From: Worth’s Scriptural Handbook of Proof
Texts Return to Home
By
Roland H. Worth, Jr. © 2012
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Chapter 6:
Supernatural in Today’s World?
059 Demon Possession
060 Prophets: Testing Today’s
061 Tongue
Speaking: Twenty-First Century Imitation
Versus First Century Genuine
062 Miracles: Bible Age Healings Versus
Modern Day Imitations
063 Miracles: The Ending of Genuine Ones
064 The
144,000
065 Book
of Revelation and the Kingship of Jesus
066 Book of Revelation: Interpreting the Work
#
059 #
Demon Possession
1.
Jesus accepted the reality of demon possession and claimed the power to
cast them out.
Matthew
2.
Demon possession was not merely misdiagnosed physical disease: Physical illness is distinguished from
demon possession.
Matthew
4:24 And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick
people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were
possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick,
and those that had the palsy; and he healed them.
Matthew
Acts
5:16 There came also a multitude [out] of the cities round about unto
Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean
spirits: and they were healed every one.
3.
More than one demon could be in a person.
Mark
5:8 For He said to him, "Come out of the man, unclean spirit!"
9 Then He asked him, "What [is] your name?" And he
answered, saying, "My name [is] Legion; for we are many."
Luke
8:1 Now it came to pass, afterward, that He went
through every city and village, preaching and bringing the glad tidings of the
4.
Demons could compel a person to act in strange and dangerous ways
contrary to his or her own interests.
Mark
5:1 Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. 2 And when He had come out of the
boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit,
3 who had [his] dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind
him, not even with chains, 4 because he had often been bound with
shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the
shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. 5 And
always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and
cutting himself with stones.
Mark
5.
The vast contemporary mythology of demon possession is just that and
nothing more—it has no root in Biblical teaching.
The Bible gives the individual name of no demon save Legion (and that was far more a numerical reference than a “name” one); modern mythology records hundreds.
Other
modern myths: The value of a crucifix to
ward them off. The effigacy of “holy water.” Elaborate rites of exorcism.
6.
It was predicted that both prophecy and demon possession would come to
an end after salvation became available—which happened when Jesus was
crucified. Hence the passing of both
would be expected not many decades later.
Zechariah 13:1 "In that day a
fountain shall be opened for the house of David and for the inhabitants of
7.
Miraculous bestowal of the prophetic gift ceased by the time the New
Testament was completed and mankind had available the perfect, complete will of
God. This had to be the end point for
demonic power as well or the result would have been leaving the Devil and
demonic powers unfettered by Divine intervention.
1
Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but
whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues,
they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when
that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
# 060 #
Prophets:
Testing Today’s
1.
Even when there was the genuine gift of
prophecy on earth, there were many men and women who falsely claimed to possess
the gift—out of self-delusion, conscious lying, or a combination of both. Hence even if the prophetic office were
alive today, we would still expect a goodly number of pretenders.
A.
Jesus predicted that there would be many false prophets and that many
would be deceived by them. Matthew 24:11 And many false
prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many.
Matthew
B. John wrote that such folk
were common during his ministry. 1 John 4:1 Beloved, believe
not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many
false prophets are gone out into the world.
2.
Genuine prophets were always right—not just some of the
times.
A.
This was accepted as a valid test by the prophet Micaiah. 2
Chronicles
B.
This was accepted as a valid test by the prophet Jeremiah. Jeremiah
28:9 The prophet which prophesieth
of peace, when the word of the prophet shall come to pass, [then] shall the
prophet be known, that the LORD hath truly sent him.
C.
If a prophet’s words are not fulfilled, we have nothing to fear from his
other predictions either. Deuteronomy
3.
Genuine prophecy is always consistent with previously revealed truth.
A. A prophet could not be a genuine one—even if
his predictions came true (!)—if he also taught the violation
of God’s commandment against worshipping other gods. Deuteronomy
13:1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder, 2 And the
sign or the wonder come to pass, whereof he spake
unto thee, saying, Let us go after other gods, which thou hast not known, and
let us serve them; 3 Thou shalt not
hearken unto the words of that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams: for the LORD
your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the
LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul. 4 Ye
shall walk after the LORD your God, and fear him, and keep his commandments,
and obey his voice, and ye shall serve him, and cleave unto him. 5 And
that prophet, or that dreamer of dreams, shall be put to death; because he hath
spoken to turn [you] away from the LORD your God, which brought you out of the
land of Egypt, and redeemed you out of the house of bondage, to thrust thee out
of the way which the LORD thy God commanded thee to walk in. So shalt thou put the evil away from the midst of thee.
