Pentecost Miracles Bring Heaven Down to Earth

When the Spirit of God hovers over the dark and lifeless waters in Genesis, that powerful "Ruah"/Breath/Wind of God brings glorious light and life to planet earth.

Millenia later the same gale force Spirit of God breaks in with another heaven-sent revolution of fresh light and new life.

Here are some of the God-signs we celebrate in the Pentecost story in Acts 2:

1. Language barriers are removed. Visitors in Jerusalem from all over the then known world experience a reversal of Babel, the ability to hear and understand each other on earth as in heaven. "When they heard the sound, they came on the run. Then when they heard, one after another, their own mother tongues being spoken, they were blown away. They couldn’t for the life of them figure out what was going on, and kept saying, “Aren’t these all Galileans? How come we’re hearing them talk in our various mother tongues?" (Acts 2, the Message)

2. Rich and poor, men and women, young and old alike are all blessed with an infusion of supernatural grace and power. “I will pour out my Spirit on every kind of people: Your sons will prophesy, also your daughters; your young men will see visions, your old men dream dreams. When the time comes, I’ll pour out my Spirit on those who serve me, men and women both..."  (Acts 2, the Message)

3. A joyful harmony and equity become clear signs of heaven that mark the community of believers on earth.  "And all the believers lived in a wonderful harmony, holding everything in common. They sold whatever they owned and pooled their resources so that each person’s need was met. They followed a daily discipline of worship in the Temple followed by meals at home, every meal a celebration, exuberant and joyful, as they praised God. "  (Acts 2, the Message)

4. Love, joy, peace, patience and other "fruit of the Spirit" replace selfishness, pettiness, greed and conflict among God's people. "(God) brings gifts into our lives, much the same way that fruit appears in an orchard—things like affection for others, exuberance about life, serenity. We develop a willingness to stick with things, a sense of compassion in the heart, and a conviction that a basic holiness permeates things and people. We find ourselves involved in loyal commitments, not needing to force our way in life, able to marshal and direct our energies wisely."  (Galatians 5 the Message)

Does all of this sound too good to be true? Or as those who embrace God's good news, is it too good not to be true, so good that we refuse to wait until the  next life to experience its blessing?