And “when the evening was come, they brought unto Him many that were possessed with devils . . . . and He cast out the spirits with His Word, and healed all that were sick . . . !” Matthew 8:16
“This world is a vast lazar house, but Christ came to heal the sick, to proclaim deliverance to the captives of Satan. He was in Himself health and strength. He imparted His Life to the sick, the afflicted, those possessed of demons. He turned away none who came to receive His healing power. He knew that those who petitioned Him for help had brought disease upon themselves; yet He did not refuse to heal them. And when virtue from Christ entered into these poor souls, they were convicted of sin, and many were healed of their spiritual disease, as well as of their physical maladies.
The gospel (Glad Tidings) still possesses the same power, and why should we not today witness the same results ?”
– The Desire of Ages, p.824
One of the clearest, and most powerful statements in the Bible of how Salvation (deliverance, freedom, rescue, and healing) is gained, is given to us in the gospel of John when Jesus says . . . “Ye shall know the Truth, and the Truth shall make you free !” John 8:32
Is this reference only to a certain doctrinal belief ?
Or is there something greater which He is asking us to see ?
If we will allow the LORD, His Word will clarify itself. For just a few chapters later, as Jesus (Yehushua) prays to His Father, and to ours, He says . . . . Father, “sanctify them through Thy Truth, yea, Thy Word is Truth (Verity, verily so) !” John 17:17
So the question is, What does “sanctify” literally mean ?
Sanctify (G39, 40) = to purify, consecrate, hallow, to make sacred, pure, morally blameless, most holy !
The next question that presents itself is . . . How does God do this? how does He make something pure and morally blameless which is filthy, stained, defiled, and apparently hopelessly undone ?
And it is here that we must look first to the gospels (Glad Tidings) of the story of Christ, to see revealed in the most simple and yet powerful way the miracle of Redemption !
“For God calleth those things which be not, as though they already are . . . !” Romans 4:17-22
“And it came to pass, when Jesus was in a certain city . . . Behold a man full of leprosy (a symbol of sin): who seeing Jesus, fell on his face, and besought Him, saying . . . Lord (Sovereign, King), if Thou wilt, Thou canst make me clean. And Jesus put forth His hand, and touched him, saying, I will . . . Be thou clean !
“For this verily is the will of God, even your sanctification . . . !” I Thessalonians 4:3-4, II Thessalonians 2:13 & I Peter 1:2
And immediately the leprosy departed from him . . . . And Jesus charged (admonished) the man to tell no man: but go, and shew thyself to the priest, and offer for thy cleansing, according as Moses commanded, for a testimony unto them. But so much more went there a fame abroad of Him: and great multitudes came together to hear . . . and to be healed by Him of their infirmities (sickness and diseases) !” Luke 5:12-16
Here is revealed the very source of all power, deliverance, and healing . . . the power in the Word of the Living God. For Jesus (Yehushua) has promised each of us . . . “The Words that I speak, they are Spirit, and they are Life !” John 6:63 And now He asks you and I . . . . “if thou canst believe, all things are possible* (G1415, 1410- powerful, able, capable, God is mighty to do) to him that believeth !” Mark 9:23
Throughout all of Scripture, this is the one and single most important Truth, upon which all others depend. Our knowing of our Father’s faithfulness, and that God simply cannot and will not ever lie !
And “for this cause also thank we God without ceasing . . . because when you received the Word of God, which ye heard of us, ye received It not as the word of men (yea, nay or maybe), but as It is in Truth (Verity) . . . the Word of God (Deity, Divinity) which effectually worketh also in you that believe . . . !” I Thessalonians 2:13
And we have been given these words of encouragement and hope . . . “Blessed (with His Spirit) are they which do hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled !” Matthew 5:6
Quote – “There is no need for us to hunger; there is no need for us to thirst, while the store-house of heaven is open for us, and the key is given into our possession. What is the key? –Faith, which is the gift of God. Unlock the store-house; take of its rich treasures. May God help us to lay hold upon these eternal realities . . .” {RH, March 15, 1892 par. 10}
The Bible tells us that it was by His Word that the LORD created the heavens and the earth, and all that in them is (Psalm 33:6-9). And by that same Life-giving Word, He wrought every miracle recorded in the pages of the Holy Scriptures.
Quote – “The Life of Christ that gives life to the world is in His Word. It was by His Word that Jesus healed disease and cast out demons; by His Word He stilled the sea, and raised the dead; and the people bore witness that His Word was with power (for it was spoken in faith). He spoke the Word of God, as He had spoken through all the prophets and teachers of the Old Testament. The whole Bible is a manifestation of Christ (the Anointing of God’s Spirit), and the Saviour desired to fix the faith of His followers on the Word. When His visible presence should be withdrawn, the Word must be their source of power. Like their Master, they were to live “by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God . . .” Matthew 4:4. – Desire of Ages, p.390
And that same Word He is speaking to each of us Today . . . “if ye will only hear His Voice ?” Hebrews 3:7-19 Today, He is saying . . . “Now ye are clean, through the Word which I have spoken unto you !” John 15:3
“For as He which hath called you (Romans 6:1-6 & Ephesians 1:17-21) is Holy . . . So be ye holy in all manner of conversation (your life) . . . Because it is written, Be ye holy, for I Am holy !” I Peter 1:15-16
When the LORD God said, “Let there be light . . . it was so !” The power which created that light was verily His Spirit which is in His Word. For Jesus said, “the Words that I speak unto you, they are Spirit, and they are Life !” John 6:63
“For thus saith the LORD (Jehovah, Yehuwah) that created the heavens; and God (Elohim – the Mighty One) Himself that formed the earth . . . . I have not spoken in secret, in a dark place of the earth: I said not unto the seed (children – you and I) of Jacob, Seek ye Me in vain. For I the LORD speak righteousness, I declare things that are right !” Isaiah 45:11-19
“Who is this that cometh from Edom, with dyed garments (Luke 22:44 – Revelation 19:11-14) from Bozrah? He that is glorious in His apparel, travelling in the greatness of His strength? . . . . I that speak in righteousness (faithfulness) . . . Am Mighty to save !” Isaiah 63:1
May the LORD bless and keep you strong in faith, and by the power of His Life-giving Word !
your brother in Christ,
Eric Wilson and family – Isaiah Ministries