Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to day, and for ever. –Hebrews 13:8
There are certain denominational circles today that stand firm on the belief that God is not doing miracles in this last age. Of course, they claim scriptural authority to support this. We do see, however, that even Satan used scripture to tempt Jesus! We need to rely on the entire Word of God for understanding, and to do so without making additions to it (Prov. 30:5&6), and without placing the private interpretation of men upon it (II Peter 1:20).
As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction. –II Peter 3:16
Frankly, I have read through the New Testament about 30 times, and I have found not even the smallest hint that there will ever be a time that God stops doing miracles for His people. Yet there is no doubt that over time we have seen a great diminishing in miracles, and I think this has led some of Christian heritage to improper conclusions. My purpose in this article is to bring to light some relevant scriptures which help to explain why miracles from God have become scarce. This last age is indeed a dark one- we need all the power of God to work for us in preserving our faith. Please use your King James Bible in following all scripture references.
For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. –Mark 11:23&24
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. –John 14:12
What do we do with precious scripture promises like these, if they don’t apply to us? There is nothing within these passages that would imply a time limit. Even in the overall context given, present day believers are definitely included…
Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word; -John 17:20
Miracles are by no means lacking in the book of Acts, which provides great examples for the newly founded “church” to follow. I often look to this book for guidance in practices. And what should be done with the Bible’s teaching about the body of Christ?
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. –I Corinthians 12:7-11
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. I Corinthians 12:27&28
God wants to use us, to glorify His name, and for that we need faith. Please read the following very carefully…
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear…But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. –Hebrews 11:1-3, & 6.
Did you get the “miracle” aspects shown here? God created the universe out of nothing! Faith is the evidence of things not seen. Without faith, pleasing God is impossible! We need to separate ourselves from the teachings of men (even if well-meaning), and look to God alone for direction.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. –II Timothy 16&17
But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. –I John 2:27
When the apostle Paul was a Pharisee, he really knew the scriptures! But the understanding that he had was shaped by men, and led him to the persecution of Christians, and the rejection of Jesus Christ as the messiah. Therefore after his conversion the Lord took Paul aside for three years to teach him directly about Himself…
But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. –Galatians 1:11-18
If someone tells you that the book of Hebrews doesn’t apply to Christians today, don’t believe it! Everything in Hebrews is perfectly consistent within the rest of the Bible. There are some verses in Hebrews that rub them the wrong way, or they don’t immediately understand them, and so they fulfill the prophecy given in I Peter 3:16 in order to deal with it!
Then there are some that would claim we are in a different dispensation now; a time when God has chosen not to do miracles. Dispensation is a high-sounding word, and is used by some to intimidate ordinary laymen. This word is found 4x in scripture, I Corinthians 9:17, Ephesians 1:10 & 3:2, and Colossians 1:25. A dispensation is simply a way of dealing with things. God dealt with us a certain way before sin in the Garden of Eden, then differently after sin, then through the Law of Moses, and now by grace through Christ. A dispensation is also a dispensing, as in the way God dispenses gifts of the Spirit in the body of Christ. God shows us openly in His Word when there is a dispensational change regarding His church, and He never tells us that a time will come for the end of miracles. It is hard for me to have fellowship with professing Christians that don’t believe in miracles. This lack of faith can only diminish God, and hurt ourselves by limiting His responses to our needs…
How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy. –Psalms 78:40-42
So it is my belief that certain contingents of believers saw this lack of miracles, and tried to discern why. We do have this treasure (God’s Spirit) in earthen vessels (II Cor. 4:7), and do still deal with a corrupting flesh. The conclusion they reached was one that tended to blame God for something otherwise not immediately obvious. But God’s Word does give us reasons why the “miracle well” has seemed to dry up.
If you are like most Christians today, you still believe that God does miracles, but haven’t been seeing much in your daily lives. The main focus here is toward those who have been taught by doctrine that God no longer does miracles. I would take this time, however, to recommend 2 books: Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Deibler Rose, and Answers to Prayer by George Mueller, edited by Rosalie De Rosset. I would also say quickly that God is ready to respond to prayers of genuine need, but that patience in waiting is a repeated scriptural key (John 7:6, Hebrews 10:36).
