Most of the time we read that the disciples of Jesus along with other people were in the upper room waiting for the promised Holy Spirit as instructed by Jesus. But the Bible does not give us details as regards what they were doing. But, the Bible being complete shows us a shadow of the Holy Spirit coming upon 120 priests in the the Old Testament.
Let’s read today’s passage: “12 And the Levites who were musicians—Asaph, Heman, Jeduthun, and all their sons and brothers—were dressed in fine linen robes and stood at the east side of the altar playing cymbals, lyres, and harps. They were joined by 120 priests who were playing trumpets. 13 The trumpeters and singers performed together in unison to praise and give thanks to the Lord. Accompanied by trumpets, cymbals, and other instruments, they raised their voices and praised the Lord with these words:
“He is good!
His faithful love endures forever!”
At that moment a thick cloud filled the Temple of the Lord. 14 The priests could not continue their service because of the cloud, for the glorious presence of the Lord filled the Temple of God.”
When the glory of the Lord filled the house, the priests could not minister under its weight. It was the inauguration of the Temple of God and that was a shadow of what was to come on the day of Pentecost, the inauguration of the church, starting with 120 people filled in power by the Holy Spirit.
My brother, my sister, the New Testament believers are now the royal priesthood (1 Peter 2:9), doing the priestly ministry of representing people before God, praying for them, and receiving messages from God for the people. Also, in Genesis 6, we see that God led Noah to build the Ark, which took 120 years, to put an end to the age of flesh and start the age of the Spirit. This is yet another shadow pointing to the work of the Holy Spirit in the New testament.
When we understand the importance of the Holy Spirit, we also understand the importance of gathering together in unity. The Pentecost invite us to unity of the spirit: « God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth » (John 4:24).
Stay blessed in Jesus’ name.