MAN'S CONCERN
To many people, the word miracle is a generic term that pertains to all kinds of supernatural events, incidents, and occurrences. Only the truth in the word of God, however, can draw the line distinguishing MIRACLES from WONDERS. Miracles come from the True God. Wonders are counterfeit miracles from Satan to deceive the unwary.
When people talk of god, gods, goddess, goddesses, or God, they invariably think of supernatural events that oftentimes benefit the believers. This is true with all religions, from Voodoo to occultism, and from pseudo to real Christianity. Coupled with these miracles is casting or driving out evil spirits. Drums, beads, talismans, amulets, good-luck charms and other objects are used in voodoos and occultism; [1] while statues, cross, crucifix, water, oil, other objects, and the name JESUS CHRIST are used in pseudo and real Christianity.
Unknown to many people, there are two super beings that are capable of doing these supernatural occurrences: God and Satan. Jesus Christ is identified with the true God. Satan is the false Christ, the "god of this world."
2 Corinthians 4:4 "But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ…"
God and Satan are distinguished by the kind of miracles being performed.
MIRACLES AND WONDERS DISTINGUISHED
EXODUS 7:8 "And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying, 9When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Show a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent. 10And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent. 11Then Pharaoh also called the wise men…: now the magicians of Egypt , they also did in like manner with their enchantments. 12For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron’s rod swallowed up their rods."
Definitely it was God who turned the rod of Aaron into a serpent. There is no doubt it was Satan, "the god of this world," who turned the rods of the wise men into serpents. The two supernatural happenings, serpent from the rod of Aaron and serpents from the rods of the wise men, are distinguished by the superiority of one over the other. The fact that the rod (serpent) of Aaron swallowed up the rods (serpents) of the wise men revealed the superiority of the former. The MIRACLE of the true God therefore is superior to the WONDERS of the false god, Satan! From this truth, God will reveal great things about His work and the works of His archenemy.
The superiority of miracles over wonders is determined by the kind of benefit derived therefrom. Christ emphasized the heavenly more than the earthly. Our Lord prioritized the spiritual over the physical.
Matthew 16:26 " For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
Matthew 10:28 " And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
Miracles benefit the soul, while wonders only give relief to the body. The benefit to the body ends in the cemetery, while that of the soul ends in eternal life with God in His kingdom. How many people accept this criterion distinguishing miracles from wonders based on the word of our Lord? Our Lord Jesus confirms this when He said, His words do not profit the flesh.
John 6:63 KJV " It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing : the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."
Are the words literal, or spiritual ("of the spirit")? Does the flesh (or body) profit (or benefit) from the word of God?" What kind of "life" benefits from the word of God? Physical life, or spiritual life?
Illustration:
Two men are deaf since birth. The 1 st man went to a person preaching the word of God from the Holy Bible. With a statue [2] (or picture, or water, or oil, or crucifix, or some other objects) the person touched the ears of the man. [3] To his amazement he could hear the voice of the person talking to him. He was greatly amused hearing the songs of his favorite movie stars. He thanked and praised the Lord. The 2 nd man went to a person talking about the word of God also. With a Bible on hand, the person asked him to read the different lines in the verses pointing to the identity of our Lord and God. [4] He remained deaf but continued reading the Holy Bible with great joy for now he can clearly understand the great message of the word of God. [5] Who of the two men received the miracle of God? If you were one of the two, with whom would you like to be identified with?
Christ's miracles are written and many people reading the Holy Bible see them to have happened literally-physically. Our Lord however said, " the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit." When Jesus opened the eyes of the man born blind, what is the significance of the miracle?
John 9:1 " And as Jesus passed by, he saw a man which was blind from his birth.
John 9:35 " Jesus heard that they had cast him out; and when he had found him, he said unto him, Dost thou believe on the Son of God? 36He answered and said, Who is he, Lord, that I might believe on him? 37And Jesus said unto him, Thou hast both seen him, and it is he that talketh with thee. 38And he said, Lord, I believe. And he worshipped him.
John 9:39 "And Jesus said, For judgment I am come into this world, that they which see not might see; and that they which see might be made blind. 40And some of the Pharisees which were with him heard these words, and said unto him, Are we blind also? 41Jesus said unto them, If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth. "
Did we see our Lord literally made those " who see to become blind ?" We have not seen any of the Scribes and Pharisees made literally-physically blind! Literally speaking, Jesus did not make true His promise and therefore appeared to have lied! However, it is Satan who is the liar and the father of lies (John 8:44). It is clear therefore that, from the LANGUAGE used in the word of God, the True God can be distinguished from the false God -- the True Christ distinguished from the false Christ. Recognition of the True Christ will follow perception of the Truth as differentiated from falsehood and deceptions.
