Tuesday, March 31, 2020


DIVINE HEALING
 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS!
by Dr. Max Solbrekken, D.D.
     “So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; therefore, the name of it was called Marah.
      “And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? And he cried to the Lord; and the Lord showed him a Tree, which when he had cast into the water, the waters were made sweet: there He made for them a Statute and an Ordinance, and there He proved them,
     “And said,   If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put None of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that health thee.” (Exodus 15: 22-26)
    After three days in the wilderness without water, Moses and the Jews he rescued from Egypt came to Shura, they found the waters undrinkable. God showed him a tree which when cut down and thrown into the waters, made them sweet.
    That tree was a type of the Cross, when thrown into the bitter waters of life makes them sweet. The cross of Christ makes the difference! Then, the Lord made for them an Ordinance and as Statute we call, ‘God’s Healing Covenant’!
    The Bible states: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
    “That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Gal. 3: 13,14)
      The Healing Covenant that God made for the Jewish Nation through Moses has come down to us through Jesus Christ! Almighty God says: “I am the Lord that healeth thee.’’
      The Bible says: “Giving thanks unto the Father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son: in whom we have Redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.
     “And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things on earth or things in Heaven.” (Col. 1: 12-15,20)

                           WHEN I SEE THE BLOOD!
    “Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the Passover. And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the basin: and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.
      “And the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He seeth the BLOOD upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.
    “And it came to pass, that at Midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn of Pharoah that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captives that was in the dungeon; and all the first born of cattle.
     And Pharoah rose up in the night, and all his servants; and all the Egyptians; and there was a Great Cry, for there was not a house where there was not one dead. And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go and serve the Lord, as ye have said.
   ‘And take your flocks, and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me too.” (Exodus 12: 21-23; 29-32)
      The great truth that this historical event teaches is that God judges those who oppose Him and His people and that He blesses and cares for those who believe Him and trust Him!

                      THE ALL ATONING BLOOD!
     The Night of the first Passover in Egypt was one long to be remembered. God went out searching. He was searching for the sign of “the blood of the lamb” on the doorways. He was not disappointed in His search as far as the land of Goshen was concerned. But He did not find the blood in other parts of Egypt.
     The God of mercy became a God of judgment. No blood on the doorway made the difference. The same search is going on today. God is looking for blood – the dying blood of His Son – on the homes and on the hearts. And when He sees it there is mercy. It is the presence of the blood that makes one safe.
    There are some places where the blood should be but is not. Toward such, God will be terrible out of His holy place.
    Some churches are banishing the blood and putting the gilding of man’s teaching in its place. Making a covering of tinsel and blotting out the blood! Blotting out the atonement God provided through the blood of His Son.
     Christ’s blood is a barrier against the wrath of God. It speaks of forgiveness. But men spurn that blood, spurn forgiveness. In consequence they will have to suffer the wrath of God.
    “When I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not come upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” (Ex. 12:13)
    The destroying angel is not dead. He is still waiting to execute the command of the Master. No blood, no protection. No blood, no mercy. Satan tries to keep men from honouring the blood, because God has honoured it.
    What God exalts, Satan debases. He is anti-God, and anti-Spirit.
    If you honour the blood, God will honour you because you put your trust in the One who shed His blood for you; the Son of God. Make your calling and election sure so that you may be among those who in Heaven, are around the Throne giving “glory and honour to the Lamb that was slain, and hast redeemed us unto God by His blood.”
     The Father is pleased with the company, however small, who honour the blood and give the Spirit His rightful place. You honour Christ’s blood and He will exalt you.
    “Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and old, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers: but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish or spot.”   (1 Peter 1: 18, 19)
  - Gospel Publishing House Springfield, Mo. 65802

                                    Chapter 1
IS DIVINE HEALING FOR TODAY?
     Theologians and religious men have debated this issue for years.  Some say yes, others no. The real question is: What does the Bible say?
     That is what counts!  What I say or what others say does not matter much, especially if it conflicts with or disagrees with God's Word.
     What saith the Scriptures? The Bible is the inspired Word of God and the final authority for faith and morals.  The Holy Scriptures have the final say about everything concerning life, death and eternity!
     Let me ask you a question: Is Jesus for today? If Jesus is for today, then the forgiveness of sins is for today, and divine healing is also for today.  If He is not for today, then we have believed in vain and the gospel is worthless!
     If Jesus Christ is ‘For Real’ then divine healing is for real; If He is a phony, a myth, a mirage or a liar then the Bible isn't worth the paper it's written on!
                      
               IF HE IS ALIVE, THERE IS HOPE!
     St. Paul declared that, "If the dead rise not" then Christ is not raised; And if Christ is not raised, then He is still dead with no power to save, heal, deliver or bless anyone! 
   "But, now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept!" (1 Cor. 15:20).  Christ is alive!  And because He is alive, there is hope for us with forgiveness, healing, prosperity, and abundant blessings!  Praise God!
     Jesus Christ is alive and relevant to our needs. His interest in us is to do us good. His Gospel is effective, reliable and totally viable. It works!
     His blood is efficacious His stripes bring healing and there is Divine Blessing through the touch of His hand. The Bible says: "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever." (Heb. 13:8)
     True Christians believe in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ!  We believe and confess that He died for us on Calvary's Cross, was buried in the Garden Tomb and rose again on the third day. We believe that He ascended into Heaven and sat down on the right hand of ‘The Majesty on High’ and will soon return to rapture the church (1 Thess. 4: 16-18) and judge the quick and the dead!
                  NO OTHER FOUNDATION!
      The Bible states: “For other foundation can no man lay that that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ…” (1 Cor. 3:13); “And that knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
    “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armour of light.”  (Rom. 14:11-12)
     Jesus Christ is the sinless, righteous, eternal, changeless and always constant Son of God!  His Name is all powerful and His blood is alive in the Holy of Holies in Heaven!
    After His death and resurrection, our Lord Jesus emphasized, "...All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth". (Matt. 28:18)
     The Bible says, "I am the Lord, I change not." (Mal.3:6). “How that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed of the devil: for God was with Him.” (Acts 10: 38)
      Jesus has not changed and still has the same desires, wishes and plans for His people as He always had. Unless of course, He came back from the dead different; slow, with a mental block, unable to discern right from wrong or with a totally different philosophy!
     HOW ABSURD!  He has not changed. He will not change. He cannot change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever! He has no mental block or speech impediment.
     He said what He meant   and meant what He said. It is as simple as that. His doctrine or teaching did not change with the traumatic sufferings and death on the cross!
      May God have mercy upon those theologians and preachers who have unilaterally or with humanistic Bible translators sought to minimize the Eternal Godhood of Jesus Christ, the blessed Holy Spirit and God’s Holy Word.
              WHAT ABOUT HIS WORD?
     What about God’s Word? Can it be believed and trusted? I say, “A resounding, Yes.” You may ask, “Why do you believe the Holy Bible?” I could give you a hundred reasons why I believe God’s Word is true, but I will give you only one:
     Jesus of Nazareth believed the Holy Scriptures, preached from them, lived and died by them and arose from the dead according to the Holy Scriptures!
     Is Divine Healing for today?  Well, let me ask you another simple question: Is God's Word for today?  Does His Word have any special meaning or authority for us today? 
    Or is it only a thing of beauty, a centre- piece to adorn the coffee table or to be read for its poetic style, its prose or its fine literature? Has His death and resurrection altered His word or will at all? 
    Of course not! Because He did rise from the dead, He is the same in actions as well as words.  He is the same.  Nothing has changed! His will is found in His Word and His Word is synonymous with His will or wish.  You cannot separate a man from His Word or a man's speech and action from him.  They are the one and same!
     You cannot divorce Jesus Christ from His Word or His power! If His Word says so, we can and must believe it!  Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Words shall not pass away." (Matt. 24:35)
    The Scripture says, "Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
      For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts 2:38,39)
      If Jesus Christ is for today, then Divine Healing is for today. If the Bible is for today, then it stands to reason that Divine Healing is also for today! 

