Something in the hearts of prophetic Christians resonates deeply with God’s promise given through the Prophet Isaiah:
“Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you. See, darkness covers the earth… but the Lord rises upon you and his glory appears over you. Nations will come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your dawn.” (Is 60:1-3)
We long for the coming day when the Presence of God will be so evident upon His people that multitudes will be drawn to God’s Kingdom.
A Prophetic Picture of God’s Manifest Presence
With this in mind, there is a picture that has gripped me lately, and that is God’s Presence both within and manifested upon Moses’ tabernacle in the wilderness.
The word ‘manifested’ means to be seen, to be clear and obvious.
I believe this is a prophetic picture for our lives and for the Church, in that it is being highlighted by the Holy Spirit at this time. [1]
“Then have them make a sanctuary for me, and I will dwell among them.” (Ex 25:8)
1. God’s Presence Within us
Once the Ark of the Covenant was housed in the Tabernacle, Moses no longer needed to wait for God’s Presence to come to him at the door, as he had earlier (Ex 33:9-11). He could speak to God face to face within it.
‘When Moses entered the tent of meeting to speak with the Lord, he heard the voice speaking to him from between the two cherubim above the atonement cover on the ark of the covenant law. In this way the Lord spoke to him.’ (Numbers 7:89)
Inside the Tabernacle, in front of the Ark, Moses had intimate communion and personal conversation with God.
This speaks of God’s Presence within us: our personal relationship with God and the intimate communion we can have with Him through faith in Jesus.
Whilst God’s Presence within us primarily relates to us personally, from there the fruit of our personal relationship with God touches others around us.
2. God’s Manifest Presence Upon us
The Presence of God also continually resided upon the Tabernacle in the form of the pillar of cloud by day and the fire by night.
God’s Presence was a heavenly shield of protection both from the harsh elements of the wilderness and from Israel’s enemies. The Presence of God provided guidance in their journeys.
But God’s Presence not only benefited God’s people. It was also a sign for the nations. When God was about to withdraw His Presence due to the Israelite’s sin, Moses said,
“If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?” Exodus 33:15-16
The Presence of God upon our lives is a mark of our relationship with Him as sons and daughters.
God’s Presence upon us is our favor, shield, and covering. But this is not solely for our benefit—the manifest Presence of God is for the sake of the world around us.
Jesus quoted the Prophet Isaiah:
‘The Holy Spirit is upon Me, because the Lord has anointed Me to preach good news….’ (See Isaiah 61:1-3, Luke 4:18)
Today we can also say, “The Holy Spirit is upon us because our Heavenly Father has anointed us to reach and touch people for Him, bringing healing, deliverance, and the message of salvation.”
His Presence and Glory is our Inheritance
The Apostle Paul said that if the Old Covenant of Presence of God manifested with glory, how much more should it be for us in the New Covenant? (2 Corinthians 3:7-8)
The truth is, we long for what belongs to us. The Presence and glory of God is our inheritance. This is why our hearts desire to know and experience more of Him.
When we realize this, we can position for and receive what our Father has for us.
It’s time to catch a vision of what God has prepared for us—for this is the first step of fully entering in.
Many of us have a deep desire to experience more of God’s Presence. But what does this mean? I am going to spend a few weeks exploring this topic. Next time, I will look more specifically of how the Holy Spirit’s Presence upon us is manifested in our lives.
Notes:
[1] The Tabernacle of Moses is a Biblical type: firstly of Christ, but also of the Church and the individual believer. (see Hebrews chapters 8-10, Col 2:17) Today, I am referring to it as a prophetic picture because I believe this aspect of the Tabernacle and God’s manifest Presence is a ‘NOW’ word of God for the Church.
Related Posts:
A Prophetic Vision: God’s Call to Intimacy with Him
Hunger for God: 6 Ways You Can Stir it Up
An Open Heaven Is Our Inheritance
Face to Face with God: Can I Have a Relationship like Moses?
Do you have any scriptures, poems, or thoughts about the Presence of God that you would like to share? Leave a comment in the box below. If the comments box is not visible, click on this link and scroll down.
© Helen Calder – Enliven Blog
Enliven Ministries: Prophetic ministry for a revival generation
Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in prophetic ministry and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog (est. 2009), an online resource that reaches thousands of people globally.
I deeply enjoyed this teaching on the presence of God and looking forward to the rest of the teaching. For the past several weeks I have been consumed with this subject.
Thanks Michael, it’s such an encouragement to hear you are on the same journey. Feel free to share any insights you have with us, too :-)
Dear Helen, thank you so much for this Powerful Prophetic Teaching. This is a poem I wrote while I was reflecting on this Teaching and on 2 Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the LORD, are being transformed into the same image from Glory to Glory, just as by the Spirit of the LORD”, and 2 Corinthians 4:6-7 “For it is GOD who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of GOD in the face of JESUS CHRIST. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of power may be of GOD and not of us.”
I have called this Poem, Carriers of GOD’S Glory.
JESUS is my Resting Place
HIS Presence is my Dwelling Place
The LORD is my Hiding Place
Under the Shadow of HIS Wings, my Soul Delights and Sings
In the Presence of the KING, I am Free
Waves of HIS Glory Flooding Over Me
HE Opens Up my Eyes to See
I Abide in CHRIST, and HE Abides in Me
Such a Wonderful, Glorious, Beautiful Mystery
CHRIST in Me, the HOPE of Glory
Heaven Loves to tell the Story
Baptised in HIS Presence
Crowned with HIS Glory, and Abiding in HIS Love
Flooded by HIS Love Divine
Abiding in the Vine
Seeing JESUS Shine
Waiting for a Taste of Glory
This is my Story
Encountering HIS Presence, like never Before
Encountering HIS Glory, igniting my Hunger for More
From Glory to EVER-INCREASING GLORY
From Strength to Greater Strength
Into HIS Image, We have Been Made
A Reflection of HIS Glory
A Reflection of HIS Grace
A Mirror of HIS Face
Abiding in The Vine
Radiating The Divine
Shine JESUS Shine
You are a CARRIER of HIS GLORY
Heaven tells the Story
You are a Shining Light
Glowing EVER so Bright
Inside of You, is the Greatest Treasure
The Precious HOLY SPIRIT, Overflowing Without Measure
Poem by Irene Kyriacou
Thank you Irene, awesome poem and I love that verse in 2 Cor:6-7 too. Carriers of His glory…yes!
Thank you so much Irene. I will keep this poem forever, and I’d remember and see you in glory my dear sister. God bless you
Free tabernacle pictures; http://www.kotipetripaavola.com/Tabernacle.html
i had a dream about in December 2013 about the holy spirit descending lik a dove, i knw it was not a dream it was something i havent encountered ever, it was at night, it felt as though i was in a flat which must have been on the 20th floor and the room i was in was dark, i was playing with my daughter when all of a sudden i could see a bright light appear from way up in the sky all the way down to the ground. It seemed to look like a pillar of light, as i began staring into the light it began getting brighter, then a beautiful shimmer as if jewels and gold dust began trickling through the pillar of light and then the most glorious white dove appeared out of the light and descended, i was ovrwhelmed at the beauty and magnificance of the pillar of shimmering light and beautiful dove, oh my lord i will never ever forget that encounter, Thank you Lord Jesus, u appeared to me as peace.
Vanessa, what a wonderful dream! So full of God’s glory and Presence. Thank you for sharing. :-)