As the people of God, we are approaching Shavuot also known as Pentecost according to the biblical calendar, in which connecting with the right saints in the right place at the right time plays an important role. Only from this does strategy emerge and guarantee the coming success that God has in store for His people.
The Upper Room and the Extreme Differences
The focus here is on the upper room.
The Hebrew word for ‘upper room’ is ‘’ălîjāh’ and is derived from the root word ‘’ālāh’, which means ‘to go up, to ascend’ (Note: word explanation taken from the Elberfelder Study Bible for the Hebrew words ‘’ălîjāh’ and ‘’ālāh’ with the word key number: 6062, 6045). The root word just mentioned is used for God’s sovereign and liberating guidance of the people of Israel out of Egypt (cf. Exodus 3:8).
The Hebrew word for ‘upper room’ is ‘’ălîjāh’ and is derived from the root word ‘’ālāh’, which means ‘to go up, to ascend’ (Note: word explanation taken from the Elberfelder Study Bible for the Hebrew words ‘’ălîjāh’ and ‘’ālāh’ with the word key number: 6062, 6045). The root word just mentioned is used for God’s sovereign and liberating guidance of the people of Israel out of Egypt (cf. Exodus 3:8).
Exodus 3:8:
8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey – the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.
8 So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey – the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites.
Thus, the upper room shows that it is God’s plan to allow us as His people to enter from a limited spiritual level into a higher spiritual level.
An upper room is a higher place in a building, which in a biblical context is associated with a greater spiritual quality in the interpersonal relationship and the intensification of the Holy Spirit.
The increase of the Holy Spirit presupposes the time in the upper room of Passover at the time of Christ and includes an atmosphere in the form of coolness and heat, similar to what the people of Israel experienced in the wilderness through the pillar of cloud and fire (cf. Luke 22:7-15 i.c.w. Acts 1:13a; Acts 2:1-3; Revelation 3:15; Exodus 13:21-22).
Luke 22:7-15:
7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.
8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.’
9 ‘Where do you want us to prepare for it?’ they asked.
10 He replied, ‘As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, “The Teacher asks: where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”
12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.’
13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table.
15 And he said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
7 Then came the day of Unleavened Bread on which the Passover lamb had to be sacrificed.
8 Jesus sent Peter and John, saying, ‘Go and make preparations for us to eat the Passover.’
9 ‘Where do you want us to prepare for it?’ they asked.
10 He replied, ‘As you enter the city, a man carrying a jar of water will meet you. Follow him to the house that he enters, 11 and say to the owner of the house, “The Teacher asks: where is the guest room, where I may eat the Passover with my disciples?”
12 He will show you a large room upstairs, all furnished. Make preparations there.’
13 They left and found things just as Jesus had told them. So they prepared the Passover.
14 When the hour came, Jesus and his apostles reclined at the table.
15 And he said to them, ‘I have eagerly desired to eat this Passover with you before I suffer.
Acts 1:13a:
13a When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. …
13a When they arrived, they went upstairs to the room where they were staying. …
Acts 2:1-3:
1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place.
2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting.
3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them.
Revelation 3:15:
15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!
15 I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other!
Exodus 13:21-22:
21 By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.
22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.
21 By day the Lord went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night.
22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.
This time of spiritual increase can also be described as a period of ‘extreme differences’ in which the Holy Spirit reveals Himself, encompassing our spiritual hunger for more of Him. The Lord wants to meet us with His spiritual fullness to fill the ‘emptiness’ in the form of spiritual hunger. Spiritual fullness includes, among other things, a measure of new communication that brings greater spiritual maturity through revelatory knowledge.
The Eunuch and Philip
The situation is like that of the eunuch of the Queen of Ethiopia, who was on his way back to Ethiopia from Jerusalem in his chariot drawn by horses. While he was studying the scroll of the prophet Isaiah, which in chapter 53 reveals the mystery of Jesus Christ, the Passover Lamb, he was sitting in an elevated place, namely on his chariot (cf. Acts 8:26-28).
Acts 8:26-28:
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road – the desert road – that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’
27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet.
26 Now an angel of the Lord said to Philip, ‘Go south to the road – the desert road – that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza.’
27 So he started out, and on his way he met an Ethiopian eunuch, an important official in charge of all the treasury of the Kandake, queen of the Ethiopians. This man had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet.
