Category: signs miracles and wonders

Possessed with Devils #2

Tuesday, October 7, 2025

“And his fame went throughout all Syria: and they brought unto him all sick people that were taken with divers diseases and torments, and those which were possessed with devils, and those which were lunatick, and those that had the palsy; and he healed them” (Matthew 4:24 KJV).

What does the Bible say about devil possession?

Acts 10:38 says how the Lord Jesus Christ, in Matthew to John, went about “healing all that were oppressed of the devil.” This would have included exorcisms, such as today’s Scripture and other general passages.

“When the even was come, they brought unto him many that were possessed with devils: and he cast out the spirits with his word, and healed all that were sick:…” (Matthew 8:16). “And at even, when the sun did set, they brought unto him all that were diseased, and them that were possessed with devils. And all the city was gathered together at the door. And he healed many that were sick of divers diseases, and cast out many devils; and suffered not the devils to speak, because they knew him…. And he preached in their synagogues throughout all Galilee, and cast out devils” (Mark 1:32-34,39). “…And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God” (Mark 3:11). “Now when the sun was setting, all they that had any sick with divers diseases brought them unto him; and he laid his hands on every one of them, and healed them. And devils also came out of many, crying out, and saying, Thou art Christ the Son of God. And he rebuking them suffered them not to speak: for they knew that he was Christ” (Luke 4:40,41).

“And they that were vexed with unclean spirits: and they were healed” (Luke 6:18). “And he said unto them, Go ye, and tell that fox, Behold, I cast out devils, and I do cures to day and to morrow, and the third day I shall be perfected” (Luke 13:32). Then, there are several specific miracles of casting out evil spirits, which records provide us with even more information as to what is taking place with devil possession….

The “Friends” of Jesus #1

Monday, August 18, 2025

“And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself” (Mark 3:21 KJV).

With “friends” such as these, did Jesus need enemies? (NO!)

In the context of today’s Scripture, the Lord Jesus has healed a man in the synagogue (verses 1-5). That man had a withered (dried out, disabled) hand, and Christ cured him on the Saturday Sabbath as a sign of His Kingdom’s “Sabbath rest.” Outraged that Jesus had worked (provided medical aid) on the Sabbath, here is apostate Israel’s response: “And the Pharisees went forth, and straightway took counsel with the Herodians against him, how they might destroy him” (verse 6).

Verses 7-12 continue the narrative: “But Jesus withdrew himself with his disciples to the sea: and a great multitude from Galilee followed him, and from Judaea, And from Jerusalem, and from Idumaea, and from beyond Jordan; and they about Tyre and Sidon, a great multitude, when they had heard what great things he did, came unto him. And he spake to his disciples, that a small ship should wait on him because of the multitude, lest they should throng him. For he had healed many; insomuch that they pressed upon him for to touch him, as many as had plagues. And unclean spirits, when they saw him, fell down before him, and cried, saying, Thou art the Son of God. And he straitly charged them that they should not make him known.”

With crowds of people gathering and growing larger and larger, the Lord retreats into a mountain with a select few and ordains the 12 Apostles to be with Him, to preach, to heal sicknesses, and to cast out devils (verses 13-19). As Jesus and those 12 enter a house (verse 19), the multitude re-assembles to become a nuisance, thus preventing Him and the Apostles from eating in peace and quiet (verse 20). Today’s Scripture, found nowhere else in the Holy Bible, states: “And when his friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside himself.” His friends label Him as a crazy man, a nut, an individual outside of His wits….

Training Replacements #6

Saturday, June 14, 2025

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26 KJV).

One of the lesser-known purposes of Christ’s earthly ministry was that He trained 12 men to continue His work once He returned to His Heavenly Father!

With national Israel languishing in unbelief during the early Acts period, persecution against the 12 Apostles (Matthias included) begins to escalate. Immediately following the healing of the lame man at the Jerusalem Temple (Acts 3:1-11), Peter delivers a public sermon to attach a meaning to that miracle (verses 12-26). As the Holy Spirit speaks through Peter to the crowds of the Jewish people who have gathered, He opens their understanding to see with spiritual eyes this illustration of the blessings of Israel’s kingdom restoration (which Christ, now resurrected, will bring when He comes back).

In the opening verses of chapter 4, Israel’s religious leaders are grieved (worried) because “unauthorized” Peter and John are teaching the people and preaching through Jesus the resurrection from the dead. (These priests and the Sadducees deny resurrection—Matthew 22:23; Mark 12:18; Luke 20:27; Acts 23:6-8.) Peter and John are arrested, jailed, and stand trial the following day, during which trial Peter delivers another sermon.

