DIVINE HEALING

 QUESTIONS & ANSWERS!

by Dr. Max Solbrekken, D.D.

     “So Moses brought Israel from the Red Sea, and they went out into the wilderness of Shur; and they went three days in the wilderness, and found no water. And when they came to Marah, they could not drink of the waters of Marah, for they were bitter; therefore, the name of it was called Marah.

      “And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink? And he cried to the Lord; and the Lord showed him a Tree, which when he had cast into the water, the waters were made sweet: there He made for them a Statute and an Ordinance, and there He proved them,

     “And said,   If thou wilt diligently hearken to the voice of the Lord thy God, and wilt do that which is right in His sight, and wilt give ear to His commandments, and keep all His statutes, I will put None of these diseases upon thee, which I have brought upon the Egyptians: for I am the Lord that health thee.” (Exodus 15: 22-26)

    After three days in the wilderness without water, Moses and the Jews he rescued from Egypt came to Shura, they found the waters undrinkable. God showed him a tree which when cut down and thrown into the waters, made them sweet.

    That tree was a type of the Cross, when thrown into the bitter waters of life makes them sweet. The cross of Christ makes the difference! Then, the Lord made for them an Ordinance and as Statute we call, ‘God’s Healing Covenant’!

    The Bible states: “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:

    “That the blessing of Abraham might come on the Gentiles through Jesus Christ; that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.” (Gal. 3: 13,14)

      The Healing Covenant that God made for the Jewish Nation through Moses has come down to us through Jesus Christ! Almighty God says: “I am the Lord that healeth thee.’’

      The Bible says: “Giving thanks unto the Father which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the Kingdom of His dear Son: in whom we have Redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.

     “And having made peace through the blood of His cross, by Him to reconcile all things unto Himself; by Him, I say, whether they be things on earth or things in Heaven.” (Col. 1: 12-15,20)

                           WHEN I SEE THE BLOOD!

    “Then Moses called for all the elders of Israel and said unto them, Draw out and take you a lamb according to your families, and kill the Passover. And ye shall take a bunch of hyssop and dip it in blood that is in the basin, and strike the lintel and the two side posts with the blood that is in the basin: and none of you shall go out at the door of his house until the morning.

      “And the Lord will pass through to smite the Egyptians; and when He seeth the BLOOD upon the lintel, and on the two side posts, the Lord will pass over the door, and will not suffer the destroyer to come in unto your houses to smite you.

    “And it came to pass, that at Midnight the Lord smote all the firstborn of Pharoah that sat on his throne unto the firstborn of the captives that was in the dungeon; and all the first born of cattle.

     And Pharoah rose up in the night, and all his servants; and all the Egyptians; and there was a Great Cry, for there was not a house where there was not one dead. And he called for Moses and Aaron by night, and said, Rise up, and get you forth from among my people, both ye and the children of Israel; and go and serve the Lord, as ye have said.

   ‘And take your flocks, and your herds, as ye have said, and be gone; and bless me too.” (Exodus 12: 21-23; 29-32)

      The great truth that this historical event teaches is that God judges those who oppose Him and His people and that He blesses and cares for those who believe Him and trust Him!

                      THE ALL ATONING BLOOD!

     The Night of the first Passover in Egypt was one long to be remembered. God went out searching. He was searching for the sign of “the blood of the lamb” on the doorways. He was not disappointed in His search as far as the land of Goshen was concerned. But He did not find the blood in other parts of Egypt.

     The God of mercy became a God of judgment. No blood on the doorway made the difference. The same search is going on today. God is looking for blood – the dying blood of His Son – on the homes and on the hearts. And when He sees it there is mercy. It is the presence of the blood that makes one safe.

    There are some places where the blood should be but is not. Toward such, God will be terrible out of His holy place.

    Some churches are banishing the blood and putting the gilding of man’s teaching in its place. Making a covering of tinsel and blotting out the blood! Blotting out the atonement God provided through the blood of His Son.

     Christ’s blood is a barrier against the wrath of God. It speaks of forgiveness. But men spurn that blood, spurn forgiveness. In consequence they will have to suffer the wrath of God.

    “When I see the blood, I will pass over you, and the plague shall not come upon you to destroy you, when I smite the land of Egypt.” (Ex. 12:13)

    The destroying angel is not dead. He is still waiting to execute the command of the Master. No blood, no protection. No blood, no mercy. Satan tries to keep men from honouring the blood, because God has honoured it.

    What God exalts, Satan debases. He is anti-God, and anti-Spirit.

    If you honour the blood, God will honour you because you put your trust in the One who shed His blood for you; the Son of God. Make your calling and election sure so that you may be among those who in Heaven, are around the Throne giving “glory and honour to the Lamb that was slain, and hast redeemed us unto God by His blood.”

     The Father is pleased with the company, however small, who honour the blood and give the Spirit His rightful place. You honour Christ’s blood and He will exalt you.

    “Ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and old, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers: but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish or spot.”   (1 Peter 1: 18, 19)

  - Gospel Publishing House Springfield, Mo. 65802

                                    Chapter 1

IS DIVINE HEALING FOR TODAY?

