Do We Need Miracles Today?

 Many people hear the Good News of Jesus and believe without being healed supernaturally. When sick believers die, they go to God's heaven, where there is no more sickness.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life. Jn 3:16 NIV

Many years ago, I heard from a friend that an old woman was dying in a hospital in Australia. She was Hungarian and could speak German but not English. With the chaplain's permission, I visited the very old woman to read the Bible to her in German.

So she heard various passages from the Bible, God's promises, the Good News.

My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. 
I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. Jn 10:27–28 NRSV

One day she was very distracted, suffering from dementia, and looked around in confusion. Was it actually dementia, or was she looking into the spiritual world, as some people do as they approach death?

Then I read her the promise of eternal life.

Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, though he die, yet shall he live, 
and everyone who lives and believes in me shall never die. Do you believe this?” Jn 11:25–26 ESV

It seemed as if she immediately came back from her inner wanderings and she answered strongly, clearly and decisively: “Yes, I firmly believe.”

I did not see her again. The next day I heard that she had died. I was satisfied. I knew she was in heaven.

This woman was a devout Catholic. She already knew that eternal salvation comes from Jesus and can somehow be obtained through faith. She only needed to hear the simple message of God's Word to understand the gospel.

But there are many communists, agnostics, Muslims and Hindus who have no biblical foundation at all, so we cannot lead them to faith so easily. 

Jesus said:

Then Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders, you will not believe.” Jn 4:48 NRSV

There are billions of people today who do not believe, and many will only believe when they see or experience miracles. God loves humanists, Muslims, occultists and especially Jews, and He wants to reach them and win them over.

This is right and is acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour, 
who desires everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 1 Ti 2:3–4 NRSV

I know a Jewish woman who converted because she saw Jesus with her natural eyes. 

I know a German woman who looked directly into hell every day for nine months and then converted when Jesus visited her personally and she recognised him by his tangible presence, without seeing him.

Then Jesus told him, “Because you have seen me, you have believed; blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” Jn 20:29 NIV

But Jesus also wants to reach the millions who cannot be saved without signs and wonders.

What would you think if someone claimed, ‘Many sick people recover without major surgery. We no longer need surgeons.’ Many people believe in Jesus without miracle healings, but others do not believe until they experience miracles. 

There is a theology based on God's sovereignty, in which the love of God is not emphasised.

This often leads to dogmatism, resignation and cold hearts. As a result, many sick people suffer needlessly and many people whom God loves are lost who might otherwise be saved.

To the ends of the earth ...

 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Mt 28:19–20 NIV

Was this calling only for the first apostles?

If so, they failed. They did not reach all nations. Not Japan, not America, not Indonesia or Australia.

But Jesus said that God loves the world, not just the countries that the first apostles reached.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. Jn 3:16 NIV

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 NIV

The first apostles did not reach the ends of the earth, but today we are on our way to reaching all nations.

And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. Mt 24:14 NIV

What is your role in this worldwide adventure? God speaks through the Bible, but you will not find any teaching in the Bible that explains whether you are called to do missionary work in China or Brazil.

Should you evangelise the Muslims in your city or the prostitutes in the brothel around the corner? This ministry is important, but it is not for everyone.

Jesus taught that God wants to speak personally to every believer.

My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. Jn 10:27 NRSV

True disciples of the Lord are willing to let God transform their lives.

Seek the LORD while he may be found, call upon him while he is near; Isa 55:6 NRSV

If we want to be led by God, we must not be passive churchgoers. It is not enough to live a virtuous life and fulfil the expectations of pastors or other Christians.

God created you as one of a kind and entrusted you with a task that only you can fulfil.

“Ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you.
For everyone who asks receives, and everyone who searches finds, and for everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. Mt 7:7–8 NRSV

Seek a close relationship with Jesus through prayer and love for your neighbour. Try to understand Jesus in the Bible. He will show you the way.

Expect Impossible Miracles

 In the western world, we are scientifically orientated. We have been brainwashed for generations to believe in the material world more than in the supernatural realm where God reigns invisibly.

