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The World to Come. The Restored Church of God presents David C. Pack. Answering life’s
greatest questions straight from the Bible, and announcing the wonderful good news of
the World to Come.
This is the final part on what the Bible really says about healing. We have looked at medical
science, the importance of true faith and the other biblical prerequisites for one to
be healed. We also examined many plain verses about the subject. But there are more, in
fact many more, and they are also important. We now complete basic knowledge about healing.
We have seen that Christians must obey God's Law. This is absolutely prerequisite to God
answering any prayer. Read again: "Whatsoever we ask, we receive of Him, because we keep
His commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in His sight." I have known many
who wanted to be healed but refused to keep God's commandments. They were not, and never
could be, healed. Here is why God does not even hear their prayers: "He that turns away
his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination."
Strong words---from God! God is eager to heal those who obey and please
Him. It is one of the benefits He is anxious to give. Remember, David wrote that God "forgives
all your iniquities" and "heals all your diseases," he said, "and forget not all His benefits."
Yes, serving God is very beneficial to all who do it!
We have already discussed faith, and how James wrote, "The prayer of faith shall save the
sick." Faith is also vital to receiving anything of God (Jms 1:6-8). God is determined His
servants rely on Him! So then, the 2 conditions for healing are
obedience and faith! No one wants to die. Yet, in reality, we all,
quite literally, have an appointment with death: "It is appointed unto men once to die,
but after this the judgment." If one has faithfully served God all his life,
then death, and facing God's judgment, is not something to fear. God mercifully allows
some to die. He does not heal them in this life. Notice: "The righteous perish, and no
man lays it to heart: and merciful men are taken away, none considering that the righteous
is taken away from the evil to come." But we will see the promise of healing still remains
intact. Here is how. God has made promises to His faithful servants: "Now I say that
Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises
made unto the fathers." The fathers are primarily Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Acts 3:13).
All of these men died. God had not yet fulfilled His promise to them. But they died believing
He would: "These all died in faith, not having received the promises," it says. A few verses
later, God explains why: "These all, having obtained a good report through faith, received
not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us
[all those called later] should not be made perfect." They must await all of us coming
later. The fathers are waiting in the grave with
all others who are asleep in Christ. God is faithful. They will receive His promise of
the resurrection and salvation. This means that sometimes a long period will pass before
God fulfills a promise---but He always fulfills it.
Every one of God's greatest servants eventually died of something, even if it was old age.
In the end, when the purpose of their lives had been completed, God did not choose to
extend their lives---as with Hezekiah for 15 years. God allowed all of them---even Hezekiah---to
die. In all cases, God could have intervened. Yet
when they come up in the resurrection---at the very next instant of their consciousness---they
will be completely healed. God does not always heal in this life. For
His own purpose and timing, He allows some to "die in faith." Apparently, He even delivered
Enoch thru death. Others He takes "from the evil to come"---and there is great evil and
calamity just ahead for all peoples and nations. But all this has no effect on God's promise!
Do not misunderstand about the help of physicians. There are many useful things they can do.
They can deliver babies, fix broken bones, suture wounds---and a growing number can offer
helpful advice about various conditions. They can also be helpful in diagnosing problems,
so people can make changes in diet, exercise, or other areas of health. These are all good,
positive things doctors can do. But they cannot heal---because they cannot forgive sin!
God's role as Healer is to do for people what they cannot do for themselves. God could always
instantly mend bones, heal all cuts and wounds or cause babies to be born without assistance,
as is the case with animals. But He allows for lesson learning, and growth in patience
and longsuffering. Sometimes He wants people to research and learn why they have health
problems. Doctors, like others, can be of assistance. If God healed everything---and
instantly---no one would ever learn from mistakes. (Read Psa. 119:67, 71).
Understand again! The Church, its ministry and its brethren do not belittle or pressure
people not to see doctors or utilize medical care. Though the world is cut off from God,
it has devised the medical profession and, over thousands of years, men have developed
certain knowledge and skills---"expertise"---that some choose to pursue.
Though under the overall sway of Satan, this world and its medical science---the practice
of medicine---and that is what it is, practice---has refined certain treatments. Even though early
physicians were more primitive in knowledge and practice than today, Christ was still
willing to compare Himself to a physician when He called "sinners to repentance." He
also chose to quote, without comment, a common saying about physicians, when explaining why
many lepers were not healed in the time of Elisha. Also, Paul traveled with "Luke the…physician,"
and this physician was used to record one of the gospels, and the book of Acts. There
are also certain references to physicians and medicines in the OT that are not found
in a negative context. Read these verses. But in no case do these passages hint, suggest
or imply that doctors can heal ANYTHING. They cannot! God can heal because He can forgive
sin. Going to doctors seems easy and natural for
people who have grown up in a world disconnected from God. Trusting God seems unnatural---and
it must be learned. Christ asked how much real faith---like that of the apostles---would
exist in the last days. He knew the reality of His being scourged with stripes---lashed
with a "cat of 9 tails," tearing His flesh to pieces---would seem remote to those of
the modern age, so accustomed to what medical science can do. Most would fail to make any
connection to Christ's suffering then and their suffering now.
