Tag Archives: Manifestations

Jewels From Heaven

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Peter & Deborah Berlenbach of Abbotsford, BC

Spend time laying quietly before the Lord, humbling yourself in His presence, and strange but wonderful things will happen. At least, this is the case for Peter and Deborah Berlenbach, lead pastors of Face to Face Ministries in Abbotsford, BC. After years of serving God, they discovered Abba Father, the healer of broken hearts and giver of all good gifts. In the attached audio interview, Deborah shares how supernatural phenomenon has consistently marked their ministry in the forms of gold dust, oil, and precious jewels. These things began to manifest in their lives and ministry – though they never had knowledge or experience with such things, before.

You may ask, “Why would God do such things?” or “What is the purpose?” Would you believe that God does things simply because He can? He often lavishes divine expressions of affection on those who receive Him with the gratitude and innocence of a trusting child. For the believing, manifestations increase faith. Contrariwise, they can further harden the heart of the skeptic. Heaven doesn’t manifest in the natural realm to make believers of us all. These things happen whenever we, as believers, ascend in worship, opening the portals of Heaven with our unfeigned adoration.

Gold Dust and Jewels

I have been in services where gold flecks appeared on faces, hands and clothing. Though fantastical to us on Earth, gold flecks are but street dust in Heavenly realms. The significance lies in knowing we have touched Heaven with our worship. Signs and wonders of this kind are merely indications that God is among His people. Signs can confirm the preaching of the Word, testify of God’s presence, or convey a special message to the recipient. Just as we give gifts that convey our heart to our loved ones, Father gives gifts that reveal His heart and nature. A wonder makes us ponder the vast greatness of our God! He enjoys enlarging our perspective of Who He is and what He can do.

As for the manifestation of jewels, this is nothing new. Here’s a fascinating testimony from Puerto Rico of gemstones falling in The House of Restoration and Mercy, as reported by Patricia King. Other ministries have reported similar manifestations on occasion. Gemstones have always spoken to me of the rich and multi-faceted truths of God’s Word. Jesus is described in 2 Peter 2:4 as a living gem, “As you come to him, the living Stone–rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him.” Gems, gold, oil, feathers, and the like are part of the language of Heaven. What precisely they mean, when they appear, must be discerned by the recipients who, in turn, take the gifts to the Lord in prayer.

As for the Berlenbach’s, they are experiencing a steady outpouring of Heavenly gifts in their lives and ministry. Below is a photo gallery (courtesy of Face to Face Ministries) of gemstones that have fallen in recent years. It was an honor to speak with Deborah about this phenomenon, and to hear her unique insight as to why this is happening.

Listen to or download the audio interview with Deborah Berlenbach.

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Connect with the Berlenbach’s at http://www.facetofaceministriesonline.com.

Face to Face Ministries on Facebook


A Primer On Manifestations Part 3

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False Manifestations

We all have a bias concerning manifestations that is rooted in our individual human experience. Religious theology, personal exposure to manifestations and culture will determine whether or not we accept or reject them. No doubt, you already have a well-formed opinion on manifestations that reflects the sum total of your exposure to supernatural phenomenon.  If you have questions, it is probably because you or someone you know has had an experience that doesn’t land on your grid. Many believers in foreign cultures have no problem accepting supernatural manifestations.  Our rational Western culture insists on skepticism of anything that cannot be empirically explained.  The church, the only scripturally sanctioned broker of supernatural phenomenon, has in modern times shied away from signs and wonders.  Within the organized Western church, most choose to either denounce or discount physical or emotional demonstrations of the presence of God. Others go so far as to demonize any ministry that embraces or welcomes manifestations, deeming them false.

Maria Woodsworth Etter believed that a ministry that accurately represented God would be accompanied with unusual signs.  She surmised that a lack of manifestations was a sign of doctrinal apostasy. When the Word is purely presented, the Lord will attest it by demonstrating the unusual.  Mark 16:20 tells us, “Then the disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by the signs that accompanied it.”

