The resurrection of Christ and the gift of the Spirit marked the beginning of the End—the turning of the ages—and God has set the future in motion, so that we are already citizens of our new homeland (Philippians 3:20)! By the Spirit’s presence, believers taste of the life to come and become oriented toward its consummation. The Spirit is the down payment of the future inheritance (2 Corinthians 1:21-22; 5:5; Ephesians 1:14), He is the seal of that Day of the Lord that is to come (2 Corinthians 1:21-22; Ephesians 1:13; 4:30), He is the first fruits of the final realization, the NOW and the NOT YET (Romans 8:23). Check out this audio message if you would like to learn more about the New Testament understanding of the Spirit as the present evidence of future realities and the assurance of the final glory:
