All content below is exactly as it appeared on Frank's website, nothing has been changed. Please ignore references to "call" or "email" Frank for obvious reasons.

THE VISIBLE GOD

 VERSES PROVING THAT GOD IS VISIBLE (AND HAS BEEN SEEN MANY TIMES)

WE DO NOT DISCUSS, I THINK, I FEEL, I BELIEVE, OR IN MY OPINION, WE DISCUSS ONLY, “THUS SAITH THE WORD OF THE LORD”.

WHEN GOD AND JESUS USED A FIGURATIVE STATEMENT, THERE WAS ALWAYS A LITERAL TRUTH BEHIND EACH FIGURATIVE STATEMENT. WHEN YOU SAY THAT SOMETHING IS FIGURATIVE, ALWAYS BE READY TO TELL THE LITERAL TRUTH BEHIND EACH STATEMENT. THE PARABLES THAT JESUS TAUGHT ARE VERY GOOD EXAMPLES. EACH PARABLE IS TEACHING A LITERAL TRUTH.

INVISIBLE

THE WORD REALLY MEANS NOT IN SIGHT, UNSEEN, CONCEALED. INVISIBILITY CONSISTS MORE OF DISTANCE THAN SUBSTANCE. CITIES OR OTHER MATERIAL OBJECTS CANNOT BE SEEN EVEN 30 MILES AWAY. AT THIS DISTANCE THEY ARE INVISIBLE. OBJECTS CONCEALED, ARE INVISIBLE. ANYTHING OUT OF EYESIGHT IS INVISIBLE, THEY HAVE BEEN SEEN WITH THE NATURAL EYES MANY TIMES. PROVING THAT INVISIBILITY MUST BE UNDERSTOOD WITH THEM AS WITH ALL OTHER INVISIBLE THINGS AS A MATTER OF PROXIMITY (IN THIS FRAMEWORK).

Colossians 1:15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature:

IF JESUS CHRIST IS THE IMAGE OF THE INVISIBLE GOD, THEN JESUS IS INVISIBLE. IF HE LOOKED IN A MIRROR HE WOULD NOT SEE HIS IMAGE IF HE IS INVISIBLE, HE WOULD HAVE TO BE VISIBLE TO SEE AN IMAGE IN THE MIRROR.

IMAGE – (I-KONE) FROM 1504 GREEK CONCORDANCE, PAGE 25: IMAGE, A LIKENESS, THAT IS (LIT.) A STATUE, PROFILE, RESEMBLANCE:

John 4:24 God [is] a Spirit: (ANGELS ARE SPIRITS) and they that worship him must worship [him] in spirit and in truth. PEOPLE CONTEND THAT BECAUSE GOD IS A SPIRIT HE IS THEREFORE INVISIBLE. THIS IS NOT TRUE BECAUSE ANGELS ARE SPIRITS AND THEY HAVE BEEN SEEN NUMEROUS TIMES.

Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.

IF YOU HAVE ENTERTAINED ANGELS UNAWARES LOGICALLY THEY MUST LOOK EXACTLY LIKE HUMANS.

II Corinthians 12:2 I knew a man in Christ above fourteen years ago, (whether in the body, I cannot tell; or whether out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;) such an one caught up to the third heaven.

II Corinthians 12:3 And I knew such a man, (whether in the body, or out of the body, I cannot tell: God knoweth;)

11 COR.12:2-3 ABOVE PAUL, COULD NOT TELL AND DID NOT KNOW WHETHER HE WAS LOOKING AT A SPIRIT BODY OR A FLESH AND BLOOD BODY. HE (PAUL) DID NOT EVEN KNOW WHETHER HE WAS IN HIS SPIRIT BODY OR HIS FLESH BODY AT THE TIME OF THIS EXPERIENCE. PROVING THAT THE SPIRIT BODY AND THE PHYSICAL BODY LOOK EXACTLY ALIKE

THE VERSES BELOW PROVE THAT GOD HAS BEEN SEEN MANY TIMES.

Genesis 3:8 And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.

IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO HIDE FROM GOD IF HE IS INVISIBLE. BECAUSE YOU COULD NOT SEE HIM SO YOU WOULD NOT KNOW WHERE TO HIDE. HE COULD HAVE BEEN BEHIND THE TREE WITH ADAM AND EVE IF HE (GOD) WAS INVISIBLE OR EVERYWHERE. SO DOESN’T IT SOUND RIDICULOUS TO EVEN IMPLY THAT GOD IS AN INVISIBLE GOD AND THAT HE IS EVERYWHERE, JUST BECAUSE WE CANNOT SEE HIM NOW?

Genesis 12:7 And the LORD appeared (TO LOOK ONE UPON ANOTHER) unto Abram and said, Unto thy seed will I give this land: and there builded he an altar unto the LORD, who appeared unto him.

STRONG’S HEBREW’S DICTIONARY (NUMBER 7200) TO APPEAR MEANS, “TO SHOW ONESELF TO ANOTHER”, “TO LOOK ONE UPON ANOTHER”, “SEE ONE ANOTHER”.

Genesis 17:1 And when Abram was ninety years old and nine, the LORD appeared (STRONG’S HEB. #7200) to Abram, and said unto him, I [am] the Almighty God; walk before me, and be thou perfect.

Genesis 18:1 And the LORD (JEHOVAH) appeared (STRONG’S HEB. #7200) unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;

Genesis 18:2 And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men (JEHOVAH AND TWO ANGELS) stood by him: and when he saw [them], he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,

Genesis 18:3 And said, My Lord,

(‘Adonay, ad-o-noy’; an emphatic form of Hebrew 113 (‘adown); the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) :- (my) Lord.) if now I have found favour in thy sight, pass not away, I pray thee, from thy servant:

Genesis 18:4 Let a little water, I pray you, be fetched, and wash your feet,(JEHOVAH’S FEET) and rest yourselves under the tree:

Genesis 18:5 And I will fetch a morsel of bread, and comfort ye your hearts; after that ye shall pass on: for therefore are ye come to your servant. And they said, So do, as thou hast said.

ABRAHAM WASHED GOD’S FEET. “HOW CAN YOU SEE TO WASH SOMEONE’S FEET IF THEY ARE INVISIBLE”? IF GOD’S FEET HAD BEEN INVISIBLE ABRAHAM WOULD NOT HAVE BEEN ABLE TO SEE GOD’S FEET TO WASH THEM. (YOU CAN’T WASH SOMETHING THAT IS NOT THERE).

Genesis 18:13 And the LORD (JEHOVAH) said unto Abraham, Wherefore did Sarah laugh, saying, Shall I of a surety bear a child, which am old?

Genesis 18:14 Is any thing too hard for the LORD? At the time appointed I will return unto thee, according to the time of life, and Sarah shall have a son.

Genesis 18:8 And he took butter, and milk, and the calf which he had dressed, and set [it] before them; and he stood by them (JEHOVAH AND TWO ANGELS) under the tree, and they did eat.

AND ABRAHAM STOOD BY THEM. IF GOD IS INVISIBLE HOW WOULD ABRAHAM KNOW HE WAS STANDING BY GOD?

Genesis 18:16 And the men (JEHOVAH AND THE TWO ANGELS LOOKED EXACTLY LIKE MEN TO ABRAHAM) rose up from thence, and looked toward Sodom: and Abraham went with them to bring them on the way.

GOD APPEARS, (SHOWS HIMSELF) UNTO ISAAC

Genesis 26:24 And the LORD appeared (STRONG’S HEB. #7200) unto him the same night, and said, I [am] the God of Abraham thy father: fear not, for I [am] with thee, and will bless thee, and multiply thy seed for my servant Abraham’s sake.

GOD APPEARED, (SHOWED HIMSELF) UNTO JACOB.

Genesis 32:24 And Jacob was left alone; and there wrestled a man with him until the breaking of the day.

Genesis 32:25 And when he (JEHOVAH) saw that he prevailed not against him, (JACOB) he (JEHOVAH) touched the hollow of his (JACOB’S) thigh; and the hollow of Jacob’s thigh was out of joint, as he (JEHOVAH) wrestled with him (JACOB).

Genesis 32:26 And he (HE JEHOVAH AS PROVED BY GEN. 32:30) said, Let me go, for the day breaketh. And he (JACOB) said, I will not let thee go, except thou bless me.