Signs and wonders may include but are not limited to the following in scripture:

  • healings – Acts 4:30
  • deliverances – Mark 1:32
  • resurrections – Acts 9:40
  • crying – Luke 7:38
  • shouting – Luke 4:41
  • dancing – Psalm 30:11
  • prophecy – 1 Samuel 10:12
  • sensation of heat – Habakkuk 3:4 (particularly the hands)
  • bowing or falling prostrate – 1 Kings 8:11
  • physical weakness – Job 13:11
  • impediment of natural senses – Luke 1:22
  • heightened natural abilities – 1 Kings 18:46
  • awakening of supernatural senses – 2 Kings 6:16
  • the appearance of angelic beings – Luke 2:9
  • divine attestations of God’s power – Numbers 16:32
  • wind or whirlwinds – Job 38:1
  • fire – 1 Kings 18:38
  • rain – Hosea 10:12
  • clouds – Mark 9:7
  • heavenly sounds – 2 Samuel 5:24
  • earthquakes and rumblings – Matthew 28:2
  • etc…

There are myriads of ways the Lord may choose to manifest His presence among mankind. Each manifestation has a purpose to transform man or to reveal Father’s heart, character, nature and will – to an individual, group or nation. He also manifests Himself through us. We may, from time to time, be animated by His indwelling Spirit to speak on His behalf, or to demonstrate some facet of His power.  This generally happens by virtue of His spiritual gifts as mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12.  At other times, phenomenon will accompany a wave of revival or an outpouring.  Some manifestations become characteristic of a ministry, following a specific person or people, as a sign of what God is doing through them.  I have observed ministers who operate in the gift of healing often describe a heat on their hands. It is a physical witness of when the anointing is present to “stretch out your hand to heal and perform miraculous signs and wonders through the name of your holy servant Jesus,” Acts 4:30. My own hand will at times “burn” during a healing service, or whenever I come near a minister of healing.  Numerous times I’ve witnessed or experienced specific manifestations that are unique to a specific minister/ministry.  This is indicative of a specific flow of anointing.

Any sign or manifestation is not the point of ministry, but merely a sign that points to the Kingdom message that is being communicated.  Signs and wonders accompany the Word, attesting the veracity of the message. When traveling on an interstate, no one pulls over to celebrate and camp out beneath a directional sign. Wisdom requires us to look, acknowledge and continue following on toward the destination.  The sign serves as a confirmation that we are still on a certain path.

Discerning Manifestations

It is a given that demonic spirits can act out by inciting human beings to do things.  In my experience, one can discern demonic manifestations by their uncleanness, indecency, blasphemy, mockery, intimidation, seductiveness, or any such hellish quality.  Strangeity, however, does not make a manifestation demonic or false. I’m going to say something quite controversial, so please afford me the grace to explain. There is no such thing as a false manifestation.  Every manifestation is a demonstration stemming from activity in the realm of spirit, soul or body.  It is either sourced in heavenly, hellish or earthly stimulus.  It is what it is… and cannot be false.

A person who is weeping in the presence of God may be manifesting from activity in one of several realms.

  1. He may weep because the divine has touched his spirit deeply to produce transformation or even intercession.
  2. He may weep because a wound in his soul or psyche has been uncovered in the presence of the Lord.
  3. His weeping may be a manifestation of a spirit of grief or mourning.

The possibilities are more than a few, and only by spiritual discerning can we know the difference.  The same is true when it comes to more demonstrative manifestations.  When someone is physically overcome and “falls under the power,” it might be because:

  1. The weighty glory of the Lord overwhelmed his being and rendered him powerless in God’s presence for purposes of impartation, healing, deliverance, or transformation.
  2. The person actively chose to fall in soulish imitation of a spiritual experience. This is not a “false” manifestation, but a manifestation of the soul’s desires to experience, imitate or even mock.
  3. The person falls not necessarily because of the Holy Spirit, but because of an oppressive spirit that seeks to dodge confrontation.  An oppressive spirit may cause someone to fall in order to hide from further ministry.

