There is, even among outstanding pastors, and also among pastors who believe and allow the operation of the gifts of the Spirit in their church, a veritable lack of understanding of the term “in the Spirit.” Dr. Leon Morris, noted scholar, author and commentator, has aptly explained it. In his commentary on Revelation, The Tyndale New Testament Commentaries, he describes it as “a state of exaltation and special receptivity brought about by the Spirit (Page 198 regarding Revelation 17:3). His explanation of being “in the Spirit” (Page 52, regarding Revelation 1:10) states it as “something like a trance (Acts 10:10). It is certainly a state in which the Seer (Apostle John) is specially open to the Holy Spirit and ready to see visions. In Revelation this expression is used also at 4:2 and 21:10. As we consider these words we note that one is not said to be in their own spirit, but in the spirit of God. It is not a condition worked up by the excited emotions, but by submission to the Holy Spirit and a willingness to be led by Him to this place. As it is not an excited pitch of emotion, it is also not a cerebral state of intellect and gathering of knowledge by the force of human will. It is a calling from God to commune with Him and to receive what He wishes to divinely impart at a specific time. (See Samuel lying by the ark of God when God called Samuel to Him in (1 Samuel 3:1-14). It is a supernatural communion with our supernatural God. Does it have nothing to do with the will of man but is forcibly imposed on some and not on others? No. As Dr. Morris describes it as a state of exaltation, perhaps it is better said that when one is in a state of seeking and exalting God, when one has learned to put aside the world and to enter into a solitude with God, then the Spirit of God will bless and He will bring the person to a “special receptivity.” If one has not been there, one would struggle to understand and explain it. Like it is hard for a child of God to explain their relationship with God to a non-believer, or a parent to explain the love of a child to one who has never had a child, so it is difficult for those who have never experienced this to understand exactly what this is. Certainly, one who has been “in the Spirit” knows what it is and what it is not. A person who has been “in the Spirit” can instantly discern a person attempting to explain this state as either one who has been there and knows, or one who has never been there and only thinks they know. Now, this is not spiritual elitism, it is merely knowledge from one who has traveled there. Sincerely, God offers this to all, but not all desire this, or understand how to get there. Perhaps it may be explained as when one has a special relationship with another and when they are together their souls seem to unite, leaving them enriched from the experience. That may be a feeble example of being “in the Spirit” with Almighty God. Consider the possibilities. Praise God!
John was carried away into the wilderness. When the people freed from Egypt rebelled against God, after they had seen miracle after miracle that displayed God’s love, faithfulness and almighty ability to save and keep them, He kept them in the wilderness to purify them from doubt and rebellion. He tested them, or proved them. He kept them there till those who had rebelled against Him had died and He could take the next generation into the Promised Land (Numbers 32:13).
Jesus was “led by the Spirit” into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. There He fasted forty days and forty nights. It was only after the physical body of Jesus was weakened from the fast that the devil approached Him with the temptations listed in Matthew 4:1-11. In both cases, with the Jews and with Jesus, God separated them from the world to fulfill a purpose that He ordained. He prepared Israel for the Promised Land and He prepared Jesus to fulfill His ministry. We best gain perspective of the world when we are separated from it. When surrounded by the voices and sights of the world, we can be confused, or even seduced by it. God will take us into our own wilderness, led by the Spirit. He will separate us to purify us. He calls us to the wilderness and to be “in the Spirit” to prepare, equip and instruct us (Isaiah 61:1-2). He wants us to be in the Spirit and away from the noise of the world and to have the eyes and ears of our hearts and minds open and seeking what He has to say. Such is being “in the Spirit” and brought to a place of wilderness, or oneness with God. Praise our God! How wonderful to be alone with Him and listening for what He says! Oh Family, let no errant teaching prevent us from the personal touch of God via His Holy Spirit. Praise God who perfectly loves us and who perfectly takes care of us. Praise God who desires that we would learn the path to daily seek being “in the Spirit” as He brings us there. Praise God!
Psalm 150:6 – Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. Praise the Lord!
Micah 7:7 – But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Savior; my God will hear me.
Micah 6:8 – He has shown You, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of You but to do justly, to love mercy, And to walk humbly with Your God.