Manifest Presence by Boone Baker
Not long ago, as I was praying, in my spirit I saw myself on an elevated area overlooking an ocean beach. On the beach were people standing side by side, facing the ocean, with both their hands raised toward it. When I looked out at the ocean, I saw a wall of water rushing toward the beach. I thought to myself, “What are these people doing? Don’t they know that they are going to get washed away in this massive wave?” All of a sudden, there were other people on this elevated place with me, and they started to go down to the beach and join the others. And that was the end of what I saw. I asked the Lord what this meant. He spoke to my spirit and said, “There is a tidal wave of my Presence coming, and those who want it, are going to be swept away by it.” And that was it.
As I’ve pondered this vision, I believe He was speaking of His MANIFEST PRESENCE engulfing those of His people who desire it. Consider these verses that talk about His presence:
“Where can I go from your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence? If I go to the heavens, you are there; if I make my bed in the depths, you are there.” (Ps. 139:7-8)
“And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Counselor (Paraclete) to be with you forever—the Spirit of truth . . . for he lives with you and will be in you.” (Jn. 14:16-17)
“Don’t you know that you yourselves are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit lives in you.” (1 Cor. 3:16)
“Whoever has my commandments and keeps them, he it is who loves me. And he who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and manifest myself to him.” (Jn. 14:21) ESV
Question: What is the difference between God’s omnipresence, His inner presence, and His manifest presence?
The omnipresence of God means that God is everywhere. The inner presence of God is when the Holy Spirit comes to live inside of us when we place our faith in Jesus. And the manifest presence of God is when he makes his presence known among us.
MANIFEST means to show forth or to make known.
Example: If there was a Billionaire in a small group, it would simply mean his presence was there. But if he said that he was going to give each person in the group a million dollars, that would be manifesting his presence. God wants to manifest Himself to us and do something FOR, or IN us, that we can’t do on our own, and no one else can do for us.
God’s omnipresence can exist without a person’s awareness or acknowledgement. But God’s inner presence and His manifest presence cannot. Holy Spirit is the one who dwells within us, and He’s the one who causes us to sense God’s presence in ways that draw us closer to Him, in intimate relationship.
“Come near to God, and He will come near to you.” (James 4:8) This brings us into close communion with Him.
God’s manifest presence is the result of His interaction with us openly and unmistakably. This is when we really experience God in a personal and intimate way. Even though God is present everywhere, He begins to manifest His presence when we realize, acknowledge, hunger for, and embrace it. This is when we sense and understand that God has made His home in us.
When we experience His manifest presence, it is for a specific reason. It may be to encourage, strengthen, instruct, reveal, convict, heal, or any number of things.
Just a few scriptural examples of God manifesting His presence:
- Exodus 3 – the burning bush
- Daniel 3:24-25 – the fourth man in the fire
- 2 Chronicles 5:14 – the ark brought into the temple and a cloud filled it
- Jn. 1:14 – The Word became flesh and lived among us
- Matt. 14:13-21 – Jesus feeds the 5000+
- Matt. 14:22-27 - Jesus walks on the water
- Acts 2:2-4 – Day of Pentecost
- Acts 4:31 – Peter and John return to their people and when they prayed, the place shook
When the Fruit of The Spirit is manifested in our lives, through learning to abide in Christ, it enables the Manifested Gifts of the Spirit spoken of in 1 Cor. 12.
Question: Can ALL followers of Christ experience God’s manifested presence? If yes, do all experience it?
Question: What invites (or makes room for) God’s manifest presence in our lives?
Worship, prayer, obedience, humility, hunger, holiness, God’s Word, intimacy—ABIDING!
Question: What can hinder God’s manifest presence in our lives?
Rebellion, disobedience, neglect, apathy,
When Holy Spirit spoke to my heart and said, “There’s a tidal wave of My Presence coming, and those who want it will be swept away by it,” I am convinced He was referring to His MANIFEST PRESENCE. And the disturbing thing about that word from the Spirit, is that, evidently, not every believer will want it.
Question: How do you think God is manifesting His presence to His Church today?