Ministry is needful in all three instances.  None of those manifestations are false, but really positive of some power that is at work.  Discernment unlocks the manifestation to determine what steps might be need to be taken, next.

In the case of laughter, I’ve witnessed and experienced holy laughter that brought great inner healing and restoration of joy.  There have also been times when I was tickled at something that was happening in the service and laughed from a place of soulish amusement.  This was not evil or mocking, but a very human response to something funny. One of my least favorite encounters is with a spirit of mockery that laughs at the things of God, rather than laughing along with the joyful Spirit of God (Psalm 2:4).  One can certainly sense the difference.

One of the great criticisms of manifestations is the mixture of true and “false” manifestations that happens during a move of God.  When a storm brews at sea, living and dead things both wash up on the beach.  A true move or wave of God will always bring up a mixed batch every time.  Only at the end of the harvest are the wheat and tares divided and reckoned (Matthew 13:30).  Every move has fakes, wannabes, and real deals. That doesn’t negate the move or the manifestations that come along with it.

Are there false prophets or ministers who concoct signs or wonders to dupe the naive into following? YES. Time always reveals this sort, as does their message.  We must remember that the sign is meant to point us to the message. Don’t judge a minister/ministry by their signs, but by the message those signs are pointing to. What is he or she preaching? If you take the message and play it out to the end, where does it lead?  If it leads in the path of the cross, I’ll listen – irregardless of what or who manifests when they speak.  Even Jesus experienced demon spirits crying out during His earthly ministry.  He was falsely accused because of it. Friend, be cautious before you judge on the basis of a manifestation.  I’m sure this discussion will continue in the “reply” segment of the post.  Blessings and thanks for reading and hopefully sharing your point of view.

A Primer On Manifestations Part 2

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Manifestations are nothing new.  Neither are they the exclusive phenomenon of Charismatic/Pentecostal Christians.  As we will discover together, manifestations of the presence of God are recorded throughout history and biblical record. 

A manifestation is merely a physical or emotional response to the glory of God.  The weighty presence of God affects not only the spirit of man, but the natural body and mind.  Many times, natural flesh cannot function normally under the kabowd (heaviness or abundant manifest glory of the Lord).  To understand why this happens, we must take a look at what precipitates a demonstration of the heavy glory of God.  In scripture we often read how God demonstrated Himself, and why.

Old Testament Manifestations

  1. To establish the fear of the Lord: Exodus 20:18 / Exodus 24:17 The Glory of the Lord appeared to the Israelites in thunderings and as a devouring fire.
  2. In response to grumbling against God: Exodus 16:7 The glory of the Lord manifested in response to the murmurings and complainings of Israel.
  3. In response to rebellion against leadership: Numbers 16:19 The devouring-glory judged Korah and his co-conspirators.
  4. To receive a sacrificial offering: Leviticus 9:23-24 Aaron blessed the people, then the fire-glory of the Lord appeared to consume their offering.
  5. In response to fulfilling the command of the Lord: Leviticus 9:6 Then Moses said, “This is what the LORD has commanded you to do, so that the glory of the LORD may appear to you.”
  6. To protect and deliver the people of God: 1 Corinthians 10:1 The wind-glory of God parted the Red Sea and delivered them from Egypt.
  7. To guide and affirm the correct path: Nehemiah 9:19 “Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the desert. By day the pillar of cloud did not cease to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take.”
  8. To sanctify the temple: Exodus 29:43 God’s kabowd met with His people to sanctify the temple.
  9. To sanctify a people for His service: Exodus 29:44 The weighty-glory of the Lord sanctified Aaron and his sons for duty.
  10. To mark a people for Himself in the Earth: Exodus 29:45 The abundant manifest presence of God is a sign to the world of our election as a chosen people. 