B.
A prophet could not be a genuine one if he or she endorsed and
encouraged the violation of God’s moral laws.
Jeremiah
C.
False prophets whitewashed whatever moral evils they saw, but they would
not be able to keep the evils from ultimately being exposed as such. Ezekiel
13:5 Ye have not gone up into the gaps, neither
made up the hedge for the house of
8
Therefore thus saith
the Lord GOD; Because ye have spoken vanity, and seen
lies, therefore, behold, I [am] against you, saith
the Lord GOD. 9 And mine hand shall be upon the prophets that see
vanity, and that divine lies: they shall not be in the assembly of my people,
neither shall they be written in the writing of the house of Israel, neither
shall they enter into the land of Israel; and ye shall know that I [am] the
Lord GOD. 10 Because, even
because they have seduced my people, saying, Peace; and [there was] no peace;
and one built up a wall, and, lo, others daubed it with untempered
[morter]:
11
Say unto them which daub [it] with untempered [morter], that it shall fall: there shall be an overflowing shower;
and ye, O great hailstones, shall fall; and a stormy wind shall rend [it].
15 Thus will I accomplish my wrath upon the wall, and upon them
that have daubed it with untempered [morter], and will say unto you, The wall [is] no [more],
neither they that daubed it; 16 [To wit], the prophets of Israel
which prophesy concerning Jerusalem, and which see visions of peace for her,
and [there is] no peace, saith the Lord GOD.
Such people were under a double
indictment: encouraging evil and
delusion and discouraging the righteous from doing what was right-- Ezekiel 13:22 Because with lies ye have made the
heart of the righteous sad, whom I have not made sad; and strengthened the
hands of the wicked, that he should not return from his wicked way, by
promising him life.
4.
Genuine prophecy has ended.
A. The Old Testament prophesied that
after salvation became available to the world, that prophecy would come to an
end—that even genuine prophets would discover their gift to have vanished. Zechariah
13:1 In that day there shall be a fountain opened to
the house of David and to the inhabitants of
This can
not b e a prediction of the end of false prophecy because false prophecy
has never ceased and, unless God miraculously changes the nature of man,
never will cease. Hence what the
text is talking about is the genuine prophet who discovers that the
prophetic gift has left and who is tempted to “fake” it—but rejects that
option.
B.
When the word of God became “perfect” (i.e., was completed in writing),
supernatural gifts of revelation such as prophecy were brought to an end. 1
Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but
whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues,
they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when
that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
# 061 #
Tongue Speaking:
Twenty-First Century Imitation
Versus First Century Genuine
Modern tongue speaking can not
be genuine because it so differs from the genuine phenomena of the first
century. Sincerity does not
produce genuineness; only if the Holy Spirit were moving in the way it did in
the days of the apostles would it be genuine.
That era provides the only sure guide to what the phenomena looks
like.
1.
Five background facts we must keep in mind when evaluating modern
claims.
A.
It is rarely claimed that the “language” spoken is a known speech. Even rarer are attempts to document it as
such. If they were genuine, wouldn’t we
expect recognition of them to be very common by those who speak them as
their native tongue?
B.
Tongue speaking occurs among those of contradictory belief. Do we really believe God would give such a
great blessing to those who could not agree on religious fundamentals? Isn’t somebody self-deceived in such
circumstances?
C.
So radical are some of these folk, that other tongue
speakers (rightly) believe them to be heretical. Does God really give those who are
heretical the gift of tongues?
D.
Tongue speaking groups have not been Divinely
protected from internal splintering over practice and doctrine. If the Holy Spirit really was
intervening, wouldn’t the Spirit have acted to bring both sides back
together again?
2.
Today it is believed that all mature Christians should be able to speak
in tongues. In New Testament times, it
was only expected that some Christians would do so.
1 Corinthians
1
Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the
Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is
given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the
same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another
the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the
working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another
[divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame
Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
(NKJV)
(TEV)
1 Corinthians
3.
In the first century,
tongue speaking involved real, existing human languages and not ecstatically
produced jibberish.