At conversion, one is still 99.9 percent led by human nature. The enormous influence of
the devil's spirit, at work in the mind, is still present---and is only subdued over time.
It also takes time to fully believe God will do what He promises---whether to bless, deliver,
guide, provide, answer prayers or heal. If a member of God's Church lacks confidence
in God's promise to heal---either himself or his child---then utilizing medical treatment
may be better than doing nothing. But for those who obey God and are willing
to trust Him completely, there is this promise: "Commit your way unto the Lord; trust also
in Him; and He shall bring it to pass." Why? Because Jesus promised, "Whatsoever you shall
ask in My Name, that will I do." Some have wondered if Satan has the power
to heal. Witnessing loud, chaotic, outrageous displays of what appear to be healings, and
knowing such is not of God, some question whether these healings could be authentic.
Speaking of false ministers who preach "another Jesus" and "another spirit," recall Paul wrote,
"For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles
of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore
it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness;
whose end shall be according to their works." One way Satan makes his ministers appear as
true ministers is by demonstrating certain "miracles," including acts of apparent healings.
(Also see Rev 13:11-14.) In Exodus, beginning in chapter 7, Pharaoh's
court magicians could perform certain acts similar to miracles that God performed thru
His servant Moses. These were things God allowed Satan to do, thru his own servants.
The dramatic public healings promoted by some of this world's ministers are similar displays,
where those suffering from various crippling diseases are really bound by a demon. Notice:
"There was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity 18 years, and was bowed together, and could
in no wise lift up herself. When Jesus saw her, He called her to Him, and said unto her,
Woman, you are loosed from your infirmity. And He laid His hands on her: and immediately
she was made straight, and glorified God." This is an account of one without physical
handicap, but whose body was in the grip of a demon. Jesus cast the demon from her, and
she was restored. Satan can easily---probably temporarily---pull back one of his demons
for dramatic effect. Also consider that often, at the climax of
many such events, the individuals involved will seemingly lose control, falling backward.
But notice these verses: "Abram fell on his face: and God talked with him…Then Abraham
fell upon his face…" it says---"Jehoshaphat bowed his head with his face to the ground:
and all Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem fell before the Lord, worshipping the Lord."---"He
[Christ] went a little farther, and fell on His face, and prayed…"---"And so falling
down on his face he will worship God." The previous scriptures show that those who
come before God's presence generally bow forward. Other scriptures show that those acting under
the influence of demons tend to fall on their backs: "As soon as He [Christ] had said unto
them, I am He, they went backward, and fell to the ground." Why? Notice: "There was in
their synagogue a man with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, saying, Let us alone; what
have we to do with You, You Jesus of Nazareth? Are You come to destroy us? I know who You
are, the Holy One of God." Rather than yielding to Christ, those with
demons recoiled from His power and authority. Nowhere in scripture are people struck on
the forehead and knocked backwards! God's ministers anoint---never strike, grab or shake---the
sick. Violent, noisy reactions are typical of those
plagued by demons: "When the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice,
he came out of him." The Greek word translated "torn" is sparasso, meaning a spasmodic contraction.
Compare this to the outbursts of "Hallelujah!" and "Amen!", often accompanied by gyrations
or other displays of seemingly uncontrolled behavior, which are standard fare at public
"healing" revivals. Acts 19:15-16 records the terrible result
of unauthorized people carelessly---or recklessly---invoking Jesus' name to cast out demons. 7 brothers
in this account presumptuously took action without Jesus' authority.
While Scripture shows Satan does not cast out his demons (Mark 3:23-26), it would certainly
work to his advantage (as the god of this world---II Cor. 4:4) to make his ministers
appear to have healing power. Keep in mind that Satan can only do whatever God permits.
(Job 1:12 and 2:6.) And, as Matt 12:43-45 shows, if a person possessed by a demon is
freed from it, and the person's mind is not receptive to the truth from God's Word, then
that demon will return with "7 other spirits more wicked than himself."