New Testament Manifestations

  1. Accompanies Heavenly announcements: Luke 2:9 The glory of the Lord shone when the angel of the Lord announced the birth of Christ.
  2. Accompanies the resurrection of the dead: John 11:4 Lazarus’ death was for the demonstration of the resurrection-glory of God.
  3. As a testimony of Heavenly glory / realities: John 17:5  ”And now, Father, glorify me in your presence with the glory I had with you before the world began.”
  4. In response to the persecution of the righteous: Acts 7:55 Stephen beheld the glory of God and Jesus standing on the right hand of the throne, as he was being persecuted for the gospel’s sake.
  5. To confront the unrighteous and bring them to repentance: Acts 9:1-9 Saul is confronted by the glory of Jesus on the road to Damascus.  He repents and becomes known as Paul.
  6. In judgment of those who test the Holy Spirit: Acts 5:1-10 Ananias and Sapphira lied to the leaders of the church and tested the Holy Spirit, costing them their very lives.
  7. To transform and prepare us for the fulfilment of our heavenly calling: Luke 9:31-32 Jesus was transfigured by the Glory in preparation for his crucifixion and resurrection.
  8. As a reward for suffering: Luke 24:26 “Did not the Christ have to suffer these things and then enter his glory?”
  9. To give us a glimpse of the coming glory of our returning Messiah: Matthew 25:31 “When the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, he will sit on his throne in heavenly glory.”
  10. A foretaste of the coming age, when we shall be known as the Sons of God.  Romans 8:18-19 “For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.  For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.”
  11. Accompanies the bride of Christ as a sign of her holiness unto the Lord. Ephesians 5:27 “That He might present the Church to Himself a glorious bride, without spot or wrinkle or any other defect, but to be holy and unblemished.”

“We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14

We know that all of the Glory and honor belongs to God.  He has chosen to reveal His glory to us in Christ Jesus.  The glory we now experience in and through Christ, is to teach or communicate to us the nature and character of Father.  Now, this same glory that is revealed in Christ, is revealed in us!  Ephesians 3:21 also says, “To him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever! Amen.“ 

We should expect the glory of God in and among us.  In scripture, whenever the Lord appears, He is announced by His glory which precedes and follows Him.  It is the same, today. His manifest presence can causes a number of manifestations in those who witness His presence. 

Here are some of the many physical and or emotional responses to the presence of God, and what they might mean.

An inability to stand: 1 Kings 8:11 “So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD.” There may be moments when the fear and awe of the Lord causes a cessation of the regularly scheduled service.  The minister and/or congregation may not be able to stand physically, or have the will to stand under the weight of His glory.  The Lord, in these moments, ministers to the individual from His weighty presence.  People have been known to fall “under the power” during personal ministry, receiving healing, deliverance, vision or restoration.  Aimee Semple McPherson (1890-1944) is one of many who was accompanied by this sign.

Shaking or trembling: Acts 7:32 “[Saying], I [am] the God of thy fathers, the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob. Then Moses trembled, and durst not behold.” A shaking or trembling is a manifestation of the fear of the Lord.  One may also shake or tremble when the power of God overwhelms the thoughts and senses.  The Puritans and Quakers, who were responsible for the early Christianity of the American Colonies, were marked by this phenomenon.  According to A.J. Patrick in The Making of a Nation:

“At their meetings, after a long silence sometimes one, and sometimes more (as at one time five together) fall into a great and dreadful shaking and trembling of their whole bodies and all their joints with such risings and swellings in their bellies and their bowels, together with such screechings, yellings, howlings and roarings, which doth not only amaze and affright the spectators but also cause the dogs to bark.”

Intense warmth or heat “the fire”:  Hebrews 12:29 “For our God [is] a consuming fire.”  The fire-glory accompanies periods of revival and refinement in the body of Christ.  One who carries a message of repentance or reform may experience the fire in their hands, or on other parts of their body.  It speaks of purging, renewal and redemption.  Charles Grandison Finney had a personal experience with the fiery love of God. 