Acts
2:1 And when the day of Pentecost was fully come, they
were all with one accord in one place. 2 And suddenly there came
a sound from heaven as of a rushing mighty wind, and it filled all the house where they were sitting. 3 And
there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each
of them. 4 And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and began
to speak with other tongues, as the Spirit gave them utterance. 5
And there were dwelling at Jerusalem Jews, devout men, out of every nation
under heaven. 6 Now when this was noised abroad, the multitude
came together, and were confounded, because that every man heard them speak
in his own language. 7 And they were all amazed and marvelled, saying one to another, Behold, are not all these
which speak Galilaeans? 8 And how hear
we every man in our own tongue, wherein we were born? 9 Parthians, and Medes, and Elamites,
and the dwellers in
To
rebut this evidence tongue speakers often appeal to-- 1 Corinthians 14:27 If any man speak in an [unknown]
tongue, [let it be] by two, or at the most [by] three, and [that] by course;
and let one interpret. You will note, by the brackets, that
“unknown” is a translator’s addition. It
is omitted by such translations as the NKJV and NASB. Even if included, it would only mean unknown
to the speaker, as in Acts 2. If it
were already known to the speaker, supernatural guidance as to the
language would not (or, at most, rarely) be needed by the speaker.
4. In the first century, “tongues” were a gift of the Holy Spirit rather than a learned phenomena. Today the vast bulk of tongue speaking (99%? more?) is “ecstatic”—consisting of jibberish and nonsense syllables strung together. Unlike genuine tongues (the real languages of the apostolic age), anyone can eventually learn how to do this.
Indeed, there are even outlines to teach
you how—as if the Spirit would have to have you take a lesson before it
could intervene to give you the gift!
Indeed, the existence of such literature surely argues the
case—powerfully—that the contemporary phenomena is self-induced and has
nothing to do with the Divine Spirit actually acting upon anyone.
1
Corinthians 12:7 But the manifestation of the
Spirit is given to every man to profit withal. 8 For to one is
given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the
same Spirit; 9 To another faith by the same Spirit; to another
the gifts of healing by the same Spirit; 10 To another the
working of miracles; to another prophecy; to another discerning of spirits; to another
[divers] kinds of tongues; to another the interpretation of tongues: 11
But all these worketh that one and the selfsame
Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.
5.
Although speaking in tongues was respected in the first century, it was
considered an inferior gift compared to some others. It was conspicuously not considered
the pre-eminent gift as is often the case today.
1
Corinthians 14:5 I would that ye all spake with
tongues, but rather that ye prophesied: for greater [is] he that prophesieth than he that speaketh
with tongues, except he interpret, that the church may receive edifying.
(NKJV) I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even
more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies [is] greater than he who
speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive
edification.
1
Corinthians 14:18 I thank my God, I speak with tongues more than ye all:
19 Yet in the church I had rather speak five words with my
understanding, that [by my voice] I might teach others also, than ten thousand
words in an [unknown] tongue.
6.
Today an unlimited number of individuals are permitted to “speak in
tongues”—indeed, simultaneously—while in the age when the gift was genuine it
was limited to only three individuals in one church service and not
simultaneously.
1 Corinthians
(Weymouth)
1 Corinthians 14:27 If there is speaking in an unknown tongue, only two or at
the most three should speak, and they should do so one at a time, and one
should interpret.
7.
Today’s tongue speaking commonly occurs regardless of whether an
interpreter is present or not. Likewise
many people do not have their “tongues” interpreted. Both practices are contradictory to the first
century pattern.
1 Corinthians
8.
Whether to speak aloud or not was under the conscious control of the
tongue speaker in the apostolic age.
Today many justify speaking spontaneously claiming that the Spirit
caused them to do so. The Spirit did not
act that way in the first century!
1 Corinthians
9.
Women were to abstain from using spiritual gifts in the church
assembly. “Tongue speaking” women of
today feel no such inhibition—indeed, that it creates a kind of obligation
to speak. (Even though Paul believed
there was no such thing or would not have prohibited the practice in the first
place!)
1
Corinthians
Even limiting
the principle to the women specifically in mind (married women) plays havoc
with the contemporary practice.
10.
Genuine tongue speaking had the purpose of confirming and conveying the
gospel message. Ecstatic tongues
(nonsense syllables endlessly repeated) prove, by their very nature, that they
could not be the kind of intelligible “tongues” spoken in the first century.
Hebrews
2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the
first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that
heard [him]; 4 God also bearing [them] witness, both with
signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost,
according to his own will?
Also consider how in Acts 2
tongues were used to (1)
teach the word and (2) by the fact that the message was
delivered in the listener’s own language, confirmed the
validity of the message as well.
11.