As for those that have been taught against present day miracles by God, I would point out to you truths found through the Laodiceans & Galatians. The first would be the Laodiceans, the last of 7 churches in Asia mentioned in Revelation chapters 2&3, the specific reference in 3:14-19. These 7 churches are often considered not only literal, but representative of 7 church ages that will be up until the 2nd coming of Christ. I tend to agree with the “church age” insight, but even so, there is much to learn through God’s dealings with these churches…
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. –Revelation 3:14-19 (bold type added to emphasize).
Jesus has nothing good to say about this church! Each of the other 6 had at least some good thing mentioned. Smyrna & Philadelphia had no bad things mentioned. Jesus likens His sentiments toward this church to a physical sickness that produces vomiting! But a very interesting point is that Jesus refers to them as residents of the town, Laodiceans; each of the other churches only refer to the town. That is because this church CANNOT BE DISTINGUISHED from the world around it! That sure sounds like the church I see today in America. Frankly, churches often take pride in showing the world that they (the church) are just like them (the world). Jesus didn’t want us to be comfortable in our sins, or worldly attachments: the Holy Spirit came to convict men of sin (John 16:8), and to seek redemption through Jesus’ blood.
Yet the Lord gives us His reasons why this church is so offensive to Him, and I have put this into bold type within the passage. We are rich, increased with goods, and have need of nothing. How can God supply our needs (Philippians 4:19), when we take care of it ourselves? It is not without reason that God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith (James 2:5). This is a central reason why our real faith has diminished, and why miracles are nearly extinct. I believe it is the prophetic nature of this time. We rely on our riches, and things we can see, instead of the unlimited power of the invisible God– and the Word which He preserved for us. For a Biblical comparison, read II Chronicles 14:8- 15:7, & chapter 16. I have seen in my own life, and by the testimony of other believers, the principle of having real needs, and how we go about to resolve them. God made reality; He is not limited by His own creation! Trust in Him, and wait.
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. –Psalm 9:10
Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. –Psalm 37:3-5
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. –Romans 5:3-5
Another truth found from the Laodicean comparison concerns separation from the world. In the R.A. Torrey book, The Baptism with the Holy Spirit, he points out that spiritual power is lost when we lose our separation from the world. He uses the example of Samson, found in Judges 13-16. Samson’s uncut hair was symbolic of his nazarite vow, which showed a separation from the world. When his hair was cut off, the separation was lost, and so was his strength. When the hair grew back, separation returned, and so did his strength! Miracles from God are likely well diminished due to the worldliness of the church: for it has well become the friend of the world.
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. –James 4:4
We find yet another strong guiding truth in the book of Galatians. This was a group of believers that was falling back into a works-based religious framework, rather than simply continuing on in grace through faith. The following verses lay that groundwork;
But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. –Galatians 2:14-18
The Galatians were starting to seek God through works, specifically, the Law of Moses that was once the basis for Israel’s relationship with God. That framework was done away with in Acts chapter 15, but what about today? We have had almost 2,000 years since our beloved savior came to atone for our sins: is it possible that we have stumbled by emphasizing works?
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. –Ecclesiastes 1:9
Of course, our good works are not in line with historical Jewish practices. But whenever we tout that our works are good and pleasing to God, apart from being born again in Jesus Christ, we are guilty of the same shortfall as the Galatians- promoting works above the cross!
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. –Romans 3:10-12
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. –Romans 7:18
The organized churches of today are in no way the church of the Bible, the body of Christ (John 4:21-24). These churches woo the world by doing materialistic good deeds toward them, especially in the area of food, but at times also with clothing, and sometimes services. The kind of faith this may produce is equivalent to Esau selling his birth right for potted stew (Hebrews 12:15-18). I have known some close to me that have deliberately turned from their saving faith in Christ because of the material kindness of those in a false religion!