Concentrate on Acts 4:13 now: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” Peter and John were just fishermen, who, from a natural-man viewpoint, were “unlearned” (without formal Jewish religious training) and “ignorant” (uneducated; in Greek, “idiotes!”). How could these “lowly peons” be important enough to be connected to the healing of the lame man? What “scholarly” education had they obtained to possess such wisdom and teach/preach so powerfully? Israel’s unbelieving religious leaders simply cannot fathom it! When asked, Peter and John freely confess that “they had been with Jesus” (Acts 4:13). The Lord Jesus has trained them well, and the Holy Spirit is building on what they learned during Christ’s earthly ministry….

Note: In order to bring you a special study tomorrow, we will temporarily break away from this devotionals arc….

Training Replacements #5

Friday, June 13, 2025

“But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you” (John 14:26 KJV).

One of the lesser-known purposes of Christ’s earthly ministry was that He trained 12 men to continue His work once He returned to His Heavenly Father!

Though they forsook Him in Gethsemane, the Lord restored the 11 Apostles to ministry during the 40 days following His resurrection (Matthew 28:18-20; Mark 16:15-20; Luke 24:45-53; John 20:21-23; John 21:1-25; Acts 1:1-12). During this time, He also instructed them from the Old Testament Scriptures how Judas Iscariot’s vacated office needed to be filled—and He ultimately chose Matthias to occupy that twelfth position (Acts 1:15-26; cf. Luke 24:44,45). Approximately a week after Christ’s ascension, the Holy Ghost comes down upon the Little Flock on the Day of Pentecost (Acts chapter 2).

As before with Christ’s earthly ministry, the Apostle Peter calls Israel to repentance or change in mind—except, now in early Acts, the crucifixion is a further development in their unbelief and rejection of Messiah. All the words Jesus spoke, and all the miracles He performed during Matthew to John, are on Peter’s mind as the Holy Spirit brings those events to his memory (Acts 2:22-24,32,36; cf. Acts 3:13-21; Acts 4:10-13; Acts 5:29-32; et cetera; cf. Acts 10:34-43).

Scanning those chapters of early Acts, we discover how the 12’s ministry is an extension of Christ’s earthly ministry. Individual Jewish salvation, Israel’s national conversion, and the nation’s subsequent rise to kingdom glory to bless all nations or Gentiles, are still the primary issues (Acts 3:19-26). Miraculous demonstrations to confirm that word—miracles to preview the kingdom blessings—still play an integral part in God’s ministry (Mark 16:17,18; Acts 2:43; Acts 3:1-12; Acts 4:7-17; Acts 5:1-16; Hebrews 2:3-5; Hebrews 6:4,5). These ordinary, weak, fallible men have been “endued [gifted, empowered] with power from on high” (Luke 24:49), exactly as Christ foretold in Acts 1:8: “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Nevertheless, something drastic interrupted their fulfillment of that commission….

If Not For the LORD On Our Side #2

Wednesday, November 13, 2024

“If it had not been the LORD who was on our side, when men rose up against us: Then they had swallowed us up quick, when their wrath was kindled against us:…” (Psalm 124:2,3 KJV).

Where is true victory for Israel?

Many cross-references should come to mind when pondering today’s Scripture. For example, the nation Israel had been helpless in captivity for centuries before the LORD God used 10 plagues to gradually destroy Egypt. Although Pharaoh reluctantly released the Jewish people, he and his armies pursued them across the Red Sea before the LORD intervened and drowned those Egyptian troops.

“Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father’s God, and I will exalt him. The LORD is a man of war: the LORD is his name. Pharaoh’s chariots and his host hath he cast into the sea: his chosen captains also are drowned in the Red sea” (Exodus 15:1-4).

Of course, another occasion of miraculous deliverance came when Israel griped about not having potable water in the wilderness. God furnished them with drink from the rock, but enemies arose in an attempt to steal that water. The Amalekites started a war—but God ensured Israel won. “So Joshua did as Moses had said to him, and fought with Amalek: and Moses, Aaron, and Hur went up to the top of the hill. And it came to pass, when Moses held up his hand, that Israel prevailed: and when he let down his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses’ hands were heavy; and they took a stone, and put it under him, and he sat thereon; and Aaron and Hur stayed up his hands, the one on the one side, and the other on the other side; and his hands were steady until the going down of the sun. And Joshua discomfited Amalek and his people with the edge of the sword” (Exodus 17:10-13).

