World Mission Society Church of God

Ascension Day & the Sacred Assembly of the Day of Pentecost 2015

Nation | Korea
Date | May 14, 2015

Ascension Day Service: Give hope for resurrection and ascension to Samaria and to the ends of the earth

On May 14, the Churches of God all around the world kept the Ascension Day Service. The Ascension Day is the 40th day after Jesus Christ was resurrected. It is a meaningful day when He implanted the living hope for resurrection and ascension in the hearts of human beings who are chained to death.

Mother gave thanks to Father who granted the living hope for ascension to the heavenly children, and prayed that all the children can lead people who are terrified by various disasters to salvation by fulfilling Jesus’ words, “You will be my witnesses to the ends of the earth.”

Giving examples of the early Church that received the Holy Spirit on the Day of Pentecost after praying earnestly from the Ascension Day, and of several Biblical figures who experienced God’s power through prayers, General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol emphasized, “We can do everything only by prayer. No matter what difficulties we may face, let us not be discouraged. Rather, let’s pray and receive abundant power of the Holy Spirit.” He added, “God the Creator of heavens and the earth administers the whole universe for our salvation. Thinking of God who endured even the crucifixion, let us never lose hope for heaven in any circumstances, but walk the path of faith with joy and thanksgiving” (Ac 1:6–15; 1 Th 4:14–18; 1 Co 15:44–48; Php 4:4–7; Col 4:2–6; Rev 8:3–4).

After the Ascension Day Service, the Prayer Week of the Day of Pentecost began from that evening. For ten days, the members asked earnestly for the Holy Spirit of the latter rain and devoted themselves to preaching just as the early Church did.

The Sacred Assembly of the Day of Pentecost: Let salvation be granted to the world by the power of the Holy Spirit

On May 24, the tenth day from the Ascension Day, the Sacred Assembly of the Day of Pentecost was held. After asking for the Holy Spirit early in the mornings and in the evenings during the prayer week, the members celebrated the Day of Pentecost with excitement.

As for the work of the early Church saints who preached the gospel boldly and led thousands of people into repentance with the Holy Spirit they received on the Pentecost, General Pastor Kim Joo-cheol explained, “They were granted such blessings by proclaiming the Christ who was the Savior fearlessly.” And he emphasized, “When we preach Heavenly Mother, the Savior of this age, to all nations, we will see the work of the Holy Spirit seven times stronger than that of the Apostolic age and will complete the gospel work” (Ac 2:1–47; Isa 60:1–4).

In the afternoon service, Mother blessed all Her children in the world with the Holy Spirit of the latter rain and prayed that all the scattered heavenly family members would be found by the Holy Spirit they received. Mother Herself preached to the members, “Believe that God has given you the Holy Spirit abundantly and do the Holy Spirit Movement to find spiritual brothers and sisters.” She also enlightened them, “Citizens of heaven and the royal priesthood must be careful of their words. The Holy Spirit works when we only speak what is helpful for building others and what benefits those who listen, and preach God’s words with mercy on other souls. Just as God is holy, let us become holy in every way so that we can lead many people to the kingdom of heaven” (Eph 4:22–29; 5:4–8; 1 Pe 1:14–16; Pr 15:1; Heb 3:15–19; Php 3:19–21).

The members gave thanks to God again and again for letting them hear the news of the gospel work being accomplished throughout the world amazingly and for strengthening their faith with the overflowing Holy Spirit. They showed their determination, saying, “Making something that is impossible with human ability possible is the power of the Holy Spirit. Depending on the Holy Spirit, we will quickly complete the world evangelism.”