The Pharisees did not recognize our Lord Jesus Christ and therefore did not worship Him. The man born blind, after the miracle, recognized our Lord and worshipped Him. Were the Pharisees literally or spiritually blind? Was the man born blind, before the miracle, not spiritually blind? What is therefore the significance of the miracle of "opening the eyes of the blind?"
It is easy to say, "I know Jesus Christ and I worship Him." However, how clear is the identity of Jesus Christ? If it is by divine revelation, then the identity of the Father should have followed.
John 8:19 " …Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also."
1. The Scribes and Pharisees were not literally blind. But why did they "not see" or recognize our Lord that, like the blind man, would have worshipped Him also? Jesus said, "only God should be worshipped" (Matthew 4:10 ). For not knowing God, our Lord called them "spiritually blind."
JOHN 5:54-55 "Jesus answered... it is my Father that honoureth me; of whom ye say, that he is your God... Yet ye have not known him..."
The Scribes and Pharisees and the people following them were not aware of their spiritual blindness.
Luke 6:39 "And he spake a parable unto them, Can the blind lead the blind? Shall they not both fall into the ditch?"
2. The people and the Scribes and Pharisees saw only the literal blindness of the man born blind. More than that, however, the man felt that he was also SPIRITUALLY BLIND because he could not have recognized and worshipped our Lord before the miracle.
3. Jesus Christ therefore saw who among His audience needed "healing." The Scribes and Pharisees who did not know that they were "sick" needed no physician. It was the "blind man" that caught the attention of our Lord, and it was he who received "healing" from Him.
Mark 2:17 " …Jesus…saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance."
While many people think of diseases of the body, God speaks of spiritual disease of the soul.
Psalms 41:4 " I said, LORD, be merciful unto me: heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee."
After God revealed the superiority of His miracles over wonders and the priority of the spiritual over physical sickness, now the importance of identifying and clearly recognizing our Lord and God cannot be ignored. Clear understanding of God's words follows His identity.
It is quite easy to accept that making the spiritually deaf to "hear and understand" the word of God is superior to the physical opening of the ears so as to simply hear the songs of the birds and sweet music. So also the ability of a spiritual paralytic to walk on "the Way" showed by our Lord is superior to a man lame since birth made to walk on the streets or sidewalk.
Christ's Miracles
Jesus Christ performed many and great miracles before the people.
Matthew 15:30 " And great multitudes came unto him, having with them those that were lame, blind, dumb, maimed, and many others, and cast them down at Jesus’ feet; and he healed them: 31Insomuch that the multitude wondered, when they saw the dumb to speak, the maimed to be whole, the lame to walk, and the blind to see: and they glorified the God of Israel."
True to what our Lord said in John 6:63 that "His words are spirit and the flesh profiteth nothing," the Scribes and Pharisees and their followers who were spiritually blind DID NOT SEE THE MIRACLES! So they still asked Him for signs from heaven. They were only after WONDERS and not miracles:
Matthew 12:38 "Then certain of the scribes and of the Pharisees answered, saying, Master, we would see a sign from thee."
Matthew 16:1 "The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and...desired him that he would show them a sign from heaven."
Luke 11:29 " And when the people were gathered thick together, he began to say, This is an evil generation: they seek a sign…"
Today, which kind do people want to receive and witness? MIRACLES, or WONDERS? What do so-called "apostles of Christ" today perform? MIRACLES, or WONDERS?
4. Which will excite people to see: a man in a morgue dead for four days rising up again? Or, a man spiritually "dead" since birth and now becoming spiritually alive by being "born of water and of the Spirit?" (John 3:5) [6] Water symbolizes the word of God (Ephesians 5:26 /John 15:3). [7] Spirit refers to the Holy Spirit that quickens or gives life to the literal word.
Proverbs 21:16 " The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead."
How many people realized the great message of the following?
JOHN 6:63 KJV "It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."
Which kind of LIFE benefits from the word of God? Physical life, or Spiritual life? Which is more important to Jesus Christ? The BODY, or the SOUL
Matthew 16:26 " For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?"
MATTHEW 10:28 "And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell."
If we profess to know Jesus Christ, can we equally profess to know the Father that God is no more mystery? There are 1001 more miracles and wonders that many people cannot distinguish. Without clearly identifying God and Jesus Christ, we will not have divine revelation of His words. Unwittingly, we remain spiritually blind, groping in the dark, and cannot find the Way.
THE HOLY BIBLE AND THE IDENTITY OF GOD
People believing in god, gods, goddess, goddesses, or God are distinguished by the source of information on their belief. Those who believe in God based and verify their belief from the Holy Bible. This is the only book authored by God and written by men called prophets and apostles.
2 Timothy 3:16 " All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."
2 Peter 1:21 " For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
God and His words cannot be separated for there could be no words without God, and God cannot relate to His chosen without His words. Thus,
John 1:1 " In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God."