In this respect, humanistic theology is often almost indistinguishable from atheism. Many Reformed Christians and many conservative free churches are also strongly influenced by it.

If you talk about miracles, you are not taken seriously by atheists, humanists and theologians.

Many conservative Christians also want to believe in miracles in the Bible, and also in heaven and hell, but all that belongs only to the past and we will then wait until we die to experience something of the other world.

We have been taught to expect only what is supposed to be possible, but Jesus taught a completely different view and also proved it with miracles.

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” Mk 10:27 NLT

Jesus commissioned his first disciples to evangelise the whole world.

Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Mt 28:18–19 NIV

Why was Europe known as Christian in the past? Because missionaries brought whole peoples, whole regions and whole nations to Jesus.

This also happened in the Old Testament when God made the Hebrews into a believing nation through Moses and then Joshua. Unfortunately, mass conversion is often followed by decline in subsequent generations, but Israel was still a nation that belonged to the true God.

A preacher in Asia proclaimed the bold idea that we should disciple whole nations, not just convert individuals.

A devoted woman was in the congregation and she believed the impossible. She was a street vendor selling ice cream. She prayed that her ice cream would be especially good and delicious.
Then she prayed that she would win her city for Jesus.

One day, a rich man came and bought an ice cream. He was delighted and asked the woman why her ice cream could be so good. She explained that she was a Christian and prayed that her ice cream would be excellent.

The rich man was intrigued and wanted to know more. He then converted to Jesus.

It turned out that this man was the governor of the town. He decided to teach the police and all the officials in the city the message of Jesus.

All the officials also had to learn to apply biblical principles in their work.

We must learn to expect much more from God.

Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” Mk 10:27 NLT

End Time Battles

 Moses was a man with a high calling. He was to lead his enslaved people out of the land of their oppression and through the desert. Then he was to take them into a beautiful country and conquer the land for God.

God's plans are always good, but when we walk in God's ways, we always encounter adversaries and obstacles.

The first problem for Moses came when he was born. Pharaoh wanted to kill all the male babies of the Hebrews, but God saved his life. Pharaoh's daughter found Moses and took pity on him. She adopted Moses and gave him back to his mother. What a miracle of God!

In these end times, we Christians have a great calling. Do you want to be part of a mighty end-time revival? Then you have an adversary who wants to stop you. God's kingdom is coming, but the devil wants to nip the end-time revival in the bud.

One of the enemy's tactics is to spread the negative teaching that we should only expect decay before the return of the Lord Jesus, that God is supposedly not planning a great revival.

But in the Bible I find God's prophetic promise that we should expect both darkness and glory.

Arise, shine; for your light has come, and the glory of the LORD has risen upon you.

For darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the LORD will arise upon you, and his glory will appear over you. Is 60:1–2 NRSV

Does this only apply to the Jews? No.

Jesus commanded the apostles to set in motion a mission that is to increase until his return.

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit ... Mt 28:19 NRSV

We have not yet reached all nations. The Great Commission still applies. Just as with Moses, God's great plan will face terrible opposition.

Moses needed amazing supernatural miracles to overcome Pharaoh's resistance. Likewise, we need amazing miracles to overcome the devil's opposition in our time.

And these signs will accompany those who believe: by using my name they will cast out demons; they will speak in new tongues;  

they will pick up snakes in their hands, and if they drink any deadly thing, it will not hurt them; they will lay their hands on the sick, and they will recover.” Mk 16:17–18 NRSV

God Calls All Kinds of People

 In China, Christians are multiplying every year. Over twenty years ago, missionary experts said that there were at least one hundred million Christians in China and that several million Chinese were converting to Jesus every year.

Nobody knows how many Christians there are in China now, but the communist government is afraid of Jesus. The basis of the powerful Christian movement in China is not an ordained leadership with professional preachers who have to undergo years of theological training.

Most meetings are not held in well-equipped churches, but in private homes. Many pastors are arrested or simply disappear. Someone then has to lead.

More than seventy per cent of the church leaders in these house churches are women with no extensive theological training, but they burn with love for Jesus and their devotion is unlimited.

Education is not worthless. Paul and Luke were educated men. Martin Luther and John Wesley were educated, but Peter and John were fishermen.

