Certain churches and books, etc; are teaching certain concepts to thousands of people.
I had a conversation with a very nice, obviously very learned, Lead Pastor who kindly gave me a book that explained his faith, to read. "Health, Wealth, and the Real Gospel written by Sean Demars and Mike McKinley. I was very happy to read it and discover some extra truths, so with a completely open mind and ready to be enlightened I read the book.
What I found out is covered below:
Matthew 15:14; Jesus speaking: "Leave them alone. They are blind guides of the blind. If the blind guide the blind, both will fall into a pit."
HEALING
On Page 51; under the Chapter "Should Christians Expect Physical healing", the author quotes Isaiah 53:5 with a view to demonstrating that the saying often quoted (Isaiah 53:5) "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" does not refer to our physical healing. So I checked this out. See below:
I went to the verse earlier, Isaiah 53:4
THE MEANING OF ISAIAH 53:4:
Isaiah 53:4 NIV; Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.
SEVERAL TRANSLATIONS: click on the red link below to see them:
Isaiah 53:4 ; As you can see when you go to this link there are several translations of this verse, which can be very confusing. Some of the translations put a different word after the words "He bore/took up our". Some translations say:
"Pain", or "Suffering", or "Sorrows", or "Griefs", or "Sicknesses". "Griefs" is mentioned most often. the word chosen by the translators.
I decided to take a look at the Hebrew (since Isaiah was written in Hebrew) specifically the word "griefs" since it was the most often used in the translations.
THE TRUTH
In Strongs Concordance: There are 24 occurrences in the Bible of the word "grief" H2470 (Hebrew word #2470) which mean sicknesses and disease.
Then I went to the Interlinear which has all the words defined and what they mean in Hebrew:
Isaiah 53:4 ¶ INTERLINEAR HEBREW: Surely 403 he x1931 hath borne 5375 z8804 our griefs, H2483 and carried 5445 z8804 our sorrows: 4341 yet we x587 did esteem 2803 z8804 him stricken, 5060 z8803 smitten 5221 z8716 of ´Élöhîm אֱלֹהִים, 430 and afflicted. 6031 z8794
This again, if we click on H2483 shows that "griefs" means sickness.
Blue Letter Bible Lexicon and Interlinear; The KJV translates Strong's H2483 (griefs) in the following manner: sickness disease grief, sick
and if we scroll down to the Masoretic Text we can click on the link which will describe the word "griefs" in full which is Strongs H2483. It also states: sickness, disease, grief, sick .
Isaiah 53:4; AMPC Surely He has borne our griefs (sicknesses, weaknesses, and distresses) and carried our sorrows and pains [of punishment], yet we [ignorantly] considered Him stricken, smitten, and afflicted by God [as if with leprosy]. [Matt. 8:17.] But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement [needful to obtain] peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes [that wounded] Him we are healed and made whole.
Matthew 8:17; that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Isaiah the prophet, saying: "He Himself took our infirmities And bore our sicknesses."
SUMMATION
In Hebrew, which Isaiah 53:4 was written, when "grief/s" (most often used) is used in translations, it means 2 or more of the following:
affliction, disease, grief, griefs, illness, sick, sickness, sicknesses, infirmities, wounded, and pain.
In Matthew 8:17 it again makes itself clear that He (Jesus) took on our infirmities and bore our sicknesses.
Therefore, when Isaiah says in:
Isaiah 53:4-5; NKJV. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed";
Isaiah is talking about both spiritual and physical are healed The physical is Isaiah 53:4 and the spiritual is Isaiah 53:5. They are actually part of the same sentence.
On Page 52; Then the author quotes
1 Peter 2:24; who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. 25 For you were like sheep going astray, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.
If you read the whole chapter of 1 Peter 2; you will see the subject matter is 'living Godly lives in a pagan society.' There is no mention of sickness, so of course, Peter did not refer to it in this letter. However, as I have covered above, Isaiah 53:4-5 covers it well.
Also, in Peter's day, sickness was a result of sin, therefore, I am sure when Peter talked about sin/s he thought he had covered the whole topic of sins and sickness. Look at this verse:
John 9:2; His disciples asked him, “Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?”
On page 54; the author says "But (healing) can only happen after we die" .
Isaiah 53:4-5 does not say "But (healing) can only happen after we die". Isaiah 53:4-5 says we are healed.
Neither does 1 Peter 2. I did not see Jesus waiting till after people die See below:
Isaiah 53:4-5; NKJV. Surely he has borne our griefs and carried our sorrows, yet we esteemed Him stricken, Smitten by God, and afflicted.
5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed";
Isaiah is talking about both physical/sicknsses AND transgressions/iniquities are healed The physical/sicknesses are Isaiah 53:4 and the transgressions/iniquities are Isaiah 53:5. They are actually part of the same sentence.
On page 54; the author says "but Paul doesn't seem to believe that Timothy's lack of faith is blocking his healing pipeline, instead he seems to believe he just needs some medicine."
Also, on page 54; the author says that Timothy was sick (2 Timothy: 1-2) I found no such reference in the Bible.