Precious few of those who claim the power to speak in tongues meet the
Biblical pre-requisite: baptism for the
forgiveness of sins.
Mark
12.
To reject Paul’s restrictions on tongue speaking is to reject the will
of God.
1
Corinthians
Some will attempt to ignore these restrictions on
the grounds that they are speaking in “heavenly” or “devotional” terms
while Paul is regulating a different type of tongue speaking. But Paul is talking about whatever
kind of tongue speaking that occurred in his day—not just some type(s);
he was laying down blanket rules concerning all types.
# 062 #
Miracles: Bible Age Healings
Versus Modern Day Imitations
1.
Unlike today when generous giving is actively encouraged in connection
with being healed, Bible age healers never accepted, demanded, or expected
money as a reward for their role in healing the sick. Remember the admonitions “give generously to
show your faith”? And without faith you
can’t be healed, can you? Or the strips from the tent of a traveling healer that you can use
as prayer cloths?
A.
The Old Testament attitude indicts modern faith healing practice.
(1)
Elisha rejected all worldly rewards for the
healing of Naaman.
2
Kings
Note the disaster that overtook Elisha’s
servant when he decided to take what Elisha had
declined!
2
Kings 5:20 But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that
which he brought: but, [as] the LORD liveth, I will
run after him, and take somewhat of him. 21 So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And
when Naaman saw [him] running after him, he lighted
down from the chariot to meet him, and said, [Is] all well? 22 And he said, All
[is] well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me
from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray
thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments. 23 And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged
him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments,
and laid [them] upon two of his servants; and they bare [them] before him.
24 And when he came to the tower, he took [them] from their hand,
and bestowed [them] in the house: and he let the men go, and they
departed.
25
But he went in, and stood before his
master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence
[comest thou], Gehazi? And
he said, Thy servant went no whither. 26 And he said unto him, Went not
mine heart [with thee], when the man turned again from his chariot to meet
thee? [Is it] a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and
menservants, and maidservants? 27 The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and
unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper [as
white] as snow.
If every faith healer who made a
plea for money were to be struck with leprosy this way, you would need to have
a “leper’s colony” exclusively for preachers!
B.
The New Testament attitude indicts modern faith healing practice as
well.
Matthew
10:1 And when he had called unto [him] his twelve
disciples, he gave them power [against] unclean spirits, to cast them out, and
to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house
of
2.
Genuine Bible age healers were always successful. There were never any failures.
A.
There were no failures in the ministry of Jesus.
Matthew
Matthew
Matthew
Mark 6:54 And when they were come out of the ship,
straightway they knew him, 55 And ran through that whole region
round about, and began to carry about in beds those that were sick, where they
heard he was. 56 And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or
cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that
they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as
touched him were made whole.
B.
There were no failures in the ministry of the apostles after Pentecost.
Acts
5:16 There came also a multitude [out] of the cities round about unto
Jerusalem, bringing sick folks, and them which were vexed with unclean spirits:
and they were healed every one.
3.
In the Bible age the miraculous cures were instantaneous and
complete. There was none of the “go home
and get fully well; your healing has begun.”
Instead, they knew it was already finished.
A.
This was the case in the healings performed by Christ.
Matthew
8:3 And Jesus put forth [his] hand, and touched him, saying, I will; be thou
clean. And immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
Luke
John 5:8 Jesus saith
unto him, Rise, take up thy bed, and walk. 9 And immediately
the man was made whole, and took up his bed, and walked: and on the same day
was the sabbath.
B.
Similar instantaneous and complete healings were what occurred in the
healings performed by the apostles as well.
Acts
(Holman) Acts
Acts
4.
Those New Testament healings that do not completely fall into
these categories are still ones fully completed before the sick had to
be sent home unhealed.
A.
There is the case—before Pentecost—of where the apostles were not able
to cast out a demon but as soon as Jesus came down from the Mount of
Transfiguration, He promptly did so. The
contextual implication could be that the failed effort had occurred
shortly (hours?) before He returned; after all, if any significant time had
gone by, one could easily imagine the parent returning home, saddened and
broken-hearted.
Matthew
17:1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James,
and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an
high mountain apart, 2 And was transfigured before them: and his
face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. 14
And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a [certain]
man, kneeling down to him, and saying, 15 Lord, have mercy on my
son: for he is lunatick, and sore vexed: for ofttimes he falleth into the
fire, and oft into the water. 16 And I brought him to thy
disciples, and they could not cure him. 17 Then Jesus
answered and said, O faithless and perverse generation, how long shall I be
with you? how long shall I suffer you? bring him hither to me. 18 And Jesus rebuked
the devil; and he departed out of him: and the child was cured from that
very hour. 19 Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and
said, Why could not we cast him out? 20 And
Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto
you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye
shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall
remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. 21 Howbeit this
kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting.