In the mighty move of the Holy Spirit that is soon to come, educated preachers will also be anointed with power, but the mark of the coming revival will not be education, but heavenly love, miracle-working faith and unstinting devotion.

A woman in Brazil was the daughter and granddaughter of high-ranking witches. She became a prostitute and then a witch with terrifying demonic powers, but true Christians love their enemies. Christians prayed for this woman until she converted to Jesus in a traumatic crisis. She became a preacher who was able to reach many lost souls for Jesus.

But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. Mt 19:30 NIV

A highly respected Muslim preacher in Africa led a double life. He secretly visited prostitutes until he was infected with AIDS. The Christians prayed for their persecutor and God answered. On his deathbed, he experienced a visitation from Jesus. He was converted. He was supernaturally healed and then became an influential evangelist for Jesus.

But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first. Mt 19:30 NIV

In the revival that is coming in Europe, God will call evangelists who are now in other religions or in pubs or brothels.

The apostle Paul said:

Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. 1 Ti 1:15 NIV

The Gospel Includes Healing

Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
 
and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Mt 28:19–20 NIV

Was this assignment only for the first apostles? Not at all.

The first apostles did not reach the Japanese and they were never in America. The commission is to make disciples of all nations. This task is not yet complete. For example, there are millions of Hindus in northern India who know nothing about Jesus.

So we all still need to practise and pass on the commandments that Jesus taught his first apostles.

Jesus called his twelve disciples to him and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits and to heal every disease and sickness. Mt 10:1 NIV

When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases,

and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick. Lk 9:1–2 NIV

Sadly, we see some Christians today who emphasise healings and miracles, but without humility and love.

Jesus was different. Jesus healed people because he loved them.

A man with leprosy came to him and begged him on his knees, “If you are willing, you can make me clean.”
Jesus was indignant. He reached out his hand and touched the man. “I am willing,” he said. “Be clean!”
Immediately the leprosy left him and he was cleansed. Mk 1:40–42 NIV

Jesus has called us to follow in his footsteps. Healing and miracles were not an option for Jesus. They were part of his way of being. That is our task too.

Do you need healing? Is someone in your family sick? Or in your office?

We need to learn to shake off the watered-down Christian faith we've been taught.

Jesus wants to do more for you than you think. Jesus wants to help you. He just loves you.

Missionary Supernaturally Protected

 Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Mt 28:19 NIV

Has this mission already been completed? Obviously not.

How are we, as disciples of the Lord Jesus, to carry out this task?

First baptise the newly converted. In countries where Hinduism, Buddhism or Islam prevail, the people do not take conversion seriously until someone is baptised. We need to understand this better and baptise the new Christians without delay.

But then we read an important command, which we also often neglect or brush aside.

Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Mt 28:20 NLT

Which of the Lord's commands must we pass on? All the commands. All of them.

What did Jesus command his first disciples to do?

Heal the sick, raise the dead, cure those with leprosy, and cast out demons. Give as freely as you have received! Mt 10:8 NLT

Until when are we to teach the Lord's commands? Until the end of the world.

We have not yet made disciples of all the nations of the world, and the end of the world has not yet come. Therefore, these commands of the Lord still remain relevant.

‘’Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out demons.

But that is not all that Jesus said in his last conversation before his ascension.

And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues;

they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.” Mk 16:17–18 NIV

To whom do these promises apply? ‘’... those who believe ... This is not just for the apostles and not just for the first generation of Christians. In Matthew 28, we read, ‘’to the end of the world‘’.

Of course, we should not play with poison or snakes, but God promises us his protection in our time of need.

I have an Arab friend who converted from extreme fundamentalist Islam to Jesus but along the way he was led astray and became a Mormon.

When God delivered him from this false religion, he visited many Mormons and also helped them to escape.

Then all the Muslims in his neighbourhood heard about his new faith and some converted.

He was not ordained, but God used him with supernatural power.

An Arab once gave him something to eat. A week later, he was amazed that his Christian compatriot was still alive. He had put enough poison in the food to kill a camel.

The unsuccessful assassin converted to Jesus.