SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                             1021

“Signs and Wonders”

 For his invisible attributes, namely, his eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly perceived, ever since the creation of the world, in the things that have been made… (Romans 1:20)

I love to watch the BBC series, The Blue Planet. Not only do I find it fascinating, marvelously beautiful and educational but I cannot help but enter into praise and worship of God who created it all. It truly takes more faith to believe it all evolved by chance than to believe in our Divine Creator God.

Truly, the evidence – the signs and wonders that proclaim His eternal power surround us if we would but pause and observe.  When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? (Psalm 8:3-5)

Signs and wonders have their place in God’s plan to draw people to know Him and to receive salvation through His Son, Jesus. Jesus performed many signs and wonders during His ministry on earth and His return will be preceded with even more. And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh… And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below…before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day… (Acts 2:17-21)

The Word of God however repeatedly cautions us about reliance on signs and wonders. And a large crowd was following him, because they saw the signs that he was doing on the sick; So Jesus said to him, “Unless you see signs and wonders you will not believe.” (John 6:2; 4:48)

Our motive for seeking Jesus needs to be pure in heart. Herod wanted to be entertained, others to get a free meal. When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him;  Jesus answered them, Truly, truly, I say to you, you are seeking me, not because you saw signs, but because you ate your fill of the loaves;…But he answered them, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign… (Luke 23:8; John 6:26; Matthew 12:38-39)

We may all know people who chase after signs and wonders, travelling to churches where there is a ‘blessing’ being manifested. In his book, The Counterfeit Revival, Hank Hanegraaff of the Christian Research Institute talks about a shift in Christianity from faith to feelings, and from fact to fantasy. I believe that the churches susceptibility to counterfeit faith is due to the fact that far too many of us have a relationship with religious rituals rather than a personal relationship with Our Lord, Jesus – the Living Word of God. So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)

The Word of God warns us about false signs and wonders. The coming of the lawless one is by the activity of Satan with all power and false signs and wonders; For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. (2 Thessalonians 2:9; Matthew 24:24)

May the Holy Spirit open the eyes of your heart and reveal the Truths of the Word of God to you as you grow in your personal relationship with Jesus through the revelation of His Word.