This diabolical counterfeit has caused the world to sneer at God’s true healing power!
A good friend of mine had spoken much of a famous “healer” prevalent in the 1950s. He soon became one of the major “healing” evangelists on the healing revival circuit, much like Jack Coe, and William Branham. My friend, when he was young, had been taken by his devout mother to many of these tent revivals. And he truly believed that this man could heal. You can still find a great many of his “healing” gatherings on YouTube.
“Paralyzed Man Walks Out Of Wheelchair” is one among several. He was charismatic, entertaining, and was a great showman.
A well-dressed usher rolls the wheelchaired man in front of the stage.
“Here’s a man bound with arthritis and paralyzed and dead from the waist down. Absolutely impossible to walk. Doctors say there is no help for him! That he’ll NEVER walk again!”
“Do you believe you’ll walk again?” the showman asks the man in the wheelchair.
“Yes,” the man replied.
He then asks, “When?”
“Right now!’ the man exclaimed!
The crowd goes wild with shouts and clapping.
“I’m gonna speak the word. To him, I’m gonna speak the word for you here. And, I’m gonna speak the word for you in your home – and you in your home, and you there in your home! My God is gonna move the mountain!”
Speaking again to the wheelchaired man, “Brother, you got a mountain. Yes?”
“Yes,” he replied. “I have a mountain.”
“Do you wanna walk again?” the showman asks.
“Yes,” he answers.
Again, the showman asks, “Do you wanna walk again?”
“Yes.”
“Do you believe you will tonight?”
“Yes. I believe.”
“But you know you can’t unless God heals you,” this showman states.
“That’s right.”
The crescendo begins ── “Get ready. This is a mountain.”
The showman raises his hands to those on stage, “Stand with me, brethren. Pray with me. Get ready.”
Again, he calls the wheelchaired man a mountain ── of arthritis.
The showman then lifts the footplates out of the way of the man’s feet, turns to the audience, and asks, “Will he walk?”
The audience screams, “Yes!”
He asks, “Will you walk!?”
The audience screams, “Yes!”
He asks, “Will your cancer drop off?”
The audience screams, “Yes!”
He asks, “Will God set you free?”
The audience again screams, “Yes!”
── “Get ready.”
Announcing to the audience, “What God will do for one, He’ll do for everyone! And if God will not do it for everyone, He’ll not do it for anyone!
The wheelchaired man sitting in his wheelchair, supposedly “paralyzed and dead from the waist down” was moving his feet in anticipation.
And then the showman reaches the climactic moment ──
“O’ you foul devil! Well… it’s a mountain. I’m so used to calling things devils. But, this is a demon. But, I’m calling it a mountain. Now, Jesus don’t You fail me. God, there are too many people watching tonight. You can’t fail me.”
Pointing at the wheelchaired man, he begins his “exorcism.”
“Foul mountain of helplessness. Foul mountain of destruction. Foul mountain of arthritis. FOUL MOUNTAIN OF DEMONIC POWER!”
Kneeling down and grabbing the man’s legs and jerking on them, he continues his show, “Bind these limbs! In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth! You devil, I charge you!”
The crowd is talking among themselves, some are shouting out, “Hallelujah!”
“I command this mountain go. Be thou [garbled word] removed!”
The showman places his hand on the wheelchaired man’s knee, and screams, “AND PLACED INTO THE SEA!”
Then standing, the showman slaps his hand on top of the man’s head and shouts, “O’ you mountain! [garbled words]. Go!”
And the wheelchaired man quickly stands, and takes a few baby steps!
The audience erupts in cheers and clapping!
When this so-called “healing” revival gathering was over ── had there truly been a healing?
The wheelchaired man ── who, we were originally told ── was supposed to have been “paralyzed and dead from the waist down” was moving his feet while sitting in the wheelchair. He had NOT been healed. Even though this man got up out of the wheelchair and walked, we do not know that he had been genuinely healed because we did not have any previous proof that he was actually “paralyzed and dead from the waist down.”
HEALING
The forgiveness of sins
It’s important that we properly understand what healing really is.
HEALING is the FORGIVENESS OF SINS ── physical sins.
“But immediately, when Jesus perceived in His spirit that they reasoned thus within themselves, He said to them, ‘Why do you reason about these things in your hearts? 9) Which is easier, to say to the paralytic, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Arise, take up your bed and walk’? 10) But that you may know that the Son of Man has power on earth TO FORGIVE SINS’ ── He said to the paralytic, 11) ‘I say to you, arise, take up your bed, and go to your house.’” – Mark 2:8-11.
The definition of sin is the transgression of God’s Law – 1 John 3:4.
And indeed, there are two types of laws – physical laws, and spiritual laws.
Also, and sadly this is a truth that apparently so many people around this world don’t understand ── the very penalty of sin is DEATH! – cf. Genesis 2:17; Ezekiel 18:4, 20; Romans 6:23.
Now, the LORD God is telling us that breaking the spiritual Law of God is ETERNAL DEATH from which there will never be a resurrection.
“Then Death and Hades [the grave] were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death.” – Revelation 20:14.