                                     Chapter 2
DOES DIVINE HEALING
ACOMPLISH ANYTHING GOOD?
    We will let the Word of God answer for itself!  "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him." (Acts 10:38)
     Very definitely, the Scripture emphasizes that Jesus went about doing Good and Healing all who were oppressed of the devil!  The devil oppressed the people with sin, sickness, fear and torments, but Jesus came to the people with Divine Healing, which is very Good!
     Jesus said, "The thief (devil) cometh not but for to steal, kill and destroy.  I am come that ye may have life and more abundantly." (John 10:10).
    Life comes from God and Jesus has promised us Abundant Life; Life to overflowing with good things from the hand of our Lord! 
      The Bible says, "No good thing will God withhold from them that walk uprightly" (Ps. 84:11). Yes, my friend, Divine Healing does a lot of good.  As a matter of fact, Jesus called Divine Healing, the Children's Bread!
     "But He answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs." (Matt. 15:26). The Scripture states, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning".  (James 1:17)

DIVINE HEALING FROM GOD !
     Divine healing comes from God by the will of God, for the blessing and edification of His people!
    God the Father is a Healer: He declared, "I am the Lord that healeth thee" (Ex. 15:26. God the Son is a Healer: The Bible says, "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.” (Matt. 9:35)
     God the Holy Spirit is a Healer: St. Paul emphasized, "If that same Spirit that raised up Jesus Christ from the dead, dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken (make life in) your mortal bodies by the Spirit that dwelleth in you." (Rom. 8:11)
     God has blessed His people with Divine healing, health strength, protection, blessings and enumerable interventions!
     When you consider the many sick and diseased people who suffer untold agony and pain, we don't need to wonder if Divine Healing does any good. 
     Certainly, destroying sickness and pain is a blessing, otherwise we may as well shut down all our hospitals and terminate the employment of all medical personnel.
     When you consider the love that is lost, the separations of loved ones, the work force and the business community that is affected by sickness and death, we don't need to ask if divine healing is a blessing!

HEALTH CARE SYSTEM BANKRUPT?
      The Health Care System is straining under the heavy load of an increasingly aging population, influx of new and rare diseases epidemics and pandemics and enormous rising health costs!
      The Canadian Medical Profession is regularly in consultations regarding the upgrading, revamping and improving of our health care system!
     There has been a was a very real concern that the AIDS, SARS, Ebola epidemics would bankrupt the already overstrained health systems of the world!  As well as other new, emerging diseases together with the re-emergence of several deadly old viruses, germs and bacteria!
     With the deadly Coronavirus that is presently sweeping the world, there is a dreaded fear of an old-style Depression, that could kill millions and reduce many nations to poverty!
                       MAY GOD SEND US A REVIVAL!
     Only a genuine Revival of Righteousness will be able to head off these awful Epidemics! And may we have the faith to pray for staggering miracles of healing, for those who are afflicted!
     The health and welfare of humanity is of vital concern to governments everywhere. The Christian Community - who have access to the mighty power of God through faith and prayer must do everything within our power to bring healing to those who are suffering the untold agony and pain?
      We must take the lead in bringing Healing, Deliverance and Blessing to the poor, needy, sick and suffering, for we are extensions of Christ’s hands and feet in this generation!
     St. James states: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning”.
     In the beginning, when God created Adam and Eve, He saw that His creation “was good”!  There was no sin and consequently no sickness or death in the garden of Eden!
     When sin entered the world through Satan’s temptation of our first parents, Adam and Eve, death was the natural result.
                  DISEASE IS INCIPIENT DEATH!
    Sickness and death are incipient death or ‘death on the installment plan.’  They are enemies of mankind! Sickness, disease and death is the poisonous fruit of Satan, the world’s greatest Liar, Murderer and Destroyer!
      When Jesus Christ - the Second and Last Adam - came to this earth, one of His major targets was sickness and disease.  He healed the sick, cleansed the lepers, cast out unclean spirits and raised the dead!
     The Holy Spirit answers our question, “Does Divine Healing accomplish anything good?”  Here is the answer: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and power who went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed of the devil, for God was with Him”. (Acts 10:38)
     If you want to know if Divine Healing is worthwhile, ask the many who have been healed of incurable cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, insanity or a hundred other sicknesses, through faith in   Jesus Christ!

            SICKNESS & DISEASE IS CAPTIVITY!
    “And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than the beginning…” (Job 42: 10, 12)
    Sickness and disease is captivity! Christ purchased  our freedom from the Prison House of fear, anxiety, torment, hatred, doubt,  condemnation, oppression and depression which often accompanies attacks of sickness and disease!
    The shed blood of Jesus Christ brings peace, forgiveness with assurance, wholeness of spirit, soul and body. Divine Healing from our Lord causes joy and blessings beyond compare and a tranquility filled with thanksgiving and praises unto our Saviour Jesus Christ.
     Come Lord Jesus, turn away from Thy children, the captivity of sickness, disease, and pain, according to Thy Word and Thy precious promises which fail not, so that the Father may be glorified in His Son Jesus Christ! – (John 14: 11-14; 1 John 10 -15). Amen.

