The subject of miracles is something that comes up often, especially the question of, “why aren’t we seeing the same number of miracles as we see in the Bible, today?”. Let us look at what we can learn from scripture about miracles and how to view miraculous signs and wonders in the right perspective.
Let us look at the following points to determine why we think there are fewer miracles today?
Firstly, understanding the purpose of miracles in the Bible.
It is crucial to understand and realise that when we read about the great miracles in the Bible, both in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, they served significant purposes in God’s redemptive plan. These signs and wonders were to authenticate God’s messengers, who brought His revelation to us. This pattern is repeated throughout the Bible.
Sometimes we tend to think that miracles were commonplace right throughout the Bible, whereas the fact is miracles were clustered around three main periods. These clusters bring attention to new revelations from God while attesting to the authority of those who performed the miracles.
These clusters of miracles happened during the time of:
- Moses and Joshua (revealing of the Law)
- during the period of Elijah and Elisha (the time the Prophets)
- during the time of Jesus Christ and His apostles (Gospel of salvation)
The remaining periods of the Bible, the people of God lived by faith, remembering the past miracles of God and looking forward to the promises declared for the future. That is not to say that there were no miracles at all. There were just pockets of miracles here and there. This is the same way we are living today, living by faith, holding onto His revealed word and waiting for the promise of the Kingdom of God and eternity with Christ Jesus. Amen!
Psalm 77:11 says “I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your wonders of old.”
When we read the New Testament, we see time and time again that the miracles being performed were authenticating the ministry and mission of Jesus Christ.
John 3:2 “This man came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him.”
Again, the miracles performed through the apostles was to authenticate the message about Jesus. Mark 16:20 says “And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them and confirmed the message by accompanying signs.”
We see the same in the book of Acts; the reason for miraculous was to confirm the message. Acts 14:3 “So they remained for a long time, speaking boldly for the Lord, who bore witness to the word of his grace, granting signs and wonders to be done by their hands.”
You may ask, then is it not the same today. Shouldn’t miracles accompany our declaration of the gospel to validate Christ? Yes, it could be a part of it, but it is not necessary. We have the complete word of God revealed to us, and no further validation or revelation is required.
The miracles recorded in the Bible was used by God to establish the church. It allows us to look back and validate the divine origin of the church and God’s calling. It is now confirmed through the scriptures given to us.
Jesus warned against basing our trust on anyone doing signs and wonders. Jesus warned that many false Christs and prophets would rise with signs and wonders and try to deceive people. We are instructed to guard against this and not to believe based on only miracles being performed.
Matthew 24:24 says “For false christs and false prophets will arise and perform great signs and wonders, to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.”
It must be the gospel, which is the power of God unto salvation. Romans 1:16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” In other words, it is not signs and wonders, but it is the word of the cross, and to those who are being saved, it is the power of God (1 Corinthians 1:18). Amen!
Secondly, the false notion of seeing is believing
Sometimes we think if there are more signs and wonders, then this will bring people to Christ, and it is a great evangelical tool. But this is not necessarily the case. We see many examples in the New Testament, where miracles didn’t translate to the repentance of the people.
In Matthew 12:10-13, Jesus healed a man with a withered hand miraculously. If we pay careful attention to the reaction of the Pharisees, we read in Matthew 12:14 saying “But the Pharisees went out and conspired against him, how to destroy him.”
Again, further in Matthew 12:22-24, Jesus heals a demon-oppressed man who was blind and mute. But when the Pharisees heard it, they said in v24 “is only by Beelzebul, the prince of demons, that this man casts out demons.”
Again in Luke 16:19-31, we read about the rich man and Lazarus. The rich man from Hades being in torment calls out to Father Abraham and requests for a miracle; such as a dead man rising so that his family could be warned through this miraculous event, so that they may believe the message. But Abraham replies in v31 saying “If they do not hear Moses and the Prophets, neither will they be convinced if someone should rise from the dead.”
The point is that we sometimes think the more miracles and signs and wonders that are performed, it will translate to bringing people to believe in Christ. It may work for some, but if people put their trust just in the miracles rather than the truth of the gospel, then it is a superficial, temporary and surface-level conversion experience.
Thirdly, Jesus still heals
Finally, with all this being said, we must still pray for healing today. Scriptures teach us that this is one of the spiritual gifts. God will heal according to His divine will and sovereignty to bring glory to Jesus Christ and to stand as a witness to the world.
More importantly, God miraculously provides spiritual healing—the salvation of our soul to offer eternal life. Jesus has often been called the Great Physician, the One who can heal both body and soul, offering help now and for eternity.
I encourage you to continue in your faith. Read scripture, the revealed word of God and trust in Him as Christ and Savior and allow Him to move in your life and your situation sovereignly, and according to His divine will.
Let us close by reading John 20:29 saying “Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
God bless.