“I could feel the impression, like a wave of electricity, going through and through me. Indeed it seemed to come in waves and waves of liquid love; for I could not express it in any other way. It seemed like the very breath of God. I can recollect distinctly that it seemed to fan me, like immense wings.

No words can express the wonderful love that was shed abroad in my heart. I wept aloud with joy and love; and I do not know but I should say, I literally bellowed out unutterable gushings of my heart. These waves came over me, and over me, and over me, one after the other, until I recollect I cried out, ‘I shall die if these wavers continue to pass over me.’ I said, ‘Lord, I cannot bear any more;’ yet I had no fear of death….”

This manifestation was found in others under his ministry.

Shouting or crying:  Ezra 3:13 “..for the people shouted with a loud shout, and the noise was heard afar off.”  Shouting has been known to accompany seasons of revival.  Jonathan Edwards (1703-1758) experienced manifestations of shouting and crying among those who attended his sermons during the American Great Awakening.  Edwards recorded the following and it is printed in The Great Awakening, p. 547.

“Many young people appeared to be overcome with the greatness of divine things and many others at the same time were overcome with distress about their sinful state so that the whole room was full of nothing but outcries, faintings and such like and many were overpowered and continued there for some hours. Some have been so overcome with a sense of the dying love of Christ as to weaken the body. It was a very frequent thing to see a house full of outcries, faintings, convulsions and such like, both with distress, and also with joy.”

 

Overwhelming joy or laughing:  Isaiah 61:7 “For your shame [ye shall have] double; and [for] confusion they shall rejoice in their portion: therefore in their land they shall possess the double: everlasting joy shall be unto them.“ ”Luke 6:21 “Blessed [are ye] that hunger now: for ye shall be filled. Blessed [are ye] that weep now: for ye shall laugh.” Laughter is a sign of restoration, salvation, and deliverance.  One who is overcome by laughter may be receiving an emotional healing, a restoration of spiritual strength, or a revelation of the awesome might of the Lord.  This manifestation is not new to the body.  Revivalists have carried holy laughter as a sign and a wonder for years.  John Wesley (1703-1791) wrote about laughing and wailing that would accompany his preaching.  Often people would laugh, only to fall into heavy weeping and repentance.  Here’s an excerpt from The Works of John Wesley, vol.1:

“Wed. 21.–In the evening such a spirit of laughter was among us, that many were much offended. But the attention of all was fixed on poor L. S., whom we all knew to be no dissembler. One so violently and variously torn of the evil one did I never see before. Sometimes she laughed till almost strangled; then broke out into cursing and blaspheming; then stamped and struggled with incredible strength, so that four or five could scarce hold her: Then cried out, “O eternity, eternity! O that I had no soul! O that I had never been born!”

At last she faintly called on Christ to help her. And the violence of her pangs ceased.” Most of our brethren and sisters were now fully convinced, that those who were under this strange temptation could not help it. Only E.B. and Anne H. were of another mind: being still sure, anyone might help laughing if she would. This they declared to many on Thursday; but on Friday, 23, God suffered Satan to teach them better. Both of them were suddenly seized in the same manner as the rest, and laughed whether they would or no, almost without ceasing. Thus they continued for two days, a spectacle to all; and were then, upon prayer made for them, delivered in a moment.”

Stuttering, stammering, thick tongue:  Isaiah 28:11 “For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.”  When the glory of the Lord appears, it may be physically impossible to speak.  Some have experience thick tongues, the inability to form words or phrases, or to even make sense!  In these moments, God is desirous to speak for Himself.  The Lord may also be anointing one as prophetic voice.  Maria Etter Woodworth (1844-1924) carried this sign of God’s presence in her ministry.  Not only did she sometimes experience difficulty speaking, but also many who attended her services.  Mother Etter was known to be stopped by the Spirit of God mid-sentence, suspended in a trance.  Those who attempted to draw near her were also stricken with the manifestation.  

