“And these signs shall follow them that believe . . . !” Mark 16:17
Has the Devil retired? or does he work only on a larger scale, now that we have moved into the modern age of technology and science ? Does Satan limit his methods and attacks only to the larger corporate church and world stage, or is he still battling intensely for families, homes, and individual lives ?
And does the LORD’s last great commission really include the Spiritual power and authority to fight and win against these forces of darkness ?
A question came across our ministry’s desk this week, and I was very encouraged to see so many of the LORD’s children searching for Truth ! It was a question regarding the Biblical subject of demonic harassment, and oppression. Especially of those who profess belief in the Lord Jesus Christ (Adoni Yehushua ha Moshiac) . . . .Often we tend to think that these things only happened way back when, in Biblical times, or only in third world countries where they have not the same scientific advancements which we have.But this is sadly not the case. For although the Devil may have changed his mask when working here in our modern cultures, and countries, I believe, if we have eyes to see, we can recognize his presence and power, and influence all around us !
I am very aware of the dangers of fanaticism, so I believe that we must stay very close to the Word of the Living God, for here we shall not be led astray !
One danger which we as God’s people have been very guilty of, is falling back into a complacent position of the “mere form of godliness, yet denying the power thereof.” And we have been warned that this was the condition of the church when Jesus walked the earth with us in flesh and blood. And so it will be once again, just before His soon return in the clouds of heaven !
” In the days of Christ the leaders and teachers of Israel were powerless to resist the work of Satan. They were neglecting the only means by which they could have withstood evil spirits. It was by the Word of God that Christ overcame the wicked one . . .” For the Words that I speak unto you they are Spirit, and they are Life ! . . . John 6:63 The leaders of Israel professed to be the expositors of God’s Word, but they had studied it only to sustain their traditions, and enforce their man-made observances. By their interpretation they made it express sentiments that God had never given. Their mystical construction made indistinct that
which He had made plain.
I am very aware of the dangers of fanaticism, so I believe that we must stay very close to the Word of the Living God, for here we shall not be led astray !
One danger which we as God’s people have been very guilty of, is falling back into a complacent position of the “mere form of godliness, yet denying the power thereof.” And we have been warned that this was the condition of the church when Jesus walked the earth with us in flesh and blood. And so it will be once again, just before His soon return in the clouds of heaven !
” In the days of Christ the leaders and teachers of Israel were powerless to resist the work of Satan. They were neglecting the only means by which they could have withstood evil spirits. It was by the Word of God that Christ overcame the wicked one . . .” For the Words that I speak unto you they are Spirit, and they are Life ! . . . John 6:63 The leaders of Israel professed to be the expositors of God’s Word, but they had studied it only to sustain their traditions, and enforce their man-made observances. By their interpretation they made it express sentiments that God had never given. Their mystical construction made indistinct that
which He had made plain. They disputed over insignificant technicalities, and practically denied the most essential Truths. Thus infidelity was sown broadcast. God’s Word was robbed of its power, and evil spirits worked their will !
History is repeating. With the open Bible before them, and professing to reverence its teachings, many of the religious leaders of our time are destroying faith in It as the Word of God (Deity, Divinity). They busy themselves with dissecting the Word, and set their own opinions above its plainest statements. In their hands God’s Word loses It’s regenerating power. This is why infidelity runs riot, and iniquity is rife (so widespread).” – Desire of Ages p.257-258
Listen to the LORD’s admonition to us through the apostle Paul as he says, “For this cause also thank we God (The Almighty) without ceasing . . . . Because when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men (yea, nay, maybe), But as It is in Truth (Verity), the Word of God (Deity, Divinity), which effectually worketh in you that believe . . . !” I Thessalonians 2:13
“For the Words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit and they are Life !” John 6:63
Remember the woman who had suffered with an issue of blood for all those years. She took hold of Jesus (the Word that was made flesh), and believed unto Salvation ! She took God’s Word literally and seriously, knowing that He cannot lie. For His Word has gone forth, and It shall not return unto Him void ! ref: Matthew 9:18-26, Isaiah 55:8-12, I Kings 8:56, Numbers 23:19, Titus 1:2 & Hebrews 6:17-20
She exercised (put into action) faith in that promised Word found in Malachi 4:2 “For unto you that fear My name, shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings* !” What is amazing in this Scripture, is that the Hebrew word for “wings” literally means = the borders of the garment !
For the Bible tells us that, “Faith without works (action) is dead !” James 2:26 & 1:21-22
So she trusted that God would do exactly as He had promised. Not because she deserved it, but because He is faithful, and “all the Promises of God in Him (Christ) are yea, and in Him, Amen !” For He is the Author and the Finisher of our faith ! ref: II Corinthians 1:20 & Hebrews 12:1-2
Listen to the LORD’s admonition to us through the apostle Paul as he says, “For this cause also thank we God (The Almighty) without ceasing . . . . Because when ye received the Word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men (yea, nay, maybe), But as It is in Truth (Verity), the Word of God (Deity, Divinity), which effectually worketh in you that believe . . . !” I Thessalonians 2:13
“For the Words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit and they are Life !” John 6:63
Remember the woman who had suffered with an issue of blood for all those years. She took hold of Jesus (the Word that was made flesh), and believed unto Salvation ! She took God’s Word literally and seriously, knowing that He cannot lie. For His Word has gone forth, and It shall not return unto Him void ! ref: Matthew 9:18-26, Isaiah 55:8-12, I Kings 8:56, Numbers 23:19, Titus 1:2 & Hebrews 6:17-20
She exercised (put into action) faith in that promised Word found in Malachi 4:2 “For unto you that fear My name, shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in His wings* !” What is amazing in this Scripture, is that the Hebrew word for “wings” literally means = the borders of the garment !