(RSV)
Matthew
Our text leaves no hiding place for the modern pseudo-healer:
(1) The failure was blamed totally on the healer, and NOT on the sick person’s lack of faith.
(2) Through God’s grace it was provided that a person promptly became available who could and did heal the victim. Today people can search a lifetime without ever securing that result.
(3) When the healing occurred, it was promptly and not spread over weeks or months or longer.
B.
There is the case from the ministry of Jesus where the healing, oddly
enough, took place in two parts but which took place immediately one
after the other and produced a complete healing within what gives every
appearance of being mere minutes.
Can any pseudo-healer today do his miracles even that way? The sick still left fully healed and cured.
Mark
5.
In the Bible age, there were miracles which few even among the most
devout Pentecostals of today would be thrilled to try to duplicate.
A.
There was miraculous protection from food that could kill the
eater.
2
Kings
(Today’s
English Version) 2 Kings
B.
There was miraculous protection from poison (either inherent to or added
to) what one drank.
Mark
C. There was miraculous protection from poisoned snake bite. Although there are those today who attempt this—and if the snakes are milked of venom or one is very good at it—one can successfully do so for an extended period. The problem is that it is done in the context of a worship service where the handler has part of the initiative; there is not the slightest shred of evidence that this is the context of Jesus’ promise. The one example we have is in every day life where it is entirely the snake who decides what, when, and whether to act.
Mark
Acts 28:1 And when they were escaped, then they knew that the island was called Melita. 2 And the barbarous people shewed us no little kindness: for they kindled a fire, and received us every one, because of the present rain, and because of the cold. 3 And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid [them] on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. 4 And when the barbarians saw the [venomous] beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. 5 And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm. 6 Howbeit they looked when he should have swollen, or fallen down dead suddenly: but after they had looked a great while, and saw no harm come to him, they changed their minds, and said that he was a god.
6.
Individuals today who attempt to perform miracles virtually never meet
the New Testament prerequisite for being able to do—having been immersed for
the forgiveness of sins.
Mark
To the extent that “believers”
worked miracles without being apostles or having apostolic hands laid upon
them, they were still believers who were baptized for the forgiveness of their
sins. Also: the Scriptures never speak of salvation
becoming independent of baptism for the remission of sins; it does speak
of miracles coming to an end (1 Corinthians 13-10).
7.
The use of medicine was not criticized and the individuals who were ill
were not treated as if inferior Christians for being so or for not receiving
healing. Truth be told, this
phenomena strongly argues that healing was far, far more for validating the
truth of the gospel message than for anything else; those who were healed
enjoyed the wonderful “side effect” of that Divine power being utilized while
others were brought to recognize that Divine power lay behind the “good news
message.”
A.
If Luke could be called “beloved” even when a physician, there must not
have been anything inherently wrong in utilizing the medical services of such
an individual.
Colossians
Philemon 23 There salute thee Epaphras,
my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus; 24 Marcus,
Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.
Note how being a physician did
nothing to keep Luke from being implicitly singled out for praise for his
gospel work.
B.
Paul recommended to Timothy a type of “medication” to take. He did not tell him that to take
medication indicated a lack of faith or that he should wait until a miracle
cured his problem.
1
Timothy
(Holman) 1 Timothy
5:23 Don’t continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.
Note also that here was a man
who had “frequent illnesses,” was a man who worked directly with the apostle
Paul, and yet—so far as we can tell—was never healed. Healing was clearly not considered
part of the atonement.
C.
Paul appears to have suffered from a long-term health problem that was
never Divinely removed.
2
Corinthians 12:7 And lest I should be exalted above measure through the
abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the
messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from
me. 9 And he said unto me, My grace is
sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly
therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may
rest upon me.
(International
Standard Version) 2 Corinthians 12:7 To keep me from
becoming conceited because of the exceptional nature of these revelations, a
thorn was given to me and placed in my body. It was Satan's messenger to keep
on tormenting me so that I would not become conceited.
# 063 #
Miracles:
The Ending of Genuine Ones
1.
The Old Testament prophet Zechariah predicted the ending of demon
possession (hence, of the power to cast out demons as well) and the cessation
of prophecy as well.
