Was the Holy Spirit baptism John predicted future or present?
John's prediction of Holy Spirit baptism was future, not present. The context stresses verb tenses: John was presently baptizing in water, but he declared that Christ would at a future time baptize with the Holy Spirit. Therefore the Holy Spirit baptism John foretold belonged to a future day, contrasting with John's present water baptism.
Les teaches that the verb tenses in John's statement are explicitly future. John was presently baptizing in water, but he said that Christ would at a future day baptize with the Holy Spirit. The context notes this is 'more future than most realized.' Les also points out the two alternatives tied to that baptism: the Holy Spirit or fire, meaning one is either saved or lost. He then directs attention to I Corinthians 12, where the body imagery shows the unity of believers in the Holy Spirit baptism.
I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire:
More Questions
What are the two alternatives in John's promise that Christ will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire?
John's statement that Christ will baptize with the Holy Spirit and with fire presents only two alternatives: baptism with the Holy Spirit or baptism with the lake of fire, so people are either saved or lost.