Genesis 32:27 And he (GOD) said unto him, What [is] thy name? And he said, Jacob.

Genesis 32:28 And he (JEHOVAH) said, Thy name shall be called no more Jacob, but Israel: for as a prince hast thou power with God and with men, and hast prevailed.

Genesis 32:29 And Jacob asked [him], and said, Tell [me], I pray thee, thy name. And he (GOD) said, Wherefore [is] it [that] thou-* dost ask after my name? And he (JEHOVAH) blessed him there.

Genesis 32:30 And Jacob called the name of the place Peniel: for I have seen God face to face, and my life is preserved.

THE MAN THAT JACOB WRESTLED WITH WAS GOD. JACOB SAID, “I HAVE SEEN GOD FACE TO FACE”.

I HAVE SEEN, (THAT IS TO LOOK UPON, OR GAZE AT).

IF ANY OF YOU, WHO WERE NOT THERE THREE THOUSAND YEARS AGO WHEN THIS HAPPENED “IN YOUR GREAT WISDOM” WISH TO CALL JACOB A LIAR, FEEL FREE.

Genesis 35:9 And God appeared (STRONG’S HEB. #7200, TO SEE ONE ANOTHER) unto Jacob again, when he came out of Padan-aram, and blessed him.

IN GEN. 35:9 WHEN GOD WROTE THAT GOD APPEARED UNTO JACOB AGAIN HE IS VERIFYING THAT JACOB DID SEE HIM AND WRESTLE WITH HIM IN GEN. 32:34. “TRY TO WIGGLE OUT OF THIS ONE”.

Genesis 35:13 And God went up from him in the place where he talked with him.

Genesis 35:15 And Jacob called the name of the place where God spake with him, Bethel.

Exodus 19:11 And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD (Yehovah, yeh-ho-vaw’; from Hebrew 1961 (hayah); (the) self-Existent or Eternal; Jehovah, Jewish national name of God :- Jehovah, the Lord. Compare Hebrew 3050 (Yahh), Hebrew 3069 (Yehovih). will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai.

Exodus 24:9 Then went up Moses, and Aaron, Nadab, and Abihu, and seventy of the elders of Israel:

Exodus 24:10 And they saw the God of Israel: and [there was] under his feet (THEY SAW HIS FEET) as it were a paved work of a sapphire stone, and as it were the body of heaven in [his] clearness.

IF YOU CONTEND THAT THE PHRASE “THEY SAW THE GOD OF ISRAEL,” IS FIGURATIVE YOU MUST EXPLAIN THE LITERAL MEANING BEHIND THE PHRASE. WHAT IS GOD TRYING TO TEACH US WHEN HE WROTE, “THEY SAW THE GOD OF ISRAEL.”? IS HE TRYING TO TEACH US THAT THEY DID NOT SEE THE GOD OF ISRAEL?

Exodus 24:11 And upon the nobles of the children of Israel he laid not his hand: also they saw God, and did eat and drink.

SAW (HEB. – CHAZAH – KHAW-ZAW). A PRIMITIVE ROOT TO GAZE AT.

Exodus 33:11 And the LORD (JEHOVAH) spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend. And he turned again into the camp: but his servant Joshua, the son of Nun, a young man, departed not out of the tabernacle.

AS I WOULD STAND AND TALK TO YOU FACE TO FACE, SO DID GOD TALK TO MOSES.

Leviticus 9:24 And there came a fire out from before the LORD, and consumed upon the altar the burnt offering and the fat: [which] when all the people saw, they shouted, and fell on their faces.

HOW COULD THEY KNOW WHERE THE FIRE CAME FROM, IF THEY COULD NOT SEE GOD?

Leviticus 10:1 And Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron, took either of them his censer, and put fire therein, and put incense thereon, and offered strange fire before the LORD, which he commanded them not.

Leviticus 10:2 And there went out fire from the LORD, and devoured them, and they died before the LORD.

HOW COULD THEY KNOW THAT FIRE CAME OUT FROM THE LORD, IF THEY COULD NOT SEE GOD? THEY WOULD NOT HAVE KNOWN WHERE THE FIRE WAS COMING FROM IF GOD HAD NOT BEEN VISIBLE.