Friday, March 27, 2020


Pro-Life Leader Calls Coronavirus “Chastisement” For The Sin of Abortion

A leading Catholic pro-life advocate declared that the novel coronavirus pandemic is a “chastisement” by God for the sin of abortion.
John Smeaton, Chief Executive of the Society for the Protection of Unborn Children, the first and largest pro-life organization in the United Kingdom, declared in a Facebook post on Monday that “Boris Johnson’s government does not realise that the coronavirus is a chastisement for, amongst other things, the killing of innocent children in the womb.”
LifeSiteNews followed up with Smeaton anyway in order to gain clarity on his remarks.
Although “it’s a prudential judgement whether a particular terrible disaster is a chastisement,” Smeaton pointed to a number of characteristics of the pandemic that he believes are in line with the definition of a chastisement, such as the “deprivation from Catholics worldwide of the Holy Eucharist,” which he said was “unprecedented.”
This deprivation, he said, “reminds us painfully of the shameful abuse of the Body and Blood of Our Lord which is commonly observed at Masses throughout the world, in particular at Novus Ordo Masses where Communion in the hand has led to countless sacrileges taking place.”
Smeaton went on to explain that abortion has killed “between one to two billion” people in the world in the last 50 years. “That’s more people killed than all the people killed in all the wars in the whole of recorded human history.”
“Every one of these children was killed in the heart of an individual family so each abortion has the possibility of darkening the consciences of many more than one person,” Smeaton added.
Smeaton also pointed to the promotion of the LGBT agenda in schools, “not least by individual Catholic bishops and by, for example, the entire Conference of Catholic Bishops of England and Wales,” something Smeaton feels is “a sin that’s even worse than abortion and might well provoke God’s anger in a terrible chastisement.”
Smeaton pointed to remarks made by Italian historian Roberto de Mattei for historical precedents for chastisements, noting that Europe in the 21st century and the 14th century was fraught with famine, plagues, and war, which “many great saints” taught were “signs of God’s chastisement.”
“Saint Bernardine of Siena (1380-1444) admonished: Tria sunt flagella quibus Dominus castigat: there are three scourges with which God chastises: war, plague, and famine,” de Mattei said, according to LifeSite.
Smeaton explained that “the whole of mankind is punished by sin – by both original sin and by individual sins.” As Christ took our sins upon himself, he added, “we are called to share in Christ’s sufferings for the sins of mankind.”
“Pro-life leaders, myself included, can be guilty of all sorts of sins and we must all examine our consciences,” Smeaton continued, “but I can honestly say that my comment that the coronavirus is a chastisement is based on reasonable grounds, of the kind I’ve mentioned, and not self-interest.

Sunday, March 22, 2020


                 LAST DAYS BEFORE
           THE GREAT TRIBULATION

                            by Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
     The Bible states: "And I looked and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat upon him was Death, and Hell followed with him.  And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword (war), and with hunger (famine), and with death (tsunamis, war, earthquakes, mudslides) and with the beasts of the earth (Mad Cow, Monkey Pox, West Nile Virus, Sars, Avion, Ebola)."  (Revelation 6:8)
      Are we living in the Last Days before the Great Tribulation? Is the Coronavirus Pandemic another harbinger of the Last Days Scenario before the Return of our Lord Jesus Christ and the White Throne Judgment? What must we do to be ready for any eventuality?
      Throughout history, plagues have attacked human beings as well as animals. The 1918 Flu Pandemic killed between 20 to 50 million in two years. The HIV(AIDS) killed 36 million between 1976 to 1981. The Ebola Virus in 2014 killed 11,315 people in 21 months. In March 2020 the Coronavirus Pandemic has infected 37000, with 3,000 deaths, across the world!
                  MANY PEOPLE ARE ON EDGE!
      People are fearful, nervous and anxious.  Our world is becoming more and more unsafe.  We are living in a world full of terrorism, wars, new frightening diseases and viruses and startling weather disasters that are wiping out thousands of people in seconds.
       On September 11, 2001, the world changed.  On September 11 - Satan was rejoicing.  On September 11 - Satan scored a victory.  But I am here to you that SATAN can be defeated and will be defeated!
     Yes - the world changed drastically on September 11, 2001.  What was a relatively safe, comfortable existence turned instantly into a world of terror. The tell Islamic terrorist group al Qaeda and its leader Osama bin Laden accomplished something very important on September 11. 
     The terrorists took away our freedom, the freedom to feel safe, the freedom to feel secure. And September 11 was only the beginning.  The world is dealing with so many issues that it’s hard for people to cope.
      Our world is literally falling apart.  We have seen the tragic increase in Islamic terrorism, a great backsliding in Evangelical fervor for Christ, an alarming state of departure from Biblical standards of protecting the family and the unborn and putting the unnatural before the sane and sensible!
    And we are experiencing earthquakes, tidal waves, tsunamis in places that are totally unexpected and at the greatest magnitudes ever recorded.  The new diseases and viruses we are seeing in animals are alarming. And now with a new and deadly virus sweeping the world, we must remain focused on the Word of God and remain in the Peace of God and do everything to protect ourselves and others!
                           WHAT IS COMING NEXT?
     The question on people’s minds is: What is coming next? The whole creation, including the earth and all living creatures therein, the cosmos and all universes that our Lord has created, are groaning and travailing in pain and travail "together until now."  
     The earth is "running down", as science teaches it will.  Man has polluted the air, polluted the water and the earth.  The earth is polluting and destroying itself through earthquakes, tidal waves, tsunamis and volcanic eruptions.
      Nature, through solar storms, falling meteors, black holes, white holes and worm holes is doing damage to the universe.  Tornados, cyclones, tsunamis and severe electrical storms cause great bodily harm and death to people and animals, as well as destroying millions of acres of timber annually through forest fire.  
     The animals and wildlife are themselves polluters, spreading disease amongst themselves, as well as being purveyors of many deadly diseases to the human population.