Also recognize Satan does not have our welfare at heart (I Pet. 5:8). He knows "he has but
a short time" before Christ returns. He recognizes that our ultimate potential, as those made
in the image of God (Gen. 1:26), is to rule with Christ in the kingdom of God. Not only
does the devil not desire to physically heal anyone of anything (had he the power), he
also seeks to deceive all people and blind them to God's Purpose---that of spiritually
healing the entire world! Finally, remember healing involves---and requires!---the
forgiveness of sin. Obviously, Satan has no such power. (Read these booklets Who Is the
Devil? and A World in Captivity to learn more about Satan.)
This world has rebelled against every law, and rejected every promise, of God. It has
literally "gone away backward." It has sought to replace God with human institutions and
solutions. They have not worked. The nations of earth have rejected crucial knowledge that
would have spared billions of people untold misery and suffering---if they had known it!
Man has made extraordinary "advancements" in medical knowledge. He has learned things
about the human body and mind of which the ancients could not dream. In addition, just
the modern technology and machinery of medical science leaves the world aghast. Astonishing
new breakthroughs, entirely due to the abilities and capacity that God instilled into the human
mind, are almost routinely announced. Truly, man can learn and do amazing things!
But how often do you hear researchers and "experts" acknowledge God by crediting Him
for having created such potential within the human mind? Instead, lifted with pride in
his own achievements, man has trusted in and credited himself. At best, his efforts have
resulted in certain useful knowledge that has benefited a God-rejecting mankind only
a little. Incredible advancements of the last century
and a half have left man drunken in the belief he can solve all his problems. But can he
really do this? Can today's confused, divided, poverty-stricken, war-torn, disease-laden
world really be changed into the utopia humanity longs for?
A wonderful new disease-free world is in the offing---but it will not come because of the
efforts of men! Science once believed it could control and
conquer disease. But new diseases are emerging and older ones, like tuberculosis, are rapidly
mutating out of control. Modern medicine is falling behind in the war to eradicate disease.
New disease outbreaks occur routinely around the world. The danger is greatest in underdeveloped
nations, where poor sanitation, war, overcrowding, and poverty spawn epidemics---and man and
his gov'ts have lost control. Cholera, dysentery, typhoid and malaria are
still rampant. Add the more recent arrivals of the Ebola virus, Hantivirus, E.coli bacteria,
Salmonella and West Nile viruses. Then add the dangerous bacteria spread by biological
warfare and terrorism. While some of the most worrisome strains may be Anthrax and Smallpox,
these are far from the only possible epidemics on the horizon. Tens of millions in Africa
alone are *** positive---and similar numbers are dying!
Just the threat of devastating epidemics keeps man reeling, constantly trying to put his
finger in the ***. Every form of illness, sickness and pestilence stalks the earth.
New diseases---and threats of epidemics---loom over large areas of earth. Anticipated epidemics---even
pandemics---are now probably more than civilization can bear. (The world's resources---including
clean air, water and food---are also being stretched to the limit. At the end of 6,000
years of man's rule, civilization---and Earth itself---is nearing complete breakdown. Truly,
the entire planet needs healing.) Terrible disease has been---and remains---inseparable
from man's history! Yet man feverishly continues seeking to conquer it---while he seems to
fall further and further behind. As he appears to control one disease, two more appear. This
will all soon change! All man's efforts to cure diabetes, arthritis,
cancer, heart disease, blindness, deafness, Alzheimer's (and other diseases of the mind),
strokes, AIDS, and a host of infant and childhood diseases will soon be unnecessary. All of
the ongoing searches for new wonder drugs, treatments, specialized diagnoses, surgeries
and procedures and breakthroughs in technology will be called off.
The entire world will learn God has always been the only One who can truly cure or heal
all sickness and disease (Ex. 15:26 and Psa. 103:3). Mankind will learn God alone can forgive
sin, which we saw is directly related to why people get sick.
Man is now under the death penalty for sin (Rom. 6:23). Often, death comes long before
the end of a full life, because men have not understood that God is Supreme Healer. They
have not understood that "by [Christ's] stripes you are healed"---that He "took our infirmities,
and bore our sicknesses." When physical or spiritual laws have been broken, they have
been ignorant of the fact that only God has the power to forgive.
Earlier, we discussed the great law of cause and effect. Ignorance of this law has everything
to do with why people get sick. Proper diet, sufficient water, sleep, fresh air and exercise,
healthy thoughts and other important principles and laws form the causes that people violate
enroute to the bad effects, which we call disease. Most modern medical schools acknowledge
they spend almost no time learning to prevent disease, but rather how to treat it after
it arrives. Soon mankind will be taught that an ounce of prevention really does equal a
pound of cure---both individually, and for man collectively. Teaching mankind about good
health is one of the basic laws to success---and all 7 of these laws will be taught. (TURN
5) In tomorrow's world, after Christ has returned
and established His government, people will be universally taught that "sin is the transgression
of the law." We have discussed in detail both God's great spiritual laws, and that He has
instituted many physical laws. Most have spent lifetimes specializing in how to break virtually
every one of them. Humanity is surrounded, therefore, by every kind of bad physical effect.
