Alfred Nobel invented Dynamite in 1867. This is the same Alfred Nobel who started and funded the Nobel Prizes for scientific and cultural achievements. His invention of dynamite made him very wealthy, which allowed him to fund what has become one of the most prestigious awards in the world.
Nobel Made a Discovery
Nobel didn’t really invent a new explosive when he developed dynamite. The explosive is dynamite — nitroglycerin — already existed. The problem with nitroglycerin, though, is that it’s very unstable and very dangerous to handle. Nitroglycerin by itself is a very strong explosive, but is extremely shock-sensitive (that is, physical shock can cause it to explode), and degrades over time to even more unstable forms, which makes it highly dangerous to transport or use. Nobel soaked nitroglycerine into a soft, chalky stone called diatomaceous earth rendering it safe to use, but retaining the powerful explosive properties of nitroglycerin.
Alfred Nobel originally sold dynamite as \”Nobel\’s Blasting Powder\” but decided to change the name to dynamite, from the Greek word dunamis, meaning \”power\”.
The disciples were the first to hear Jesus reveal the kind of explosive power that was going to be available to them after the Holy Ghost came upon them.
Act 1:8
But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.
The word ‘receive’ in the Greek means ‘to take a hold of’ and the word ‘power’ is ‘dunamis’ from which we get dynamite in English; so Jesus said to the disciples, “you shall take a hold of dynamite- explosive power- after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you.” I would want us to explore what kind of power-dynamite- Jesus was talking about.
An Explosive Power
Jesus was talking about the ‘dunamis’- dynamite- of the Holy Ghost. This is an explosive power of the Spirit. When effectively detonated, it will shatter every challenge and opposition in its path. This is what gets under mountains and literally explodes them into non-existence when you speak to them to be removed (Mark 11:22-24).
Power for Performing Miracles
Impossible conditions are blasted away by the explosive ability of the Holy Ghost. Can you imagine how excited these disciples would be when Jesus said to them power – dynamite – for performing miracles would be residing in them after the Holy Ghost came upon them?
Moral Power and Excellence of Soul
This power is not something the world can match, hence making the possessors of this kind of power rare personalities on the earth. There is an excellence that can only be introduced into your life by the dynamite of the Spirit. The good news is that it is available to you in the Holy Ghost.
Rule and Subdue the Earth!