                   SARS,  EBOLA, CORONOVIRUS!
     What have all these to do with End Time Prophecy? Are these diseases and viruses the starting point of what is coming next during the Great Tribulation? 
    I believe that the outbreak of AIDS, SARS, Ebola virus, Lyme disease, Mad Cow disease (BSE), Foot and Mouth disease (FDM), West Nile Virus, Hanta Virus, Monkey Pox and the latent TB and drug resistant TB that is now rampant (2 billion world-wide) is surely Bible prophecy being fulfilled.  
     There are also so many new viruses, bacteria and parasites spread by animals, rodents and pests to human beings.  Are these new viruses from animals also a precursor to the awful things which will happen during the Great Tribulation?
New Viruses Appearing at Faster Rates Scientists Believe!
A headline that appeared (August 2003) in the Washington Post, must have sent shock waves through the Medical Community and the general population.  From a theological perspective, the connection between Biblical eschatology and the phenomenal parade of new emerging viruses being passed from animals to humans, this new report is very significant.
     Are the news diseases Sars, Mad Cow Disease, West Nile Virus, Bird flu and many others biblical prophecies?  Are these world disasters, extreme weather changes, world disasters and mounting hatred, wars and nations turning against nations world-wide Bible Prophecy coming to pass?
     The Bible states: "And I looked and behold a PALE HORSE: and his name that sat upon him was Death, and Hell followed with him.  And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with SWORD (war), and with HUNGER (famine), and with DEATH (tsunamis, war, earthquakes, mudslides etc), and with the BEASTS of the earth (Mad Cow, Monkey Pox, West Nile Virus, Sars, Ebola, Coronavirus).”  (Revelation 6:8)
      For a very long time Bible scholars were unable to understand this verse.  Everyone had serious questions about beasts being a source of so many people dying.  When S.A.R.S. struck the world with a vengeance a few years ago, the meaning of the Scripture became very evident.  St. John's prophecy became absolutely clear!
          CONVENTIONAL WISDOM WAS WRONG!
     The prevalent thought was that when famine came, the wild beasts from the forests would enter the cities and towns and kill people for food.  Some translations of Revelation 6:8 placed the words 'wild beasts' in their study notes.      
     Now we know how wrong that interpretation was!  God's Word is absolutely perfect!  As a Minister of the Gospel who has studied the Holy Bible Scriptures for over 50 years, I believe this to be pre-Tribulation more and more, as the truth in revealed through events that happen round about us.
     In my research, I found that SARS, Lyme Disease, Foot & Mouth disease, Mad Cow disease, Hanta virus, Monkey pox, Ebola virus, Aids, West Nile Fever and Coronavirus are diseases that have all come from animals (beasts) or rodents and insects (pests).  
     Jesus warned:  "For nation shall rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom: and there shall be famines, and Pestilences, and earthquakes, in divers places." (Matthew 24:7).
     Rob Stein wrote: "It happens again and again.  Strange and frightening new infections seem to appear out of nowhere, such as Lyme disease, Ebola and of course, AIDS.  With Monkeypox coming on the heels of Sars, which emerged not long after West Nile, it is a phenomenon that seems to be happening at an accelerating rate. Scientists agree that the trend is alarming and appears to be gathering speed.  In the coming years, they say, dangerous new pathogens emerging."
               WE ARE SURROUNDED BY DEATH!
      The world has become uncertain and fearful. We are surrounded by death and destruction. The Bible states that, "the whole world lieth in wickedness."  (1 John 5:19); "And the world passeth away and the lust thereof, but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever." (1 John 2:15-18)
       Not only they, but ourselves also, which have the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, that is to say, the redemption of our body. St. Paul states that when this life is over, we will be resurrected and a glorified body! (Romans 8:14-28)
       Satan is hard at work and his corrupting influence is present everywhere. Satan’s filth and stench can be seen, heard and felt across the world.  His evil, unholy and corrupting influence is everywhere present in homes, communities and nations, as well as in academia, the government, commerce, judicial systems and in the church.
     The truth is that the whole world lies in wickedness and Satan is the "prince of the power of the air."  Satan is the author of the "spirit of disobedience" that pervades society today.  This spirit of disobedience is affecting millions of people across the earth. (Ephesians 2:2; 5:6, Colossians 3:6)    
      Even though we as Christians are filled with the Holy Spirit and have fellowship with Jesus and each other, we live in a flesh and blood body.  We are constantly being bombarded with temptations.  We have Christ's promise of divine healing, but we are still subject to ageing and death.
      St. Paul states that we groan inwardly because of our limitations and desire to be clothed with a glorified body, knowing that one day we will be changed and receive a glorified body similar to Christ's. 
                          WHEN HE SHALL APPEAR! 
     The Bible says: "Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God: therefore, the world knoweth us not, because it knew Him not."
     "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is."  (1 John 3:1-2).
     Death and corruption have been present on this earth and in the cosmos since the terrible 'fall of man' in the Garden of Eden.  Everything is subject to the 'Second Law of Thermodynamics' - that of ageing, deteriorating and corruption. 
    There is no escaping it.  Everyone that is born dies eventually and will go back to the dust of the earth.  All great men and their empires, small or great will deteriorate and go to ruin.  The universe is running out of steam and Bible Prophecy is being fulfilled and will continue to be fulfilled as time goes on.
     JESUS demanded: “…Whosever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for My sake and the gospel’s the same shall save it.
    “For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of Me and of My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him also shall the Son of Man be ashamed, when He cometh in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (Mark 8: 34–38).
      Christ’s Victory and Satan’s Defeat is our Liberty for time and eternity! Amen.
     Dear Friend:  Please write with your prayer requests.  We will pray for you and I will write you back!  When you write, please ask for a free prayer cloth over which we have prayed with faith in Jesus' Name, for your deliverance and salvation.  - Pastor Max Solbrekken

