Biblical Imagery: The Metaphorical Symbols of the Holy Spirit

In the New Testament, The Holy Spirit is symbolized as a cloud, especially in relationship to Jesus. The Holy Spirit, like a cloud, “will overshadow” Mary and she will conceive and give birth to the Messiah, the Son of God (Luke 1:35). On the mountain, Jesus was transfigured before Peter, James and John. While on the mountain, a cloud came and enveloped them. Peter, James and John were terrified as they entered the cloud. Then from the cloud came a voice saying, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased. Listen to him!” After Jesus death and resurrection, he ascended up to heaven by a cloud (Acts 1:9). The imagery of the cloud is even used in reference to Jesus return, “they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory” (Luke 21:7).

We too should experience the presence of the Holy Spirit like a cloud. Early Pentecostals testified to the heavy and mysterious presence of God during the worship services. They referred to this as the Shekinah Glory of God. During these special times of worship God performed signs and wonders through his people. Cries of repentance were heard as people were getting right with God, for God had illuminated their sins. Tears of compassionate longing streamed down the faces of those longing for more of God, more of God’s presence and power. The tears only added to the already mystifying experience of God veiling God-self. Like Moses, we too realize that to see God is to die. However, God’s glory is manifested and we fall down before him, weeping and laughing, for the Spirit of Christ has come among us.

The presence of God becomes heavy at times, almost smothering like a cloud. The presence of the Spirit brings revelation, guidance and transformation. God desires to be among his people. The special cloud-like experiences affirm that God is present among the people but also that God’s presence is otherworldly. For Jesus is coming again, upon the clouds of glory.

Jesus says that he drives out demons by “the finger of God.” This is a sign that the Kingdom of God has come (Luke 11:20). Jesus’ reference to biblical imagery of the finger of God conveys the notion of God’s power and authority. The phrase “finger of God” is used in Scripture to indicate God’s authority (Exodus 31:18); God’s powerful signature (Exodus 8:19); God’s personal involvement with his creation (Psalm 8:3); and the Spirit’s ability to reveal the presence and purpose of God. The Holy Spirit is the finger of God which signifies the manifested power of God to reveal, to create, to judge and to govern. God’s powerful ability to fulfill his purpose for all of creation is signified through the imagery of the finger of God.

We should expect to experience God’s personal touch upon our lives. The Spirit does reveal the will of God to us. The Spirit, as symbolized as the finger of God, emphasizes God’s authoritative claim upon our life and his creation. The Spirit is intimately involved in our lives. “For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well” (Psalm 139:13-14).

 

Even though water is primarily used in John’s Gospel, it is an important biblical symbol of the Holy Spirit. Water is an essential element for life. Without water, the earth would become a barren planet. Earth would be like Mars or the moon, no living creatures, no vegetation, just a ball of matter. Water imagery reveals that the Spirit is the source of life. Water also carries the connotation of cleansing. In this sense “water” is closely associated with being born anew (John 3:5 and 1 Peter 3:18-22). Jesus said that whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life” (John 4:14). “Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him” (John 7:38). The Holy Spirit is the living water flowing from the side of the crucified Christ welling up in us for eternal life (John 19:34).

Tags: Biblical, featured, holy, imagery, metaphorical, spirit, symbols

Category: Spirit, Summer 2011