Rampant disease and illness are among the greatest.
Now drink in God's promise regarding disease and sickness in tomorrow's world: "There the
glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams; wherein shall go no galley
with oars, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby [war ships]. For the Lord is our Judge,
the Lord is our Lawgiver, the Lord is our King; He will save us…The inhabitant shall
not say, I am sick: the people that dwell therein shall be forgiven their iniquity."
This is one more verse---actually a prophecy---proving the removal of sickness requires the forgiveness
of sins---"iniquity" or lawlessness. Next is an even more explicit promise from
God, carrying more details of the enormous scope of mass healings to occur worldwide:
"Strengthen you the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them that are of
a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not: behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God
with a recompense; He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened,
and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame man leap as an hart, and
the tongue of the dumb sing." The Bible prophesies a mass worldwide "healing
revival." Only this one will be genuine, not one of fraud, mixed with pageantry and designed
for television in order to "suck in" hopeful sufferers. A utopian world with perfect health
for all is coming. It will bring universal happiness, contentment, peace and prosperity.
Mass healing would certainly be necessary if this is to happen---and many prophecies
say it will. How exciting to picture millions of blind
people seeing sunsets they had only heard described before---and the deaf hearing beautiful
music, birds singing, and the sound of their children's voices. The joyful exuberance will
be so great that the dumb will not just talk---they will sing! And the lame will not just walk---they
will leap! This book, Tomorrow's Wonderful World -- An Inside View!, will show you things
that you cannot now dream. No universal healing would be complete without
God also healing all of the diseased minds now clouded with every conceivable kind of
mental illness and insanity. This scourge has plagued individuals, families and nations
for millennia. Perfect mental health will be enjoyed by everyone---and all psychiatrists,
psychologists, therapists, psychoanalysts and modern shrinks will be out of business.
Why should it be that men do not understand that God wants to bless them? God is the Mastergiver
of all perfect gifts. He explained this to Israel and told them what obedience would
bring them. Let’s read: "It shall come to pass, if you shall hearken diligently unto
the voice of the Lord your God, to observe and to do all His commandments which I command
you this day, that the Lord your God will set you on high above all nations of the earth:
and all these blessings shall come on you, and overtake you, if you shall hearken unto
the voice of the Lord your God. Blessed shall you be in the city, and blessed shall you
be in the field. Blessed shall be the fruit of your body, and the fruit of your ground,
and the fruit of your cattle, the increase of your kine, and the flocks of your sheep.
Blessed shall be your basket and your store." This promise will soon apply to the whole
world. Again, without radiant health, who could be truly happy? This is what God desires.
Here is His promise, foretold 2,500 years ago by the prophet Jeremiah: "For I will restore
health unto you, and I will heal you of your wounds." And further, "They shall come and
sing in the height of Zion, and shall flow together to the goodness of the Lord, for
wheat, and for wine, and for oil, and for the young of the flock and of the herd: and
their soul [their lives] shall be as a watered garden; and they shall not sorrow any more
at all. Then shall the *** rejoice in the dance, both young men and old together: for
I will turn their mourning into joy, and will comfort them, and make them rejoice from their
sorrow. And I will satiate the soul of the priests with fatness, and My people shall
be satisfied with My goodness, says the Lord." By now, basic facts about healing must be
acknowledged. And it must also be admitted they form a consistent pattern.
First, God told ancient Israel that He was their Healer. He even instructed this, knowing
that He was not working with them spiritually---that they were merely a carnal-minded, physical
people. He still promised them deliverance from all disease if they would trust and obey
Him. Next, we saw Christ and the apostles healed.
The gospels and book of Acts reveal that miracles and healings were common in the Church at
that time. Then, we just saw that God plans to heal all
sickness and disease upon Christ's Return, and during His millennial rule, with all need
for doctors, nurses and those in the medical profession disappearing. God plans to dramatically
re-establish Himself as the One who heals. There is no denying all the scriptures in
this series supporting and proving God's role as Healer. Why then do people want to believe
that God works thru "the doctor's hands" and medical science today? This has never been
His Plan. Prophecy shows "medical science" is about to be scrapped forever---and replaced
with knowledge of and obedience to God's health laws and God as Healer! To learn more, read
this thorough booklet The Truth About Healing. God declares, "I heal"---and "I change not."
Take Him at His Word---and expect His healing! Until next time, this is David C. Pack saying,
"Goodbye, friends."
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