Wednesday, March 18, 2020

              A CRITIQUE OF THE SCRIPTURES
REGARDING DIVINE HEALING
                           By Pastor Max Solbrekken, D.D.
     Does God still heal the sick in answer to the prayer of faith, as promised in the Holy Bible? Do signs, wonders and miracles still follow the preaching of God's Word as they did following Pentecost? Are the heathen still awakened to belief in Jesus Christ as Lord and Saviour when they behold miracles of divine deliverance in His name, as happened in St. Paul's ministry?
     Do unclean spirits still cry out in fear when driven from their captives as the blood of Jesus Christ is applied, as happened in Samaria through the ministry of Philip? Do sinners still weep their way into the Kingdom of God as the Gospel of Christ is proclaimed with unction and power, as under the preaching of St. Peter?
     Is the Holy Spirit still alive and operating in the Body of Christ today, as is promised in First Corinthians 12: 1-11? Does the blessed Holy Spirit still lead, guide and direct the activities of the Church as He did at Ephesus?
    Is Jesus Christ still obeyed and worshipped as the Head of the Church as He was by St. John on the Isle of Patmos? Does His Church obey Him and worship Him as did Thomas after seeing the resurrected Christ?
                  SCRIPTURES ARE STILL VIABLE!
     In this apologetic, I will prove that the Holy Scriptures are reliable and viable today! And that God is unchanged and His Word immutable as always!
   He is eternal, the same yesterday, today and forever! He is still approachable and always keeps His Word, regardless of what detractors and enemies of the Gospel might say!
     The Holy Scripture is the only reliable and trustworthy source we have because they are the lively oracles of God, written with His finger and spoken by His mouth, given through His Son Jesus Christ and by the Holy Spirit to His Prophets and Apostles!
      The BIBLE states: "God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets, hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds.
     "Who being the brightness of His glory, and the express image of His person, and upholding all things by the Word of His Power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High." (Heb.1: 1-3)
      St. Peter said: "Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the Scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost." (2 Peter 1: 20, 21)
     St. Paul stated: "All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good work." (2 Timothy 3: 16, 17).
           THE LAW OF THE LORD IS PERFECT!
    King David stated: "The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul: the testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether." (Psalms 19: 7-9)
   The CREATION praises Almighty God and testifies to His amazing, magnanimous work. The heavenly bodies shout out His might, power and creative Genius. Again, His Word declares:
    "The heavens declare the glory of God and the firmament showeth His handiwork. Day unto day uttereth SPEECH, and night unto night showeth Knowledge. There is no speech nor language, where their VOICE is not heard." (Psalms 19: 1-3)
     Presenting Christ to the Pagan, St. Paul stated: "Nevertheless He left not Himself without witness, in that He did good, and gave us rain from Heaven, and fruitful season, filling our hearts with food and gladness." (Acts 14:17)
     The Bible states: "For ever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in Heaven. Thy faithfulness is unto all generations: Thou hast established the earth and it abides. They continue this day according to Thy ordinances: for all are Thy servants." (Psalms 119: 89-91)
            GOD CANNOT CHANGE, LIE OR FAIL!
    It is impossible for God to change, lie, fail or make a mistake! He is Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent, Eternal and Immutable, meaning that our Heavenly Father is all powerful, all knowing, everywhere present at once, everlasting and unchangeable!
      God's Word, therefore, cannot change, mislead or fail: God is not a man that He should Lie; neither the son of man, that He should repent (change): Hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good?” (Num. 23:19).
     “For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it; He created it not in vain; He formed it to be inhabited: I am the Lord; and there is none else.
      “…Who hath declared this from ancient time? Who hath told it from that time? Have not I the Lord? And there is no God else beside Me; a just God and a Saviour; and there is none beside Me. Look unto Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God and there is none else.
     “I have sworn by Myself, the Word is gone out of My mouth in righteousness, and shall not return, That unto Me every knee shall bow, every tongue shall swear.” (Is.45: 18, 21-23)
     “Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like Me. Declaring the END from the BEGINNING, and from ancient times, the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand and I will do all My pleasure.” (Is.46: 9,10)
     Who could possibly tell the End from the Beginning? NO-ONE! Historians have a difficult time to get their facts straight from the past until the present, yet God knows the Future and wrote the History, ages before it happened. Although much of the Bible is history, there is a large part that is prophetic and we know that it is precise and perfect. 
    Not one word of all His prophetic utterances has failed! Any honest sceptic that reads the Bible and studies the prophecies about Jesus of Nazareth the Jewish Messiah and Saviour of the world, would fall on his face in tears asking for His mercy and forgiveness!
     His Word is TRUE: “Every Word of God is PURE: He is a shield unto them that put their trust in Him. Add NOT thou unto His Words, lest He reprove thee, and thou be found a LIAR.” (Prov.30: 5,6)
    Our Lord declared: "Sanctify them through Thy Truth: Thy Word is Truth." (John 17: 17); “In hope of Eternal Life, which God, that cannot lie promised before the world began.” (Titus 1:2)
                  IMMUTABILITY OF HIS COUNSEL!
     “Wherein God, willing more abundantly to show unto the heirs of promise the IMMUTABILITY of His Counsel, confirmed it by an oath: that by two immutable things in which it was IMPOSSIBLE for God to LIE, we might have a strong consolation who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us.” (Heb.6:17, 18)
     The Holy BIBLE says: "The grass withers, the flower fadeth: but the Word of our God standeth forever." (Isaiah 40: 8); "But the Word of the Lord abides forever. And this is the Word which by the Gospel is preached unto you." (1 Peter 1: 25)
     Moses said: "Know therefore, that the Lord Thy God, He is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keep His commandments to a thousand generations." (Deut.7: 9)
    St. Paul stated: “…If we believe not, yet He abides faithful: He cannot deny Himself. Nevertheless, the foundation of God standeth SURE, having this seal, the Lord knoweth them that are His, and let everyone that names the name of Christ, depart from iniquity." (2 Tim.2:12,13).
     God's Word is steadfast and true! He promised: “So shall My Word be that goeth forth out of My mouth: it shall not return unto Me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” (Is. 55:11)
     Jesus Christ said: “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall Not pass away.” (Matt. 24:35). What did our Lord and Saviour mean?        He meant what He said! He never exaggerated or deceived anyone. You cannot fault His prophecies, which have come to pass exactly as He said; while others are still being fulfilled on a daily basis as I write these words!
              JESUS BELIEVED THE SCRIPTURES!
      There are hundreds of reasons why I believe the Bible to be the inspired, authoritative and infallible Word of God. The premier reason, however, that I know the Bible is God’s holy and inerrant Word, is that Jesus of Nazareth believed the Old Testament Scriptures and lived by them.
      He died and rose again according to the Law of Moses, the Prophets and the Psalms! And He will return according to the Holy Scriptures!
     Our Lord declared: “Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy but to fulfill. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass from the law, till all be fulfilled.” (Matt.5: 17, 18)
     In His discussions with the scribes and Pharisees He referred back to the Holy Scriptures: “Have you not read, that He which made them at the beginning made them male and female…” (Matt.19: 4); “Have ye not read so much as this, what David did when himself as an hungered, and they which were with him…” (Luke 6: 3); “He said unto them, What is written in the law? How readest thou?” (Luke 10: 26); “Is it not written in your law….” (John 10: 34)
     JESUS also used the Scriptures in defeating Satan during His Wilderness Temptation: “It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every Word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.” (Matt.4: 4); “It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.” (Matt.4: 7); “Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and Him only shalt thou serve.” (Matt.4: 10)
     Our LORD referred to Adam and Eve (Mark 10: 6-9), Moses (John 5: 46), Jonah (Matt.12: 40), Sodom and Gomorrah (Matt.10: 15); Noah (Matt.24: 37) and David (Matt.22: 43).
     Jesus of Nazareth believed that the Old Testament Scriptures are inspired (Matt.22: 43), authoritative (Matt.4: 4, 7, 10) and infallible (John 10: 35). And that, I repeat, is the premier reason I believe the Holy Word of God is true!
                    FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST!
