In Genesis 2:8, we find the Lord God planting a garden in the eastern part of Eden and placing man, Adam, within it. This garden, the Garden of Eden, symbolizes God’s presence, and it was the initial dwelling place for man. At this stage, God’s presence was external; Adam could see God but had not yet fully experienced Him within.

Here, God’s presence is invisible but internal. He dwells within us, making us carriers of His divine presence. In Romans 5:19, the apostle Paul discusses how we were initially disqualified through Adam’s disobedience but became qualified through Jesus’s obedience in His crucifixion and resurrection.

Rest signifies that everything necessary has already been provided. When you strive to do everything with your own strength, it reveals a lack of trust in God’s provision. Instead, position yourself to receive and experience the rest of God as you navigate life’s challenges. Your position will bring your provision.

The position that God has ordained for you is what leads to provision in your life—sitting down, and resting in Him. In John 6:10-11, before multiplying the bread, Jesus instructed the people to “sit down.” Those who received and benefited from the multiplied bread were the ones who obeyed and sat down. God desires you to find rest in Him.

The Dual Nature of God’s Presence

God created us in His image (Genesis 1:26), making us spiritual beings. To stay in God’s presence, we must understand where His dwelling place truly lies. Many are taught to seek God only in church or quiet environments, but walking in the Spirit can unveil a deeper truth—God’s presence is not solely external but also within us. God desires to dwell among us and within us, irrespective of our feelings. Jesus assures that as long as His Word abides in us, He remains with us (1 John 3:24). This revelation reminds us that God’s presence transcends both external and internal realms, reinforcing the importance of staying in revelation.

The Role of Revelation in Our Walk

Revelation is key to understanding our spiritual walk. Proverbs 4:5 advises us to seek wisdom and, above all, seek understanding. Asking “why” prompts us to seek Christ for His guidance and instruction. Love is intrinsic to the Spirit’s work in us, for God is love. Thus, love is a vital aspect of our spiritual walk (1 Corinthians 13:1). God’s saving power flows through His love, emphasizing its importance.

Awareness of God’s Nature

Understanding God’s nature is essential for remaining conscious of His presence. Walking in the Spirit provides insight into God’s desires and plans. Dwelling in the secret place of the Most High, devoid of fear, allows us to navigate even the darkest valleys with confidence (Psalm 91:7). Revelation from God’s Word enables us to perceive His glory in all circumstances.

For believers, this signifies the transformation of our minds into the New Shape through the Holy Spirit (Romans 12:2; 2 Corinthians 10:5). God’s original intention was for us to live in communion with Him and reflect His nature. While humanity initially fell short due to disobedience, Jesus Christ, the second Adam, came to restore God’s original plan through Salvation (John 5:18; Genesis 1:1-2; John 1:1-4).

This implies that we deviated from the Original Shape due to Adam’s disobedience, and now, with Salvation through faith in Christ, we must strive to Stay in that New Shape. Falling out of shape means losing three essential qualities God granted us at creation: dominion over self, connection, and intimacy with the Spirit of God, and dominion over the flesh. Dominion over self was initially granted to humanity. However, Adam’s disobedience disrupted this submission to God. In contrast, Jesus Christ, the Word of God incarnate, fully submitted to God and received dominion over all things in Heaven and on Earth. Nature itself obeys Christ because of His dominion.

In our fast-paced world, it’s essential to develop avenues for constant access to the Word of God. Seeking the kingdom of God means maintaining access to His Word and meditating on it regularly (Joshua 1:8). We have been given everything pertaining to life and godliness in Christ, ensuring we are not overwhelmed by worldly pursuits (2 Peter 1:3). The trajectory of our lives depends on the information we receive, making meditation on the Word of God a matter of life and death.

In the Old Covenant, believers had a limited understanding of God’s redemption plan and often misrepresented Him. However, Jesus Christ, in whom the Holy Spirit constantly rested, fully represented God on earth. His interactions demonstrated God’s character—merciful, forgiving, and loving. The Holy Spirit resting in Jesus magnified the Father’s glory in the Son.