Numbers 12:8 With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, (VISIBLY) and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?

SIMILITUDE; (HEB. 8554 – TEMUNAH – TEM-OO-NAW) EMBODIMENT, BODY.

Numbers 23:4 And God met Balaam: and he said unto him, I have prepared seven altars, and I have offered upon [every] altar a bullock and a ram.

Numbers 23:16 And the LORD met Balaam, and put a word in his mouth, and said, Go again unto Balak, and say thus.

I Samuel 3:10 And the LORD came, and stood, (HOW DID THEY KNOW THAT GOD STOOD?) and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.

I Samuel 3:21 And the LORD appeared (STRONG’S HEB. #7200, TO SEE ONE ANOTHER) again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.

II Chronicles 3:1 Then Solomon began to build the house of the LORD at Jerusalem in mount Moriah, where [the Lord] appeared unto David his father, in the place that David had prepared in the threshingfloor of Ornan the Jebusite.

APPEARED – HEB. REAH: RAW -AW: TO SEE. GAZE , LOOK ONE UPON ANOTHER. LOOK ONE ON ANOTHER, BE NEAR, PRESENT (SEE ONE ANOTHER).

Job 42:5 I have heard of thee by the hearing of the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee.

SEETH, HEB. 7200 REAH: RAW-AW: TO SEE, GAZE AT, LOOK UPON.

Isaiah 6:1 In the year that king Uzziah died I saw also the Lord

(an emphatic form of Hebrew 113 ‘adown); the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) :- (my) Lord.) sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up, and his train filled the temple.

Amos 9:1 I saw the Lord (‘adown-hebrew); the Lord (used as a proper name of God only) :- (my) Lord.) standing upon the altar: and he said, Smite the lintel of the door, that the posts may shake: and cut them in the head, all of them; and I will slay the last of them with the sword: he that fleeth of them shall not flee away, and he that escapeth of them shall not be delivered.

Acts 7:56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God.

ALL OF THE ABOVE VERSES TEACH THAT GOD HAS BEEN SEEN BY MAN MANY TIMES. THERE ARE MANY OTHER VERSES PROVING A VISIBLE GOD. (AT LEAST 44 OR MORE)

God is a Spirit Being John 4:24

God is a Spirit Being, not the sun, moon, stars; nor an image of wood, stone, or metal; and not beast or man. He is not the air, wind, universal mind, love or some impersonal quality.

He is a person with a personal spirit body, a personal soul, and a personal spirit, like that of angels, and like that of man except His body is of spirit substance instead of flesh and bones (Job 13:8; Hebrews 1:3). He has a personal spirit body (Daniel 7:9-14; Daniel 10:5-19); shape (John 5:37); form (Phil. 2:5-7); image and likeness of a man (Genesis 1:26; Genesis 9:6; Ezekiel 1:26-28; 1 Cor. 11:7; James 3:9). He has physical parts such as, back parts (Exodus 33:23), heart (Genesis 6:6; Genesis 8:21), hands and fingers (Psalm 8:3-6; Hebrews 1:10; Rev. 5:1-7), mouth (Numbers 12:8), lips and tongue (Isaiah 30:27), feet (Ezekiel 1:27; Exodus 24:10), eyes (Psalm 11:4; Psalm 18:24; Psalm 33:18), ears (Psalm 18:6), hair, head, face, arms (Daniel 7:9-14; Daniel 10:5-19; Rev. 5:1-7; Rev. 22:4-6), loins (Ezekiel 1:26-28; Ezekiel 8:1-4), and other physical parts. He has bodily presence (Genesis 3:8; Genesis 18:1-22) and goes from place to place in a body like all other persons (Genesis 3:8; Genesis 11:5; Genesis 18:1-5,22,33; Genesis 19:24; Genesis 32:24-32; Genesis 35:13; Zech. 14:5; Daniel 7:9-14; Titus 2:13). He has a voice (Psalm 29; Rev. 10:3-4); breath (Genesis 2:7); and countenance (Psalm 11:7). He wears clothes (Daniel 7:9-14; Daniel 10:5-19); eats (Genesis 18:1-8; Exodus 24:11); rests (Genesis 2:1-4; Hebrews 4:4); dwells in a mansion and in a city located on a material planet called Heaven (John 14:1-3; Hebrews 11:10-16; Hebrews 13:14; Rev. 21); sits on a throne (Isaiah 6; Daniel 7:9-14; Rev. 4:1-5; Rev. 22:3-6); walks (Genesis 3:8; Genesis 18:1-8,22,33); rides (Psalm 18:10; Psalm 68:17; Psalm 104:3; Ezekiel 1); and engages in other activities.