     I have no faith in modern-day theologians because they are mere men who often take Scriptures out of context to prove their own secretly held doctrine and belief system. Some are swayed by secular-minded theologians with an anti-miracle bent. I have perfect confidence and faith in Jesus Christ, True God from Eternity and True Man through His Virgin Birth!
     St. Paul's commentary on Jesus states: “Who being the brightness of His glory, and the Express image of His Person, and upholding all things by the Word of His Power, when He had by Himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on High.
     “Being made so much better than the angels, as He hath by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For unto which of the angels said He at any time, Thou art My Son, this day have I begotten thee? And again, I will be to Him a Father, and He shall be to Me a Son?
      “And again, when He bringeth the first begotten into the world, He sayeth: And let all the angels worship Him. But of the Son He sayeth, Thy Throne O God is forever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the sceptre of Thy Kingdom.
     “And Thou, Lord, in the beginning hast laid the foundation of the earth; and the heavens are the works of Thine hands: They shall perish: but Thou remainest; and they all wax old as doth a garment; And as a vesture shall Thou fold the up, and they shall be changed, but Thou art the same, and Thy years shall not fail.” (Heb.1: 3-12).
                   HEALING IN THE ATONEMENT!
     To understand the importance God Almighty has placed on the Doctrine of Divine Healing we have to study the Atonement in the Word of God! The Book of Isaiah is considered the Gospel of the Old Testament and the 53rd Chapter as defining the Atonement.
     “Surely He hath borne our sicknesses (heb. makob) and carried our pains (heb. nasa): yet we did esteem Him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are Healed.” (Is.53: 4,5)
      Here is the three-fold healing that our Heavenly Father has provided for His people. He was wounded for our transgressions, promises healing for our spirit; the forgiveness of sin. The chastisement of our peace provides healing for our soul, peace for our mind. With His stripes we are healed provides healing for our body!
    ST. MATHEW clearly shows us that divine healing for our bodies was included with the forgiveness of sins for our spirit, and peace for our soul and mind:
     “When the even was come, they brought unto Him many that were possessed of devils: and He cast out the spirits with His Word, and healed all that were sick: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.” (Matt. 8; 16, 17)
     Jesus took upon Himself our weaknesses (infirmities) and bare in His body our sicknesses (diseases). The words took and bare imply substitution and that is what Jesus did for us and the entire world of sinful, sick and suffering mankind!
     As our SUBSTITUTE, Jesus of Nazareth took upon Himself our infirmities, and carried our sicknesses to Pilate's Judgment Hall where He was scourged, and then to the Cross on Mount Calvary where He poured out His Blood to atone for our sins!
     St. Peter confirms: “Who, when he was reviled, reviled not again; when He suffered, He threatened not; but committed Himself to Him that judgeth righteously: Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness, by stripes ye were Healed.” (1 Peter 2: 24)
     The Holy Bible is its own best commentator! Why did Jesus Christ spend two-thirds of His time healing the sick and casting out evil spirits and only one-third of His time teaching and preaching? Some theologians try to skirt the issue by saying that His miracles were performed only to prove that He was the Son of God. That, of course is a foolish statement!
       HEALING FULFILLS GOD'S WORD!
      How many miracles did He need to prove that? Seven, twelve, a hundred? He healed multitudes, meaning thousands upon thousands! He healed them all. There is not a single Scripture saying that He turned anyone away!
      The Scripture teaches that Jesus healed the SICK to fulfill the Word of God and the prophecy of the Messiah: “Lo, I come to do Thy will. O God.” (Heb. 10:7)
     “And there was delivered unto Him the book of the prophet Esaias. And when He had opened the book, He found the place where it was written, The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the Gospel to the poor; He hath sent Me to HEAL the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised.” (Luke 4: 17, 18)
    St. John stated: “And many other signs truly did Jesus in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through His name.” (John 20: 30,31)
     “And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written everyone, I suppose that even the whole world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen.” (John 21: 25)
      St. John believed that all the libraries in the world would not have room for the books which could be written of His mighty works! Here is a list of a few of the miracles of healing Jesus of Nazareth performed on the sick, suffering and tormented people to whom He ministered!
     “And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing all manner of sickness and and all manner of disease among the people.
     "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 lunatic and those that had the palsy; and He healed them.” (Matt.4: 23-24)
     St. Luke reported: “Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them, and healed them. And devils also came out of many, crying and saying, Thou art the Christ the Son of the Living God. And He rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that He was Christ.” (Luke 4: 40, 41)
      St.Peter states: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and power: Who went about doing good and Healing ALL that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him.” (Acts 10: 38)
                JESUS MOVED WITH COMPASSION!
    The Bible states that Jesus healed the sick and suffering because He was moved with compassion on them. His heart of LOVE and COMPASSION reached out to the people who were hurting, and He healed them all!
     “And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
     “But when He saw the multitudes, He was moved with COMPASSION on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.” (Matt.9 35-3). “And Jesus went forth, and saw a multitude, and was moved with COMPASSION toward them and He healed the sick.” (Matt.14:14)
     Again, the Holy Scripture tells of Him healing multitudes of sick, diseased and infirm people: “And when they were gone over, they came to the country of Gennesaret. And when the men of that place had knowledge of Him, they sent out into all that country round about, and brought unto Him all that were diseased; and besought Him that He would only touch the hem of His garment: and as many as TOUCHED were made perfectly whole.” (Matt.14: 35,36)
   CHRIST: CONSECRATED FOR EVERMORE!
     Jesus of Nazareth was deathless until He willingly laid down His life as God's Pascal Lamb and took our sins and sicknesses upon Himself. He remained SINLESS through His conception, birth, life, death, resurrection and ascension! Hallelujah!
      The Bible states: “By so much was Jesus made a surety (guarantee) of a better testament. And they truly were many priests, because they were not suffered to continue by reason of death: but This Man, because He continueth Ever hath an unchangeable priesthood.
      “Wherefore He is ABLE also to SAVE them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them. For such an High Priest became us, Who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
      “Who needeth not daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifice, first for his own sins, and then for the people's: for this He did ONCE, when He offered up Himself ... the  SON, Who is consecrated for evermore.
      “...We have such a high priest, Who is set on the right hand of the throne. A Minister of the Sanctuary, and of the True Tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, and not man.” (Heb. 7: 21-28, 8: 1,2)
              CHRIST THE HIGH PRIEST!
   1. Christ was sinless in His conception and in His birth. He was conceived by the Blessed Holy Spirit and born of a chaste virgin. The Heavenly Father dispatched the Archangel Gabriel to inform her that she was chosen to bear the Christ Child.
    2. Christ was sinless in His life. He challenged the elders and doctors of the law to convict Him of any sin. They could not! The Roman Governor who examined and questioned Him repeatedly said to His accusers, “I find no fault in Him. And God Almighty our Heavenly Father, spoke at His baptism and on the mount during His transfiguration: “This My beloved Son in Whom I am well pleased.” (Matt.3: 17; 17: 5)
     3. Christ was sinless in His death. He gave His precious life for the sins of the world. He died vicariously for us as God's pascal Lamb. The Passover lamb had to be perfect in all respects. There could be blemish in it.
   Jesus of Nazareth was God the Son from Eternity and was incarnated (God in human flesh) so that He die for the sins of the world and rise again in power for our justification. (Rom.4: 25)
     If there would have been any sin in Him, He would not have been able to rise from the dead, because the Bible says: “The soul that sinneth shall die.” (Ezek 18: 20); “The wages of sin is death...” (Rom.6:23). He would have been held there until the Great Judgment Day, but because He was SINLESS, He conqoured death, hades and the grave! (Phil. 2: 5-11)
