Healing??

Part 9 of 11

Lastly, the gift of healing is often criticized by proponents of Cessationism, and even used as alleged evidence that the gifts of the Holy Spirit have altogether ceased. I really can't say that I blame them, with all the current alleged issues surrounding the many major "faith healers" today. But, as always, you can't throw the baby out with the dirty bathwater. Some may not have the gift, but that doesn't at all negate the whole truth.

Cessationism claims that the Apostle Paul once possessed the gift of healing, but later in his life this gift diminished. They say that he once could lay mere handkerchiefs on the sick and they would recover, but later in his ministry he was unable to heal Timothy. In his first letter to Timothy, Paul says, “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities” (1 Tim 5:23). Is this sufficient evidence to say the gift of healing had expired? The Cessationist’s hope is doubtful. Aside from the natural context of Paul’s words to Timothy (he was advising him not to drink the local water), what Cessationism fails to realize is that even Jesus did not heal everyone He came into contact with, nor did the disciples. Jesus never once cleared out a hospital, and neither did His disciples. Is this evidence that the gift of healing was not readily present? No. Rather, Scripture gives us reasons why such events did not take place: “And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief” (Matt 13:58), and again, “Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house. And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them” (Mk 6:5-6). Indeed, the Scriptures repeatedly put expectations upon those who wanted healing; it didn’t always occur at the push of a button. Even Jesus’ disciples were not able to deliver some from demons, though they were previously given the authority to do so (Matt 10:8). Jesus revealed certain conditions to healing and deliverance: “And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting” (Mk 9:28-29). Therefore, we cannot casually conclude such gifts as expired simply because they are not practiced on a large enough scale. Perhaps much of the supposed failure has something to do with such a viral Cessationist doctrine? “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he…” (Proverbs 23:7).

Furthermore, what do we do with the people who are indeed healed? Did Satan heal them? Of course not. Either God heals, or He doesn’t. Experience (and doctrine) will prove that He does. In fact, healing is listed as one of the benefits of the atonement, not solely a gift that was soon to run its course: “Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits: Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases…” (Ps 103:2-3). The prophet Isaiah confirms this truth in his 53rd chapter: “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” (53:5).

Experientially, I believe there will be a day in which a greater dimension of healing will be released to the earth. Malachi 4 touches on this. It says, “For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall” (4:1-2). The apocalyptic language in this verse forbids us from limiting its scope to the past tense destruction of Jerusalem, as so many do. The corporate day that burns as an oven is clearly yet to occur, as is the event in which all the proud and wicked shall be stubble. Surely the final and full accomplishment of this prophetic Scripture is yet coming. The destruction of Jerusalem in 70 A.D. was but the precursor (Matt 17:11-12). Peter confirms this when he says, “But the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men” (2 Pet 3:7). Paul further reiterates this position: “And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ” (2 Thess 1:7-8). If the punishment is reserved for a future experience, we can conclude that the fullness of the blessing is also reserved: “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings” (Malachi 4:2a). There indeed is yet coming a superior and more glorious dimension of healing to God’s people! I believe this will happen when the sons of God are fully manifested to the earth (Rom 8:18-19). Perhaps this greater degree of healing will be a certain manifestation and facet of the glory of God that will be arisen upon His bride in the last days: “Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the LORD shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee” (Isa 60:1-2).

To be continued...