“But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” – Revelation 21:8.
I underlined the word sorcerers because it means so much more than just witches and warlocks – it also encompasses ── “Big Pharma.”
Now, the penalty for breaking God’s physical laws results in pain, suffering, and then ── quite possibly an early first death that passes upon all mankind – Hebrews 9:27.
Q: How is it possible for us to be healed ── to have our physical sins forgiven?
A: When our Lord Jesus Christ came to Earth and suffered horrifically, and died on the cross, pouring out His very life’s blood, He paid the penalty for both our spiritual and physical transgressions.
Through the very blood of Christ, our spiritual and physical sins are forgiven. It is through the terrible scourging and sufferings of our Lord Jesus Christ that our physical sins are pardoned.
Our Lord and Savior Jesus, on our behalf, paid for our physical and our spiritual transgressions. “who HIMSELF bore our sins in His own body on the [cross], that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness ──by those stripes you were healed.”
Our Lord Jesus lived a perfect life. He never once violated God’s spiritual or physical laws. But, He did allow Himself to be beaten and scourged with a Roman flagrum to pay the penalty of sickness and sufferings that our physical sins bring upon us.
Only the LORD God
Can Forgive Sins
To prove to the Pharisees and the scribes that healing was the FORGIVENESS of our physical sins, our Lord Jesus said what we just read in Mark 2:8-11. After our Lord healed another person, He commanded him, “’ See, you have been made well. SIN NO MORE, lest a worse thing come upon you.’” – John 5:14.
Did that charlatan I speak of at the beginning of this article tell that man, “Go, and SIN NO MORE”? I think not. Our Lord Jesus Christ knew and understood that if this man ── who was breaking God’s physical laws for a long time, continued in his physical sins ── something even worse would come upon him. Therefore, He gave him a solemn warning, “’ Sin no more.’”
Since true healing is the FORGIVENESS OF SINS, only the LORD God (the family of God, which at this time consists of God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ) can heal. Only the LORD God can forgive sins! Neither Satan the Devil nor his minions can heal.
Satan the Devil Afflicts
It is interesting to note that even though Satan the Devil and his minions (demons) cannot heal, they can certainly cause afflictions. THEY ARE AFFLICTORS! And they spiritually influence the majority ── either directly or indirectly ── of this world’s sicknesses, diseases, and sufferings. Yet, never will he liberate mankind from these sufferings. Because to do so would be contrary to his twisted and vile character. His nature has become evil and prideful.
In the Book of Job, the LORD God allowed Satan (the Adversary) to afflict the prophet Job, but commanded him to not “lay a hand on his person.”
“Now there was a day when the sons of God [the sons of God, as in the descendants of Seth (Genesis 4:25-26)] came to present themselves before the LORD, and Satan also came among them. 7) And the LORD said to Satan, ‘From where do you come?’ So Satan answered the LORD and said, ‘From going to and fro on the earth, and from walking back and forth on it.’
8) Then the LORD said to Satan, ‘Have you considered My servant Job, that there is none like him on the earth, a blameless and upright man, one who fears God and shuns evil?’ 9) So Satan answered the LORD and said, ‘Does Job fear God for nothing? 10) Have You not made a hedge around him, around his household, and around all that he has on every side? You have blessed the work of his hands, and his possessions have increased in the land. 11) But now, stretch out Your hand and touch all that he has, and he will surely curse You to Your face!’
12) And the LORD said to Satan, ‘Behold, all that he has is in your power; only do not lay a hand on his person.’” – Job 10:6-12.
The apostle Paul wrote concerning an affliction that he was suffering ──
“And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, A THORN IN THE FLESH WAS GIVEN TO ME, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure.” – 2 Corinthians 12:7.
“Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. 9) And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’” – vs. 8-9.
As there is some vile spiritual sickness, some sexual immorality that is continuing in God’s Church ──and I speak of a “minister of righteousness,” a Liberace of his ministry in my latest sermon that is not only spiritually rotting, but physically as well. The apostle Paul, writing to the Church in Corinth, spoke that there was sexual immorality among them ── and such sexual immorality that wasn’t even named among the Gentiles. And, sadly, those who are listening to him cannot discern the spirits. They are ‘puffed up, and have not rather mourned, that he who has done this deed might be taken away from among them.’ I ── absent now in the body from him, but present in spirit, have judged him who is continuing to do this filthy deed (1 John 4:1). And like what the apostle Paul told the Corinthians in approximately 55 A.D., I say as well, “In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when you are gathered together, along with my spirit, with power of our Lord Jesus Christ, deliver such a one to Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.” – cf. 1 Corinthians 5-1-5. So that he might be brought to repentance.
Our spiritual and physical enemy, Satan the Devil, not only AFFLICTS people with illnesses, diseases, and infirmities ── but also one or a legion of his wicked demons will possess a person and will cause them to go insane! THIS TRUTH IS IN GOD’S LIVING WORD!
These vile humans ── who appeared “normal” for the majority of their lifetime (note: the latest terrorist of New Orleans had served in the U.S. Army from 2007 to 2020!) ── suddenly commit heinous and horrific crimes!
