We have brought before us the two great outstanding facts of the Christian period on the basis of which the new things of Christianity are established, and by which the truth of Christianity is maintained. These two distinguishing facts are prophetically announced in John 7:39. On the last and great day of the feast, the day that looks on to a new world of satisfied desire, the Lord invites all the world to come to Him and drink. He also speaks of the present result for the one who comes. Such would become a channel of refreshment in this needy world.

Then we are definitely told that the Lord is speaking of the Holy Spirit which they who believe on Him should receive. True believers companied with the Lord in His earthly path, but they had not received the Holy Spirit. Then we are told that the gift of the Holy Spirit on earth awaited the presence of Christ in the glory, as we read, “The Holy Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified.”

Here then we have the two great distinguishing features of Christianity: (1) there is a Man in the glory; and (2) there is a Divine Person on earth. Christ as Son of Man is seated in the glory; the Holy Spirit, a Divine Person, is present on earth.