Divine healing in the Bible – Part 16

Millions will be impressed, deceived and persuaded by this apparent charismatic leader because they have no deep commitment to or love for the truth of God’s word (2 Thes 2:9-12). (b) The words of both Paul (2 Thess 2:9) and Jesus (Mat 24: 24) should caution believers against assuming that everything miraculous comes from God.

Apparent manifestations of the Spirit (1 Cor 12:7-10) and alleged experiences from God or the Spirit must be tested by the person’s loyalty to Christ and the Scripture. Satan as “the god of this world” (2 Cor 4:4) exercises tremendous power in this present evil age (1 Jn 5:19; cf. Luke 13:16; Gal 1:4; Eph 6:12; Heb 2:14). He has the power to produce counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders (2 Thes 2:9; Rev 13:2-8,13; 16:13-14; 19:20) and to bestow physical and material benefits on people. Undoubtedly, this power sometimes contributes to the prosperity of the wicked (cf Ps 10:2-6; 37:16,35; 49:6; 73:3-12)

• Satan Can Imitate Some Parts Of God’s Work (Ex 7:8-13)
“For every man threw down his rod, and they became serpents. But Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods.” (Ex 7:12)
God performed a miracle by turning Aaron’s rod into a snake, and Pharaoh’s magicians did the same through trickery or sorcery.

• The magicians’ rods also turned into serpents, an act accomplished by demonic power. Egypt was fully addicted to magic, cultism, spiritism and sorcery as their religion. By Aaron’s rod swallowing up their rods, however, the God of Israel was demonstrating that His power was greater than the power of the gods of Egypt.

• In the final days of this age, before the return of Christ, Satan will display miracles through false ministers within the visible church and through the antichrist (cf. 2 Tim 3:8; Mat 24:24). Believers must not assume, therefore, that every miraculous occurrence is the Lord at work (see Rev 16:14, 19:20).

Although miracles can help us believe, it is dangerous to rely on them alone. Satan can imitate some parts of God’s work and lead people astray. Pharaoh focused on the miracle rather than the message. We can avoid this error by letting the Word of God to be the basis of our faith. No miracle from God would endorse any message that is contrary to the teachings of his Word.
Demonic Spirits (Revelation 16:12-14)

“For they are spirits of demons, performing signs, which go out to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty,” (Rev 16: 14)

“Spirits of demons, performing signs,” during the tribulation rulers of the nations will be demonised. Deceived by Satan through miracles, they will enter into an insane scheme plunging the entire world into a great holocaust.
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