Truly the signs of an apostle were accomplished among you with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds. 2 Corinthians 12:12
Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect and the acknowledgment of the truth which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before time began, but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior; Titus 1:1
We have today many preachers of the gospel but few ministers of the gospel, especially with all perseverance, in signs and wonders and mighty deeds and who have come to serve like Jesus did, who did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many. The reality of Christendom is that if the gifts of the Spirit are not operating in a church of Jesus Christ, then it is not a true church of Jesus Christ, and its members must leave and seeking a place where the gifts are in operation as per the word of God:
There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. There are differences of ministries, but the same Lord. And there are diversities of activities, but it is the same God who works all in all. But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit, to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills. 1 Corinthians 12:4-11
Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. 1 Corinthians 12:27-28
"And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen." Mark 16:20
It is a fact that the Lord confirmed the preaching of His Word with miracles. If Jesus and the first century Christians needed the Word confirmed with the miraculous (Heb. 2:4), then we do too. There is no scripture that says these miraculous signs have passed away.
Some people have interpreted "that which is perfect" in 1 Corinthians 13:10, as being the complete Bible. This has led them to believe that the gifts of the Spirit have ceased. Although God's Word is perfect (Ps. 19:7), it is not the "perfect thing" that is referred to here. 1 Corinthians 13:8 does say that tongues shall cease, but it will not happen until "that which is perfect is come."
In 1 Corinthians 13:12, Paul says, "when that which is perfect is come, we shall see face to face." This speaks of seeing the Lord face to face, instead of vaguely, as through a dark glass, as it is now. Some might argue that this is speaking in a symbolic sense, instead of literally face to face. But the next comparison in this verse says that then, "when that which is perfect is come," we shall know all things even as we are also known. There is no other way to interpret this, except as a description of when we will stand before the Lord, after this life. Then we will be face to face, and know all things even as also we are known.
Verse eight says that at the time prophecies fail and tongues cease, knowledge will vanish away. This is talking about the next life, or the new heavens and earth, because one of the signs of the end times is that knowledge shall increase (Dan. 12:4).
So the "that which is perfect" that Paul speaks of, cannot be the Bible. It has to be either our glorified body, or Jesus at His second coming. Either way, these verses establish that until "that which is perfect is come," tongues and prophecy will remain. They are still valid gifts, and even today, it is God's will to accompany the preaching of His Word with miracles.
Paul uses the Greek word for perfect (1 Corinthians 13: 10) is “teleion” (teleios) which is a noun meaning the perfect end comes. He then tells us in 1 Corinthians 15: 24 when the perfect end will come. Again, he uses the Greek word (telos) which also means perfect end. So, if some of these illiterate would be, interpreters of the Bible would just take a few years to learn Greek Grammar they would recognize that the perfect end when will occur as Paul writes, “Then comes the perfect end, when he delivers the kingdom to God the Father after destroying every rule and every authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death” (1 Cor. 15: 26). Paul tells us, “Lo I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised imperishable, and we shall be be changed......then will come to pass the saying that is written, ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.’ (1 Cor. 15: 51 – 54). So, after the resurrection from the dead, that will be the time when the imperfect passes away.
Until then, we need to receive salvation and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit (Jn. 3: 3, 5, 7)and use the Gifts of the Holy Spirit (Rom. 12: 6 – 10; 1 Cor. 12: 8 – 10) in ministry. And the proof of that are the “Signs (Mk. 16: 17 – 18), wonders and Miracles (Acts 2: 22; Heb. 2: 4). These foolish people who try to explain that when Paul referred to “when the perfect has come” he meant that he was talking about agape love. No. Agape love is one parts or sections of the “fruit” (singular) of the Spirit which Paul describes in Galatians 5: 22: “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such there is no law.” Those who make this wrong explanation, when closely examined, do not have “agape love” because they do not have the required Baptism of the Holy Spirit. They are unable to forgive 7 times a day let alone the required 70 times 70 that Jesus explained that we must be able to forgive our fellow servants (Matt. 18: 21 – 35). If not, they become the “Wicked servant!” who loses their salvation and are turned over to the torturers (32 – 35). They betray themselves as being what Jesus said to the Sadducees, “You are wrong because you know neither the Scriptures nor the power of God” (Matt. 22: 29).
