Stephen was altogether triumphant as he came to the end of his Spirit-inspired message, to the end of his sanctified life, to the end of his spectacular ministry and to the end of his Spirit-directed pilgrimage on earth.
“Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of Man standing on the right Hand of God.” Nothing is so comforting to dying saints or so encouraging to suffering saints as to see Jesus at the right Hand of God.
In life, sanctified Stephen saw the Lord strengthening and standing by him at death; he saw the Lord assuring him and standing to welcome him into heaven. Living, he saw the Lord and dying, he saw the Lord too. If this be our commitment while we live, it will be our comfort when we die. In life, Stephen was faithful in living for and defending the faith; at death, he was assured of a place and a prize in heaven.
As his spirit went to heaven to be with Christ whom he loved and served, his body fell asleep, waiting to be raised on the day of resurrection. Though the persecutors stoned him to death, he did not die in anger, agony or bitter hatred with a curse on his lips; he died praying for his persecutors, with abiding peace and fullness of joy in his heart as Jesus Christ received him into heaven to share in heaven’s pleasures, at God’s right Hand, forever.
“When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart.” Stephen’s accusers “were not able to resist the wisdom and the spirit by which he spake” and now the Sanhedrin who sat to judge him could not withstand the power of the sword of the Spirit. But instead of repenting of their sin, “they gnashed on him with their teeth,” further hardening their hearts against the truth.
“But he, being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up steadfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right Hand of God.” He was standing trial before men, but he looked up to God in heaven. Accused by men, he never looked down or bowed in humiliation. He was standing on earth, but he was seeing heaven.
Stephen’s experience is proof that it is possible to be continually full of the Holy Ghost (Acts 6:3,5,8; 7:55). “Full of the Holy Ghost,” he was full of the love, the joy, the peace, the comfort, the counsel, the wisdom, the holiness, the power and the unction of the Spirit. He “looked up steadfastly into heaven” — his eyes and heart were lifted up to heaven, where his only hope and confidence were placed. His affections had always been set on things above and the glory of God had always been his goal.
• Further Reading (King James Version): Acts 7:54-60; Acts 7:54-56; 1:9-11; Mark 16:19; Hebrews 10:12-14; 12:2,22-24; Colossians 3:1-4,14-24; Titus 2:11-14; John 14:1-3,27; 17:22-24; 1Peter 1:3-5; 3:22; 2 Peter 3:12-14; Acts 7:57, 58, 51-53; Deuteronomy 31:27; Jeremiah 6:10, 16,17; 9:25,26; Zechariah 7:11,12; 2 Chronicles 24:19-21; Matthew 23:31-35; 13:40-43; 25:41,46; Mark 9:42-48; Revelation 14:10-12; 20:11-15; Acts 7:59,60; Luke 16:22-26; 2 Corinthians 5:1,8; Philippians 1:21-23; Luke 23:39-43; 10:20; Philippians 4:3; Hebrews 12:22,23; Ephesians 3:14,15; Revelation 7:9-17; 14:13; 19:1,6-8.
The post Grand reception in heaven for a steadfast saint – Part 1 appeared first on Guardian Nigeria News.
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