Involuntary freezing or movement of the body: Mother Etter was also known for this manifestation.  As depicted in the photograph, she was known for freezing with her hand in the upright position for minutes or even hours at a time.  During this time, she could not be moved by others, or broken from her state. This sign is for a wonder.  Others have experience involuntary movement, jerking or bowing of the body (ie. hands, feet, legs, etc…)  This can be quite disconcerting or alarming.  Some prophets in the Old Testament were noted as having such ecstatic experiences.  “The Hebrew word for ecstatic is nabi’, plural n’bi’im (E.V. ‘prophet’), and the verb used of ecstatic behaviour is a reflexive form of hte root from which the noun nabi’ comes.’ The word is applied to Amos, Hosea, Isaiah, and Jeremiah.” (Ecstatic Prophesy, Cambell, p. 52)  It may also be a sign of a stiff-necked and rebellious generation.  The jerking manifestation can be indicative of a softening of the heart.

Drunkenness: Acts 2:12-13, 15-16 “And they were all amazed, and were in doubt, saying one to another, What meaneth this? Others mocking said, These men are full of new wine… For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is [but] the third hour of the day. But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel.”  Drunkenness will accompany an outpouring of the Spirit of God.  The sensibilities of man are easily overwhelmed when the weighty glory of God floods the being.  One might act giddy,bold, carefree, or even completely inebriated.  The characteristic boldness of many preachers is one such manifestation of this overwhelming manifestation of the Holy Spirit.  The boldness of Peter in Acts 2 is a direct result of the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as promised by Jesus Christ, himself. 

This particular manifestation has drawn the ire and criticism of naysayers throughout history.  The Azusa Street Revival (1906) as led by William Seymour was characterized by this manifestation. The Apostolic Faith Newspaper (official publication of the Asuza Revival) published many reports of manifestations, including spiritual intoxication.  Here is one such testimony from a woman who attended the revival, Mrs. Myrtie K. Shideler.

“I do not know how long I stood and praises to God just burst from me. They tell me I sang in a tongue. I was not conscious of singing at all. From seeing others under the power, I had thought it must be a terrible nervous tension, but it was the perfect surrender and relaxation. The leaders of the mission had not seen the power of God in this way. An interruption was allowed to come in that grieved the Spirit so He did not have His way fully after that, though I was under the power the remainder of the meeting, and for three days was as one drunken, and had no sense of either hunger or thirst.”

In the next post, we will continue with a discussion on false manifestations.

A Primer On Manifestations Part 1

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Aimee Semple McPherson

Aimee Semple McPherson c/o The Bancroft Library. University of California, Berkeley.

Little else has divided the modern church more than the subject of manifestations.  Some absolutely deny the authenticity of physical manifestations, while others struggle with the “purpose” for such displays.  There are entire websites devoted to the proposition that all manifestations are demonic or fleshly in nature, and are therefore false.  To those seeking definition on manifestations, this post will offer biblical insight, as well as experiential testimony.  Manifestations are situationally interpreted.  When discerning the source or meaning of a manifestation, one must take into account many things, for example:

  • The spiritual state of the person experiencing the manifestation.
  • The spiritual environment in which the manifestation occurred.
  • In a church setting, the message or ministry that precipitated the manifestation.
  • The fruit of the experience.
  • Scriptural precedent for the experience.

All of these things have an effect on the interpretation of the manifestation.  Is the experience false or true?Flesh or spirit?  What is God doing in the life of the manifestor?  Is satan at work to mock or distract?  These questions are answered by examining the situational evidence and discerning with the help of the Holy Ghost as He reveals. Having said that, manifestations can happen to the saved and sinner or backslid, alike.  I’ve seen both the sinner and the saint fall under the power of the Holy Spirit.  The same manifestation was serving different purposes in each.  So, let us not judge according to externals, but according to what is being accomplished.  Here is a short list of things that we must NOT consider in judging the validity of a manifestation.

1. The salvation or spiritual maturity of the individual.  A powerful manifestation of the presence of God can smite the heart of a hardened sinner and bring him/her to repentance and transformation. Manifestations are not a reward for, or evidence of super-spirituality.  All flesh (sinner, carnal Christian and seasoned saint) will respond when the power of God mightily touches the soul.