And JESUS CHRIST relates to the foregoing truth:
John 1:14 " And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us…"
Revelation 19:13 " And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God."
This is confirmed in Emmanuel that means "God with us."
Matthew 1:23 " Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us."
To be able to distinguish MIRACLES from WONDERS aside from the superiority of the former, it also necessitates establishing the identity of GOD and JESUS CHRIST that He can be distinguished from the false god.
God's instruction in reading the Bible
Here is how God directs us in reading the Sacred Scriptures that the truth is found in His words. In contrast, following man's practice of taking the context of the story or verses, diverse understanding from the word arises resulting in different interpretations.
Isaiah 28:10 KJV " For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little."
1 Corinthians 1:12 " Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth… comparing spiritual things with spiritual"
2 Timothy 2:15 " Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth."
Example: Using human practice of understanding of the word of God, Jesus Christ is identified in diverse ways. Some people consider Jesus is only a man and never a God. Others perceive Him to be only a minor God for there is an Almighty God. Still others comprehend Jesus to be the Father and the Holy Spirit. Many identify Him as both God and man, and is the 2 nd person of the Trinity.
The Testament
Following God's direction, here is what is written about Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 8:6 " But to us there is but one God, the Father , of whom are all things, and we in him; and one Lord Jesus Christ, by whom are all things, and we by him."
God made a covenant or promise or will or testament of salvation to redeem those who would believe (many verses). The maker of the testament or testator has to die in order to fulfill His testament:
Hebrews 9:16 " For where a testament is, there must also of necessity be the death of the testator."
God is a Spirit (John 4:24 ). For Him to fulfill His testament, God has to manifest Himself in the flesh.
1 Timothy 3:16 KJV "And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh…",
There can be no other but Jesus Christ pointing to "God in the flesh." He is Emmanuel that means "God with us."
1 John 3:16 " Hereby perceive we the love of God, because he laid down his life for us…"
Philippians 2:5 NIV " …that of Christ Jesus: 6 Who, being in very nature God, did not consider equality with God something to be grasped…being made in human likeness. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death—even death on a cross!"
Thus the testament of the Father was fulfilled by the death Jesus Christ for they are not two but one:
Jesus speaking:
John 10:30 " I and my Father are one."
John 8:24 (Jesus speaking) " I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins."
The Father God speaking:
Deuteronomy 32:39 (The Father speaking) " See now that I, even I, am he…"
Isaiah 43:10 (The Father speaking) " Ye are my witnesses, saith the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me."
The Father God identified Himself as the "only Savior" in the following, perfectly pointing to the role of our Lord Jesus Christ, for they are not two but one in different manifestations:
Isaiah 43:11 (The Father speaking) "I, even I, am the LORD; and beside me there is no saviour."
Luke 2:11 (Referring to Jesus) " For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord."
Now it is clear why Jesus told Peter that recognizing Him as the Christ or Savior needed divine revelation:
Matthew 16:15 " He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven."
It is really difficult to comprehend, for it is against human rationality or the use of the intellect and senses, to "see" Jesus as the Father in the flesh for they are relating to each other. The Father said of the Son at His baptism, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased." The Son as He was nailed on cross told the Father, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." The Son Jesus prayed to the Father, depended on the Father, and even calling the Father His God in John 10:17.
Peter's recognition of Jesus is not limited to being the CHRIST or Savior. Peter also called Jesus, "The Son of the living God." With human rationality (the use of the intellect and senses), how could Jesus, the Son, be the Father as well? Jesus talking to the Father is tantamount to Jesus talking to Himself. This must be foolishness in the perception of the Natural Man. But God has this to say:
1 Corinthians 2:14 " But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
At the baptism of Jesus, He was seen in the water with John the Baptist. The Father spoke, "This is my beloved Son," and the Spirit of God descending like a dove, all these are perceived with the senses: sense of sight and sense of hearing. "Spiritual things" can only be "spiritually," and not intellectually or sensually or emotionally discerned. It is not surprising why the NATURAL MAN cannot clearly identify God and Jesus Christ, and justifying this with the popular saying, "The infinite God cannot be comprehend by the finite mind of man."
The Inheritance in the Testament
To say, God made a testament of salvation is too general a statement. God is specific though that in His testament He promised Himself to be the INHERITANCE to the priests. The priests are the chosen people of God (Revelation 1:6).
Ezekiel 44:28 " And it shall be unto them for an inheritance: I am the inheritance…"
Psalms 16:5 "The LORD is the portion of mine inheritance…"
Who would ever want to "receive" God as inheritance when the Israelites found that He is a frightening God:
Exodus 20:18 " And all the people saw the thunderings, and the lightnings, and the noise of the trumpet, and the mountain smoking: and when the people saw it, they removed, and stood afar off. 19And they said unto Moses, Speak thou with us, and we will hear: but let not God speak with us, lest we die."