What I see from the churches, in general, is a preaching of God’s acceptance toward all of mankind, prior to repentance. They will tell the unsaved that there is good in them that God wants to use! We can especially see this when some type of public celebrity becomes a Christian; the church loves its “rock stars!” Rather than the individual becoming a new creature in Christ, they are encouraged to continue in their same line of business, and so glorify God. Perhaps this is why we see so many of these “redeemed” celebrities fall back into sinful living- they had never really left it. How can anyone be saved without the conviction of their own sin, and the need of salvation that only Jesus can offer? Remember this next line well; GOD DOES NOT ACCEPT SINNERS: GOD ACCEPTS THE REPENTANCE OF SINNERS. If we were already acceptable to God, before salvation, Jesus had no need to die for us. The organized churches have fulfilled prophecy, and also fallen into the error of the Galatians. This corruption has been growing for many centuries, but is come to completion here at the end. The real church of Christ has no place in this world, but the organized church has discovered a place here, and a way to “get along” with everyone- by keeping their “faith” within a building, and to stop preaching the cross of Christ.
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?.. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. –II Corinthians 6:14, 17&18
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. –II Timothy 4:3&4
BUT there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of…Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. –II Peter 2:1&2, 15-22
Now that we have established the sin of the Galatians, and that we in our present day have largely been doing the same, how does all this relate to the absence of miracles?
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. –Galatians 3:10
We are under a curse, brethren, and the lack of miracles is very likely one such “fruit.” The gifts involving miracles are brought through God’s Holy Spirit, a gift given to each believer that has been redeemed through Jesus’ blood: falling back into “works” would be to step back into the time prior to the coming of the messiah.
God is still in the miracle business! He gets glory from this! When we are only dependent upon our own strength or cunning, how do we differ from the unsaved? Our God is indeed the Living God, and not merely a God for our benefit after death.
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. –Psalms 147:10&11
Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house. Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. –Micah 7:5-7
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. –Matthew 6:6
Christians, do you believe the Bible? God is always the same, unchanging. His Word contains all truth, and we are NEVER told that miracles from Him will cease. When you are in need, pray; and believe beyond your senses. God is listening…
Though God continues to show my wife & I His listening ear, and has given us plenty of divine touches, one near the beginning was the real faith-base. We were hungry, and our food supply was providing a modest 2 meals per day for my wife & I. It was enough to live on, but not enough to maintain our weights. One morning in prayer, I thanked God for what He had given, but mentioned that I missed having meat. I said something like, “How good it would be to just have a simple hamburger!” It was more of an outcry than a request.
About 1:30 that January afternoon, I was walking back from a nearby park, where I had gone for additional devotions. As I turned onto a road toward home, I saw up ahead a white bag, directly in my path; the sides of the bag were straight up, so I could look into it. There at the bottom, perfectly wrapped, was a Whopper Junior from Burger King! Almost immediately the words from Psalm 34:15 came into my mind; “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” Even now, I weep much when recalling this event. My wife and I gratefully heated and split this provision from God! By the way, there is a Burger King in our town, but on the other side; at least 2 miles away: other burger places are much closer. Since that time, I know that God is always near, and listening! I may not understand things. Trials still come. But I know there is no limit with my God, and that in His time and way, when it is best for us, we will see His response.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. – I Peter 5:6&7
P.S: It is true that the devil can also do miracles, and we can see that in the Bible throughout all time periods. Discernment is needed, and a testing of spirits, as shown in I John 4:1. For the Holy Spirit filled believer, certain “fruits” of miracles will stand out, directing us as to their nature. We also have the authority in Christ to bind Satan (Matthew 18:18) from interfering, and this is good to use.
But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; To another the working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another divers kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will. –I Corinthians 12:7-11
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. I Corinthians 12:27&28
God wants to use us, to glorify His name, and for that we need faith. Please read the following very carefully…
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. For by it the elders obtained a good report. By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear…But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. –Hebrews 11:1-3, & 6.
Did you get the “miracle” aspects shown here? God created the universe out of nothing! Faith is the evidence of things not seen. Without faith, pleasing God is impossible! We need to separate ourselves from the teachings of men (even if well-meaning), and look to God alone for direction.