Zechariah
13:1 In that day there shall be a fountain opened to
the house of David and to the inhabitants of
There are three things wrong with the claim that this refers to false prophecy coming to an end:
(1) The ending of demon possession and
prophecy are both mentioned. Since the
first was a real rather than faked phenomena,
we would naturally expect the second (prophecy) to also refer to something
objectively real rather than a counterfeit.
(2) Barring God destroying our human freedom of choice, there is no reason to expect that false prophecy will ever come to a total end.
(3) The description of the prophet implies that
he is a genuine one: “the prophets shall
be ashamed every one of his
vision.” This can only be spoken of a
true prophet walking in his integrity and discovering the gift is no longer
there; he resists the temptation to “fake it.”
One would never expect a false prophet to be “ashamed of his
vision” because he is either deluded or already knows he is faking.
2. Paul predicted that miracles
of revelation would cease when the “perfect” came, i.e., when the perfect law
of the New Testament was completed.
1
Corinthians 13:8 Charity never faileth: but
whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be]
tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall
vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in
part shall be done away.
The “perfect” Paul has in mind
must be the perfect or completed revelation of God’s will for each of the three
items he mentions in his list (prophecy, tongues, knowledge) either refer to
the means of Divine revelation (prophecy and tongues) or the product
of revelation (knowledge).
3.
Paul’s prediction of the ending of the miraculous can not be fulfilled
in the return of Christ. If anything,
the return of Christ will make the re-inauguration
of miracles, rather than their ending.
A.
The visible return of Christ from heaven will be a miracle.
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.
10 And while they looked stedfastly
toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;
11 Which also said, Ye men of
B.
The resurrection from physical death will be a miracle.
1
Thessalonians
C.
The simultaneous change of our bodies at Christ’s return will be a
miraculous event.
1
Corinthians
4.
All miracles came to an end, not just some of them.
A.
There is no logical reason to end only some of them and not all.
B.
Gifts of revelatory power are specifically spoken of as ending in 1
Corinthians 13.
C. And Zechariah spoke of demon
possession ending. Hence the miracle of
exorcism was to cease and this was a form of miraculous healing.
# 064 #
The 144,000
There are only two
passages that mention the “144,000.”
Both are found in the highly figurative Book of Revelation (7:1-10;
14:1-5; 9:3-4 refers to the group but without any specific number
attached). The Jehovah Witnesses claim
that the 144,000 are the literal total number of human beings who will ever be
granted a home in heaven, while the remainder of the redeemed will live forever
on this earth. They also believe that
even today some members of the 144,000 may yet remain unselected. However they have some very serious
problems in making the texts fit what they believe:
1.
The 144,000 were just Jews. There
is not one iota of Biblical proof that even one single Gentile was included
among them.
Revelation
7:4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: [and there were]
sealed an hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand of all the tribes of the
children of
It would be virtually impossible
to stress the Jewishness of the group and the non-inclusion
of one single Gentile than the way John provides his list—tribe specific.
2.
The 144,000 are presented as a completed number. There is not one iota of Biblical proof that
some were added to the group later—in our century or any other.
Revelation
7:1 And after these things I saw four angels standing on the four corners of
the earth, holding the four winds of the earth, that the wind should not blow
on the earth, nor on the sea, nor on any tree. 2 And I saw
another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of the living God: and
he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it was given to hurt the
earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea,
nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.
4 And I heard the number of them which were sealed: [and
there were] sealed an hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand of all the tribes
of the children of
3.
The purpose of the “sealing” of the 144,000 is clearly presented as protecting
them from earthly calamity. There is
not one iota of Biblical proof that their “sealing” gave them a different
destiny in eternity than that enjoyed by all other faithful Christians.
Revelation
7:2 And I saw another angel ascending from the east, having the seal of
the living God: and he cried with a loud voice to the four angels, to whom it
was given to hurt the earth and the sea, 3 Saying, Hurt not the
earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of
our God in their foreheads.
Revelation
9:3 And there came out of the smoke locusts
upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth
have power. 4 And it was commanded them that they should not hurt
the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only
those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
4.
The 144,000 are described in terms in which—if literal, as the number
144,000 itself is claimed to be—there is no room for even one single married
person among them.