But God's plan of salvation has to be accomplished. God had to change His characteristics in order to be acceptable to the beneficiaries. Thus, at the death of Jesus that meant the fulfillment of the Testament of the Father for they are one, it was time to give the inheritance. The Father is the Holy Spirit!
John 7:39 " (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)"
Acts 2:1 " And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they were all with one accord in one place. 2And suddenly there came a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. 4And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost…"
Christ's 2nd Coming
The relationship of the Father with Jesus Christ is revealed, so is the relationship of the Father with the Holy Spirit! The relationship of Jesus with the Holy Spirit is unveiled in the following:
Matthew 28:20 (Jesus speaking) " Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen."
Our Lord's promise to be with the real believers till the end of the world could not have been possible using the senses for Jesus went up to heaven.
Acts 1:9 " And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. 10And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel; 11Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven."
No wonder many people are waiting for the 2 nd coming of Jesus Christ, using the intellect and senses. If so, then where is His promise of being with His disciples before, today, and until the end of the world? Using the intellect and the senses, how could our Lord Jesus be the Holy Spirit? But by divine revelation this is the truth:
2 Corinthians 3:17 " Now the Lord (Jesus) is that Spirit (Holy Spirit): and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. "
Acts 20:28 " Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the HolyGhost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God , which he hath purchased with his own blood. "
The sad fact is, unknown to many people, just as the Jews were waiting for the coming of the Messiah; they are also waiting for the coming of Christ. Jesus was in front of the Jews and did not recognize Him. Jesus Christ has already come at Pentecost and many people are still waiting for His coming.
Christ's 2nd Appearance!
The Jews were anxiously waiting for the promised Messiah. Today, many people are also anxiously waiting for the coming of Christ. The real believers who clearly identify JESUS CHRIST as the HOLY SPIRIT, instead, are waiting for His 2 nd APPEARANCE!
Hebrews 9:28 (Revealed to Paul) " So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation."
1 Peter 5:4 (Revealed to Peter) "And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away."
1 John 3:2 (Revealed to John the apostle) " Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. "
The Name of God
God had not yet revealed His name in the Old Testament, contrary to what many people know.
Isaiah 52:6 " Therefore my people shall know my name: therefore they shall know in that day that I am he that doth speak: behold, it is I."
The name of God (Father, Son, and Holy Spirit) was to be revealed in spreading the gospel of truth:
Matthew 28:19 KJV " Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the HolyGhost ."
God revealed the name through an angel. Peter got the revelation after Pentecost.
Matthew 1:23 " Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us. 24Then Joseph being raised from sleep did as the angel of the Lord had bidden him, and took unto him his wife: 25And knew her not till she had brought forth her firstborn son: and he called his name JESUS."
Acts 2:38 " Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of JesusChrist for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost."
Acts 19:4 " Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. 5When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the LordJesus."
This is GOD revealed in the Holy Bible. Who is He?
Isaiah 9:6 " For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace."
Colossians 2:9 " For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily ."
Jesus Sitting/Standing at the Right Hand of God
How could sensual (of the senses) and intellectual discernment comprehend JESUS in whose visible body dwelleth the fullness of GOD?
Mark 16:19 " So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God."
Acts 7:56 " And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God."
"Right hand of God" means power and glory upon which God will be seen in His physical body, and this is JESUS CHRIST!
Exodus 15:6 "T hy right hand, O LORD, is become glorious in power: thy right hand, O LORD, hath dashed in pieces the enemy."
Luke 22:69 " Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God."
Isaiah 9:6 " For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder…"
It is the foregoing identity of JESUS CHRIST that the original apostles recognized. Truly so, the rebuke of our Lord to the Scribes and Pharisees is given its real meaning:
John 8:19 " …Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also."
The Natural Man is oblivious of the truth that God's chosen people identify and know Him both in the Old and New Testament:
Jeremiah 31:34 " And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD…"
Hebrew 8:11 " And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest."
God rebukes the people for "spiritual blindness" both in the Old and New Testament:
Jeremiah 4:22 " For my people are foolish, they have not known me…"
Hosea 4:6 " My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me…"
John 8:19 " …Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also."
Matthew 22 29 " Jesus…said unto them, Ye do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God."
There is a warning of apostasy that the Apostles gave and which the true believers must take note of:
Galatians 1:8 " But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."
People professing to be "apostles of Christ" but their teachings are not in line, or are contradictory to what is written; they must be impostors. An angel speaking, or an apparition of any of the apostles or Virgin Mary, who speak not in accordance with the teachings of the original apostles; they must be impersonators.