Meanwhile, the apostle Philip was already filled with revelatory knowledge, so the Spirit of God instructed him to bring his spiritual maturity to the eunuch, who was on his chariot in an elevated place to receive from God, not knowing that Philip, Spirit-led, would suddenly appear at his chariot.
At this point, there is an emphasis on the starting point of both people, who had the city of Jerusalem as their place of origin but went to different destinations after their encounter (cf. Acts 8:39-40).
Acts 8:39-40:
39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.
40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and travelled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord suddenly took Philip away, and the eunuch did not see him again, but went on his way rejoicing.
40 Philip, however, appeared at Azotus and travelled about, preaching the gospel in all the towns until he reached Caesarea.
Through the encounter between Philip and the eunuch, it reveals that the geographical location of the temporary residence contributed to the circumcision of the eunuch’s heart and the increase of the knowledge of the truth in him for the glory of God (cf. Romans 2:29 i.c.w. Acts 8:36-38; 1 Timothy 2:4-6).
Romans 2:29:
29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.
29 No, a person is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a person’s praise is not from other people, but from God.
Acts 8:36-38:
36-37 As they travelled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptised?’
38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptised him.
36-37 As they travelled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptised?’
38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptised him.
1 Timothy 2:4-6:
4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.
4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.
The baptism of the eunuch took place because he was hungry for the revelatory truth of Isaiah 53:7-8, which was presented to him through Philip in his spiritual maturity, both being together in the same elevated place - seated on the chariot (cf. Acts 8:28-38).
Acts 8:28-38:
28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet.
29 The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it.’
30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ Philip asked.
31 ‘How can I,’ he said, ‘unless someone explains it to me?’ So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: ‘He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.’
34 The eunuch asked Philip, ‘Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?’
35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
36-37 As they travelled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptised?’
38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptised him.
28 and on his way home was sitting in his chariot reading the Book of Isaiah the prophet.
29 The Spirit told Philip, ‘Go to that chariot and stay near it.’
30 Then Philip ran up to the chariot and heard the man reading Isaiah the prophet. ‘Do you understand what you are reading?’ Philip asked.
31 ‘How can I,’ he said, ‘unless someone explains it to me?’ So he invited Philip to come up and sit with him.
32 This is the passage of Scripture the eunuch was reading: ‘He was led like a sheep to the slaughter, and as a lamb before its shearer is silent, so he did not open his mouth.
33 In his humiliation he was deprived of justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.’
34 The eunuch asked Philip, ‘Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?’
35 Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.
36-37 As they travelled along the road, they came to some water and the eunuch said, ‘Look, here is water. What can stand in the way of my being baptised?’
38 And he gave orders to stop the chariot. Then both Philip and the eunuch went down into the water and Philip baptised him.
Jerusalem, the Place of Origin
Jesus also instructed His disciples to go to Jerusalem to receive power from on high, which shows that Jerusalem was an important spiritual anchor point that led deeper into the dimension of the Spirit to walk further the path of calling (cf. Luke 24:49 i.c.w. Acts 1:8-12).
Luke 24:49:
49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’
49 I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.’
Acts 1:8-12:
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.’
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.
11 ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’ 12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city.
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.’
9 After he said this, he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight.
10 They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them.
11 ‘Men of Galilee,’ they said, ‘why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.’ 12 Then the apostles returned to Jerusalem from the hill called the Mount of Olives, a Sabbath day’s walk from the city.
Jerusalem is the navel of the earth and Israel is the apple of God’s eye (cf. Ezekiel 38:12; Zechariah 2:8).
Ezekiel 38:12:
12 I will plunder and loot and turn my hand against the resettled ruins and the people gathered from the nations, rich in livestock and goods, living at the centre [Note: navel] of the land.
Zechariah 2:8:
8 For this is what the Lord Almighty says: ‘After the Glorious One has sent me against the nations that have plundered you – for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye – …
Speaking in a spiritual context, the character of the capital city of Jerusalem is akin to an open door in heaven. This is based on the intimacy with Jesus Christ as the bridegroom in the form of the walk in first love and the continuous true relationship with Him, since the city is described as the bride and also wife of the Lamb (cf. Revelation 21:2.9-10).
Revelation 21:2.9-10:
2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. …
9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.’
10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.