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works. –II Timothy 16&17
But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. –I John 2:27
When the apostle Paul was a Pharisee, he really knew the scriptures! But the understanding that he had was shaped by men, and led him to the persecution of Christians, and the rejection of Jesus Christ as the messiah. Therefore after his conversion the Lord took Paul aside for three years to teach him directly about Himself…
But I certify you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached of me is not after man. For I neither received it of man, neither was I taught it, but by the revelation of Jesus Christ. For ye have heard of my conversation in time past in the Jews’ religion, how that beyond measure I persecuted the church of God, and wasted it: And profited in the Jews’ religion above many my equals in mine own nation, being more exceedingly zealous of the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, To reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood: Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and abode with him fifteen days. –Galatians 1:11-18
If someone tells you that the book of Hebrews doesn’t apply to Christians today, don’t believe it! Everything in Hebrews is perfectly consistent within the rest of the Bible. There are some verses in Hebrews that rub them the wrong way, or they don’t immediately understand them, and so they fulfill the prophecy given in I Peter 3:16 in order to deal with it!
Then there are some that would claim we are in a different dispensation now; a time when God has chosen not to do miracles. Dispensation is a high-sounding word, and is used by some to intimidate ordinary laymen. This word is found 4x in scripture, I Corinthians 9:17, Ephesians 1:10 & 3:2, and Colossians 1:25. A dispensation is simply a way of dealing with things. God dealt with us a certain way before sin in the Garden of Eden, then differently after sin, then through the Law of Moses, and now by grace through Christ. A dispensation is also a dispensing, as in the way God dispenses gifts of the Spirit in the body of Christ. God shows us openly in His Word when there is a dispensational change regarding His church, and He never tells us that a time will come for the end of miracles. It is hard for me to have fellowship with professing Christians that don’t believe in miracles. This lack of faith can only diminish God, and hurt ourselves by limiting His responses to our needs…
How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert! Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel. They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy. –Psalms 78:40-42
So it is my belief that certain contingents of believers saw this lack of miracles, and tried to discern why. We do have this treasure (God’s Spirit) in earthen vessels (II Cor. 4:7), and do still deal with a corrupting flesh. The conclusion they reached was one that tended to blame God for something otherwise not immediately obvious. But God’s Word does give us reasons why the “miracle well” has seemed to dry up.
If you are like most Christians today, you still believe that God does miracles, but haven’t been seeing much in your daily lives. The main focus here is toward those who have been taught by doctrine that God no longer does miracles. I would take this time, however, to recommend 2 books: Evidence Not Seen by Darlene Deibler Rose, and Answers to Prayer by George Mueller, edited by Rosalie De Rosset. I would also say quickly that God is ready to respond to prayers of genuine need, but that patience in waiting is a repeated scriptural key (John 7:6, Hebrews 10:36).
As for those that have been taught against present day miracles by God, I would point out to you truths found through the Laodiceans & Galatians. The first would be the Laodiceans, the last of 7 churches in Asia mentioned in Revelation chapters 2&3, the specific reference in 3:14-19. These 7 churches are often considered not only literal, but representative of 7 church ages that will be up until the 2nd coming of Christ. I tend to agree with the “church age” insight, but even so, there is much to learn through God’s dealings with these churches…
And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God; I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot. So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth. Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked: I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see. As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent. –Revelation 3:14-19 (bold type added to emphasize).
Jesus has nothing good to say about this church! Each of the other 6 had at least some good thing mentioned. Smyrna & Philadelphia had no bad things mentioned. Jesus likens His sentiments toward this church to a physical sickness that produces vomiting! But a very interesting point is that Jesus refers to them as residents of the town, Laodiceans; each of the other churches only refer to the town. That is because this church CANNOT BE DISTINGUISHED from the world around it! That sure sounds like the church I see today in America. Frankly, churches often take pride in showing the world that they (the church) are just like them (the world). Jesus didn’t want us to be comfortable in our sins, or worldly attachments: the Holy Spirit came to convict men of sin (John 16:8), and to seek redemption through Jesus’ blood.