George Whitefield preaching on the street corner.

2. Where the manifestation occurs.  Manifestations will happen wherever the Glory of God shows up.  Whether you’re in a church service, your living room, or the middle of the supermarket, the physical body can sense and respond to His presence.  Early in American history, Jonathan Edwards and George Whitefield were marked for the manifestations that happened among their street side audiences in the open air. The earth is the Lord’s, and He has been known to show up in the fulness thereof!

3. The oddity of the manifestation.  The stranger the manifestation, the more likely people are to consider it false.  No one reacts “normally” when they put their finger in an electrical outlet!  Similarly, the soul that is being touched by the lightning of God can respond shockingly.  There are physical responses to the glory of God that defy human logic.  It is quite usual for the onlooker and/or the manifestor to experience a level of offense at the manifestation.  Just because someone is having an experience doesn’t mean they understand it or accept it.  I have experienced physical responses to the glory that (quite honestly) offended my senses in the moment.  As I delved into the Word to find explanation, my eyes were later opened to the purpose of the experience, easing my initial apprehension.  Some manifestations, I’ve found are intended to offend in order to gain the attention of the spiritually distracted.  Unless the manifestation is lewd, suggestive or jeopardizing to one’s wellbeing, we must be cautious before ruling it false.

4. The frequency of the manifestation.  Manifestations can happen once in a lifetime.  They can linger for a season in your life, or remain indefinitely.  People sometimes have difficulty accepting a repetitive or knee-jerk manifestation as true.  For example, ticks, sounds, or the repetitive gestures that are often demonstrated, give many reason for offense. We must afford one another the grace to be human and to humanly respond to God in our own individual way.  Author, Stacey Campbell has compiled excellent neurological research that explains why we respond predictably in her book, Ecstatic Prophecy.  She suggests that when the Spirit of God touches us powerfully, it actually blazes a trail in our brain that creates a pathway of memory.  We become marked by such an extraordinary experience.  When the Lord moves upon us again, the experience will likely be processed in the same neurological path, producing a similar response.  I call this glory recall.  These neurological paths or “ruts” for lack of a better word, can actually light up during imaging.  This might explain why some people tend to respond with a tick or gesture that is familiar to them or repetitive in nature.

5. The “appropriateness” of the manifestation.  Some take issue with the timing or appropriateness of a manifestation.  When at all possible, it is important to exercise decorum in the house of God, or in public.  Our church has experienced seasons of high-level manifest presence.  In these times, manifestations are more pronounced.  We have learned to mark these seasons and proceed sensitively.  Manifestations are not allowed to hijack the serving of the meat of the Word.  There are times when the service proceeds amidst laughter, crying, and a number of other responses to the Glory.  Normally, these experiences would not be “appropriate” during the preaching of the Word.  If the Lord is moving, however, we will not restrain Him.

This series is meant to bring understanding to those who are seeking answers.  A controversial topic, such as this, often solicits emotional responses from those who have been wounded by false manifestations.  Before the conclusion of this series, we will discuss false manifestations as well as the purpose and biblical precedent for a number of commonly occurring manifestations.  I welcome any comments and questions that might help us cover sufficient ground in the coming days.  Looking forward to conversing, here, with you.

Once the Cloud Has Lifted

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Few things in the OT are as intriguing as the manifest presence of God that traveled with the Israelites throughout the wilderness years.  The glory cloud rested above the Tabernacle of Moses.  That pillar of cloud by day and fire by night has become, to us, a type of the manifestation and movement of God throughout history.  Every generation has cloud watchers who mind the move.  Wearing the mantle of watchmen, these men and women have an eye for divine progression.  This blog is one such watchpost.  Permission is granted to report that the cloud is moving, and in which direction.  The next destination, however, is known only to God.  

