People typically say what is most important to them in the last days and hours of their life. At the end of Jesus’ days on earth, he revealed some important and insightful things. After Jesus had been resurrected but not yet ascended into heaven to be with his Father, he breathed on his disciples and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” Jn 20:22  At that very moment, the apostles received the Holy Spirit.

Interestingly, even though the disciples received the Holy Spirit within them by Jesus blowing on them, this would not be enough to carry out the plan of God’s great purpose on earth. The next instructions Jesus gave them would reveal how they would walk and live just as Jesus did while on the earth.

Luke 24:49 Do not leave Jerusalem but wait for the gift my Father promised, which you have heard me speak about. (See also in Acts 1:4)   

Acts 1:8    But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.

Jesus was preparing them for the gift of power that would come UPON them, but to get it, they needed to stay in Jerusalem and wait for that gift. The disciples had the Holy Spirit within them but did not yet have the Holy Spirit UPON them. Remember this; the Holy Spirit within you is for you – the Holy Spirit UPON you is for others.

I think we would all agree that the body of Christ as a whole has been, for the most part, impotent, desperately needing the flow of God’s power. The world seems to laugh at the church because it talks of an all-powerful God but doesn’t display this God they say they believe in. The great revivals of our past reveal that God’s power is still available. It is important to note that those great revivals were preceded by pressing, passionate prayer. And that’s precisely what the disciples did as they waited in the upper room in Jerusalem for the gift of power Jesus told them about.

Acts 1:14 They all joined together constantly in prayer, along with the women and Mary, the mother of Jesus, and with his brothers.

My dear friend, there is a hurting world all around us that is in desperate need of the manifestation of the power of God and his grace found in Jesus Christ! Jerusalem speaks of a place where God abides and has intimacy and communion with his people. Jerusalem is where God comes and dwells with his people. Prayer is a Jerusalem for you. The word of God tells us to pray continually. 1Thess 5:17

God wants you to experience all that he is! Revival will be released to this world through those who will tap in! Are you excited about going deeper and releasing the Spirit of revival? If so, I want to say to you what Jesus said…

Don’t Leave Jerusalem