Why do strange signs occur in times of visitation from God?

Why are there unusual events and manifestations?

From the very first visitation of God, recorded in The Acts of the Apostles, we read of a usual event marked by unusual Spiritual phenomena and unusual behaviour in people, which was earmarked by those who witnessed them.

Throughout history, there are accounts of these events reassuring in times and seasons that seem to be set apart by God where people encounter Him in an extraordinary and unusual way.

These signs and Spiritual manoeuvres of the Spirit always seem to draw much criticism.

They are firstly severely critiqued by the religious Church, who fears that what happens may be associated with them, and who make sure they distance themselves from what is happening to safeguard their reputation.

To add insult to injury, God normally uses characters who would never be invited to preach in any Church to lead these movements. Which causes the traditional Church to withdraw even further and to become even more vocal.

So why do these things occur every time God comes close to people?

Well, the answer is straightforward!

It is at times like these, when people truly sense God and His presence, that they begin to let their hair down!

In an informal situation where people truly want God to work in them and where they are seeking and open for His Spirit to come, He comes very near to us, so near that we can sense Him and be filled with His presence, all at the same time, when this happens while your hair is down all chaos breaks out!

Why? Because you have lost all the reasons why it should not!

All your inhibitions are out of the way as you just give yourself, all of yourself to meet with God and to encounter His presence, to be so full of Him that it feels as though you have just had a giant carafe of the best wine you have ever drunk, without taking a sip in the natural!

When your “reasons” are out of the way, and our shame of worrying about anything or anyone else has been shoveled into the graveyard, we are ready to be who we actually should be and have been created to be, around God and in His presence!

I will never forget how I was invited to speak at a three-day conference where a group of people had gathered in Pretoria East [South Africa].

They were hungry for an experience with God, but I was warned by the leader that they had all just come out of the NG Church — a very strict traditional Church in South Africa.

I opened the first meeting by telling the people of how I had conducted a meeting in Kwazulu Natal where I was invited to also have a conference for four days.

I told them that when I came into the place, the people were all sitting as far away from the front as possible (this was a “Pentecostal” PPC Church mind you).

When I stood up to speak, they were all staring at me like corpses. If they were any more “dead” in appearance, we would be having a burial service, instead of an awakening! I told them that although the meeting started that way, by the second night the entire group, I mean every single person there, were flat on their faces in the front area that they had so tried to avoid!

They were beside themselves, so intoxicated with God that they did not know what side was up or down.

Some were laughing others weeping, and some were just mumbling in prayer.

That night some people could not drive home, they would never make it, if they did, they would be arrested for driving under the influence of the Spirit of God.

After telling them the story, I asked those in front of me, “Who would like for that to happen to you tonight?”

The response was instant! “Oh no thank you! Not for me, I would not like that at all!”

Was the answer from a beautiful blonde lady sitting nearest to me, shaking her head to make sure that I understood she seriously was not a candidate for that “kind of thing”.

Others followed her response quickly, also shaking their heads.

Then I hit them with a question that came out of God’s heart from my lips, “Why? Why would you not like this to happen to you tonight?”

Now I must explain that I never “prepare” notes for any meeting. I generally show up and allow God to show up and speak at random as He wants to.

This keeps things authentic! The Words, the Thoughts, and everything said have no relevance to me, I am simply voicing His Voice.

In that way, there is no room for the “mind” to enter into the Spirit. The flow is pure and from Him to those who gathered to hear Him.

So the question hit like a hammer!

Then God proceeded with the most beautiful explanation of why these signs occur and how it has happened for as long as He has visited people.

He also explained why they happen, and what they produce in those that will receive Him, and finally why people shy away when He wants to embrace Him.

I then proceeded to ask people to stand and promised them that no one would touch them except God — and that by His Own Will and doing.

As they raised their hands and began to sense Him in the room, they opened up to His presence.

The Words of the Spirit resonated deeply within them. All fear had disappeared.

The first candidate who touched down on the floor was the beautiful blonde lady, you know, the one who shook her head so profusely when I asked who would be open to this happening.

She had to be led to the passenger seat of her car that night, she had no clue if she was still in Pretoria or perhaps in Cape Town.

That night, God swept through to touch those precious folks, and more than half the people there had an incredible encounter with God.

God is looking for authenticity. All the goodie, goodie services do not impress Him.

What He seeks is a heart that is so set on Him that it cares for no one and nothing else!

When He finds you there, ready to enjoy Him fully, to be unashamed and uninhibited, that is when He will meet you in His own extraordinary way!

So what is the answer? Why do these things happen?

Because they should! They are supposed to, and when they don’t, it is because of us standing in the way, preventing them from being an absolute blessing to us!

If the work done in you is not greater than the sign happening to you, you have only had an experience and not a true Encounter.

Postscript

The Truth sprinkled with God’s Love becomes a Spiritual delicacy that uniquely satisfies the soul!

It is the love of God that is recognised and desired by the human heart.

Just like a bee is attracted to the nectar of a flower, so love becomes the greatest attracting truth to the human nature.

What the hammer of theology and the stale bread of theory will never accomplish, the love of God will do in you!

 

~ Johann van der Hoven

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Johann van der Hoven has followed the Holy Spirit on a transformative journey since 1990. From 1991 onward, he has experienced and walked in the profound reality of God’s Presence, a journey that has shaped his life and message.

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