 

According to biblical record, when in camp mode, the tribes of Israel formed the shape of a cross.  The Tabernacle of Moses sat directly in the center of the cross, with the tribe of Levi surrounding it for reasons of service.  They couldn’t possibly understand what the cross meant in their day.  We, too, may not be able to gather from our imbedded perspective, what the Lord is orchestrating in our time.  Of a certainty, He is still fully consumed with redeeming His creation.  The following figure originates from Chuck Missler.

With nearly two million people, the Israelites at the extremities of the camp would have difficulty watching the cloud.  Trumpet blasts (word of mouth) would signal the move.  Following was never an option.  Anyone who stayed behind would no longer receive daily manna or protection from the elements and/or invaders.  Ultimately, the inheritance of a promised land existed somewhere on the other side of that cloud.  

Today, the “tribes” of the cross are scattered between Egypt (the world) and Canaan (our inheritance).  Citizens of a much better place, choose to dot the wilderness in resolute homage to a camp where the glory once rested.  Defiance to move has succumbed to a defeatism of spirit.  No wonder we’ve lost sight of the cross and the Glory of God.  The great hope is that “Perhaps, God will visit us again, before we die!“  Soon enough, we forget that life is so much easier with resident glory.  After days, weeks, months or years, we find ourselves slaving for sustenance (and secretly proud of ourselves for doing so).  All the while, those who have followed the cloud are enjoying divine provision.  Maybe you’re an emissary from an isolated camp – in search of the cloud by day and fire by night.  Maybe you’re a fellow watchman, seeking confirmation of the movement you sense.  Regardless of your station, we’ve met here to discuss, “What do we do since the cloud has lifted?“

Has He Left?

We commence with asking the right questions.  Instead of asking, “Has He left?“  We should be asking, “Why haven’t we?“  What tethers us to this acre of sand?  Seasonal assignments, material wealth, tradition, and even relationships can become larger to us than the cloud moving on the horizon.  Attachments to the temporal will force us to choose.  Either we abandon ourselves to the cloud, or sit in the sand feeling abandoned. 

It’s not that He’s left us… He’s attempting to lead us.

Jesus promised a guide, reminiscent of the cloud, to His disciples.  “But when he, the Spirit of truth, comes, he will guide you into all truth,” John 16:13.  The Lord also promised not to leave them comfortless. “I will not leave you as orphans; I will come to you,” John 14:18.  Orphan-spirited believers find their identity in experiences and accomplishments.  Never forget Romans 8:14, “For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God.“  

As we follow our Father, He is making us meet to inhabit His inheritance.  It is precisely the journey of submissive humility that transforms us into the image of His dear son.  If the glory has lifted from your services… it’s time to release and pursue.  Lay down the identity of past glory.  Put one foot in front of the other and begin walking toward His voice.  “My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me.“

Further reading from Numbers 9:15-23 NIV, “15 On the day the tabernacle, the Tent of the Testimony, was set up, the cloud covered it. From evening till morning the cloud above the tabernacle looked like fire. 16 That is how it continued to be; the cloud covered it, and at night it looked like fire. 17 Whenever the cloud lifted from above the Tent, the Israelites set out; wherever the cloud settled, the Israelites encamped. 18 At the Lord’s command the Israelites set out, and at his command they encamped. As long as the cloud stayed over the tabernacle, they remained in camp. 19 When the cloud remained over the tabernacle a long time, the Israelites obeyed the Lord’s order and did not set out. 20 Sometimes the cloud was over the tabernacle only a few days; at the Lord’s command they would encamp, and then at his command they would set out. 21 Sometimes the cloud stayed only from evening till morning, and when it lifted in the morning, they set out. Whether by day or by night, whenever the cloud lifted, they set out. 22 Whether the cloud stayed over the tabernacle for two days or a month or a year, the Israelites would remain in camp and not set out; but when it lifted, they would set out. 23 At the Lord’s command they encamped, and at the Lord’s command they set out. They obeyed the Lord’s order, in accordance with his command through Moses.”

1. Diagram of Israelite Camp: http://ldolphin.org/camp.html