Revelation
14:3 And they sung as it were a new song before
the throne, and before the four beasts, and the elders: and no man could learn
that song but the hundred [and] forty [and] four thousand, which were redeemed
from the earth. 4 These are they which were not defiled with
women; for they are virgins. These are they which follow the Lamb
whithersoever he goeth. These were redeemed from
among men, [being] the firstfruits unto God and to
the Lamb. 5 And in their mouth was found no guile: for they are
without fault before the throne of God. The
NASB translates “virgins” as “celibates” but adds this marginal note: “or, chaste men, literally, virgins.”
# 065 #
Book of Revelation and the
Kingship of Jesus
Contrary to widespread teaching, the Apocalypse conspicuously does not predict the yet future establishment of Jesus’ kingdom nor does it indicate that He is not yet on the throne ruling that kingdom.
1.
Christ’s kingdom was already in existence when John wrote the volume. Hence Revelation can not be predicting its
future establishment.
Revelation
1:6 And hath made us kings and priests unto God
and his Father; to him [be] glory and dominion for ever and ever. Amen.
(NASB)
And He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father--to
Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Revelation
1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in
the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called
A fundamental rule of
interpretation that is often forgotten in the Apocalypse: You interpret the figurative expressions of
this book in light of the literal and clear cut language found within it and
the epistles. You should never do the
opposite and use the figurative prophetic imagery of prophecy to get around
and deny explicit and direct Biblical teaching. If the
Other
passages also speak of it already being within existence:
Mark
9:1 And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them
that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the
kingdom of God come with power.
Colossians
2. Jesus is referred to as already ruling as king in those parts of the book—the first three chapters—that every one admits is referring to the first century. Even those attempting to find here “the seven ages of the church”—stretching from its beginning to the Second Coming—will concede that the immediate subject concerns first century Christians in already existing congregations
Revelation
1:5 And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful
witness, [and] the first begotten of the dead, and the prince of the kings
of the earth. Unto him that loved us, and washed us from
our sins in his own blood.
(ASV) And from Jesus Christ, [who is] the faithful
witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of the kings of the earth.
Unto him that loveth us, and loosed us from our sins
by his blood
Revelation
3:7 And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the
key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no
man openeth. “Keys”
symbolize authority to act or prohibit (as in Matthew
(TEV)
Revelation 3:7 "To the angel of the church in
Revelation
3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with
me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in
his throne. Note the “with My Father in His throne” as showing that they
are not competitors and the implication that they are in full concurrence on
what happens. The image explains
why in latter chapters Jesus is sometimes pictured as being on the
throne and in other texts Jehovah is mentioned. Such verses provide part of the total
picture; the entire image is presented here: Jesus “with” His Father on the throne.
3.
Between the then current
world of the first chapter and the events of chapter twenty, Jesus is already on the throne and King throughout. This carries with it the clear implication
that His kingdom is already in existence and fully functional
throughout that time period—regardless of how long (or short) it might be.
Revelation
5:13 And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the
earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing,
and honour, and glory, and power, [be] unto him
that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb
for ever and ever.
Revelation
Revelation
Revelation
14:14 And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud [one] sat like
unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand
a sharp sickle.
Revelation
Revelation
19:11 And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat
upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and
make war. 13 And he [was] clothed with a
vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp
sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a
rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the
fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. 16 And he hath on [his]
vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
# 066 #
Book of Revelation:
Interpreting the Work
1.
Any interpretation must begin with the fact that the book is highly
figurative and contains much symbolism:
The book itself makes that crystal clear. Hence crude literalism must be used with the
greatest of caution.
A.
Revelation 19:8 provides both the symbolism and its meaning.
Revelation
19:8 And to her was granted that she should be arrayed
in fine linen, clean and white: for the fine linen is the righteousness of
saints.
(
B.
Revelation 17:1-3 is interpreted by the book itself as figurative.
(1)
The symbolism of Revelation 17:1-3--
Revelation 17:1 And there came one of the seven angels which had the seven
vials, and talked with me, saying unto me, Come hither; I will shew unto thee the judgment of the great whore that sitteth upon many waters: 2 With whom the
kings of the earth have committed fornication, and the inhabitants of the earth
have been made drunk with the wine of her fornication. 3 So he
carried me away in the spirit into the wilderness: and I saw a woman sit upon a
scarlet coloured beast, full of names of blasphemy,
having seven heads and ten horns.
(2)
Verses later we are informed what that figurative language was intended
to represent-- Revelation 17:9 And
here [is] the mind which hath wisdom. The seven heads are seven mountains, on
which the woman sitteth. 10 And there
are seven kings: five are fallen, and one is, [and] the other is not yet come;
and when he cometh, he must continue a short space.
