Tag Archives | presence of God

The Indwelling Presence

By on in Theology

As Yahweh made clear to the prophet Jeremiah concerning Israel, “they will be My people and I will be their God,” it was obvious that He kept faithful to the covenant agreed upon at Mt Sinai and in the Moab desert. Yet after the many years and continued failures of His people, He would form an everlasting covenant for those who would be caused to seek and follow Him. It was and is now a new type of covenant that would change how His people would remain faithful (Ezekiel 16:60) to give hope for renewal and permanent restoration. This renewal would involve the restoration of His presence in the lives of His people. As planned from long ago, the fellowship between Yahweh and His people would become planted to grow in grace as His further interest progresses.

Prior to Judah’s exile into Babylon, and the removal of His presence among them, Yahweh’s people did not yet have the transformed heart that God said He would give them. In fact, He said that His Spirit placed within them would mean that He intends to take up residence within His people as compared to where He was before at the wilderness tabernacle and later in Solomon’s temple at Jerusalem (Ezekiel 36:25-27). It was to become His indwelling Spirit that defines the type of presence that would now occupy the inner-being of His people. They were to become a distributed personal space He would occupy as compared to a centralized location in Jerusalem at the temple.

In due course, the nation or tribes of Israel would become superseded through messianic prophecies about the kingdom of God that comes to the Earth via the way of the sea (Isaiah 9:1-2, Matthew 4:14-17). Not to replace Israel, God’s people, but to build upon it as His kingdom extends from Jerusalem to all individuals among the nations who would come to Christ in faith. Through a new covenant first for the Jews and then also for the Gentiles (Romans 1:16) where it is fulfilled that Yahweh’s Spirit would live within them. As born-again individuals with the Spirit of God within them among the nations across numerous generations, the new covenant applies to those who are of God’s kingdom.

The key point is that the God transforms the heart of His people. He does so through His Spirit and His word through Scripture. In order that His people would love, honor, and serve Him as their delight and ongoing desire. Where it is therefore made possible to consistently walk in the Spirit as described in Galatians 5:16-18 and fulfill the instructions that are given to us as a body of believers.

Realms of Distinction

By on in Theology

The four living creatures in Ezekiel 1:4-28 are real spiritual beings that Ezekiel saw in his vision. This was a supernatural experience that he encountered as what was revealed to him was a likeness of cherubim at Yahweh’s seat of power independent of position, space, or time. The anthropomorphic images Ezekiel perceived were for his comprehension within his surrounding environment as “the heavens were opened” before him (Ezekiel 1:1). The heavens were opened to reveal the vivid nature of God’s glory and that of His cherubim. The “heavens” that were opened were external to Ezekiel’s experience to indicate that the encounter was more than a theophany only internal to the prophet. The term “heavens” (samayim) refers to the abode of God and His angels. What Ezekiel saw, as written in Scripture, was a vision of who and what was from there.

The vision that Ezekiel encountered was not from his imagination. Since the Ezekiel 1 text does not indicate that the theophany was presented to anyone other than the prophet in proximity to what occurred, we cannot conclude that Ezekiel’s vision was open for everyone to see. In other areas of Scripture, we are presented with visions, and supernatural appearances among prophets and apostles recounted in detail. Either in a real descriptive sense or as a symbolic expression to convey meaning. For example, Christ’s transfiguration was an actual event that occurred to indicate the glorified state of Jesus physically. Conversely, for example, there were visions of John in the book of Revelation that conveys imagery to represent actual meaning (such as the lamb in heaven). What was revealed to individuals or groups in Scripture was determined by God, whereas what was given to an individual by dream or vision is the same yet only exclusive to that person.

God’s perfect will gives select individuals a specific reason to produce meaning for God’s glory and to communicate, meaning that He was transmitted. The messaging readers of Scripture get from encounters, visions, and dreams, have their purpose in alignment with God’s design and intent. While Ezekiel’s vision was not a practical reality in an Earthly sense, the encounter was very much real in a spiritual sense (Num 23:19). What constitutes reality, or the perception of it, is determined by God, not humanity’s limited capabilities. People are merely given the utility of sensory perception to interpret meaning as presented naturally or supernaturally. Either in a physical way or by what the spirit is situated to understand or perceive. The brain is the mind’s interface to the material world. God is the spirit’s interface to the spiritual realm. God has dominion and control over both as people are comprised of both flesh and spirit.

Ezekiel’s vision was a look into a representative nature of God’s presence. To include His glory, His cherubim, and the surrounding realm around which He occupied. If He chooses to peel back the heavens to reveal additional dimensions to individuals or groups, He is certainly capable of that (Jer 32:27).

Awareness of God’s Presence

By on in Theology

When you trust in Christ as your savior, God seals you. He seals you forever as a child of God. The seal itself is the presence of the Holy Spirit. So as a matter of confidence, here is the evidence of your awareness of God’s presence in your life:

1. He is continually in our thoughts. Consciously and subconsciously. It’s like a holy silence within us.
2. We are continually seeking His guidance.
3. We must view Him as our constant companion.
4. We view everything in light of His presence. Whatever happens, has to in the presence of God.
5. We have peace in the midst of storms.
6. We have a hunger in our hearts for the Word of God.
7. We have joy in our hearts.
8. We are more conscious of the good things that God sends us.
9. We feel a continuing dependence upon Him.
10. Prayer is a priority in our life.
11. We continue to have hope, even when things look hopeless.
12. We sift every decision through His will.
13. We view our needs in light of His presence.
14. Our worship is more real and rewarding.
15. We walk in obedience to God as a way of life. You do not have to sin.
16. We have a stronger, intimate relationship with Jesus.

Notes from Dr. Charles Stanley’s presentation: “The Awareness of God’s Presence”.