     The Bible states that Jesus Christ is our Passover: “Behold the Lamb of God Who taketh away the sins of the world.” (1 John 1:29); “For even Christ our Passover is sacrificed for us.” (1 Cor. 7: 7)
     Jesus of Nazareth died on the 14th of Abib, AD 33 (possibly AD 29). At precisely 9:00 AM (third hour) Israel's High Priest tied the Passover lamb to the horns of the Altar in the temple.
     At that same hour, outside the City walls of Jerusalem, God's Pascal Lamb Jesus of Nazareth was nailed to a Roman Cross on Golgotha.
    For six long hours God's Pascal Lamb suffered the untold agonizing and unspeakable death of crucifixion. At NOON, darkness engulfed the entire area, as God the Father transferred the sins of the entire world upon His Son.
     The Prophet declared: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid upon Him the iniquity of us all.” (Is. 53: 6)
     The Bible states: "Surely, He hath borne our sicknesses (heb.makob), and carried our pains (heb.nasa); yet we did esteem Him stricken of God, smitten of our God and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions (in His body), He was bruised for our iniquities (in His body), the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and with His stripes we are healed." (Is.53: 4,5)
  BY HIS BLOODY STRIPES WE ARE HEALED!
    “Who His own SELF bare our sins in His own BODY on the tree, that we being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness; By whose stripes ye were healed.” (1 Peter 2: 24)
   At 3:00 P.M. Jesus cried: “It is finished”. He spoke in Greek saying: 'Tetelestai', taken from the verb 'teleo' which has three essential meanings: 'It is finished; It is fulfilled; It is paid.” 
     “And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And when Jesus had cried out with a loud voice, He said, Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit: and having said thus, He gave up the ghost.” (Luke 23: 46)
   Immediately, His Spirit went to Abraham's bosom awaiting His resurrection from the dead! (Luke 23:43; Luke 16: 22-26)
    The Bible says: “That is, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself, not imputing their sins unto them... for He hath made Him to be sin (sin offering) Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Cor.5: 19, 21)
     Although God had to judge His Son in our place, the Holy Spirit was in Jesus Christ, reconciling the world unto Himself. When Jesus died, He guarded His body, protecting His blood from degradation. (John 16: 32)
    At that 3:00 PM Israel's High Priest ascended the steps to the altar in the Temple and sacrificed the Passover Lamb!
     An earthquake shook both the Temple and Mount Golgotha. Rocks were rent, the ground moved and the Temple's Veil that separated the Holy Place from the Holy of Holies was TORN in two from top to the bottom, letting everyone know that God had left the Temple!
      Only Jesus Christ was qualified to be God's Passover Lamb and rise from the dead in power and glory to forever be our Heavenly High Priest!
    4. Christ was sinless in His resurrection & ascension. If He were not sinless, He would not have been able to rise from the dead. If there was even a scintilla of sin within Him, death would have held Him fast. He was entirely pure and righteous, having never sinned. He was God the Son from eternity, co-equal with the Father and the Holy Spirit.
     He came to earth as the long-awaited Jewish Messiah, the God-man. Through His incarnation, Jesus Christ took upon Himself human flesh, was begotten of the Holy Spirit and born of the virgin Mary, without sin. A special body was made for our Saviour:
    The Bible says: “Wherefore when He cometh into the world, He saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a BODY Thou has prepared for Me.” (Heb.10: 5). The Septuagint version of the O.T. which is older than most Hebrew versions uses the word “body”. It makes the same statement in Psalms 40:7 as St. Paul used in Hebrews!
     Jesus Christ was raised from the dead by God the Father. (Rom.10: 9; 1 Peter 1: 21; Gal.1: 1; Eph1: 17, 20). The Scripture also states the Holy Spirit raised Jesus Christ from the dead (Rom. 8:11). And Jesus Himself stated: “Destroy this temple and in three days I will raise it again. This He spoke of His body.” (John 2: 19)
     “Therefore doth My Father love Me, because I lay down My life, that I might take it again. No man taketh it from Me, but I lay it down of Myself. I have power to lay it down and I have power to take it up again. This commandment have I received of My Father.” (John 10: 17, 18).
     Jesus of Nazareth was sinless and raised Himself from the dead, together with His Father and the Holy Spirit in a united action, as the Triune God!
     5. Christ is sinless for ever and ever. He is our Heavenly High Priest. The Bible states: For such an High Priest make us, Who is Holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and made higher than the heavens;
     He was the perfect Sacrifice. He is the perfect Mercy Seat. He is the perfect High Priest. He is HOLY. He is Harmless. He is Undefiled. He is Separate from sinners. He is made Higher than the heavens. Jesus Christ is God! Jesus said: “Come unto Me all ye who labour and are heavy laden and I will give you life.” (Matt. 11: 28)
     “Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a PROPITIATION (satisfaction, expiationthrough faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness for the remission of sins that are passed, through the forbearance of God.” (Rom. 3:24, 25; 1 John 2:2; Heb. 9:5)
                 THE AMAZING HEALING POWER!
     God's Word has an amazing Healing Power! There is Divine Healing in the shed Blood of Jesus Christ. There is Healing Power in the precious name of Jesus Christ! And there is Healing Power through the baptism of the Holy Ghost!
      That God is a HEALER is no secret. That His WORD has amazing Saving, Healing and Creative power is well known. But, that His power to save, heal and deliver is readily available at absolutely no cost, except total consecration to Christ, is not widely known!
      Most people believe that there are strings attached, a price to pay, good works to do, a guru to follow, and that God favours only a few! Divine Healing is a Gift from God to those who are fearful, hurting, sick and diseased. And He offers it freely through the death and resurrection of His Son Jesus Christ, through Whom He defeated sin, fear, sickness, death and the Devil!
     The Bible states emphatically: “For this purpose the Son of God was manifested that He might destroy the works of the devil, for God was with Him.” (1 John 3: 8)
     “For as much then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself took part of the same; that through Death He might Destroy him that had the power of death, that is the Devil: And Delier them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.” (Heb.2: 14, 15)
     The first question we must address is: “What are the works of the devil?” And the answer lies in the Ministry of Jesus Christ. What did He Do? He came to seek and to save them that were lost! He was filled with compassion upon the lost, fearful, poor, sick and tormented! He preached the Gospel, forgave the sinful, healed the sick, cast out evil spirits and even raised the dead!
                   THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL!
     After more than fifty years in Christ's Ministry declaring His Gospel across the world, conclude that the Works of the Devil are five-fold: Sin, Fear, Sickness, Disease and Death, Poverty and Demons!
     Jesus forgave Sinners when they repented and sought forgiveness. He delivered people who were filled with Fear by giving them His peace. He healed the sick and diseased, and He raised the dead.
      He helped the poor by multiplying the loaves and fishes. He raised a young man back to life so that he could look after his widowed mother. And He cast out multitudes of demons and unclean spirits from those who were bound!
      The works of Jesus were discussed openly and rumours came the ears of John the Baptist, who was in prison. Doubts had crept into his heart and he needed reassurance, so he dispatched two of his disciples to Jesus.
      “When the men were come unto Him, they said, John Baptist hath sent us unto Thee, saying, Art Thou He that should come or look we for another? And in the same hour He cured many of their infirmities and plagues and of evil spirits; and unto many that were blind He gave sight.
                   GO YOUR WAY AND TELL JOHN!
      Then JESUS answering said unto them, Go your way and tell John what things ye have seen and heard; how that the blind see, the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised, to the poor the gospel is preached. And blessed is he that is not offended in Me.” Luke 7: 20-23)
     If divine healing, miracles and deliverance done in Jesus’ Name by the Blessed Holy Spirit offend you, my preacher friend, you need to have a talk with Jesus or leave the ministry! Get used to it. Christ’s Ministry is one of supernatural gifts of the Holy Spirit which delivers people from the power of darkness and the works of the Devil. Period!
       For those who are skeptical about the validity and reality of the Ministry of Healing and Deliverance, it might be worth your while to reread Christ's answer to John the Baptist! Jesus stood up in the synagogue in Nazareth and read from Isaiah the Prophet, declaring Himself the Messiah of Israel:
      “The Spirit of the Lord is upon Me, because He hath anointed Me to preach the gospel to the poor, He hath sent Me to heal the broken hearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering sight to the blind, to set at liberty to them that are bruised. To preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Luke 4: 18, 19)
