In all of Christianity there is nothing that stirs up more controversy than what is called by many, “the manifestations of the spirit.” In recent years there has been a flood tide of “Revivals” breaking out in churches around the world. Most of these revivals are earmarked by an explosion of supernatural manifestations. From gold dust, to oil, to shaking and jerking, to visions and dreams, angelic encounters, miraculous healings, prophesy and tongues, these manifestations are prevalent.

As the explosion of manifestations have taken place so to have the incredible assault by many, mostly Christians, against such manifestations. Under such assault, even by “Pentecostals and Charismatics”, many have yielded to the pressures and begun to minimize the role of manifestations.

Under such pressure and criticism it is easy for us to cower under the fear of man. Of course we are too spiritual to call it what it really is so we simply say, “it is wisdom.” Because those of us in leadership in revival don't really have a deep revelation on the incredible importance of manifestations, it is easy for us to be swayed off course from what God is doing.

Consider the following:

1) Manifestations generally only happen during an outbreak of Holy Spirit not during spiritual lulls in the church. Therefore they are a “High level” spiritual experience not a low level one. You can be in churches with good worship and preaching but not experience manifestations. The church can slowly progress forward in God: (low level anointings.) However, let a wind of the spirit blow into the church that stirs up spiritual hunger and repentance and watch the manifestations come flooding in: (high level anointing.)

2) All supernatural manifestations fall under the nine gifts of the spirit. 1 Cor. 12:1 “Now concerning spiritual gifts, brethren, I would not have you ignorant.” Vs 7 “But the manifestation of the Spirit…” Everything God does on the earth is done through the working of the Holy Spirit. Every supernatural thing Jesus did falls under the category of the nine gifts of the spirit. So too everything the Holy Spirit does falls under the category of the nine gifts. This includes but is not limited to being slain in the spirit, visions, gold dust, oil, shaking, trances, groanings, holy laughter, etc.

3) The word manifestation means: a visible or tangible expression of that which is unseen. The manifestations of the spirit are a visible, tangible expression of Jesus. They are the visible, tangible expressions of the Glory of God. The Glory of God is all that He is and has. Therefore a manifestation is a visible, tangible expression of the very essence of God: His Glory! You cannot separate God from His manifestations. They are part of the way God reveals Himself.

4) II Corinthians 3:18 “But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, [even] as by the Spirit of the Lord.” As we behold His glory we are changed into His image. If manifestations are a visible, tangible expression of the Glory of God, then as we behold them, (that is experience them), we are being changed into the image of God. No wonder the devil will use anyone and anything to shut down the manifestations.

5) If all of the preceding is true, then it brings new light to the command of the apostle Paul to, “earnestly desire and cultivate the spiritual gifts…” 1 Cor 14:1. We need to seek for and desire and cultivate the manifestations of the spirit. Not just prophecy and healings, but ALL of them.

In conclusion, the manifestations of the Spirit are many and are given for a divine purpose. They reveal to us aspects of the Glory of God and thereby change us. Look throughout history. Get rid of the manifestations and the revival will quick cease. They are eternally connected. True revival and manifestations of the spirit always go hand in hand to bring about the transformation of man into the image of God.