The term Miracle used of the unexplainable works of Yeshua/Jesus. They show that God eternally exists and that He works on behalf of His people. (Exod. 6:7) Through God's mighty works, other gods are shown to be powerless. (Exod. 12:12) By miracles the heart is hardened or established in the abiding faith which is already present. For Pharaoh, God's wonders worked to manifest the evil within his heart, when the repeated judgments of God failed to move him to obedience. (Ex. 8:19)
MIRACLES IN THE OLD TESTAMENT
What is needed is a hunger for God. The Lord, who is the Lord of our Righteousness, says: Blessed is he that hungers and thirsts after righteousness for shall be filled. (Matt. 5:6) The Hebrew term pala,means "to be marvellous, wonderful, and stresses the awe created by the acts of God. In Exodus 3:20, and psalms 118:23, the word "mopet" means wonder and evidences the fact that God both punishes and protects, (Ex 4:21) while "ot" a miraculous sign denotes the fact that miracles testify to the special revelation of God's person and purpose. (Deut. 4:34)
In the Old Testament, Moses longed for a deeper revelation of the knowledge of God, and God showed him His glory, and he together with the children of Israel saw many signs and wonders. The miracles were a declaration of the revelation of God's name, "I AM." (Ex. 3:14) The Hebrew term mowpheth is from the root yaphah, "to be bright." (Exod. 7:9,Deut. 29:3) It speaks of conspicuousness, a miracle, token, omen, sign or wonder. The word meaning portent is "teras. (Matt. 24:24, Acts 2:22.43)
PROPHECY AS MIRACULOUS
The fact that the Almighty --The King of the Universe would commune with man, beginning with Adam, the first of God's creation of the human race is miraculous. In like manner, the ability to perceive with spiritual perception the things of God, and to interpret them by the Spirit is incredible. Daniel the Prophet, who interpreted dreams, testified of God's purpose in prophecy saying that it did not stem from the wisdom of the prophet himself, and one essential purpose was so that the one for whom it's intended might better know his own heart, which is defined in scripture as "deceifully wicked above all tings and who can know?" (Jer. 17:9) The fact that God's word penetrates the human heart like an arrow and is a discerner of the very intents of the heart reveals to man his own motive and purpose. This sifting and shaking of everything that can be shaken is in itself miraculous.
"But as for me this secret is not revealed to me for any wisdom that I have more than any living, but for their sakes that shall make known the interpretation to the king and that thou mightest know the thoughts of thy heart.
The Prophet Moses said:
"I beseech thee, show me thy glory!" And God said: I will make all my goodness to pass before thee and I will proclaim the name of the Lord before thee, and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will show mercy on whom I will show mercy. And He said: Thou canst not see My face: for no man shall see Me and live. And the Lord said: Behold there is a place by Me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock; and it shall come to pass while my glory passes by that I will put thee in the cleft of the rock, and I will cover thee with my hand while I pass by; and I will take away My hand, and thou shalt see my back parts; but my face shall not be seen. (Exodus 33:22-23)
When you spend time in the presence of the Lord, remarkable things happen. The glory of God was so great, when Moses went to the top of the mountain to receive the tablets of the Law that he had to put a veil over his face. (Exodus 34:33) The very Law of God was received with God testifying of the miraculour deliverance by His own hand: I am Yah thy God, who brought thee up out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of . Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." (Exodus 20:2-3) Miracles serve to testify of the greatness of God, and sanctify Him to a greater extent than ever before in the hearts of those who see and experience God's wonders. Unto thee it was showed that thou mightest know that Yah He is God, there is none else beside Him. (Deut. 4:32-35)
There's an accountability that accompanies being the recipient of or witnessing one of God's miracles today as there was then. Miracles occur today as then, in the everyday relationship between God and man and as part of the covenantal care of Him for His people. We must pause and "consider," to fully appreciate the Lord for who He is and to appreciate what He has done.
