“…realize this, that in the last days DIFFICULT TIMES WILL COME. For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money…lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to a form of godliness, although THEY HAVE DENIED ITS POWER…” (2 Tim. 3:1-5)
Divine healing is the result of the “stripes” Jesus suffered: “…by His stripes we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5), where a person is miraculously healed physically and/or delivered from emotional, mental, or spiritual affliction. When Jesus walked on this earth He demonstrated divine healing everywhere he went except for: “He came to His hometown and…He did not do many miracles there because of their unbelief.” (Matt. 13:54, 58).
The greatest revival of all time took place after the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit filled each one present and they went out and shared the good news and performed miraculous miracles. All who came with sickness were healed and people by the thousands were being saved and added to the church.
“…more and more men and women believed in the Lord and were added to their number. As a result, people brought the sick into the streets and laid them on beds and mats so that at least Peter’s shadow might fall on some of them as he passed by…and ALL OF THEM WERE HEALED.” (Acts 5:14-16) Why did this happen? They were obeying the Lord’s instructions:
“As you go, proclaim this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come, HEAL THE SICK, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received; FREELY GIVE.” (Matt. 10:7-8)
When someone looks “godly” but denies the “POWER OF GOD”, we know something’s not right.
“Therefore, since we have these promises, dear friends, let us PURIFY OURSELVES from everything that CONTAMINATES body and SPIRIT, PERFECTING HOLINESS out of reverence for God.” (2 Corin. 7:1)
THE BIBLICAL FACT IS THAT: BY HIS STRIPES WE ARE HEALED!
-Bill Stockham