Superimposition (Epi)
Before I get too technical, do you remember when your mom or dad shielded you from harm, or hugged you when you were frightened? Keep that in mind, as I present the technicalities and spiritual laws below.
The following blog speaks to a spiritual law called superimposition, which is derived from the Greek word “epi”.
“Epi” describes our relationship with the Lord. Strongs defines it as: superimposition, on, and upon. Webster’s definition of superimposition is: to place or lay over or above something - like when your parents shielded or hugged you.
“And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on (epi) all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, your old men shall dream dreams (Acts 2:17 NKJV - emphasis mine).”
This is just one of many scriptures that speaks of superimposition (on), and its effect.
To begin, the Lord makes it obvious in the Scripture that He wants a close relationship with us, and that relationship is anything but casual.
But he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him (1 Corinthians 6:17 NKJV).
Joined is: to glue, to glue together, cement, fasten together; to join or fasten firmly together; to join one's self to, cleave to.
We are joined to the Lord by the work of Holy Spirit, which gives us access to the realm of faith. This is not a learned lifestyle, nor does it require great human effort. Holy Spirit leads and guides us into all the truth, and along with that, things that are beyond our natural comprehension.
For example, the apostle Paul speaks of a fourth dimension. He wrote what he meant, and was keenly aware of this fourth realm. It wasn’t just a whim. He wrote of it many times. And for the sake of this blog, one that sticks out is walking after the Spirit and not the flesh. This is not a paradox, but a superimposition of Holy Spirit on our lives.
…that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height [the fourth dimension] - to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God (Ephesians 3:17-19 NKJV).
Now don’t misunderstand. We were created for intimate relationship with God. But He will never impose anything on us against our will.
Breaking unholy connections, or what some call “soul-ties” is important. But being bound to their memories can remain until we renew our minds to God’s word. You may never forget old memories. However, by renewing your mind to God’s word, you don’t have to stay trapped in the past. This is encouraging insight into His word being eternal. It’s not subject to the decay of time, emotions, bad experiences, but makes every promise He has ever spoken, hopeful - reiterating our union and His superimposition on us (Matthew 1:23 NKJV).
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1 NKJV),
The body of Christ exists in what science calls a “quantum state,” where distance, proximity, and cohesiveness experience no resistance. I am not a scientist, so my observations are applied to what God’s word says. Superimposition, the subject of this blog, brings us to a place of decision as to whether we will allow it or reject it. God’s grace always overshadows us, but He never forces it upon us.
Science of mankind is partial knowledge, where having the mind of Christ unlocks mysteries for the believer that the world can only surmise. Our syntax for revelation knowledge may differ, but the truth is the same. We are seated with Him in heavenly places. But when we read this in Scripture, how many of us actually think about what that means?
There are many supernatural realities (spiritual laws) in Scripture that we accept, as in being born again. We believe that by Jesus' stripes we were healed, but many reason that it was over 2000 years ago. God raising Jesus from the dead was the greatest miracle ever. Yet people allow unbelief to steal the joy of all the superimposition their salvation encompasses. He sent/communicated His word and healed (Psalm 107:20)!
Faith is a gift from God, not self-generated, and that gift is from Jesus. Faith is superimposed on a Christian’s life, and all we need to do is receive it (Galatians 2:20).
Over and over God provides a clear path to receiving heavenly realities. These realities will change our environment as we walk in the Spirit and not after the flesh. Because:
…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV).
…God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:4-8 NKJV - emphasis mine).
There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above (epi) all, and through all, and in you all. (Ephesians 4:4-6 NKJV - emphasis mine).
As a comparison, it’s easy to see the results of our choice to walk in the flesh when we superimpose the treasures on earth instead of the treasures in heaven.
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on (epi) earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal (Matthew 6:19 NKJV).
Faith superimposes the laws of God over what we hope for (expect) with our joined/intertwined conviction - even yet unseen. The eyes of our heart can see what God sees. And the remaining natural evidence must give way to the eyes of faith for us to realize answers to prayer.
I have only listed some of how the Greek word “epi” is used in Scripture. Study these passages and you will find that the Lord is ever present to give us more than we could ever imagine. We don’t have to wait for God to show up, He never left. He is omnipresent and has superimposed Himself on us - overshadowing, shielding and hugging His children.
© 2025 Mark Rossback