God is/was insulted by the unbelief of those who saw His mighty works, but didn't profit by the demonstration of His power, for He testifies against such saying:
"I have pardoned according to My word. But as truly as I live, all the earth shall be filled with the glory of the Lord. Because all those men which have seen My glory, and My miracles, which I did in Egypt and in the wilderness, and have tempted me now these ten times, and have not hearkened to My voice, srely they shall not see the land which I sware unto their fathers, neither shall any of them that provoked Me see it. But Caleb, because he had another spirit with him, and he followed me fully, him will I bring into the land whereunto he went and his seed shall possess it. (Num. 14:20-23)
We read in scripture of such notable miracles as the Jericho wall, which fell flat with a mighty shout. Of the miraculous parting of the Red Sea, and drowning of Pharaoh' sarmy, and of the conqueroring of Canaan's land.
Ahab and Jezebel vigorously worked to make Baal the official deity. God responded through His holy prophets. The ministries of Elijah and Elisha contain the performance of some 21 miracles. The miracles did not move them to repentance. Through them God discredited baal, and brought the people back to the realization that "the Lord He is God." (I Kings 18:39)
MIRACLES AS PART OF GOD'S REVELATION OF HIMSELF
In the New Testament, the term "dunamis" is used, of God's "mighty acts and works of power," expressing that the miraculous act cannot be explained by any natural process. (Matt. 11:20, 21,23, 13:54, 14:2, Mark 6:2, 2 Cor. 12:12)
Semeion speaks of "signs." (Matt. 24:24) While ergon denotes a work, as in John 7:3, 10:32. The incarnation was a miracle! In the Old Testament, God said: No man can see My face and live. In the New Testament, God robed Himself in the flesh of Messiah, and "We beheld His glory full of grace and truth." (John 1) Not only did faith in Messiah bring to us all a fuller revelation of God, and His forgiveness, but through Him, many notable signs and wonders have come. These continue to the present time, and remain, for He has not left us comfortless, but He has come to us.
The devout believer of Yeshua's day associated miracles with the administration of God. We see the significance of Yeshua/Jesus miracles summed up in Nicodemus words:
"We know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with Him." (John 3:2)
In the words of the Apostle Peter:
"Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that in the name of Yeshua haMashiach/Jesus Christ of Nazareth whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the , even in Him doth this man stand before you whole. (Acts 4:10)
The Apostle Peter tells us of "miracles and wonders and signs which God performed through" Yeshua haMashicah/Jesus Christ, stating Messiah was "approved of God among you, by miracles, and wonders and signs, which God did by Him in the midst of you and ye yourselves know." (Acts. 2:22) Messiah died on the cross to save sinners. With His precious blood, He paid the redemption price to buy the human race out of the prison house of Satan. This miraculous salvation incorporates salvation, healing and deliverance, standing for all time as a demonstration of God's miraculous, all-transforming love for all mankind. He said: "If I do not the works of My Father, believe me not. But if I do them, though ye believe not me, believe the works: that ye may know and understand that the Father is in Me and I in the Father." (John 10:37-38) Yeshua/Jesus was raised from the by the glory of the Father, and ascended into heaven, where He is seated at the right hand of God--which is a metaphor for the position of all power and authority. Miracles demonstrate the supernatural power of God over nature elements and the powers of darkness. This authority was seen in Yeshua/Jesus healing of the sick, calming the sea and raising people from the . We read of many signs and wonders in scripture. The phrase "signs and wonders" is used in speaking of the supernatural manifestation of God's awesome power.
MIRACLES IN DEMONSTRATION OF THE SPIRIT & OF POWER
Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away. For if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you, but if I depart, I will send Him unto you. (John 16:7) I will not leave you comfortless, but "I" will come to you. (John 14:18)
Before He ascended, Yeshua/Jesus said: "But ye shall receive power after that the Holy Spirit is come upon you, and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalme, and in all Judea, and in Samaria and unto the uttermost parts of the earth." (Acts 1:8) No matter how many miracles one sees, indifference to the supernatural should not be given place. The Apostle Peter remembered and referred to the signs done by Yeshua/Jesus, as part of his own witness of Messiah, including those works of Yeshua/Jesus done through Peter's own ministry. During those years when Peter had served the Lord, He upbraided those "who considered not the miracles."
