Miracles

The manifestation of miracles is extraordinary. I think the best way to define exactly what a miracle is would be to look at a few examples, and what better place to begin than with Jesus' first recorded miracle? Remember, the manifestation of miracles is only there so we can help people. Have a read through the record and then I'll point out what a miracle actually is.

John 2:1-11
And the third day there was a marriage in Cana of Galilee; and the mother of Jesus was there:

And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage.

And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine.

Jesus saith unto her, Woman, what have I to do with thee? mine hour is not yet come.

His mother saith unto the servants, Whatsoever he saith unto you, do it.

And there were set there six waterpots of stone, after the manner of the purifying of the Jews [Judeans], containing two or three firkins apiece.

Jesus saith unto them, Fill the waterpots with water. And they filled them up to the brim.

And he saith unto them, Draw out now, and bear unto the governor of the feast. And they bare it.

When the ruler of the feast had tasted the water that was made wine, and knew not whence it was: (but the servants which drew the water knew;) the governor of the feast called the bridegroom,

And saith unto him, Every man at the beginning doth set forth good wine; and when men have well drunk, then that which is worse: but thou hast kept the good wine until now.

This beginning of miracles did Jesus in Cana of Galilee, and manifested forth his glory; and his disciples believed on him.

Jesus Christ's first miracle was to turn water into wine. How do you turn water into wine? There is only one way it can be done. There must have been a change in the water at the molecular level. There was a restructuring of the molecules. That's what a miracle is, atoms and molecules are changed or added. This might sound like a big deal, but remember, this is the power of God we're talking about.

When Jesus Christ fed the multitudes they are referred to as miracles.

Matthew 14:13,14
When Jesus heard of it, he departed thence by ship into a desert place apart: and when the people had heard thereof, they followed him on foot out of the cities.

And Jesus went forth, and saw a great multitude, and was moved with compassion toward them, and he healed their sick.

Here we see compassion, the revelation green light to help people. In this case it came by way of compassion that welled up inside him.

Matthew 14:15-21
And when it was evening, his disciples came to him, saying, This is a desert place, and the time is now past; send the multitude away, that they may go into the villages, and buy themselves victuals.

But Jesus said unto them, They need not depart; give ye them to eat.

And they say unto him, We have here but five loaves, and two fishes.

He said, Bring them hither to me.

And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the grass, and took the five loaves, and the two fishes, and looking up to heaven, he blessed, and brake, and gave the loaves to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the fragments that remained twelve baskets full.

And they that had eaten were about five thousand men, beside women and children.

How do you feed 5000 men, plus women and children with five loaves and two fish? It's impossible, but that was all that was available. As Jesus Christ broke the bread and the fish, God replaced the food at the molecular level so it never ran out. When everyone was fed, they gathered up what was left and filled twelve baskets. Miracles involve change at the molecular level. Miracles don't contradict nature, it's simply a changing or an adding of atoms and molecules where needed to bring deliverance. Later on, Jesus Christ fed another multitude, this time of four thousand men, plus women and children.

Mark 8:1-3
In those days the multitude being very great, and having nothing to eat, Jesus called his disciples unto him, and saith unto them,

I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now been with me three days, and have nothing to eat:

And if I send them away fasting to their own houses, they will faint by the way: for divers [many] of them came from far.

There's compassion again, the green light revelation to help people. There were thousands of men, women and children there, many a long way from home and they had no food. To just leave them would have risked many of them collapsing with hunger as they walked home.

Mark 8:4-9
And his disciples answered him, From whence can a man satisfy these men with bread here in the wilderness?

And he asked them, How many loaves have ye? And they said, Seven.

And he commanded the people to sit down on the ground: and he took the seven loaves, and gave thanks, and brake, and gave to his disciples to set before them; and they did set them before the people.

And they had a few small fishes: and he blessed, and commanded to set them also before them.

So they did eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets.

And they that had eaten were about four thousand: and he sent them away.

Here is the same account in Matthew.

Matthew 15:36-38
And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

And they did all eat, and were filled: and they took up of the broken meat that was left seven baskets full.

And they that did eat were four thousand men, beside women and children.

In this case, when they gathered what was left over they filled seven baskets. I'm sure Jesus and the disciples enjoyed a good meal out of it as well, so they also profited from the miracle.

The raising of Lazarus from the dead is referred to as a miracle.

John 12:1,2,9-11,17,18
Then Jesus six days before the passover came to Bethany, where Lazarus was which had been dead, whom he raised from the dead.

There they made him a supper; and Martha served: but Lazarus was one of them that sat at the table with him.