One of the real problems today in churches is there are not true men of God, especially as a leaders. Just because a person went to a bible college or cemetery doesn’t make him a true man of God. True men of God are never be appointed by any man or college, institution or church based solely on their own initiative, separate from the direction of the Holy Spirit. True men of God are anointed ones called and chosen by God Himself. True men of God don't have to say anything about who they are but the anointing that is upon them speaks for them and it’s demonstrated by character, miracles, signs and wonders and mighty deeds.
Yes, true men of God are God made, not man made! They exist with the purpose of the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head-Christ- from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love (Ephesians 4:11-16). God’s word is unchanging:
Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually. And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues. Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Do all have gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? But earnestly desire the best gifts. And yet I show you a more excellent way. 1 Corinthians 12:27-31
We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death. Whoever hates his brother is a murderer, and you know that no murderer has eternal life abiding in him. By this we know love, because He laid down His life for us. And we also ought to lay down our lives for the brethren. But whoever has this world's goods, and sees his brother in need, and shuts up his heart from him, how does the love of God abide in him? My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth. 1 John 3:14-18
Yes, true men of God walk in love and have spiritual gifts, especially prophesy - speaking edification and exhortation and comfort to men. True men of God don’t deny the gifts of the Spirit or fight with those who do. They preach the whole counsel of God and lay down their lives for the brethren and not take their lives nor their money, talents or time! God’s word is unchanging:
"For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. "Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood. "For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock. "Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves. "Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears. "So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified. "I have coveted no one's silver or gold or apparel. "Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me. "I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, 'It is more blessed to give than to receive.' " Acts 20:27-35
Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:3-8
True men of God don’t do anything through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind esteem others better than themselves. They look not only for their own interests, but also for the interests of others. They make for themselves no reputation but are bondservant, and walk in love and humility. They imitate Christ and are not the clone of others! They have an attitude of servant hood always seeking "the profit of many that they may be saved" (1 Corinthians 10:32-33). They are taught by God and not by men (John 14:26, 15:26, 16:7-15, 1 John 2:20, 27). They allow tribulations to help build character and produce perseverance and hope (Romans 5:3-5). God’s word is unchanging:
"A good name is to be chosen rather than great riches, loving favor rather than silver and gold" Proverbs 22:1
There shall come forth a Rod from the stem of Jesse, And a Branch shall grow out of his roots. The Spirit of the LORD shall rest upon Him, The Spirit of wisdom and understanding, The Spirit of counsel and might, The Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. His delight is in the fear of the LORD, And He shall not judge by the sight of His eyes, Nor decide by the hearing of His ears; But with righteousness He shall judge the poor, And decide with equity for the meek of the earth; He shall strike the earth with the rod of His mouth, And with the breath of His lips He shall slay the wicked. ” Isaiah 11:1-2
”But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, and the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man’s wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is rightly judged by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord that he may instruct Him?” But we have the mind of Christ.” 1 Corinthians 2:10-16
True men of God have the Spirit of the Lord resting upon them, the Spirit of wisdom and understanding, the Spirit of counsel and might, the Spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord. They judge not by the sight of their eyes, nor decide by the hearing of their ears; but with righteousness they judge the poor, and decide with equity for the meek of the earth. They strike the earth with the rod of their mouth, and with the breath of their lips they slay the wicked just like Jesus did. Woe to you doesn’t mean something good is going to happen to you? And that is exactly what Jesus told and cursed the false ones.