1 Timothy 5:23 (Paul advises Timothy) Maybe the author means this verse.
No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.
When we read the passage, we see very clearly that Paul is telling Timothy how to relieve his symptoms. If it was God’s will for Timothy to be sick and suffer, then Paul would be telling Timothy to go against the will of God, because If sickness is God’s will for Timothy, then it would be wrong for Paul to provide advice. He would be telling him that his sickness is God's will.
Since Paul is telling Timothy how to get better, then Paul must believe that it is God’s will for Timothy to be healthy. In fact Paul is trying to heal Timothy - see below:
2 Timothy 1:6; For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Here, Paul is trying to heal Timothy by "laying on" of his hands on to Timothy and asking Timothy "fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you" (Holy Spirit) in order to heal him.
On page 54; the author calls "a little wine" "medicine". Wine was not considered medicine. Jesus and his apostles drank wine, and not for medicinal purposes.
Also, on page 54; the author again refers to Timothy's sickness in 2 Timothy 4:20.
2 Timothy 4:20; Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. The author is mistaken. it says Timothy left Trophimus "at Miletum sick". It was not Timothy who was sick.
Acts 10:37-38; You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached— 38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him.
This indicates that persons who needed healing Jesus believed were under the "power of the devil".
This can be true in many instances and I personally believe that in a lot of cases, when there is instant healing in people they have rid themselves of a demon who was inhabiting their body and making it sick.
Notice that Jesus healed all people. He did not bring suffering on them in order to train them.
SUFFERING
on page 57; The words the author uses are: "don't believe the lie that this call to suffer is only for apostles or otherwise Super Christians. Ordinary Christians like you and me ought to expect the same."
Then the author gives several Bible verses to do with suffering and being glorified for it.
Acts 9:16, 2 Corrinthians 12:10, Philippians 4:11-13, Acts 5:41, Philippians 1:29-30, 1 Peter 1:6, Hebrews 10:32-33, 1 Peter 3:14, Revelations 2:10, (see below) Romans 8:16-17. (see below)
Revelations 2:10, says "do not fear what you are about to suffer, because the devil is going to throw you into prison. This is suffering to do with the devil.
It shows that the devil causes suffering, with or without God's permission. Throughout the world today, he is working overtime to remove people from God. One of his many ploys would be to make people think that God brings suffering upon them.
Romans 8:16-17; interlinear "if indeed we suffer with Him". "If indeed" means maybe there was no suffering. Also, this is very different from suffering in order to be with God or approved of by Him.
All the above references all have to do with suffering for Jesus (mostly) and/or the old testament. In either event they are not relevant for today. See links qbove for the references.
Today the average person is not suffering for Jesus, as in 2,000 years ago, they are worried about living and supporting - maybe - their family. In USA at least we are not imprisoned, stoned, or suffer the fate of the apostles, as a usual rule.
Sure, the Old Testament is filled with God trying to shape a person/people/nations by attempting to bring them around to God's way through various trials, tribulations, and hardships, but today we have the Holy Spirit (God) who will guide us, who resides, within us, if we choose.
I do not see any times, both in the Old and New Testament, where Satan went to God and asked permission to harass and bring all kinds of upset to God's people, with the exception of Job.
If we follow that line of reasoning, if Satan had to go to God every time he, or his demons, bothered 7.96 billion people (in the world today) with sickness, disease , pain, loss, hurt, poverty, death, and various other maladies, he would be going to God asking permission every split second, if not more. This of course would be multiplied by the many instances he and his demons bother each person. I don't know about you, but I have been bothered often.
The problem as I see it is: If a person believes that they are to receive various hardships and punishment, then various hardships and punishment will come, and Satan will be only too glad to provide it.
Proverbs 23:7; For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.
Suffering- Essentially, suffering falls into 3 categories
1. For Jesus.
2. The learning curve of life
3. Satan induced, and our acceptance of, Satan's asserted sufferings.
None of which was God induced.
Of course, we will be honored for giving our lives up for Jesus, but does that mean that God is bringing suffering upon us?
Of course, the learning curve of life can be injurious, but does that mean that God is bringing that suffering upon us?
Of course, Satan can give us many problems including sickness and disease, if we accept it. Does that mean God is deliberately bring suffering upon us. No.
Many places in the Bible it shows us how God will strengthen us through our trials. Does that mean He brought those trials upon us? No.
See GRACE and FAITH below.
JOB
On page 58; JOB - The Righteous Sufferer. The author says "it was the will of the Lord for Job to suffer.
Actually, it was not the will of God that Job should suffer, it was the will of the devil to have Job to suffer after he challenged God. Job 1:9-12;
On page 59; The author talks about Jesus the suffering servant. That Jesus never sinned, but he suffered anyway.
We all know why Jesus came down to earth. It was to pay the price for our sins and sickness and to atone to God for all the past misdeeds, huge and small. To once and for all bring an end to the continuing chain of events which Satan was riding. This was His specific Purpose for coming down here to Earth. Of course He suffered. He was supposed to.
However, that does not relate to the human race today. since we do not need or known of, anyone who is going to the cross to die for our sins.