As prophesied, there are "other Jesus' " that would be introduced after the death of the original apostles.
2 Corinthians 11:4 " For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him."
- Some say, "Jesus is only a man and never a God."
- Others say, "Jesus is only a mighty minor God, for there is an Almighty God."
- Still others say "Jesus is the Father and the Holy Spirit," and without divine revelation, many contradictions still are found in the word of God.
- Many people say, "Jesus is both God and man, and is the 2 nd person of the Trinity, where the Father is God so is the Holy Spirit; but each person is not the other two."
CHRIST'S WARNING
With the clear identity of God, it is now possible to distinguish MIRACLES from WONDERS. Our Lord forewarned His disciples and all Bible-believers of the following:
MATTHEW 24:23 " Then if any man shall say unto you, Lo, here is Christ, or there; believe it not. 24 For there shall arise false Christs, and false prophets, and shall show great signs and wonders; insomuch that, if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect. 25 Behold, I have told you before."
Perhaps many people will say, "we have not yet heard some people professing they are the Christ," although it is often heard, "these are the false prophets." However, common occurrences nowadays are the, "great signs and wonders."
"LO, HERE IS CHRIST OR THERE"
Will anybody in his right mind call himself "Christ? No one! Yet our Lord warned that "many Christ' " would appear after the original apostles. The following may be the fulfillment.
- Have we not heard people say? "Here is Christ, He is only a man and never a God."
- Others say, "There is Christ, He is only a mighty God, for there is a greater Almighty God."
- Still others say, "There is Christ, He is the Father and the Holy Spirit," but without divine revelation the words of God remain contradictory.
- And many say, "Here is Christ, both God and man, the second person of the Trinity."
THE FALSE PROPHETS
Is not our Lord referring to false prophets who follow the false Christ? These people take the role, title, and share in the glory of the True Christ?
1. Christ is the "everlasting Father" in Isaiah 9:6 and only He should be addressed "Father?" Do we not hear some people being addressed, "Father (or Fr.)?"
Matthew 23:9 " And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven."
Isaiah 9:6 " For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father…"
2. Christ is the Redeemer whose only name is holy. Do we not hear famous men being addressed "Holy" and "Holy Father?"
Psalms 111:9 " He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant forever: holy… is his name."
3. Christ is the Redeemer whose only name is reverend. Do we not hear some distinguished people being addressed "Reverend (or Rev.)"?
Psalms 111:9 " He sent redemption unto his people: he hath commanded his covenant forever: … reverend is his name."
4. Christ is the only Master or Teacher. Do we not hear some people say, "I am the teacher, I am the head, I am the director, I am the shepherd, I am the pastor of this group of people?"
Matthew 23:8 NIV “But you are not to be called ‘Rabbi,’ for you have only one Master and you are all brothers. 10 Nor are you to be called ‘teacher ,’ for you have one Teacher, the Christ."
5. Christ is the sole authority to explain His parables. Not even His apostles took this role. Do we not hear some people claiming authority to explain these parables?
Mark 4:34 " But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples."
6. Christ is the sole authority to endow spiritual wisdom to the chosen. Do we not hear some people claiming this power? And, many people believe it.
James 1:5 " If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him."
1 John 2:27 " But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you…"
Are not the foregoing beliefs and practices the warning given by our Lord in the following?
Matthew 24:5 " For many shall come in my name…"
In our time, the reader can identify the different persons alluded to by our Lord. They teach the Holy Bible and preach righteousness. But God has this warning to the real believers:
2 Corinthians 11:13 " For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness…"
Our Lord said, they will "show great signs and wonders." Today, many are professing to have come from Christ by virtue of the following verses:
Mark 16:15 " And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. 17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; 18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover."
Let us be reminded of God performing miracles and Satan deceiving the people with his wonders. The miracles benefit the soul, while wonders benefit the lowly body that will eventually end in the cemetery. The miracles therefore are superior to wonders.
"IN MY NAME SHALL THEY CAST OUT DEVILS"
Literally, Satan and the devils are believed to be ugly creatures having two short horns, red eyes, black skin, long ears, with a tail, or any other ghastly forms. Literally, Jesus Christ has a loving, tender, and affectionate personality. Spiritually however, the two super beings are opposite in "appearance."
SATAN
2 Corinthians 11:14 "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel oflight. 15Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness…"
During the time of Christ, were not the Scribes and Pharisees considered "ministers of righteousness?" Were many people not following them?
JESUS CHRIST
Isaiah 53:1 "Who hath believed our report? And to whom is the arm of the LORD revealed? 2For he shall grow up before him as a tender plant, and as a root out of a dry ground: he hath no form nor comeliness; and when we shall see him, there is no beauty that we should desire him. 3 He is despised and rejected of men…he was despised, and we esteemed him not. John 10:20 "And many of them said, He hath a devil, and is mad; why hear ye him?"