Yet the Lord gives us His reasons why this church is so offensive to Him, and I have put this into bold type within the passage. We are rich, increased with goods, and have need of nothing. How can God supply our needs (Philippians 4:19), when we take care of it ourselves? It is not without reason that God has chosen the poor to be rich in faith (James 2:5). This is a central reason why our real faith has diminished, and why miracles are nearly extinct. I believe it is the prophetic nature of this time. We rely on our riches, and things we can see, instead of the unlimited power of the invisible God– and the Word which He preserved for us. For a Biblical comparison, read II Chronicles 14:8- 15:7, & chapter 16. I have seen in my own life, and by the testimony of other believers, the principle of having real needs, and how we go about to resolve them. God made reality; He is not limited by His own creation! Trust in Him, and wait.
And they that know thy name will put their trust in thee: for thou, LORD, hast not forsaken them that seek thee. –Psalm 9:10
Trust in the LORD, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the LORD; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the LORD; trust also in him; and he shall bring it to pass. –Psalm 37:3-5
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; And patience, experience; and experience, hope: And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us. –Romans 5:3-5
Another truth found from the Laodicean comparison concerns separation from the world. In the R.A. Torrey book, The Baptism with the Holy Spirit, he points out that spiritual power is lost when we lose our separation from the world. He uses the example of Samson, found in Judges 13-16. Samson’s uncut hair was symbolic of his nazarite vow, which showed a separation from the world. When his hair was cut off, the separation was lost, and so was his strength. When the hair grew back, separation returned, and so did his strength! Miracles from God are likely well diminished due to the worldliness of the church: for it has well become the friend of the world.
Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God. –James 4:4
We find yet another strong guiding truth in the book of Galatians. This was a group of believers that was falling back into a works-based religious framework, rather than simply continuing on in grace through faith. The following verses lay that groundwork;
But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Peter before them all, If thou, being a Jew, livest after the manner of Gentiles, and not as do the Jews, why compellest thou the Gentiles to live as do the Jews? We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is therefore Christ the minister of sin? God forbid. For if I build again the things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. –Galatians 2:14-18
The Galatians were starting to seek God through works, specifically, the Law of Moses that was once the basis for Israel’s relationship with God. That framework was done away with in Acts chapter 15, but what about today? We have had almost 2,000 years since our beloved savior came to atone for our sins: is it possible that we have stumbled by emphasizing works?
The thing that hath been, it is that which shall be; and that which is done is that which shall be done: and there is no new thing under the sun. –Ecclesiastes 1:9
Of course, our good works are not in line with historical Jewish practices. But whenever we tout that our works are good and pleasing to God, apart from being born again in Jesus Christ, we are guilty of the same shortfall as the Galatians- promoting works above the cross!
As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one. –Romans 3:10-12
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. –Romans 7:18
The organized churches of today are in no way the church of the Bible, the body of Christ (John 4:21-24). These churches woo the world by doing materialistic good deeds toward them, especially in the area of food, but at times also with clothing, and sometimes services. The kind of faith this may produce is equivalent to Esau selling his birth right for potted stew (Hebrews 12:15-18). I have known some close to me that have deliberately turned from their saving faith in Christ because of the material kindness of those in a false religion!
What I see from the churches, in general, is a preaching of God’s acceptance toward all of mankind, prior to repentance. They will tell the unsaved that there is good in them that God wants to use! We can especially see this when some type of public celebrity becomes a Christian; the church loves its “rock stars!” Rather than the individual becoming a new creature in Christ, they are encouraged to continue in their same line of business, and so glorify God. Perhaps this is why we see so many of these “redeemed” celebrities fall back into sinful living- they had never really left it. How can anyone be saved without the conviction of their own sin, and the need of salvation that only Jesus can offer? Remember this next line well; GOD DOES NOT ACCEPT SINNERS: GOD ACCEPTS THE REPENTANCE OF SINNERS. If we were already acceptable to God, before salvation, Jesus had no need to die for us. The organized churches have fulfilled prophecy, and also fallen into the error of the Galatians. This corruption has been growing for many centuries, but is come to completion here at the end. The real church of Christ has no place in this world, but the organized church has discovered a place here, and a way to “get along” with everyone- by keeping their “faith” within a building, and to stop preaching the cross of Christ.