He has a personal soul with feelings of grief (Genesis 6:6), anger (1 Kings 11:9), repentance (Genesis 6:6), jealousy (Exodus 20:5), hate (Proverbs 6:16), love (John 3:16), pity (Psalm 103:13), fellowship (1 John 1:1-7), pleasure and delight (Psalm 147:10), and other soul passions like other beings (Galatians 5:22-23).

He has a personal spirit (Psalm 143:10; Isaiah 30:1) with mind (Romans 11:34), intelligence (Genesis 1:26; Romans 11:33), will (Romans 8:27; Romans 9:19), power (Ephes. 1:19; Ephes. 3:7,20; Hebrews 1:3), truth (Psalm 91:4), faith and hope (Romans 12:3; 1 Cor. 13:13), righteousness (Psalm 45:4), faithfulness (1 Cor. 10:13), knowledge and wisdom (Isaiah 11:2; 1 Tim. 1:17), reason (Isaiah 1:18), discernment (Hebrews 4:12), immutability (Hebrews 6:17), and many other attributes, powers, and spirit faculties.

He has been seen physically many times (Genesis 18; Genesis 32:24-30; Exodus 24:9-11; Joshua 5:13-15; Isaiah 6; Daniel 7:9-13; Ezekiel 1; Acts 7:56-59; Rev. 4-5), and can be understood by the things that are made. Man is the visible image and likeness making the invisible God clearly seen as in Romans 1:20.

THE ABOVE STATEMENTS WERE TAKEN FROM THE GREATEST REFERENCE BIBLE IN EXISTENCE “THE DAKE’S ANNOTATED REFERENCE BIBLE”. YOU SHOULD PURCHASE ONE IT WILL BLESS YOU ALL THE DAYS OF YOUR LIFE.     PURCHASE  AT  (800) 241-1239 OR GO TO  WWW.DAKE.COM.  I ALSO RECOMMEND YOU PURCHASE THE WORLD’S GREATEST PIECE OF BIBLE RESEARCH SOFTWARE “THE DAKE’S REFERENCE LIBRARY”. I RECOMMEND VERSION 5.  IT IS VERY SIMPLE TO USE AND FURNISHES EVERY  BIBLE  RESEARCH TOOL YOU WILL EVER NEED.

IF YOU CANNOT BELIEVE THESE BIBLICAL FACTUAL STATEMENTS ABOUT GOD’S BODY YOU DO HAVE A VERY SERIOUS PROBLEM.

IF YOU THINK THE BIBLE LIES ABOUT THESE BODILY PARTS OF GOD THEN YOU ARE IMPLYING THE BIBLE MIGHT TELL MANY, MANY LIES.

DO YOU TRULY BELIEVE GOD MENTIONED ALL OF THE ABOVE BODILY PARTS TO CONVINCE US THAT HE DOES NOT HAVE THEM? IF SO, THEN YOU MUST BELIEVE THE BIBLE IS A PIECE OF TRASH.

IF YOU DO NOT BELIEVE THE ENTIRETY OF THE BIBLE YOU WILL FALL UNDER THE JUDGMENT OF REV. 22:18-19 WHERE GOD SAYS HE WILL TAKE YOUR NAME OUT OF THE BOOK OF LIFE (IF GOD SAYS FOR CERTAIN ACTIONS HE WILL REMOVE YOUR NAME FROM THE BOOK OF LIFE THIS CAUSES PROBLEMS FOR THE BELIEVERS OF ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED) OR MAKE YOU SICK.