During the time of Christ, did the people consider the Apostles "ministers of righteousness?" They were hated together with Jesus Christ.
Jesus Christ is represented by the TRUTH in the Word (Revelation 19:13 ). Satan deceives the whole world (Revelation 12:9) with the very word of God (Matthew 4:5-6, Psalms 91:11-12). Which is more acceptable to many people? Truth, or deceptions?
Matthew 7:13 " Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it. 15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves."
Miracle and wonder illustrated:
Two blind men wanted to see again. The 1 st man went to a person with a Bible on hand preaching the word of God. By the name of JESUS CHRIST, the man regained his sight and was greatly amazed seeing the people and the beautiful surroundings. He thanked and praised the Lord! The 2 nd man went to a person with a Bible in hand talking about the word of God. He heard the words, felt happy and greatly overwhelmed for "seeing" who Jesus Christ is. [8] The man remained physically blind. [9] However, from then on, the identity of God and Jesus Christ no longer is a mystery to him.[10] He further said that he began to clearly understand the great message of the word of God. [11] Who of the two men received the miracle of God? If you were physically blind, with whom would you like to be identified with? The 1 st man, or the 2nd man?
"THEY SHALL SPEAK WITH NEW TONGUES"
Jesus uses the words of men in the Holy Bible: Aramaic, Greek, English, Spanish, Russian, Chinese, Japanese, etc. However, His "spiritual language" on the words is different from the "literal-physical language" of man. Thus, when Jesus told His listeners, "Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it up again," they could not understand, including His disciples, saying, "Our parents built this in 46 years and you can rebuilt it in 3 days?" His disciples came to know that our Lord was referring to His body only upon His death and resurrection. Jesus "spoke in a tongue" that His listeners did not understand although they speak the same Aramaic language. "Speaking in tongues" therefore refers to the "strange" SPIRITUAL LANGUAGE of God in His words. As in the man born blind, did the Pharisees understand what our Lord was saying?
1 Corinthians 2:14 "But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
The Natural Man does not have yet the Spirit of God to understand spiritual things. He uses his intellect, senses, and feeling to understand the words of God that are expressed in parables.
Ezekiel 20:49 "Then said I, Ah Lord GOD! They say of me, Doth he not speak parables?"
Psalms 78:2 "I will open my mouth in a parable: I will utter dark sayings of old."
But miracles of God transform a Natural Man into a Spiritual Man and become a true disciple of Christ:
Mark 4:34 "But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples."
1 Corinthians 2:16 "For who hath known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct him? But we have the mind of Christ."
Who can explain this parable but God alone?
Judges 9:8 The trees went forth on a time to anoint a king over them; and they said unto the olive tree, Reign thou over us.
Judges 9:9 But the olive tree said unto them, Should I leave my fatness, wherewith by me they honour God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
Judges 9:10 -11 And the trees said to the fig tree, Come thou, and reign over us. But the fig tree said unto them, Should I forsake my sweetness, and my good fruit, and go to be promoted over the trees?
Judges 9:12-13 Then said the trees unto the vine, Come thou, and reign over us. And the vine said unto them, Should I leave my wine, which cheereth God and man, and go to be promoted over the trees?
Judges 9:14 -15 Then said all the trees unto the bramble, Come thou, and reign over us. And the bramble said unto the trees, If in truth ye anoint me king over you, then come and put your trust in my shadow…"
To the amazement of the False Prophets, this is the origin of the Pastoral System. For details read:
ORIGIN OF TH PASTORAL SYSTEM (http://www.purechristianity.org/pastoral.htm)
- When was the beginning of the Pastoral System?
- Who initiated it?
THE SHEPHERD ( http://www.purechristianity.org/onlygod.htm )
- Who is the Shepherd or Head? Who is the sole authority?
- Who alone deserves honor and glory?
APOSTOLIC SUCCESSION DOCTRINE
(http://www.purechristianity.org/apostoli.htm)
- What is God's way of continuing the work of the original apostles?
- Who is the successor of Judas Iscariot? Matthias, or Paul?
MIRACLES ARE EXPRESSED IN PARABLES
Illustration:
Two paralytics wanted to walk again. The 1 st went to a person preaching the word of God. After sincerely praying for the man, by the "powerful" name of JESUS CHRIST, the man jumped with joy for he could now walk with ease. He kept on praising God and glorifying the name of Jesus Christ. [12] The 2 nd went to a person talking about the word of God. He listened intently and he himself read the Holy Bible on the identity of Christ and God. [13] No longer is God a mystery to him, [14] and his clear understanding of the great message of God in His words followed this. [15] As a consequence, he enjoyed reading the Holy Bible on the truth about "the strait gate and narrow road." With his spiritual knowledge, he could feel the power of the Word that he is one of the few "walking on the spiritual Way." He remained paralytic as before. Who of the two men received the miracle of God? If you were paralytic like the two men, with whom would you like to be identified with? The 1 st man, or the 2 nd man?
