Holy Spirit Boldness in a World Dominated by Mark of the Beast

Acts 4:23-31

“And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God boldly.”
Acts 4:31

• Praising God for fulfillment of prophecy within threats and imprisonment.
• Holy Spirit gives boldness to share the Gospel of Christ in a world that despises Christianity.

Praising God for fulfillment of prophecy within threats and imprisonment.
“And being let go, they went to their own companions and reported all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. So when they heard that, they raised their voice to God with one accord and said: “Lord, You are God, who made heaven and earth and the sea, and all that is in them, who by the mouth of Your servant David have said:

‘Why did the nations rage,
And the people plot vain things?
The kings of the earth took their stand,
And the rulers were gathered together
Against the Lord and against His Christ.’
Acts 4:23-26

Peter and John were imprisoned overnight for preaching and teaching in the name of Jesus [Acts 4:1-4], about His death, resurrection, and being the One in whom we have forgiveness of sin. When they were released, they went to their brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ and reported what the Jewish leaders said to them. Peter and John were severely threatened and told to never speak in the name of Jesus again [Acts 4:17-18]. The followers of Jesus were not disheartened by the threats of the Jewish leaders but praised God that they were experiencing the fulfillment of prophecy.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we are not to be discouraged when hostilities and intimidation are hurled at us for our faith in Jesus Christ. In fact, rejoice that we too are experiencing the fulfillment of prophecy, “My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials…” James 1:2

What fulfillment of prophecy were they experiencing then? This had to do with the Jewish rulers being gathered together in a rage against God and His Christ, as quoted from Psalms 2:1-2, “Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing? The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the Lord and against His Anointed…” Psalms 1:2 This is also being fulfilled on a global scale as the United Nations progress in becoming the undisputed one world government.

What other related fulfillment of prophecy are we experiencing today? This has to do with the blaspheme of God, Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit, Christians, the churches, Heaven, etc. This is done by the beast that sets in the temple of God, our body, as if is God by giving people what to speak, do, think, and feel, as described in the post on 2 Thessalonians 2. “Then he opened his mouth in blasphemy against God, to blaspheme His name, His tabernacle, and those who dwell in heaven. It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Revelations 13:6-8 The “he” in those verses is the beast of the image and mark of the beast.

We rejoice to see the prophecies of the Bible being fulfilled in front of our eyes, thus validating that our Lord is a Living God and His hand continues to work in this world today. Click here for a list of some prophecies fulfilled since 1945. I serve a risen Savior, He’s in the world today, I know that He is living, whatever people may say.

Holy Spirit gives boldness to share the Gospel of Christ in a world that despises Christianity.
“For truly against Your holy Servant Jesus, whom You anointed, both Herod and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles and the people of Israel, were gathered together to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done. Now, Lord, look on their threats, and grant to Your servants that with all boldness they may speak Your word, by stretching out Your hand to heal, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your holy Servant Jesus.” And when they had prayed, the place where they were assembled together was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they spoke the word of God with boldness.” Acts 4:27-31

Today, the prayer within our spirit is the same as our brothers and sisters in Christ in the day of Peter and John. Lord, it is against our Lord and Savior Jesus, Your anointed Christ and servant, that today’s culture, which is global, are gathered. They are gathered as an atheistic global culture to do according to what You have determined to fulfill on this earth. Lord, be attentive to their threats and grant to us, Your servants, that we may speak the testimony of Jesus with boldness. Lord, stretch out Your hand to bring healing of the soul, and that signs and wonders may be done through the name of Your Holy Servant, Jesus. May we experience the shaking and the infilling of the Holy Spirit Who gives us the boldness to speak the word of God.

I feel bold just to wear the t-shirt that says, “Normal Isn’t Coming Back, Jesus Is. Revelation 14.” When people read those words, they turn away in defiance, show looks of disgust, there are quips of sarcasm, and overall expressions of social disapproval. Some even interpret the words on the shirt as, “Use me for any manual and trivial labor that you might need me for”. Never before has there ever been such a community in unity against the witness for Jesus Christ. When I’m transported to a medical appointment, I bring a Bible to silently read during the 15-mile trip [one way]. The other couple of passengers routinely do everything they can to interrupt the Bible reading. When I did stop reading to talk to them about whatever they wanted, they were very unresponsive and did not want to converse. The whole hour of the ride [there and back], I was barely able to speak a dozen words. Just before being returned to my front door, as they expected me to say “Thank-you for the ride.” I said, “I stand for Jesus Christ.” These experiences are routine in today’s culture.

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11