Healing Is A Gift of God’s Spirit
Healing is a glorious gift of God’s Spirit that is bestowed upon mankind for our benefit.
The apostle Paul asks, “Do all have gifts of healing? …” – 1 Corinthians 12:30. Of course not. But, our Lord Jesus Christ has set some in His Church, “first apostles, second prophets, third teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, administrations, varieties of tongues.” – vs. 28.
Through God’s Spirit, there are different spiritual gifts bestowed upon His servants. “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all: 8) for to one is given the word of wisdom through the Spirit, to another the word of knowledge through the same Spirit. 9) to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healings by the same Spirit, 10) to another the working of miracles, to another prophecy, to another the discerning of spirits, to another different kinds of tongues, to another the interpretation of tongues. 11) But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.” – vs. 7-11.
So, since HEALING is a good and perfect gift, divine healing power can only come from the LORD God, for “every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning.” – James 1:17.
Any person who is not of God (the fruits of their character reveal them for who they are), yet claims to have the power of healing from God──is a liar and a charlatan.
True Servants of God Are Empowered to Heal
Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ commissioned His servants to “’ Go not all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.’” – Mark 16:15.
“’ And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues [languages]; 18) they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.’” – vs. 17-18.
In the Book of James, true Christians are told, “Is anyone among you sick? 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. 15) And the prayer of faith will save the sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.” – James 5:14-15.
Now, does the LORD God hear every prayer? No.
“Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and DOES HIS WILL, He hears him.” – John 9:31.
The majority of mankind has been led to believe that God answers all prayers offered in the name of Jesus Christ. But He does not!
Notice 1 John 5:14 – “Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything ACCORDING TO HIS WILL, He hears us.” Also, “whatever we ask we receive from Him, BECAUSE WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.” – 1 John 3:22.
Anyone not keeping God’s commandments and who is not doing those things that are pleasing to God will not receive an answer to their prayers. It’s truly as simple as that.
Our Lord Jesus prophesied that there would come charlatans. “’ Take heed that NO ONE deceives you. 5) For many will come in My name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and will deceive many.’” – Matthew 24:4-5. We are told that they are “false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming THEMSELVES into apostles of Christ. 14) And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15) Therefore it is no great thing if HIS MINISTERS also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” – 2 Corinthians 11:13-15.
Satan the Devil’s Ministers Can Perform “Miracles”
So, according to the living word of the Eternal One, Satan the Devil has his own ministers, who come as “ministers of righteousness,” who can perform counterfeit “miracles.”
The “angels who sinned” – demons – are wicked spirits, and they are increasingly leading all humanity astray. Satan’s ministers can indeed perform counterfeit “miracles.”
These false ministers are “spirits of demons, performing signs” and lying wonders to deceive the ignorant. (See: Revelation 16:14).
The apostle Paul tells us that towards the close of this present evil age, “the coming of the lawless one is according to the working of Satan, with all power, signs, and lying wonders.” – 2 Thessalonians 2:9. This “lawless one” will be a Vicar of Christ. We are told that this false prophet (this spiritual leader of the Roman Catholic Church) will work “signs” in the presence of a final “beast power” – a seventh revival of the Holy Roman Empire (See: Revelation 19:20).
God’s living word elsewhere speaks concerning those who use demonic powers such as palmistry, Wicca, sorcery, witchcraft, alchemy, necromancy, wizardry, and the like. “’ For all who do these things are an abomination to the LORD, …’” – Deuteronomy 18:12.
Satan the Devil CAN’T Cast Himself Out!
The apostle Luke writes, “He [our Lord Jesus Christ] was casting out a demon, and it was mute. So it was, when the demon had gone out, that the mute spoke; and the multitudes marveled. 15) But some of them said, ‘He casts out demons by Beelzebub, the ruler of the demons.’”
“But He, knowing their thoughts, said to them: ‘Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation, and a house divided against a house falls. 18) If Satan also is divided against himself, how will his kingdom stand? Because you say I cast out demons by Beelzebub. 19) And if I cast out demons by Beelzebub, by whom do your sons cast them out? … 20) But if I cast out demons with the finger of God, surely the kingdom of God has come upon you.’” – Luke 11:14-20.
Satan will never cast out his own demons!
There was a time when the apostle John had said to our Lord Jesus, “’ Teacher, we saw someone WHO DOES NOT FOLLOW US casting out demons in Your name, and we forbade him because he does not follow us.’ 39) But Jesus said, ‘Do not forbid him, for no one who works miracles in My name can soon afterward speak evil of Me. 40) For he who is not against us is on our side.’” – Mark 9:38-40.
Our Lord Jesus told His disciples that this man was a man of God ── even though he was not following them. Otherwise, he would not have been able to cast out demons in the glorious name of Jesus Christ.
Let us always keep this in mind: a true minister of God may be true to what he knows at the beginning of his ministry. However, if he refuses to “grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ” and to change, the LORD God will cut that minister that doesn’t bear fruit from His tree (See: John 15:2). □
