Are all miracles from God?

THEN and now, many people are talking about miracles – the Medjugorje apparition, the dancing sun phenomenon, the 3-days of darkness prophecy, and many other supernatural occurrences. Reactions range from disbelief and skepticism to hysteria and panic.

*** What are miracles? They are simply extraordinary events which cannot be explained by the ordinary natural forces or by the operation of known human laws. Miracles are a very conspicuous feature of the Holy Bible. However, supernatural or extraordinary occurrences that happen cannot all be attributed to God because there are also miracles of Satanic or demonic origin. The Bible is replete with instances not only of miracles performed by God and His Good Angels but also miracles performed by Satan and his evil allies. Many of us have forgotten that Satan can masquerade as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14). Also, 1 John 4:1 says: “Do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” Some examples performed by Satan are making fire come down from heaven upon earth (Revelation 13:13); inflicting diseases (Job 2:7); creating a violent wind (Job 1:19); healing wounds (Revelation 13:1-4); and giving life to an image (Revelation 13:11-15).

*** The ongoing spiritual battle between the kingdom of God and the kingdom of Satan is not a myth. It is real. Ephesians 6:12 says that: “For our struggle is not against flesh and blood but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.”

*** When we hear of miracles, how should we react? Bible-believing Christians who believe that the Holy Bible is the only infallible Word of God should test whether or not the miracles are from God - by using the Holy Bible as our gauge. Miracles may be authentic in the sense that they may have actually happened. But this is not the crucial point. What is more meaningful from the biblical standpoint is to find out why the miracles occurred. From the Biblical standpoint, the following questions should be resolved:

1. Does the supernatural occurrence convey a message which exalts and glorify persons or entities living or dead other than God?

2. Does the supernatural occurrence present a plan of salvation different from that prescribed in the Holy Bible?

3. Does the supernatural event convey a message urging people to place their total or partial confidence and faith in entities other than God?

4. Does the supernatural event encourage people to dabble in spiritism, witchcraft, magic, and other occultic practices?

5. Does the supernatural event convey a message that predicts that the end of the world will soon occur on a fixed date?

6. Does the supernatural event convey a message encouraging devotion and prayer to entities other than to God through Jesus?

7. Does the supernatural event convey a message attributing power to inanimate objects?

If the answer is YES to the questions, then from the Biblical standpoint, the miracles are NOT performed by God. Why? For the simple reason that the supernatural events convey messages that do not conform with the teachings and doctrines found in the Holy Bible, the Word of God.

*** I may be creating feelings of resentment if portions of this article or all of it fail to conform to some of your long-established views or beliefs on the subject of miracles. Please be assured that this is a sincere effort to impart the Biblical standpoint on the subject. My dear readers, I challenge you to read the Holy Bible now and find out the Biblical truth for yourself rather than rely on all kinds of rumors and false information circulating around us.

*** Isaiah 42:8 says: “I alone am the Lord your God. No other God may also share my glory. I will not let idols share my praise.” Also Exodus 20:3 says: “Worship no god but me.”

*** How should one pray? The Bible teaches that one should pray to God the Father in the name of Jesus Christ alone through the power of the Holy Spirit. There is no passage in the Holy Bible to support claims that prayers must be addressed to anybody living or dead other than to God in the name of His Son Jesus Christ. The Holy Bible says: “And whatever you ask IN MY NAME, that I will do, in order that the FATHER may be glorified in the Son. If you ask me anything IN MY NAME, I will do it.” (John 14:13-14)

*** This column continues to give out copies of the Holy Bible for free to those who cannot afford to buy their own copies. If interested, please send your letter-request to Ms. Nelly Favis Villafuerte, 5233 Fahrenheit St., Palanan, Makati City. Kindly mention if it is the Tagalog, English, Cebuano, or Ilocano Bible that is preferred.

Be joyful and forgiving! (Comments may be sent to Ms. Villafuerte’s email: villafuerte_nelly@yahoo.com.) Be joyful and forgiving!