On page 59; The author says "You can't follow Jesus without walking in His steps. Suffering in our life isn't a sign something has gone wrong, it's more likely a sign that we are walking the same road Jesus walked."
However, that does not relate to the human race today. Jesus walked a specific walk for a specific purpose and suffered accordingly.
If we live our lives close to God, being guided by His Holy Spirit, we can take advantage of His GRACE. See FAITH and GRACE below)
Virginia Franklin
FAITH
However, there are these references from the Bible which God has given us by His Grace, which can control healing and many other things, with the help of the Holy Spirit, if we have one:
Mark 11:24; Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
"Believe you have received it, and it will be yours". This is powerful!
2 Corinthians 5:7; For we walk by faith, not by sight.
"Walk by faith, not by sight. In other words what we see and feel by our 5 senses we are to ignore, and we are to walk by faith which is unseen.
Hebrews 11:6; And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that He exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
God is rewarding all those who :"seek Him". "Seek Him" and He will reward you. It does not say God rewards those who have suffered enough.
Mark 9:23; “If you can?” said Jesus “Everything is possible for one who believes.”
If "Everything is possible", why could not we decide we were healthy, wealthy and wise?
Hebrews 11:1; Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.
To have confidence in the unseen that what we hope for will come to pass.
Ephesians 3:20; Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly
beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us.
We have 2 powers working within us if we have the Holy Spirit - 1. The Holy Spirit, and 2. Our renewed spirit.
Luke 18:27; But he said, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
SUMMATION
When I look at these verses, it is self-evident that using the power within us of the Holy Spirit; and our faith, it is possible for us to be healed or to bring about many things as long as we believe.
Mark 11:24; Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours.
"Believe you have received it, and it will be yours". This is powerful!
I think this is where a lot of Christians fall down, because they cannot move into the future and see themselves in that future with wealth, or health, or happiness. They are stuck in the present with their 5 senses and their surroundings. They can be very faithful. They can have lived a very righteous life, but thedy will not control very much if they do not see themselves in the future - and hold it there despite all the negatives, until it becomes real.
Before I knew God about 8 years ago, I studied physics and I realized Mark 11:24; without knowing the Bible or God. For 25 years i taught this concept in many seminars 4-5 a week for 25 years. I knew it worked, because of my uphill climb from the bottom - with the resolute picture in my mind of a big while room in a white house on a hill with the afternoon sun shining through the windows. There was no thought of poverty, scraping pennies together, there was abundance. I did not live in my cockroach and black beetle infested garden shed. I lived in the white house on the hill. That was where I was and where I stayed.
It is like when we are driving to the beach. We do not look at the lowly towns we are going through. We see ourselves sunning and splashing in the ready waves. It is like that. What we see with our five senses, is a passing shadow and where we are going is where we rest until our bodies and circumstances catch up with our reality
VERSES ABOUT GOD'S/ HOLY SPIRIT'S HEALING-
Psalm 103:3; Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
James 5:14; 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: 15 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.
Romans 8:11; If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
...and there are so many more..
GRACE
When you read the following, does it sound like God is bringing hardships upon you for any reason?
Ephesians 1:7; In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace
MORE VERSES ABOUT GOD'S/ HOLY SPIRIT'S HEALING-
Psalm 103:3; Praise the Lord, my soul; all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
2 Praise the Lord, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—
3 who forgives all your sins and heals all your diseases,
4 who redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion,
5 who satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
James 5:14; 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: 15 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.
Romans 8:11; If the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through his Spirit who dwells in you.
Ephesians 2:8
For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God;
1 Corinthians 1:3
Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 1:14
and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.
2 Corinthians 13:14
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
2 John 1:3
Grace, mercy and peace will be with us, from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.
2 Peter 1:2
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord;
2 Timothy 1:9
who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity,
Romans 11:6
But if it is by grace, it is no longer on the basis of works, otherwise grace is no longer grace.
Acts 15:11
But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are.”
Acts 20:32
And now I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
MORE ON HEALING
Bless the Lord, my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 Bless the Lord, my soul,
And do not forget any of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your guilt,
Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with favor and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.
That evening many demon-possessed people were brought to Jesus. He cast out the evil spirits with a simple command, and he healed all the sick. 17This fulfilled the word of the Lord through the prophet Isaiah, who said,
“He took our sicknesses
and removed our diseases.”
Exodus 15:26
He said, “If you will listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his sight, obeying his commands and keeping all his decrees, then I will not make you suffer any of the diseases I sent on the Egyptians; for I am the LORD who heals you.”
1 Peter 2:24
who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed. (IAOMAI):
Definition of IAOMAI in Strongs Concordance
-
iaomai: to heal
-
Original Word: ἰάομαι
Part of Speech: Verb
Transliteration: iaomai
Phonetic Spelling: (ee-ah'-om-ahee)
Definition: to heal
Usage: heal, generally of the physical, sometimes of spiritual, disease.
I sincerely hope that this clears up some misunderstandings, because we need to help people survive better than before we met us or heard of our teachings.
God bless everyone. I love you.
Virginia Franklin.