Yet, there is more….

Old Cloth, Old Garment—New Wine, New Bottles #8

Thursday, September 19, 2024

“No man putteth a piece of new cloth unto an old garment, for that which is put in to fill it up taketh from the garment, and the rent is made worse. Neither do men put new wine into old bottles: else the bottles break, and the wine runneth out, and the bottles perish: but they put new wine into new bottles, and both are preserved” (Matthew 9:16,17 KJV).

What is our Lord Jesus Christ teaching here?

Again, re-read today’s Scripture and its companion passages of Mark 2:21-22 and Luke 5:36-39. The Lord told this “parable” or illustration in light of the Pharisees, their disciples, and John the Baptist’s disciples being obsessed with Old Testament legalistic practices (particularly fasting, their primary controversy with Jesus’ disciples). Such Old Covenant rituals are incompatible with New Covenant righteousness—the righteousness lost Israel cannot possess unless they have the New Covenant, the foundation of the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew chapters 5–7). As long as Israel is fanatical about religious works instead of Messiah, the nation is unable to be what the LORD God purposed it to be.

Old cloth patches should be paired with old garments, and new wine ought to be placed in new bottles. Why would Christ mention, of all things, garments and wine in these metaphors? To answer this, we must be proficient in the Word of God, recalling what has already been stated in other verses. Let us now think about the wine. In Judges 9:13, wine “cheereth God and man.” Over in John 2:1-11, at the wedding feast in Cana, they were without water (a type of the Word of God and the Spirit of God). Subsequent to filling the waterpots (symbolizing Israel) with water, the Lord Jesus miraculously turns the water into wine (grape juice). That wine or juice pictures the joy of the Holy Spirit (as in Galatians 5:22 and 1 Thessalonians 1:6). God cannot take an old bottle or wineskin, apostate Israel, and place the Holy Spirit (and His joy) within it. He can, however, take Israel’s believing remnant, justify these believing Jews, and give them the indwelling Holy Spirit (Ezekiel 36:25-28; cf. Matthew 7:7-12; Luke 11:9-13).

The Old Covenant thus gives way to the New Covenant….

Tokens #10

Monday, June 24, 2024

“And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:…” (Genesis 9:12 KJV).

What are “tokens” in Scripture?

Reading about the numerous tokens in the Bible, we should remember they are things serving as signs, indications, proofs, representations, or evidences of other things. Something intangible (cannot be touched) or invisible (cannot be seen) has a corresponding sign that can be touched and/or seen. In fact, did you know “token” is etymologically related to “teach?” A lesson is being imparted, information to be learned is being offered, data is being chronicled in a clear, understandable way. This is especially true in a Jewish context, for “the Jews require a sign” (1 Corinthians 1:22).

Though we may choose otherwise, the God of the Bible does not want us to be ignorant. He wishes we would be informed, for He Himself knows the Christian life will not operate on the basis of ignorance because it cannot operate on the basis of ignorance. No one will comprehend anything in the Bible unless they are willing to be taught of God the Holy Spirit. We do not have to be confused about the Scriptures—though most are. This is not God’s fault. Our Bible understanding does not have to be imperfect—yet it often is. Neither is this God’s fault.

If we have a question about a King James Bible word, phrase, or verse, it would be far more advantageous if we gave it the benefit of the doubt as opposed to changing it because of our limited knowledge. As Bible students, as “workmen” (2 Timothy 2:15), we should eagerly endure an unbelievable amount of trouble to find an answer, a definition, a reason. Let us see how our 1611 translators handled those terms in other places. We ought to compare, contrast, and evaluate whatever information we can collect. It might take months, years, or even decades to research a matter to conclusion or resolution. Or, we might not obtain an answer until we get to Heaven. As long as we can tell the Lord we made an effort to grow and develop into mature believers, that being a token of our sincere pursuit of the truth, we know His praise is certain.

Tokens #9

Sunday, June 23, 2024

“And God said, This is the token of the covenant which I make between me and you and every living creature that is with you, for perpetual generations:…” (Genesis 9:12 KJV).

What are “tokens” in Scripture?

Apparently, Paul signed his name to each epistle (formal doctrinal letter): “The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write” (2 Thessalonians 3:17). That signature indicated, signified, or symbolized authenticity and apostolic authority.