"TAKE UP SERPENTS AND DRINK DEADLY THING, IT SHALL NOT HURT THEM"
The serpent in the Garden of Eden symbolizes Satan. Spiritual "deadly thing" refers to falsehood and deceptions in the word of God, in contrast to what our Lord told His disciples that His words are the "living bread." Real believers are given the "power" to overcome all these wicked things from the enemy.
Illustration:
Two men accidentally ate poisonous food. Both had an upset stomach, nausea, etc. The 1 st man was prayed over by a man preaching the Holy Bible, citing Mark 16:15-18. Without any medicine taken, the man got well, sincerely thanking and praising God and our Lord Jesus Christ! The 2 nd man listened to a person talking about the word of God. With a Bible on hand, they read the different lines in the verses pointing to the identity of our Lord and God. Christ and God is the Truth. The man took medicine to cure him from poisonous food that he ate. After one week he died due to complications from the poison. Who of the two men received the miracle of God? If you were one of the two men, with whom would you like to be identified with?
"LAY HANDS ON THE SICK, AND THEY SHALL RECOVER.
As in the man born blind, the message of our Lord's healing refers to the soul. God revealed this even in the Old Testament. However many people think more of the body:
Psalms 41:4 " I said, LORD, be merciful unto me : heal my soul; for I have sinned against thee."
Illustration:
Two women have malignant cancer of the brain. The 1 st woman went to a person preaching the word of God with a Bible on hand. She was prayed for and by the name of JESUS CHRIST, the woman suddenly felt great relief and was cured of her disease. She kept on thanking and praising the Lord. She lived for another 30 years. The 2 nd woman listened to a person, and with a Bible on hand, both read the word pointing to the identity of Christ and God. Totally submitting to what is written the woman suddenly clearly identified God and Jesus. Thereafter, the great spiritual message of the word of God became very clear and the "narrow road and strait gate" was opened to her. She was not cured of her cancer and after one month she died. Who of the two women received the miracle of God? If you were one of the women, with whom would you like to be identified with?
The two super beings, God and Satan, can be identified by the kind of "miracles" that they performed. The miracles of God are superior to the wonders of Satan, for they benefit the soul instead of the body. The soul attains eternal life. The body ends in the cemetery.
THE GREATEST MIRACLE AND "BORN AGAIN"
Perhaps, to many people, the greatest miracle performed by our Lord was raising Lazarus from the dead.
John 11:14 "Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. 17…he found that he had lain in the grave four days already. 23Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this? 27She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world. 38Jesus…cometh to the grave. It was a cave, and a stone lay upon it. 39Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto him, Lord, by this time he stinketh: for he hath been dead four days. 40Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God? 43And when he thus had spoken, he cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go."
Many people see the miracle literally-physically only. However, Jesus was speaking in parables, and when He was with His disciples He explained everything to them. Could this not be the spiritual explanation of the miracle? Spiritually, this is the "dead" person:
Proverbs 21:16 "The man that wandereth out of the way of understanding shall remain in the congregation of the dead."
As the dead Lazarus was in the tomb, a dark place, so is the spiritually dead person is in this "dark world." If the world is not "dark," our Lord would not have said, "I am the light of the world" (John 8:12 ).
The tomb was covered with a stone that blocks the light. The spiritual stone is the heart of a person that blocks the light of the gospel to enter his spiritual life:
Job 41:24 "His heart is as firm as a stone; yea, as hard as a piece of the nether millstone."
As soon as the stone was removed, light shone on dead Lazarus and heard the loud voice of our Lord, " Lazarus, come forth. " As soon as the hardness of the heart of a person is set aside, the light of the gospel can now be heard which is like a loud shout that many people cannot bear hearing it. Just as Lazarus rose from the dead on hearing the voice of our Lord, so is the spiritually dead person rising up from spiritual death on hearing the truth in the word of God.
The message of the resurrection of Lazarus from the dead was revealed by our Lord to Nicodemus when He told him to be "born again."
John 3:3 "Jesus…said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God . "
Nicodemus was a prominent teacher of the law in Israel . However, he could not understand "spiritual things" because he was "spiritually dead." Jesus Christ was speaking His "spiritual language," while Nicodemus was speaking the "literal language" of his "father." [16]
John 3:4 "Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother’s womb, and be born?"
The resurrection of Lazarus from the dead is actually the message of real "born again." Just as our Lord caused the removal of the graveclothes that bound the hand and foot that restricted the movement, so is the Natural Man [17] (a person not yet truly "born again") spiritually bound by "a garment" for the dead. [18]
John 11:44 " And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go."