Much people of the Jews [Judeans] therefore knew that he was there: and they came not for Jesus' sake only, but that they might see Lazarus also, whom he had raised from the dead.

But the chief priests consulted that they might put Lazarus also to death;

Because that by reason of him many of the Jews [Judeans] went away, and believed on Jesus.

The people therefore that was with him when he called Lazarus out of his grave, and raised him from the dead, bare record. 

For this cause the people also met him, for that they heard that he had done this miracle.

Why would Lazarus being raised from the dead be a miracle rather than a healing? Well, Lazarus had been dead for four days. He was actually decomposing and stinking when Jesus Christ walked into the tomb. Quite a bit of molecular reconstruction would have been needed to restore Lazarus' body to a habitable state. I don't think Lazarus would have been too happy had be simply been raised from the dead into a decomposing body. His body required restoration at the molecular level and decomposed atoms and molecules would have had to be replaced. That's why it was a miracle. We can also see this in Acts.

Acts 3:1,2
Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer, being the ninth hour.

And a certain man lame from his mother's womb was carried, whom they laid daily at the gate of the temple which is called Beautiful, to ask alms of them that entered into the temple;

This man had been lame from birth, and we learn later that he was over 40 years old. He had never walked, not even as an infant. He couldn't walk because he was missing feet and ankle bones from his birth. He was deformed.

Acts 3:3-8
Who seeing Peter and John about to go into the temple asked an alms.

And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us.

And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive [lambanō] something of them [he was believing].

Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk.

And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength.

And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God.

As Peter took his hand and the man made the effort to get to his feet, God got involved at the molecular level and gave him the bones and the other parts he needed so he could walk. As he had never walked in his life before, his muscles would have also required molecular help so he would have had the strength to get to his feet.

For their efforts, Peter and John were arrested and thrown in jail. The following day they were brought before a council of top religious men and interrogated.

Acts 4:5-7
And it came to pass on the morrow, that their rulers, and elders, and scribes,

And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

And when they had set them in the midst, they asked, By what power, or by what name, have ye done this?

Peter and John were treated as criminals for that miracle of healing. The devil considers healing people he has crippled as a crime. These religious leaders were on side with the devil, not the true God, as are most religious leaders in our day and time.

Acts 4:8-22
Then Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost [holy spirit], said unto them, Ye rulers of the people, and elders of Israel,

If we this day be examined of the good deed done to the impotent man, by what means he is made whole;

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved [made whole].

Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.

And beholding the man which was healed standing with them, they could say nothing against it.

But when they had commanded them to go aside out of the council, they conferred among themselves,

Saying, What shall we do to these men? for that indeed a notable miracle hath been done by them is manifest to all them that dwell in Jerusalem; and we cannot deny it.

But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name.

And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus.

But Peter and John answered and said unto them, Whether it be right in the sight of God to hearken unto you more than unto God, judge ye.

For we cannot but speak the things which we have seen and heard.

So when they had further threatened them, they let them go, finding nothing how they might punish them, because of the people: for all men glorified God for that which was done.

For the man was above forty years old, on whom this miracle of healing was shewed.

Now we begin to get a feel for the distinctions and differences between the manifestations. This particular healing is referred to as a miracle, but not all healings are miracles. Only healings where changes at the molecular level are required are referred to as miracles. Sometimes when ministering healing, we will be required to perform miracles as well if body parts are deformed, eaten away or missing.

John 4:46-54
So Jesus came again into Cana of Galilee, where he made the water wine. And there was a certain nobleman, whose son was sick at Capernaum.

When he heard that Jesus was come out of Judaea into Galilee, he went unto him, and besought him that he would come down, and heal his son: for he was at the point of death.

Then said Jesus unto him, Except ye see signs and wonders, ye will not believe.

The nobleman saith unto him, Sir, come down ere my child die

Jesus saith unto him, Go thy way; thy son liveth. And the man believed the word that Jesus had spoken unto him, and he went his way.

And as he was now going down, his servants met him, and told him, saying, Thy son liveth.

Then enquired he of them the hour when he began to amend. And they said unto him, Yesterday at the seventh hour the fever left him.

So the father knew that it was at the same hour, in the which Jesus said unto him, Thy son liveth: and himself believed, and his whole house.

This is again the second miracle that Jesus did, when he was come out of Judaea into Galilee.

The word records that this was Jesus' second miracle. Both miracles recorded so far required molecular reconstruction. What's even more remarkable about this miracle is that Jesus Christ didn't even go and see the boy, so revelation manifestations were obviously in operation as well. We can clearly see that the man's believing was also a requirement. Believing is always required for healing.