11 And the beast that was, and is not, even he is the eighth, and
is of the seven, and goeth into perdition. 12
And the ten horns which thou sawest are ten
kings, which have received no kingdom as yet; but receive power as kings one
hour with the beast.
C.
Revelation 13:11-17 is interpreted by the book as being figurative and
representing something else.
(1)
The description in Revelation 13:11-17--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. 12 And he exerciseth all
the power of the first beast before him, and causeth
the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 And he doeth
great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from
heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by [the means of]
those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to
them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast,
which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15 And he had power
to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should
both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast
should be killed. 16 And he causeth
all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in
their right hand, or in their foreheads: 17 And that no man might
buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number
of his name.
(2)
The explanation provided in Revelation 13:18--Revelation 13:18 Here
is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for
it is the number of a man; and his number [is] Six hundred threescore [and]
six.
2.
The time frame of the Apocalypse points to a fulfillment of most of the
prophecy soon after it was written.
* Revelation
1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave unto him, to shew unto his servants things which must shortly come to
pass; and he sent and signified [it] by his angel unto his servant John:
2 Who bare record of the word of God, and of the testimony of Jesus
Christ, and of all things that he saw. 3 Blessed [is] he that readeth, and they that hear the words of this prophecy, and
keep those things which are written therein: for the time [is] at hand.
* Revelation
(
* Revelation
* Revelation 17:1-6 discusses the mother of harlots and the seven headed
beast. 17:7-10 provides the
interpretation and tells us that most of it had already been fulfilled
since the sixth in the list was already reigning: They were that close to it being
totally fulfilled!-- Revelation 17:10 And there are seven kings: five are fallen, and one
is, [and] the other is not yet come; and when he cometh, he must continue a
short space.
* Revelation 22:6 And
he said unto me, These sayings [are] faithful and true: and the Lord God of the
holy prophets sent his angel to shew unto his
servants the things which must shortly be done.
(NASB) And he said to me, "These words are
faithful and true"; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets,
sent His angel to show to His bond-servants the things which must soon take
place.
3. In interpreting Revelation, we must adopt an interpretation and dates in harmony with the fact that genuine Christians are referred to as being alive throughout the book. Very conservative commentators typically see Christianity being replaced by Roman Catholicism—though in which of the early centuries the final events occurred might well bring disagreements. Yet such analysts typically place much of the book long after the critical break. Consistency requires that one or the other of these tenets be rejected!
(Note: To us, the fatal break would be the point at
which believer baptism was replaced with infant baptism since you then not only
had a doctrinally errant church, but you had one whose membership
no longer matched that found in the New Testament based church. When membership criteria no longer match, how
in the world can it be considered the same church any longer?)
Revelation
6:9 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the
souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which
they held: 10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long,
O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that
dwell on the earth? 11 And white robes were given unto every one
of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little
season, until their fellowservants also and their
brethren, that should be killed as they [were], should
be fulfilled.
Revelation
7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed
the servants of our God in their foreheads.
Revelation
9:4 And it was commanded them that they should not
hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but
only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads. I.e., the same time
as the events in 7:3.
Revelation
Revelation
Revelation
Revelation
16:6 For they have shed the blood of saints and
prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.
Revelation
17:6 And I saw the woman drunken with the blood of the saints, and with
the blood of the martyrs of Jesus: and when I saw her, I wondered with great
admiration.
Revelation
18:4 And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my
people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of
her plagues.
4. In interpreting Revelation, we must
adopt an interpretation and dates in harmony with the fact that miraculous gifts
were still in existence. If we believe
that such gifts ended (roughly) with the completion of the New Testament, we
are compelled to date at least the bulk of events prior to about the end of the
first century or the early decades of the following one. We have to give up a many century
fulfillment for most of the book and a fulfillment of the greatest part of its
predictions two millenniums later--or give up the cessation of genuine
miraculous gifts. Which will it be?
Revelation
11:3 And I will give [power] unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy
a thousand two hundred [and] threescore days, clothed in sackcloth.
Revelation
14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the
everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to
every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with
a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is
come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the
fountains of waters. Unless we
are going to say that the angel preached the gospel personally, then he must
have done so through intermediaries; who would be intermediaries for angels
except inspired men and women?
Revelation
16:5 And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O
Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt
be, because thou hast judged thus. 6 For they have shed the blood
of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for
they are worthy.
Revelation
Revelation
Revelation