Sometimes, tokens are hidden in the Bible, since their corresponding Hebrew or Greek words were translated as other English terms. For example, though the Greek “endeixis” was rendered “evident token” in Philippians 1:28, it was translated “proof” in 2 Corinthians 8:24: “Wherefore shew ye to them, and before the churches, the proof of your love, and of our boasting on your behalf.” The sign or indication of our love for the Lord and fellow believers is when we help them in their time of financial need. That Greek word was twice rendered “declare” (show, signify, demonstrate) in Romans 3:25,26 with respect to God manifesting His righteousness (rightness or justness) at Calvary: “[Christ Jesus] Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.”

In the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible), the word “’ot” was translated “token” in Genesis 9:12,13,17 (the rainbow signifying God’s promise never to flood the world again), in Genesis 17:11 (physical circumcision representing Abraham’s death to the flesh), and in the many other references we covered earlier (Exodus 3:12; Exodus 12:13; Exodus 13:16; Numbers 17:10; Joshua 2:12; Job 21:29; Psalm 65:8; Psalm 86:17; Psalm 135:9; Isaiah 44:25). That Hebrew term was also rendered “sign/s” some 77 times (for examples, see Genesis 1:14, Exodus 4:9, Exodus 10:1, Exodus 31:13, Deuteronomy 6:22, Joshua 24:17, Psalm 78:43, Isaiah 7:14, Isaiah 8:18, Jeremiah 10:2, and Ezekiel 20:20). It was also translated “miracles” in Numbers 14:22, Deuteronomy 11:3, and Deuteronomy 29:3. Additionally, it is the “mark” of Genesis 4:15. On one occasion, it is “ensign” (Numbers 2:2).

Let us summarize and conclude this devotionals arc….

Paul and The Pause of Prophecy #6

Thursday, June 7, 2024

“Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him” (Acts 13:9 KJV).

How is the Apostle Paul connected to the pause of prophecy?

Read Psalm 2: “[1] Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing? [2] The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying, [3] Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us. [4] He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the Lord shall have them in derision. [5] Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure. [6] Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.” The order of the prophetic program was: (1) the Lord Jesus Christ’s First Coming with consequent rejection and crucifixion (verses 1-3; cf. Acts 4:24-28), (2) Father God responding in wrath and war during Daniel’s 70th Week and Christ’s Second Coming (verses 4,5), and (3) Christ’s Millennial Kingdom Reign in the Earth (verse 6).

Peter, filled with the Holy Ghost, knew the outpouring of wrath and war were to follow the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (see Acts 2:16-21,34-36; cf. Joel 2:28-32). Stephen, also filled with the Holy Ghost, finally saw the wrath just moments away, with the one-year extension of mercy on Israel of Acts chapters 1–7 now expired (cf. Luke 13:6-9; cf. Matthew 12:31,32)! See Acts chapter 7: “[51] Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost: as your fathers did, so do ye. [52] Which of the prophets have not your fathers persecuted? and they have slain them which shewed before of the coming of the Just One; of whom ye have been now the betrayers and murderers:…. [55] But he [Stephen], being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God, [56] And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.”

Unlike Psalm 110:1 (cf. Acts 2:34-36), Christ was no longer “sitting,” but “standing” in preparation to return and destroy His enemies! Yet, no wrath came….

NOTE: Concerning our New Testament Survey Project, we have now begun studying 1 Corinthians verse-by-verse. Those videos will be archived here.

Paul and The Pause of Prophecy #4

Wednesday, June 5, 2024

“Then Saul, (who also is called Paul,) filled with the Holy Ghost, set his eyes on him” (Acts 13:9 KJV).

How is the Apostle Paul connected to the pause of prophecy?

In forming the nation Israel, the LORD God was creating a kingdom of priests to be His channel of salvation and blessing to the Gentiles (the Abrahamic Covenant of Genesis 12:1-3). However, national Israel languished in unbelief, sin, and self-righteousness—culminating in Jesus Christ’s crucifixion (Matthew through John). By early Acts, Israel was still overwhelmingly unrepentant and unbelieving, relentlessly refusing the resurrected Christ and the Holy Spirit’s ministry.

Observe the Apostle Peter’s sermon to Israel on the Day of Pentecost, Acts chapter 2: “[22] Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: [23] Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: [24] Whom God hath raised up, having loosed the pains of death: because it was not possible that he should be holden of it….

“[32] This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. [33] Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. [34] For David is not ascended into the heavens: but he saith himself, The Lord said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, [35] Until I make thy foes thy footstool. [36] Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made the same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ. [37] Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? [38] Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.”

As verses 34-36 indicate, Divine judgment upon Israel is approaching….