     Jesus Christ was laying out the standard that He wanted His Church to uphold. He is the Head of the Church and He is a Miracle Worker! He proved that by healing ALL who came to him. He didn't turn away anyone. He met and Defeated the devil in His great temptation during forty days of fasting and prayer.
      After our Lord's victorious wilderness Temptation, He returned in the Holy Spirit's Power and began ministering in their synagogues, where He encountered sick and suffering people, as well as those who were demon possessed.
      “And they were astonished at His doctrine: for He taught them as one that had authority, and not as the scribes. And there was in their synagogue one with an unclean spirit; and he cried out, saying, Let us alone; what have we to do with Thee, Thou Jesus of Nazareth? Art Thou come to destroy us. I know Thee who Thou art, the Holy One of God. And Jesus rebuked him, saying, Hold thy peace and come out of him.
             JESUS' DOCTRINE OF AUTHORITY!
    “And they were all amazed, insomuch that they questioned among themselves, saying, What thing is this? What new doctrine is this? for with authority commandeth He even the unclean spirits, and they do obey Him.” (Mark 1: 22-27)
     Why would the Church want to go back to the old doctrine of the scribes? Jesus set the agenda for His Church to have Power and Authority over the Enemy; Power and authority over sin, fear, sickness, disease and Satan!
     Reading these marvellous Words from the Holy Bible makes a true servant of God desire to have more of God's power and authority over the Devil and his evil works; not less!
     It is almost bizarre to hear preachers and theologians twist the Scriptures and represent God in such a low light as if He has regressed and placed the Church into something less than what He started on the Day of Pentecost. And less than His own New Doctrine and that of His primitive Church!
      I believe that those born again believers whose pastors reject the Full Gospel and reject Christ's Original Command to the Church, would do well to read His injunction to the scribes:
      “And He said unto them, Full well ye reject the commandments of God, that ye may keep your own tradition.” (Mark 7:9); “Ye do err, not knowing the Scriptures, nor the power of God.” (Matt. 22:29). St. Paul commands: “Having a form of godliness but denying the power thereof: from such turn away.” (2 Tim. 3: 5)
                    OUR LORD'S GREAT COMMISSION!
   We call it, 'The Great Commission' and it certainly is that! After His resurrection, our Lord was not satisfied with the unbelief He found among His disciples. Here is what the Head of His Church stated:
    “Afterward He appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat and upbraided them with their UNBELIEF and HARDNESS of heart, because they believed not them which had seen Him after He was risen. And He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel unto every creature.
    “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In My name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay their hands on the sick and they shall recover.
     “So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, He was received up into Heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, and confirming the Word with signs following. Amen.” (Mark 16: 14- 20)
       How can anyone dispute Christ's Will in healing the Sick today as He did during His earthly Ministry and through His apostles, disciples and the Early Church in general. He issued a Command and He made a Promise, to be with them until the end of the world. He kept His Word and He is still keeping His promise, which is good UNTIL the END of the age!
      “And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power in given unto Me in Heaven and in Earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the NAME of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.
   “Teaching them to observe all things (includes healing) I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway (the entire distance), even until the END of the world (age).” (Matt.28: 18-20)
“...For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” (Heb. 13: 5). Jesus used a double imperative here, saying: “I will never, no never leave thee. I will never, no never forsake thee.”
                 THE GIFT OF THE HOLY SPIRIT!
      He also promised to send His blessed Holy Spirit to empower them and He did! He kept His Word then and He keeps His Word today. He said: “Nevertheless, I tell you the truth; it is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter (Holy Spirit) will not come unto you; but if I depart, I will send Him unto you.
  “And in that day, ye shall ask Me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in My name: Ask and ye shall receive, that you joy may be full. At that day, ye shall ask in My Name: and I say not unto you, that I will pray the Father for you. For the Father Himself loveth you, because ye have loved Me, and have believed that I came out from God.” (John 16: 23, 24, 26, 27)
     “And behold, I send the promise of My Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on High.” (Luke 24: 49); “But ye shall receive POWER, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you and ye shall be witnesses unto Me...and unto the uttermost part of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)
     They went forth and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them, confirming His Word with Signs following! He backed up what He had promised.
     Let us not forget that He is the same Yesterday, Today and Forever. (Heb. 13:8). And that, “God is not a man that He should lie, neither the Son of man that He should repent (change His mind): hath He said, and shall He not do it? Or hath He spoken, and shall He not make it good.” (Numbers 23: 19)
      St. James wrote to the Church: “Is any sick among you? Let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord: And the prayer of faith shall save the SICK, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.” (James 5: 14, 15)
       ELDERS MUST PRAY FOR THE SICK!
     St. James was so concerned for sick and diseased persons who were unable to get to Church for the healing prayer, that he issued a call for elders to be ready to answer any call and visited those persons to administer the Prayer of Faith for their healing.
      Oil, which is a symbol of the Holy Spirit, was used in conjunction with the prayer of faith which is a believing prayer. St. James’ letter was sent to all the Churches so that all might be able to take advantage of this great gift to the church from our Lord.
      In his 'Notes on the New Testament' JOHN WESLEY wrote: On James 5:24 says: “Having anointed him with oil - This singular conspicuous gift, which Christ committed to His apostles (Mark 6:13) remained in the church long after the miraculous gift ceased. It seems to have been designed to remain always, and St. James directs the elders, who were the most gifted men, to administer it. This was the whole process of physics in the Christian Church, till it was lost through unbelief.”
      Dr. A.B. SIMPSON stated: “We believe that God is healing before any evidence is given. It is to be believed as a present reality and then ventured on. We are to act as if it were already done.”
      You may ask: “Why would Dr. Simpson advocate faith contrary to sense knowledge?” Naturally, because he trusted in the highest authority, the Words of Jesus – the Holy Scriptures, rather than in the realm of feelings or natural senses!
     DR. A.J. GORDON in the 'Ministry of Healing' wrote: “But now comes a very suggestive fact; that wherever we find a revival of primitive faith and apostolic simplicity, there we find a profession of the chaste and evangelical miracles which characterized the Apostolic Age. These attend the cradle of every spiritual reformation as did the birth of the Church itself. Waldenses, Moravians, Hugenots, Coveranters, Friends, Baptists and Methodists, all have their record of them.” - pp. 64, 65)
     R. KELSA CARTER wrote: “On James 5: 14-16: In order to this, he must feel that other are of more importance to God than himself, and also be willing to confess his desire, his helplessness and his faith to God. Ah, confession is ever necessary. We must honour Jesus before men. Having thus prostrated Self and confessed his belief, he is to be anointed with oil in the name of the Lord. - Faith Cure Movement (circa 1899 A.D.)
     DR. CHAUNCY CRANDALL, M.D. writes: “Miracles are not about who we are or what we deserve. They are about how God sees us and what God wants for us. I believe completely in supernatural healing and I'm clear about God being the healer, not me.” - 'Raising the Dead'
     DR. ORAL ROBERTS writes: “Jesus gave His disciples power. This is an impartation of power that is against something – against the sin in your life, against the sickness in your body, against any evil spirit or fear that torment your mind or spirit. This is the power that is given to a man who has Christ. It is not a power we possess by ourselves or within ourselves. It is not resident within the individual. This power is in every person who has Christ, but it is in an accelerated form in a Minister of the Gospel who is fully committed to Him.
“Sickness is torment: it is the devil's oppression. It is a frontal attack of Satan against the Kingdom of Heaven. Really, Satan isn't striking at you or me. He is striking against God. But Christ, in His power, comes to deliver us. Healing is God's counter- attack against Satan.” - Commentary on Matthew
                 ----MORE TO FOLLOW  m.s.