Snap Shot
“Events which unmistakably involve an immediate and powerful action of God designed to reveal His character or purposes. Words used in the Scriptures to describe the miraculous include sign, wonder, work, mighty work, portent, power.”[1]
The Purpose of Miracles
There are at least three purposes for miracles:
1. Preeminent to all other purposes, a miracle is to give the Lord God Almighty glory.
2. In both the Old and New Testaments miracles helped to establish the supernatural revelation of the revelation; that is, “signs” in the New Testament put a “visible” sign on the power of the supernatural.
3. Miracles also occurred to meet human needs, as compassion for the hurting and needy brought forth supernatural healings.
Miracles—True on Untrue?
While many in this world fundamentally doubt miracles, biblical data answers this objection; however, it is easily understood why those of the world doubt: the basic aspect of miracles—faith—is not embraced by those of the world. Yet, for the believer, who exercises faith daily, miracles are a part of the abundant life—as miracles were in Scripture, so are they seen today.
Old Testament Miracles
Probably the grandest set of miracles (outside of the Creation) in the Old Testament occurred in the exodus of Israel from Egypt. Those systematic miracles still form the historic bedrock for the Jewish nation and easily portrays a miracle’s purpose as cited above.
New Testament Miracles
New Testament miracles can be divided into three groups:
1. No human agent involved.
2. Miracles through the hand of Jesus.
3. Miracles through the ministry of the early church, specifically the Apostles.
Examples of the first type of New Testament miracles would be the virgin birth and Temple veil being rent at Christ’s death. Miracles at the hand of Jesus included, healings, raising the dead, and feeding multitudes from very meager foodstuff. The Apostles raised the dead, healed, and delivered.
‘False Miracles’
Without a clear biblical definition of a miracle we hold to the purpose of miracles, which, in turn, will ultimately reveal the false miracles the antichrist will show in the Last Days.
The Apostle Paul penned,
“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders” (2 Thessalonians 2:9 KJV).
The actual phrase of “lying wonders” is “wonders of falsehood” and can mean either miracles produced by a false and evil power, or wonders intended to produce falsehood in men’s minds.[2]
In Deuteronomy, Matthew, and Revelation, the Scripture plainly speaks of false prophets who will display great signs to lead the elect away. Thus, it would be remiss to say “false miracles” don’t exist, indeed they do, but what makes them false is their ultimate purpose doesn’t give the Lord God Almighty glory; rather, it is to take the witness away from Him.
Conclusion
A key when it comes to miracles, once we understand a miracle’s preeminent purpose, is found in the Lord’s concluding words seen in the Gospel of Mark,
“And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover” (Mark 16:17-18 KJV).
Notice the order: signs follow those that believe and not believers following signs.
As our Christian life offers up a living sacrifice to give God glory, signs will follow—for His glory. It is when we cease to live for His glory and need a sign for His “presence” that we become vulnerable to the wonders of falsehood designed to deceive the very elect.