     Theologians and religious men have debated this issue for years.  Some say yes, others no. The real question is: What does the Bible say?

     That is what counts!  What I say or what others say does not matter much, especially if it conflicts with or disagrees with God's Word.

     What saith the Scriptures? The Bible is the inspired Word of God and the final authority for faith and morals.  The Holy Scriptures have the final say about everything concerning life, death and eternity!

     Let me ask you a question: Is Jesus for today? If Jesus is for today, then the forgiveness of sins is for today, and divine healing is also for today.  If He is not for today, then we have believed in vain and the gospel is worthless!

     If Jesus Christ is ‘For Real’ then divine healing is for real; If He is a phony, a myth, a mirage or a liar then the Bible isn't worth the paper it's written on!

                      

               IF HE IS ALIVE, THERE IS HOPE!

     St. Paul declared that, "If the dead rise not" then Christ is not raised; And if Christ is not raised, then He is still dead with no power to save, heal, deliver or bless anyone! 

   "But, now is Christ risen from the dead and become the first fruits of them that slept!" (1 Cor. 15:20).  Christ is alive!  And because He is alive, there is hope for us with forgiveness, healing, prosperity, and abundant blessings!  Praise God!

     Jesus Christ is alive and relevant to our needs. His interest in us is to do us good. His Gospel is effective, reliable and totally viable. It works!

     His blood is efficacious His stripes bring healing and there is Divine Blessing through the touch of His hand. The Bible says: "Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today and forever." (Heb. 13:8)

     True Christians believe in the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ!  We believe and confess that He died for us on Calvary's Cross, was buried in the Garden Tomb and rose again on the third day. We believe that He ascended into Heaven and sat down on the right hand of ‘The Majesty on High’ and will soon return to rapture the church (1 Thess. 4: 16-18) and judge the quick and the dead!

                  NO OTHER FOUNDATION!

      The Bible states: “For other foundation can no man lay that that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ…” (1 Cor. 3:13); “And that knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

    “The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness and let us put on the armour of light.”  (Rom. 14:11-12)

     Jesus Christ is the sinless, righteous, eternal, changeless and always constant Son of God!  His Name is all powerful and His blood is alive in the Holy of Holies in Heaven!

    After His death and resurrection, our Lord Jesus emphasized, "...All power is given unto Me in heaven and in earth". (Matt. 28:18)

     The Bible says, "I am the Lord, I change not." (Mal.3:6). “How that God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: who went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed of the devil: for God was with Him.” (Acts 10: 38)

      Jesus has not changed and still has the same desires, wishes and plans for His people as He always had. Unless of course, He came back from the dead different; slow, with a mental block, unable to discern right from wrong or with a totally different philosophy!

     HOW ABSURD!  He has not changed. He will not change. He cannot change. He is the same yesterday, today and forever! He has no mental block or speech impediment.

     He said what He meant   and meant what He said. It is as simple as that. His doctrine or teaching did not change with the traumatic sufferings and death on the cross!

      May God have mercy upon those theologians and preachers who have unilaterally or with humanistic Bible translators sought to minimize the Eternal Godhood of Jesus Christ, the blessed Holy Spirit and God’s Holy Word.
              WHAT ABOUT HIS WORD?

     What about God’s Word? Can it be believed and trusted? I say, “A resounding, Yes.” You may ask, “Why do you believe the Holy Bible?” I could give you a hundred reasons why I believe God’s Word is true, but I will give you only one:

     Jesus of Nazareth believed the Holy Scriptures, preached from them, lived and died by them and arose from the dead according to the Holy Scriptures!

     Is Divine Healing for today?  Well, let me ask you another simple question: Is God's Word for today?  Does His Word have any special meaning or authority for us today? 

    Or is it only a thing of beauty, a centre- piece to adorn the coffee table or to be read for its poetic style, its prose or its fine literature? Has His death and resurrection altered His word or will at all? 

    Of course not! Because He did rise from the dead, He is the same in actions as well as words.  He is the same.  Nothing has changed! His will is found in His Word and His Word is synonymous with His will or wish.  You cannot separate a man from His Word or a man's speech and action from him.  They are the one and same!

     You cannot divorce Jesus Christ from His Word or His power! If His Word says so, we can and must believe it!  Jesus said, "Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My Words shall not pass away." (Matt. 24:35)

    The Scripture says, "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.

      For the promise is unto you, and to your children, and to all that are afar off, even as many as the Lord our God shall call." (Acts 2:38,39)

      If Jesus Christ is for today, then Divine Healing is for today. If the Bible is for today, then it stands to reason that Divine Healing is also for today! 

                                     Chapter 2

DOES DIVINE HEALING

ACOMPLISH ANYTHING GOOD?

    We will let the Word of God answer for itself!  "How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and with power: Who went about doing good, and healing all that were oppressed of the devil; for God was with Him." (Acts 10:38)

     Very definitely, the Scripture emphasizes that Jesus went about doing Good and Healing all who were oppressed of the devil!  The devil oppressed the people with sin, sickness, fear and torments, but Jesus came to the people with Divine Healing, which is very Good!