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?.. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty. –II Corinthians 6:14, 17&18
For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. –II Timothy 4:3&4
BUT there were false prophets also among the people, even as there shall be false teachers among you, who privily shall bring in damnable heresies, even denying the Lord that bought them, and bring upon themselves swift destruction. And many shall follow their pernicious ways; by reason of whom the way of truth shall be evil spoken of…Which have forsaken the right way, and are gone astray, following the way of Balaam the son of Bosor, who loved the wages of unrighteousness; But was rebuked for his iniquity: the dumb ass speaking with man’s voice forbad the madness of the prophet. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest; to whom the mist of darkness is reserved for ever. For when they speak great swelling words of vanity, they allure through the lusts of the flesh, through much wantonness, those that were clean escaped from them who live in error. While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage. For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them. But it is happened unto them according to the true proverb, The dog is turned to his own vomit again; and the sow that was washed to her wallowing in the mire. –II Peter 2:1&2, 15-22
Now that we have established the sin of the Galatians, and that we in our present day have largely been doing the same, how does all this relate to the absence of miracles?
For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them. –Galatians 3:10
We are under a curse, brethren, and the lack of miracles is very likely one such “fruit.” The gifts involving miracles are brought through God’s Holy Spirit, a gift given to each believer that has been redeemed through Jesus’ blood: falling back into “works” would be to step back into the time prior to the coming of the messiah.
God is still in the miracle business! He gets glory from this! When we are only dependent upon our own strength or cunning, how do we differ from the unsaved? Our God is indeed the Living God, and not merely a God for our benefit after death.
He delighteth not in the strength of the horse: he taketh not pleasure in the legs of a man. The LORD taketh pleasure in them that fear him, in those that hope in his mercy. –Psalms 147:10&11
Trust ye not in a friend, put ye not confidence in a guide: keep the doors of thy mouth from her that lieth in thy bosom. For the son dishonoureth the father, the daughter riseth up against her mother, the daughter in law against her mother in law; a man’s enemies are the men of his own house. Therefore I will look unto the LORD; I will wait for the God of my salvation: my God will hear me. –Micah 7:5-7
But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly. –Matthew 6:6
Christians, do you believe the Bible? God is always the same, unchanging. His Word contains all truth, and we are NEVER told that miracles from Him will cease. When you are in need, pray; and believe beyond your senses. God is listening…
Though God continues to show my wife & I His listening ear, and has given us plenty of divine touches, one near the beginning was the real faith-base. We were hungry, and our food supply was providing a modest 2 meals per day for my wife & I. It was enough to live on, but not enough to maintain our weights. One morning in prayer, I thanked God for what He had given, but mentioned that I missed having meat. I said something like, “How good it would be to just have a simple hamburger!” It was more of an outcry than a request.
About 1:30 that January afternoon, I was walking back from a nearby park, where I had gone for additional devotions. As I turned onto a road toward home, I saw up ahead a white bag, directly in my path; the sides of the bag were straight up, so I could look into it. There at the bottom, perfectly wrapped, was a Whopper Junior from Burger King! Almost immediately the words from Psalm 34:15 came into my mind; “The eyes of the LORD are upon the righteous, and his ears are open unto their cry.” Even now, I weep much when recalling this event. My wife and I gratefully heated and split this provision from God! By the way, there is a Burger King in our town, but on the other side; at least 2 miles away: other burger places are much closer. Since that time, I know that God is always near, and listening! I may not understand things. Trials still come. But I know there is no limit with my God, and that in His time and way, when it is best for us, we will see His response.
Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time: Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you. – I Peter 5:6&7
P.S: It is true that the devil can also do miracles, and we can see that in the Bible throughout all time periods. Discernment is needed, and a testing of spirits, as shown in I John 4:1. For the Holy Spirit filled believer, certain “fruits” of miracles will stand out, directing us as to their nature. We also have the authority in Christ to bind Satan (Matthew 18:18) from interfering, and this is good to use.
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