On Pentecost day there were no angels visibly present. Often we read of their presence in the life of Christ, in the appearance to Mary, in the fields of Ephratha, when He was tempted in the wilderness, then in Gethsemane and on the resurrection morn­ing. More instances could be mentioned. But on Pentecost, we read nothing about any appearance of angels. It was the time of the harvest of the work of the Lord. Angels can do great things for us, reveal things to us, protect us and help us, but only the Spirit can work salvation in us.

The third Person of the Holy Trinity was poured out into the Church. The following example has been used to illustrate this great work of the Lord. Ima­gine an ever-flowing fountain of fresh water which eventually forms a stream and flows into a lake. And the lake never gets full. God is the Fountain, the in­finite, eternal, inexhaustible Source of life with all its blessings. The Spirit as the fountain was given to Christ, and so through Christ this "stream" of the Spirit flows into the church. The church as the body of saved sinners, becomes the recipient of the inde­scribable riches of life and blessings that are in God. The source never runs dry and the lake never becomes full.

Pentecost time has also been called the time of harvest in the great work of salvation. What the pay-check is to the laboring man, business returns to the businessman, and the harvest to the farmer who has been sowing and planting, that Pentecost is for the church. On the very day of Pentecost the O.T. Israelites had to bring to the temple the first fruits of the finished harvest. It is on this day that the Lord begins with His finished harvest. And He con­tinues to gather it in throughout the entire New Testament (the last days) until the end of time. Then it will be complete.

This text speaks of two senses of man, of his eyes and ears. Perhaps we can say that they are the most common and important senses. With the eye man can see many wonderful things, as with the ear he can and does hear marvelous sounds, and music. Then there is the potential of the heart which can create and produce much in God's culture and handi­work. But here is something which the Lord has pre­pared which no eye has ever seen, and no ear has ever heard, nor has it ever arisen in the heart of any man. It is so great and marvelous that it surpasses all possibility of imagination. It is possible, for exam­ple, for man to see the North Pole, even though few people have ever seen it. But here the Scriptures speak of realities that man cannot of himself see or hear, or even begin to imagine in his heart. No human heart ever comes up with such marvelous and incredibly beautiful thoughts, and experiences.

The question is, what is Paul referring to when He speaks of such great and glorious works of God? Basically of course everything God does is good and beautiful. And it is equally true that the natural man does not, cannot understand or comprehend the works of God. The natural mind does not discern the things of the Spirit.

Here Paul has in mind first of all the work of Christ's cross, as the way of salvation. This is and was a way of such wisdom and love that had those who crucified Him known it, they wouldn't have done it. None understood but God alone. No human heart ever conceived of the cross as the basic solu­tion to our problems. Which human philosophy has ever concluded that there was need of such a cross? Whoever heard of such love and mercy as well as of such righteousness? In all other religions of the world man is saved by giving, sacrificing to the gods, he himself making payment and atonement. What tongue can tell the length and breadth, height and depth of the love of God shown on Calvary? Which pen can describe it? Who will ever give a complete description of it? This is the work of God and God alone. And by the Spirit of Pentecost we begin to know and enjoy it.

In a broader sense, this expression refers to all the works of God in the entire process of salvation. They far surpass all that man does, can do, or can even imagine to be possible. But by the Spirit it is shown and given unto us. I think of a few texts which stand out in my mind. The fear of the Lord is to be desired more than gold, even fine gold (Psalm 19). In other words, true fear of God gives such joy that it is to be desired much more than becoming a million­aire. That's what the Spirit does, and shows us. Paul speaks of the Spirit giving a peace that surpasses all understanding. What a blessing that is — a fruit of the Spirit. Natural eyes and ears don't see or hear of such things, nor do natural hearts experience such joys. Peter, in quoting Joel in Acts 2 speaks of the Spirit being poured out like a down-pour of rain. Im­agine receiving such a down-pour of the Spirit. Paul also speaks of being filled with the Spirit. Spirit-filled people have a good bit of heaven in them, and are Christ-like. The Lord Jesus, in speaking about true believers, says that from within them shall flow rivers (not little trickles) of living waters. He said this referring to the outpouring of the Spirit. Such blessings and such spiritually elevated lives, natural ears and eyes or hearts do not comprehend or ex­perience. They are the fruit and work of the Spirit of Pentecost. The manner and depth of God's love, how all things work together for good for His people, the riches and depths of His promises and faithfulness, are all so exalted and sublime that no eye has ever seen them, nor ear heard them, nor have they ever arisen in the heart of any man.

Finally, these words likely also refer to what lies ahead in the program of our Lord, the new heaven and new earth and eternal glory. We ask many ques­tions about these which always remain unanswered. How can the millions of people in heaven all be with the Lord at the same time? What will the new heaven and earth be like? Will they be one? Will there be vegetation and animals on the new earth? What will we do all the time? We don't have the answers to these and many other questions. But we know that all of it will be so glorious that no eye has ever seen it, nor ear heard of it, nor has it ever arisen in the heart of man.

These gifts of the Spirit are prepared for all those who love Him, says the text. Naturally, they are on­ly for God's people. We could say, for the elect, for those for whom Christ died, or, for all believers. But the text doesn't say it that way. Instead, for all those who love Him. We find the same in Romans 8:28. "All things work together for good to them that love God." Love is on the foreground in both instances. Of course, love is the fruit of the regenerating work of the Spirit and elective grace. But here we read of the conduct of Christians and their responsibility to walk in the fear of God. The Scriptures often confront us with the basic principle that when we fear Him He will bless us. That we have here; He will give these wonderful blessings of the Spirit to those who love Him. The simple truth therefore is that those who love Him most are also the ones who receive much of the Spirit. In other words, the more we have of Christ and His love, the more we reveal of Christ in us, the more we enjoy these great spiritual blessings not known to the world. And we have a sure hope for that great future of which pearly gates and golden streets are only symbolic descriptions.