John 6:1,2
After these things Jesus went over the sea of Galilee, which is the sea of Tiberias.

And a great multitude followed him, because they saw his miracles which he did on them that were diseased.

The accuracy of the word is astonishing. It says he performed miracles on those which were diseased. It doesn't say he performed miracles on those which needed healing. Diseases like leprosy eat away at parts of the human body, so to heal them Jesus would also necessarily have had to perform miracles to put the molecules back which the diseases had eaten away.

It's important to understand that not all healings are miracles. It's only perhaps a small point, but we really should be more careful with how we use the word miracle. Jesus Christ filled Peter's nets with fish on a number of occasions and almost everyone refers to these records as miracles. No they weren't. There was no molecular reconstruction required to fill Peter's nets with fish. None of the records are referred to as miracles in the bible and it's important that we understand why. How can you help people with the manifestation of miracles if you don't understand what a miracle is?

The manifestation of gifts of healing and the manifestation of miracles are two very different manifestations used for two very different things. Sometimes you have to operate both together, sometimes you don't. If all healings were miracles there would be no need for two separate manifestations. Not all healings are miracles, but the two are often closely related in healing situations.

The word records that Paul performed 'special' miracles.

Acts 19:11,12
And God wrought special miracles by the hands of Paul:

So that from his body were brought unto the sick handkerchiefs or aprons, and the diseases departed from them, and the evil spirits went out of them.

When Paul was at Ephesus, he was so busy and there were so many people believing to be healed that he simply couldn't get round to see everyone. Does that put God out of business? Not at all. He gave Paul revelation to send hankies to those who were diseased and believing to be healed. It is intriguing that the word specifically mentions those who were diseased in the context of this being special miracles.

Many times diseases are caused by devil spirits that lodge in the body and eat away at it. There isn't much point in performing miracles and restoring diseased bodies to health if you don't remove the devil spirit causing it. So here we see healing, miracles and the revelation manifestations of word of knowledge, word of wisdom and discerning of spirits all working together to help people.

Even in the old testament we can see that miracles required molecular reconstruction.

Exodus 7:8-12
And the LORD spake unto Moses and unto Aaron, saying,

When Pharaoh shall speak unto you, saying, Shew a miracle for you: then thou shalt say unto Aaron, Take thy rod, and cast it before Pharaoh, and it shall become a serpent.

And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.

Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.

For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.

Here we can also see that those who operate witchcraft can get devil spirits to work at the molecular level and change matter. They do it all the time. Devil spirits can make things disappear, go through walls and reappear in the next room. All they're doing is deconstructing matter at the molecular level, transporting it through walls above the speed of light, and then reconstructing it back to its original form. How do you think magicians pull off some of their tricks?

Surely if devil spirits can break down and reconstruct matter at the molecular level so they can steal, kill and destroy, God has a right to reconstruct matter at the molecular level to help people.

If you get involved in healing situations where people need help with the power of God and they are believing, the revelation will be there and you will know which manifestations you need to operate to bring the deliverance. In these situations compassion welling up inside you, or any other way God communicates with you will be your green light to get involved. God will give you all the information you need so you can help them. The more you operate the manifestations to help people, the more the fruit of the spirit will be evident in your life. This is how we grow into walking with the love of God.

Galatians 5:22,23
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,

Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

If you want this kind of fruit in your life and if you want to walk with the love of God, then start looking for ways to help people. The more you get in there and help, the more you will earnestly desire and pursue open doors to help more people. The more people you help, the more you will see the manifestations in your life. The more you operate the manifestations to help people, the more fruit of the spirit you will enjoy and the more you will walk with the love of God.

Helping people with the manifestations of holy spirit is a walk with a learning curve. How do children learn to walk? They get up, take a step, and fall down. However, they get right back up on their feet and try again. They may fall down dozens of times before they learn to toddle around the room. Eventually though they'll be running all over the place having the time of their lives. The key is just to get up and walk. The only thing that can stop us is fear. Look for open doors to help people in your home churches and get in there. Sure you're going to fall down a few times, so what? If you're faithful it won't be long before you're running through life with the manifestations flowing from you like living waters.

When I first started studying the bible, I used to scratch my head and wonder how on earth I could become like Paul, Peter or Jesus Christ when it comes to manifesting holy spirit. I scratch my head no longer. It is no more difficult than earnestly desiring and pursuing opportunities to help people, and when the doors open we get in there and put the manifestations into operation. The more we practice, the better we get at it, and the more we walk with the love of God in the renewed mind in manifestation. How simple is that?

Healing