For the Bible tells us that, “Faith without works (action) is dead !” James 2:26 & 1:21-22
So she trusted that God would do exactly as He had promised. Not because she deserved it, but because He is faithful, and “all the Promises of God in Him (Christ) are yea, and in Him, Amen !” For He is the Author and the Finisher of our faith ! ref: II Corinthians 1:20 & Hebrews 12:1-2
This then is that great treasure which the LORD wants us to seek with all of our hearts. To learn by experiences to fight the good fight of faith ! And we are assured that “faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God !”“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, but with the mouth confession (to profess, speak aloud) is made unto Salvation! . . . For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him (The Word) shall not be ashamed (put to shame) !” Romans 10:6-11
And “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh !” Luke 6:45 “O taste and see that the LORD is good, Blessed is the man that trusteth in Him !” Psalm 34:7-8, ref: Galatians 3:14
Salvation (saved) literally means in both the greek and Hebrew = deliverance, freedom, rescue, healing, restored, made whole!
And this is exactly what Jesus Christ (Yehushua ha Moshiac) came to do – “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee . . . and as His custom was, he went into the synagogue (church, congregation) on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto Him the scroll (book) of Esaias. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it is written . . . The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He hath Anointed Me (ref: I John 2:27) to proclaim the Glad Tidings to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted . . . To proclaim deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised . . .To proclaim the acceptable* year (time) of the LORD !”
Luke 4:14-19 and ref: Isaiah 61:1-3, Isaiah 49:8-9, II Corinthians 6:2, Hebrews 3:7
And “He sent His Word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh that men would Praise the LORD for His goodness (Exodus 33:18- 34:7), and for His wonder-filled works to the children of men !” Psalm 107:20-22
Therefore, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, Ye shall be free indeed !” John 8:36
So let us read again and believe the very Words which Jesus said to us . . . “All power is given unto Me in heaven, and in earth, Go ye therefore ! . . . into all the world, and proclaim the Glad Tidings to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized (ref: Matthew 3:11, Acts 19:3 & Titus 3:5) shall be Saved (delivered, set free, rescued, healed, made whole) !
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name . . . for it is Christ in us, the Hope of glory ! . . . shall they cast out devils (evict them); they shall speak with new languages; They shall take up (loose the hold of) serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not harm them ! ref: Colossians 1:27 And they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover ! . . . So then after the Lord (Adoni – Sovereign King) had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven (ref: Isaiah 66:1), and sat on the right hand of God . . . angels and forces and powers being made subject (in submission) unto Him ! . . .
And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the Word (that was preached), with signs following. Amen !” Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15-20 & I Peter 3:22
The LORD’s (Jehovah, Yehuwah’s) greatest desire is that we, His children will simply take hold of His Word, with childlike faith, and walk in the Anointing and Victory which Christ has purchased for every one of us. Purchased with His Own shed blood . . . for the Life is in the blood ! ref: Leviticus 17:10-11 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLRNwOSPuxI&list=TLfq7y7dkO9k0
And “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh !” Luke 6:45 “O taste and see that the LORD is good, Blessed is the man that trusteth in Him !” Psalm 34:7-8, ref: Galatians 3:14
Salvation (saved) literally means in both the greek and Hebrew = deliverance, freedom, rescue, healing, restored, made whole!
And this is exactly what Jesus Christ (Yehushua ha Moshiac) came to do – “And Jesus returned in the power of the Spirit into Galilee . . . and as His custom was, he went into the synagogue (church, congregation) on the Sabbath day, and stood up for to read. And there was delivered unto Him the scroll (book) of Esaias. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it is written . . . The Spirit of the LORD is upon Me, because He hath Anointed Me (ref: I John 2:27) to proclaim the Glad Tidings to the poor; He hath sent Me to heal the brokenhearted . . . To proclaim deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised . . .To proclaim the acceptable* year (time) of the LORD !”
Luke 4:14-19 and ref: Isaiah 61:1-3, Isaiah 49:8-9, II Corinthians 6:2, Hebrews 3:7
And “He sent His Word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions. Oh that men would Praise the LORD for His goodness (Exodus 33:18- 34:7), and for His wonder-filled works to the children of men !” Psalm 107:20-22
Therefore, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, Ye shall be free indeed !” John 8:36
So let us read again and believe the very Words which Jesus said to us . . . “All power is given unto Me in heaven, and in earth, Go ye therefore ! . . . into all the world, and proclaim the Glad Tidings to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized (ref: Matthew 3:11, Acts 19:3 & Titus 3:5) shall be Saved (delivered, set free, rescued, healed, made whole) !
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name . . . for it is Christ in us, the Hope of glory ! . . . shall they cast out devils (evict them); they shall speak with new languages; They shall take up (loose the hold of) serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not harm them ! ref: Colossians 1:27 And they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover ! . . . So then after the Lord (Adoni – Sovereign King) had spoken unto them, He was received up into heaven (ref: Isaiah 66:1), and sat on the right hand of God . . . angels and forces and powers being made subject (in submission) unto Him ! . . .
And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the Word (that was preached), with signs following. Amen !” Matthew 28:19, Mark 16:15-20 & I Peter 3:22
The LORD’s (Jehovah, Yehuwah’s) greatest desire is that we, His children will simply take hold of His Word, with childlike faith, and walk in the Anointing and Victory which Christ has purchased for every one of us. Purchased with His Own shed blood . . . for the Life is in the blood ! ref: Leviticus 17:10-11 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LLRNwOSPuxI&list=TLfq7y7dkO9k0
May the LORD Bless and keep you strong in Christ Jesus !
your brother and sister,
Eric & Sarah Wilson and family – Isaiah Ministries