     Jesus said, "The thief (devil) cometh not but for to steal, kill and destroy.  I am come that ye may have life and more abundantly." (John 10:10).

    Life comes from God and Jesus has promised us Abundant Life; Life to overflowing with good things from the hand of our Lord! 

      The Bible says, "No good thing will God withhold from them that walk uprightly" (Ps. 84:11). Yes, my friend, Divine Healing does a lot of good.  As a matter of fact, Jesus called Divine Healing, the Children's Bread!

     "But He answered and said, It is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it to dogs." (Matt. 15:26). The Scripture states, "Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning".  (James 1:17)

DIVINE HEALING FROM GOD !

     Divine healing comes from God by the will of God, for the blessing and edification of His people!

    God the Father is a Healer: He declared, "I am the Lord that healeth thee" (Ex. 15:26. God the Son is a Healer: The Bible says, "And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.” (Matt. 9:35)

     God the Holy Spirit is a Healer: St. Paul emphasized, "If that same Spirit that raised up Jesus Christ from the dead, dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken (make life in) your mortal bodies by the Spirit that dwelleth in you." (Rom. 8:11)

     God has blessed His people with Divine healing, health strength, protection, blessings and enumerable interventions!

     When you consider the many sick and diseased people who suffer untold agony and pain, we don't need to wonder if Divine Healing does any good. 

     Certainly, destroying sickness and pain is a blessing, otherwise we may as well shut down all our hospitals and terminate the employment of all medical personnel.

     When you consider the love that is lost, the separations of loved ones, the work force and the business community that is affected by sickness and death, we don't need to ask if divine healing is a blessing!

HEALTH CARE SYSTEM BANKRUPT?

      The Health Care System is straining under the heavy load of an increasingly aging population, influx of new and rare diseases epidemics and pandemics and enormous rising health costs!

      The Canadian Medical Profession is regularly in consultations regarding the upgrading, revamping and improving of our health care system!

     There has been a was a very real concern that the AIDS, SARS, Ebola epidemics would bankrupt the already overstrained health systems of the world!  As well as other new, emerging diseases together with the re-emergence of several deadly old viruses, germs and bacteria!

     With the deadly Coronavirus that is presently sweeping the world, there is a dreaded fear of an old-style Depression, that could kill millions and reduce many nations to poverty!

                       MAY GOD SEND US A REVIVAL!

     Only a genuine Revival of Righteousness will be able to head off these awful Epidemics! And may we have the faith to pray for staggering miracles of healing, for those who are afflicted!

     The health and welfare of humanity is of vital concern to governments everywhere. The Christian Community - who have access to the mighty power of God through faith and prayer – must do everything within our power to bring healing to those who are suffering the untold agony and pain?

      We must take the lead in bringing Healing, Deliverance and Blessing to the poor, needy, sick and suffering, for we are extensions of Christ’s hands and feet in this generation!

     St. James states: “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning”.

     In the beginning, when God created Adam and Eve, He saw that His creation “was good”!  There was no sin and consequently no sickness or death in the garden of Eden!

     When sin entered the world through Satan’s temptation of our first parents, Adam and Eve, death was the natural result.

                  DISEASE IS INCIPIENT DEATH!

    Sickness and death are incipient death or ‘death on the installment plan.’  They are enemies of mankind! Sickness, disease and death is the poisonous fruit of Satan, the world’s greatest Liar, Murderer and Destroyer!

      When Jesus Christ - the Second and Last Adam - came to this earth, one of His major targets was sickness and disease.  He healed the sick, cleansed the lepers, cast out unclean spirits and raised the dead!

     The Holy Spirit answers our question, “Does Divine Healing accomplish anything good?”  Here is the answer: “How God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Ghost and power who went about doing good, and healing all who were oppressed of the devil, for God was with Him”. (Acts 10:38)

     If you want to know if Divine Healing is worthwhile, ask the many who have been healed of incurable cancer, heart disease, diabetes, arthritis, insanity or a hundred other sicknesses, through faith in   Jesus Christ!

            SICKNESS & DISEASE IS CAPTIVITY!

    “And the Lord turned the captivity of Job, when he prayed for his friends: also the Lord gave Job twice as much as he had before. So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than the beginning…” (Job 42: 10, 12)

    Sickness and disease is captivity! Christ purchased  our freedom from the Prison House of fear, anxiety, torment, hatred, doubt,  condemnation, oppression and depression which often accompanies attacks of sickness and disease!

    The shed blood of Jesus Christ brings peace, forgiveness with assurance, wholeness of spirit, soul and body. Divine Healing from our Lord causes joy and blessings beyond compare and a tranquility filled with thanksgiving and praises unto our Saviour Jesus Christ.

     Come Lord Jesus, turn away from Thy children, the captivity of sickness, disease, and pain, according to Thy Word and Thy precious promises which fail not, so that the Father may be glorified in His Son Jesus Christ! – (John 14: 11-14; 1 John 10 -15). Amen.