have sincere faith.” In addition, She reminded Her children that it is impossible to fulfill the gospel by human power, but only by God’s power. Then She blessed them, saying, “Now all the remaining prophecies of the Bible are being fulfilled. So, as God’s children, devote yourselves more fully to saving souls, being clothed with the power of the Holy Spirit.”

Giving thanks to God for bestowing the Holy Spirit upon them, the members expected that the amazing work of the gospel would be accomplished through the power of the Holy Spirit in this age, which is much stronger than the one in the days of the early Church.