How You Can Experience the Tangible Presence of Spirit
Part 2 of 4
In the previous issue, we learned that Spirit manifests its tangible presence by hovering over us. This happens in accordance with Divine will to deliver a message about some event Spirit wants to bring to pass by the metaphysical operation of spirit power.
The Angel Gabriel told Mary that she would conceive and bear a son when:
- The Spirit “came upon” her.
- The power “overshadowed” her.
Let’s study the meaning and uses of these two words.
The Spirit Will “Come Upon” You
“Come upon” is the Greek word eperchomai, which means to arrive, occur, impend, or attack. In talking about the strongman, Jesus said, “‘But when a stronger than he comes upon him and overcomes him, he takes from him all his armor in which he trusted, and divides his spoils’” (Lk 11:22 NKJ).
When Spirit comes upon you, it can seem sudden and overwhelming. But you need not fear, for Spirit comes for your highest good, bringing blessing.
Eperchomai is also the word Jesus used to describe the initiatory baptism in the Holy Spirit: “‘But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me…’” (Ac 1:8 NKJ).
Note the connection between the Holy Spirit “coming upon” and the impartation of power. Peter said:
You know of Jesus of Nazareth, how God anointed Him with the Holy Spirit and with power, and how He went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed by the devil; for God was with Him.
–Acts 10:38 NASB
When Spirit comes upon you, it’s for two purposes: to impart power to set you free from oppression and to equip you to do the same for others.
When the overshadowing presence comes upon me like warm oil, it releases me from mental and emotional heaviness. Isaiah prophesied that, “It shall come to pass in that day that his burden will be taken away from your shoulder, and his yoke from your neck, and the yoke will be destroyed because of the anointing oil” (Isa 10:27 NKJ).
The overshadowing presence of Spirit breaks bondages, and brings relief and freedom.
As the heavenly dove descended upon Jesus at His baptism, the Holy Spirit came upon Him and filled Him with power from on high. Gabriel also proclaimed the same for Mary: “‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you.’” (Lk 1:35a NIV).
Spirit Power Will “Overshadow” You
“Overshadow” is the Greek word episkiazo, which means to cast a shadow upon; to envelop in a haze of brilliancy; figuratively, to invest with preternatural influence. This word is used in Acts 5:15 to describe how Peter’s shadow healed the sick.
Episkiazo is also used in the account of the Mount of Transfiguration when Peter, James, and John were enveloped in a cloud of Spirit energy:
While [Jesus] was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!”
–Matthew 17:5 NKJ
It was in this cloud of glory that Moses and Elijah, departed spirit beings, manifested themselves visibly to Jesus and the disciples.
When the overshadowing presence appears, it opens a portal to the Spirit world, where heavenly reality invades the earthly plane, bringing messages and manifesting what we call “miracles.”
Next issue, we’ll look more closely at the seemingly miraculous manifestations the overshadowing presence brings.
More information:
Overshadowing of the Holy Spirit (audio)