The "garment for the dead" is the erroneous teachings and religious traditions that are the fruits of human wisdom. These should be removed so that the spiritually "dead person," like Lazarus, can walk straight to our Lord -- the TRUTH.
Colossians 2:8 "Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ."
The greatest miracle of God is the "resurrection from the dead." This follows the "opening of the eyes" so as to "see" or identity God and our Lord and the "opening of the ears" in order to "hear" or understand the great message of God in His words. And ultimately follows the "strengthening of the feet" to be able to "walk on the Way" to eternal life.
The Lamb and the dragon
The Lamb is our Lord Jesus Christ:
John 1:19 " The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world."
The Dragon is Satan, the old serpent:
Revelation 13:11 "And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon."
Revelation 12:9 " And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him."
The dragon is the false Christ that looks like the True Christ. The True Christ is the Father and the Holy Spirit -- the True God. His name is JESUS CHRIST. The language of the Lamb is the "spiritual language." The language of the Dragon is the "literal-physical language."
Their language distinguished Christ and Satan when our Lord fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. Jesus emphasized the SOUL revealing His spiritual language, while Satan saw only literal-physical hunger of our Lord:
Matthew 4:3 " And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread."
Jesus, the Lamb of God, spoke the "spiritual language" saying:
Matthew 4:4 " But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."
"I NEVER KNEW YOU!"
God reveals that His identity and clear recognition is a requisite to understanding His words, thus, distinguishing miracles from wonders. It is for this reason that the following warning is given to all professing "prophets" and "apostles of Christ."
Matthew 7:21 "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven… 22Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesiedin thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? 23And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me…"
BOOK SEALED WITH 7 SEALS
The words of God are expressed in parables that only He should explain. Not even the Apostles took that authority. This is the word of God in the Holy Bible. Since only JESUS CHRIST, also known as the "Root of David " and the "Lion of the Tribe of Judah," is the sole authority, can we not relate this with the following?
Revelation 5:1-5 " And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals. 2And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof? 3And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon. 4And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 5And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David , hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. "
Could this book not refer to the HOLY BIBLE?
2 Peter 1:21 " For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost."
2 Timothy 3:16 " All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works."
Who can open the book and explain the great message of the word? Since God is immutable (Malachi 3:6), so are His words considered prophecies that are fulfilled all the time. Who can explain them? God, or men?
2 Peter 1:20 " Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation."
Great privilege is given to the real believers for this "book is opened" to them.
Mark 4:34 " But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples."
END
footnotes...
[1] Deuteronomy 18:10 " There shall not be found among you any one that maketh his son or his daughter to pass through the fire, or that useth divination, or an observer of times, or an enchanter, or a witch, 11Or a charmer, or a consulter with familiar spirits, or a wizard, or a necromancer. 12For all that do these things are an abomination unto the LORD… "
Jeremiah 29:8 "For thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you… 9For they prophesy falsely unto you in my name: I have not sent them, saith the LORD."
[2] Exodus 20:4 " Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth: 5Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the LORD thy God am a jealous God."
[3] Galatians 1:8 " But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed. 9As we said before, so say I now again, If any man preach any other gospel unto you than that ye have received, let him be accursed."
[4] Hebrews 8:11 " And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest."
[5] Mark 4:34 " But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples."
[6] John 3:3 " Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
John 3:5 "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
[7] Ephesians 5:26 "T hat he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word."
John 15:3 " Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you."
[8] 2 Corinthians 11:4 " For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him."
[9] John 6:63 " It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life."
[10] Hebrews 8:11 " And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest."
[11] Mark 4:34 " But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples."
[12] Isaiah 29:13 " Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me…and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: 14Therefore, behold, I will proceed to do a marvellous work among this people, even a marvellous work and a wonder: for the wisdom of their wise men shall perish, and the understanding of their prudent men shall be hid."
[13] 2 Corinthians 11:4 " For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him."
[14] Hebrews 8:11 " And they shall not teach every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lord: for all shall know me, from the least to the greatest."
[15] Mark 4:34 " But without a parable spake he not unto them: and when they were alone, he expounded all things to his disciples."
[16] The "father" of Nicodemus while still "spiritually dead" is the devil and his "native language" is the "literal language."
John 8:44 NIV " You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desire…When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies."
The devil demonstrated his "literal language" when he saw our Lord fasted for 40 days and 40 nights. He told Him, "If thou be the Son of God, tell these stones to turn into bread," for our Lord to fill His stomach. Our Lord countered by saying, "Man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of the Lord." (Matt. 4:3-4).
[17] 1 Corinthians 2:14 " But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned."
[18] A "garment for the spiritually dead person" is the opposite of the garment of salvation:
Isaiah 61:10 " I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness…"
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