Jerusalem and the New Dimension of Knowledge
This city corresponds to a new dimension of the knowledge of Christ as the eternal King. This dimension is a higher spiritual level, which is emphasized for us by the biblical passage from Revelation 19:11-16. There John sees heaven opened to a new level and recognizes Christ as the eternal King, who reveals Himself in various facets as a warrior riding on a white horse with His royal army.
He is the Faithful and True One, the Concealed One - by name known to only Himself; as the Word of God, King of kings and Lord of lords, He moves forward.
Revelation 19:11-16:
11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war.
12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no-one knows but he himself.
13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.
14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.
15 Coming out of his mouth is a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. ‘He will rule them with an iron sceptre.’ He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty.
16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: King of kings and lord of lords.
The heavenly or messianic Jerusalem can grant access through Christ in twelve different characters, which result from the assigned angels of the 12 tribes of Israel, each of which is assigned to the four winds in an alliance of three units (cf. John 10:9 i.c.w. Revelation 21:10-13.21a).
John 10:9:
9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
9 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. They will come in and go out, and find pasture.
Revelation 21:10-13.21a:
10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.
11 It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.
12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. …
21a The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. …
10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.
11 It shone with the glory of God, and its brilliance was like that of a very precious jewel, like a jasper, clear as crystal.
12 It had a great, high wall with twelve gates, and with twelve angels at the gates. On the gates were written the names of the twelve tribes of Israel. …
21a The twelve gates were twelve pearls, each gate made of a single pearl. …
This area of entrance through the pearly gates of the city includes access into the kingdom of heaven since this itself is like a pearl (cf. Matthew 13:44-46).
Matthew 13:44-46:
44 ‘The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had and bought that field.
45 ‘Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant looking for fine pearls.
46 When he found one of great value, he went away and sold everything he had and bought it.
The Correct Focus and the Ascension to a Higher Spiritual Level
The spiritual focus on Jerusalem therefore means an increase in the apostolic understanding of government as well as the close love relationship with Christ Jesus as bridegroom and
husband (cf. Revelation 21:2.9-10).
husband (cf. Revelation 21:2.9-10).
Revelation 21:2.9-10:
2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. …
9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.’
10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.
2 I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. …
9 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls full of the seven last plagues came and said to me, ‘Come, I will show you the bride, the wife of the Lamb.’
10 And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high, and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.
Furthermore, the Heavenly Father in the form of the Almighty and the Lamb of God as temple dwell in the city (cf. Revelation 21:22).
Revelation 21:22:
22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
22 I did not see a temple in the city, because the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are its temple.
This means for us having the right spiritual focus creates an uplifting to a higher spiritual level. This so-called taking away involves being in another higher place, as described in Luke 9:51.
Luke 9:51:
51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.
51 As the time approached for him to be taken up to heaven, Jesus resolutely set out for Jerusalem.
This means that no matter where we are literally geographically, we should be aware of the dimension of Jerusalem – ‘foundation of peace’ in our hearts.
Jeremiah 1:18a reveals to us that it is possible to be a city. This means carrying the culture of the city that comes with the highest level of spiritual relationship with the Lamb of God who is Christ. Carrying this culture of the city within you in your spiritual life also means that it goes hand in hand with peace, which secures you. There is no room for any form of contempt, hatred, fear or worry.
Jeremiah 1:18a:
18a Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land – …
18a Today I have made you a fortified city, an iron pillar and a bronze wall to stand against the whole land – …
It was Jeremiah who, when the people of Israel were led into captivity to Babylon, served from Jerusalem and was allowed to dwell in Israel or Mizpah – ‘mountain watch, watchtower’ (cf. Jeremiah 38:28; Jeremiah 40:6).
Jeremiah 38:28:
28 And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard until the day Jerusalem was captured. This is how Jerusalem was taken: …
28 And Jeremiah remained in the courtyard of the guard until the day Jerusalem was captured. This is how Jerusalem was taken: …
Jeremiah 40:6:
6 So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah and stayed with him among the people who were left behind in the land.
6 So Jeremiah went to Gedaliah son of Ahikam at Mizpah and stayed with him among the people who were left behind in the land.
In this time before and during Shavuot, the Feast of Weeks, the Heavenly Father wants to meet us as His people in Christ and fill us even more with His glorious Spirit, who works great things in us so that we can fulfill our calling.
Amen and Amen.
In His Wisdom,
Daniel Glimm