And they that did eat of the loaves were about five thousand men. And straightway he constrained his disciples to get into the ship, and go to the other side before unto Bethsaida, while he sent away the people. And when he had sent them away, he departed into a mountain to pray. And when even was come, the ship was in the midst of the sea, and he alone on the land.And he saw them toiling in rowing; for the wind was contrary unto them: and about the fourth watch of the night he cometh unto them, walking upon the sea, and would have passed by them. but when they saw him walking upon the sea, they supposed it had been a spirit, and cried out: For they all saw him, and were troubled. And immediately he talked with them, and saith unto them, Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid. And he went up unto them into the ship; and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered. For they considered not the miracle of the loaves: for their heart was hardened. (Mark 6:44-52)
This aspect of declaring the wonderous works of God, --of considering the miraculous, draws attention to the magnitude and power of God in the event, because a sign points to something. Yeshua/Jesus lived to do His Father's will, and the miracles done testified to His relationship with the Father. "Believest thou not that I am in the Father and the Father in me? The words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, He doeth the works. Believe me that I am in the Father and the Father in me, or else believe me for the works sake. (John 14:10-11) "I and My Father are one!" ()
In John 5:36 Yeshua/Jesus stated that His works evidenced His divine commission, and the fact that He was sent forth by His Father. worketh hitherto and I work. (John 5:17) Miracles reveal to us the nature of God. Yeshua/Jesus came to reveal to us the Father's name, nature and glory, saying: "This is the work of God that ye believe on Him whom He hath sent." (John 6:29) The "Greater works than these shall ye do," (John 14:12) begin when we repent of our sins --including the sin of unbelief, and believe on Him--for through our relationship with God, Christlike holy character will be seen and the works of God will flow. Our work first and foremost is to believe on Yeshua/Jesus. (Acts 2:38, Acts 8:16, Acts 10:46-48, Acts 19:5)
The Father robed Himself in the flesh of Messiah, who obtained His very name by inheritance. Yeshua/Jesus means: Yahweh the Savior. Messiah demonstrated that he was/is the Savior by notable signs and wonders, healing all who were sick with diseases and delivering those possessed by evil spirits.
MIRACLES THAT WILL TESTIFY OF GOOD WORKS & EVIL
Woe unto you Chorazin! woe unto you Bethsaida! for it the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented sitting in sackcloth and askes. (Luke 10:13)
There has never been a greater need for discernment on the part of God's people. To tell of all God's wonderous acts, to remember His wonders and to declare His deeds among the people. (I Chron 16:9, 12, 24) The miracles God does, confirm His holy covenant with His people.
The New Testament warns that in the last days, men will fall prey to "seducing spirits and doctrines of demons." We are admonished to beware of lying signs and wonders, and shown the very spirit or characteristics of Anti-Christ whose coming will be an incarnation of Satan himself after the working of Satan, with all deceivableness of unrighteousness, for he will perform counterfeit miracles, with lying signs and wonders, deceiving those that perish, who received not the love of the truth. (2 Thess. 2:9-10) Strong delusion will cover theie minds like a marriage huppah, joining them in unholy covenant with the Evil One. The term used of "deceiver" in the New Testament, is apate and it means "to deceive, cheat, beguile, give a false impression, whether by appearance, statement or infulence." Here again, people will be forced to try the spirits and to choose life or death, as God's word commands. Lying signs and wonders will deceive if possible even God's elect. (Matt. 24:24) Stand strong in the Lord and in the power of His might, in sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth, (II Thess. 2:13) for yours will be an eternal reward in Yeshua haMashiach/Christ Jesus.