Jesus was tapped into the ever increasing, flowing river of constant knowledge and revelation. True men of God flow in the mind of Christ and minister in the mantles of knowledge. They live and move in the ever increasing, flowing river of constant knowledge and revelation. Since the Holy Spirit is just as much God as the Father and the Son, true men of God are not afraid to worship the Third "Person" of the Godhead as well as God the Father and God the Son. True men of God who have the strongest anointing have developed an intimate relationship and exchange with Holy Spirit! True men of God love and execute justice just like Jesus did. The bible records:
Now the Passover of the Jews was at hand, and Jesus went up to Jerusalem. And He found in the temple those who sold oxen and sheep and doves, and the moneychangers doing business. When He had made a whip of cords, He drove them all out of the temple, with the sheep and the oxen, and poured out the changers' money and overturned the tables. And He said to those who sold doves, "Take these things away! Do not make My Father's house a house of merchandise!" Then His disciples remembered that it was written, "Zeal for Your house has eaten Me up." John 2:13-17
True men of God call forth those things that are not as though they were. True men of God ask God to send angels to work in their life and ministry. For true men of God heaven, the second heaven and the realm of the invisible would are real to them. Heavenly glory along with the spirit of prophecy touches their lives and they have divine wisdom and revelation to see and experience God in the reality of the supernatural. True men of God prophetically call forth reinforcements in the angelic realm and bring healing to many in the ministry who are under attack. Angels were important in the ministry of Jesus and visited Him so often at vital times in His life. They ministered to Jesus in the garden of Gethsemane and after His forty-day fast. They imparted divine strength and life to Him.
True men of god honor healing and preach healing and get healing! True men of God honor salvation and preach salvation, and get salvation. True men of God honor and talk about the supernatural or angels, and miracles happen and angels show up. God’s word is unchanging:
“Bless the Lord, you His angels, who excel in strength, who do His word, heeding the voice of His word.” Psalm 103:20
This poor man cried out, and the LORD heard him, And saved him out of all his troubles. The angel of the LORD encamps all around those who fear Him, And delivers them. Psalm 34:6-7
Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, And He saved them out of their distresses. He sent His word and healed them, And delivered them from their destructions. Psalm 107:19-20
Yes, it’s the angels job to go and carry out God’s word and deliver God’s trusting ones from destruction and in bringing them healing. We need angels in healing because many sicknesses and diseases today are caused by demons. So we need angels to come and war and take authority over the demonic realm. Yes angels do heed “the voice of His word,” the word spoken by God’s saints on the earth. They heed His voice as it comes through His saints who declare His word on the earth. According to Jesus’ words, what we do and don’t do can bind and release heaven. Whatever we loose in heaven is loosed on earth, or whatever we bind on earth is bound in the heavens (Matthew. 16:19). So as we proclaim decree and prophesy God’s will in our lives, a church and in a region, the angels carry out His word concerning His activities on the earth. Yes, angels are commissioned to carry out the word that God’s servants speak and prophecy.
Yes, true men of God have an anointing on them to release signs and wonders, not just physical healing and miracles. Because we don’t wrestle against flesh and blood, we need to see into the invisible realm and use all the ministering angels who are at our disposal. We have authority to release angels to work on our behalf through prayer. God’s word is unchanging:
Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, "Alas, my master! What shall we do?" So he answered, "Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them." And Elisha prayed, and said, "LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see." Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. 2 Kings 6:14-17
Then the devil left Him, and behold, angels came and ministered to Him. Matthew 4:11
And suddenly, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword, struck the servant of the high priest, and cut off his ear. But Jesus said to him, "Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. "Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? "How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?" Matthew 26:51-54
Yes, Elisha, as a true man of God, didn’t trust in what his natural senses felt or saw; his mind wasn’t on the temporal but on the eternal. He was aware that he had a greater army on his side. And in the same way those who are for us are greater than those who are against us. We are called to a life of signs and wonders and we set our mind on things above rather that the temporal, God will open the eyes of our heart to the invisible realm. And just like the angels came and minister to Jesus they can come and minister to us. We can ask the Father at any time to provide us with more than twelve legions of angels, as we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. But the good news is that Jesus, the Great Commander of the Hosts is above all things that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers He is the Lord of the armies, the Chief, the commander of the army of the Lord. He is also the King of Kings, Lord of Lords and God of Gods. God’s word is unchanging:
“For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. Colossians. 1:16
No comments:
Post a Comment