The third spiritual asset lost outside the New Shape is dominion over the flesh. Our bodies continually wrestle with our spirits until Christ’s return.

Staying in is not a passive state but rather a continuous lifestyle, marked by a resolute intention to remain in God’s presence. It’s a deliberate decision to dwell in Him, even when the world tempts us to be mere passers-by. We must remember that God patiently invites us in, just as He knocked on our doors (Revelations 3:20).

Prayer, a vital aspect of staying in, mirrors our desire to remain in God’s embrace. The story of Hannah in 1 Samuel 1:12 & 17 teaches us that God notices our commitment to staying in through prayer.

This requires introspection into what consumes our time daily—whether it’s careers, relationships, or social media. These are not inherently wrong, but they can become detrimental distractions when they replace our connection with God. Psalms 27:4 urges us to seek dwelling in the house of the Lord above all else. We must reflect on our deepest desires. What do we long for most in our lives? Recognizing that only Jesus can satisfy our innate void, we must come as we are, not seeking to fix ourselves but allowing His transformative presence to change us.

While God calls and invites, we must make a conscious effort to engage in prayer, meditation on Scripture, and worship. God doesn’t force us to stay in; the decision rests with us. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit is our Helper and Comforter along this journey. The implications of staying in include self-consent, consistency, self-discipline, conviction, and commitment. Self-consent means a spontaneous desire to be with Jesus, not reliant on external pushes. Consistency and self-discipline keep us grounded in the Word, even when our flesh falters. Conviction assures our loyalty to Christ, even when circumstances seem unclear. Commitment involves being an active part of a local church and finding belonging in the body of Christ.

They are those who linger after the preaching, becoming increasingly insensitive to the flesh. In conclusion, staying in is a journey of faith and intentionality. It’s an invitation to remain in God’s presence, to be transformed by His grace, and to find fulfillment beyond worldly pursuits. Through self-consent, consistency, conviction, and commitment, we become part of a family that overcomes sin and death in Christ.

The next part will help us shine a light on Jesus Christ and the key to staying in the presence of God. This will also be an opportunity to discover what is in for those who stay in the presence of God (see Psalms 91). The key of David is given to the Faithful Church of Philadelphia by Jesus Christ in His divine authority when He addresses the seven churches in the book of Revelations (Revelations 3:11). The question of “what is the key of David” then emerges. By comparing Matthew 16:19 to Revelation 3:7, 8, and 12, we can see that Jesus Christ not only possesses the key of David but also the keys of the kingdom [of God].

Now, keep this in mind, for such is the anointing residing in the concept of keys. Whilst 2 Samuel 7 reveals to us that the key of David is King Solomon, whom God ordained to build a Temple in Jerusalem in the Old Testament, we learn that the keys of the Kingdom that Christ gives to Simon Peter – those pertaining to His Temple like in the Old Testament – empowers His Church or any “two or three people gathered in His Name” to bind or loosen things on earth with God’s Authority. In the New Testament, the power of the keys of the Kingdom applies both to the Church on earth and the New Jerusalem to come, each representing the Kingdom of God (Revelations 3: 7-13).

What then grants such authority in the Keys of the Kingdom of God?
The answer resides in Him who holds the keys in both instances: Jesus-Christ. The revelation of the identity of Jesus Christ is the strongest foundation for one to stay in the presence of God. When we decipher the identity of Jesus Christ, we decipher our own identity in Him, and this always brings us to a place of thanksgiving. Whilst many confuse Jesus-Christ with a prophet whether it be John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or any other prophet, He still asks you today, “Who do you say I am?” in the same manner He asked His disciple Simon Peter (read Matthew 16: 14-16).

In conclusion, unpacking the mystery of Jesus Christ reveals that He is equal to God the Father. The revelation of the knowledge of who Christ is allows us to STAY IN the fullness of God! The Church of God received its Authority in heaven and earth through Christ (Matthew 28:18). As we gather in His Name, He has empowered us as His Church through the Keys of His Kingdom. As we sit in His presence, we are of those who dwell in His shelter, He remains our refuge and fortress forever (Psalms 91), Hallelujah!