All content below is exactly as it appeared on Frank's website, nothing has been changed. Please ignore references to "call" or "email" Frank for obvious reasons.

HOW TO GET HEALED AND STAY HEALED

Bible Proof That It Is Always God’s Will to Heal

THERE ARE MANY REASONS WE CAN GIVE FROM SCRIPTURE TO PROVE THAT BODILY HEALING IS ALWAYS THE WILL OF GOD FOR ALL MEN IN EVERY AGE. THE FOLLOWING PROOFS ARE A FEW THAT ARE BACKED BY MANY SCRIPTURES TO PROVE IT IS ALWAYS GOD’S WILL TO HEAL:

(1) HEALING IS IN THE ATONEMENT AND THEREFORE MUST BE THE WILL OF GOD FOR ALL MEN FOR WHOM THE ATONEMENT WAS MADE. THAT HEALING IS IN THE ATONEMENT IS PLAINLY STATED IN A NUMBER OF SCRIPTURES. THE LITERAL RENDERING OF ISA. 53:3-5 READS, “HE WAS DESPISED, AND FORSAKEN OF MEN; A MAN OF PAINS, AND ACQUAINTED WITH SICKNESS: . . . SURELY HE HATH BORNE OUR SICKNESSES, AND CARRIED OUR PAINS: YET WE DID ESTEEM HIM VIOLENTLY BEATEN, SLAIN OF GOD, AND DEGRADED. BUT HE WAS SLAIN FOR OUR CRIMES, HE WAS BEAT TO PIECES FOR OUR GUILT; . . . AND WITH HIS WOUNDS WE ARE HEALED. . . YET IT PLEASED JEHOVAH TO BEAT HIM TO PIECES; HE HATH MADE HIM SICK: WHEN THOU SHALT MAKE HIS SOUL AN OFFERING FOR SIN.” THIS PLAINLY PICTURES CHRIST AS BEARING THE SINS AND SICKNESSES OF ALL MEN IN HIS OWN BODY ON THE CROSS.

TO PROVE THAT ISAIAH DID MEAN HEALING OF THE BODY INSTEAD OF ONLY FORGIVENESS OF SINS WE HAVE THE STATEMENT OF MATT. 8:16-17 SAYING, “HE CAST OUT THE SPIRITS WITH HIS WORD, AND HEALED ALL THAT WERE SICK: THAT IT MIGHT BE FULFILLED WHICH WAS SPOKEN BY ISAIAH THE PROPHET, SAYING, HIMSELF TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES, AND BARE OUR SICKNESSES.” PETER ALSO TAUGHT THAT CHRIST TOOK OUR SICKNESSES ON THE CROSS: “WHO HIS OWN SELF BARE OUR SINS IN HIS OWN BODY ON THE TREE, THAT WE, BEING DEAD TO SINS, SHOULD LIVE UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS: BY WHOSE STRIPES YE WERE HEALED” (1 PET. 2:24). PAUL TAUGHT THE SAME TRUTH WHEN HE STATED THAT MANY OF THE CORINTHIANS WERE SICK AND MANY HAD DIED BECAUSE THEY HAD FAILED TO GET HEALING FOR THE BODY BY RIGHTLY DISCERNING THE LORD’S BROKEN BODY (1 COR. 11:29-30).

TO SAY THAT MATT. 8:17 WAS FULFILLED BEFORE THE ATONEMENT WAS MADE ON THE CROSS, AND THEREFORE, IT WAS NOT FULFILLED ON THE CROSS, DOES NOT PROVE THAT HEALING IS NOT IN THE ATONEMENT. ON THE SAME BASIS WE COULD PROVE THAT CHRIST DID NOT ATONE FOR SIN ON THE CROSS BECAUSE HE ALSO FORGAVE SINS BEFORE THE CROSS. BUT 1 PET. 2:24 SETTLES THIS QUESTION BY SHOWING THAT BOTH SINS AND SICKNESSES WERE ATONED FOR BY CHRIST IN HIS SUFFERINGS. ALSO, SINCE ISA. 53 PICTURES CHRIST’S SUFFERINGS ON THE CROSS, IT PROVES THAT BOTH SINS AND SICKNESSES WERE BORNE BY HIM AT THAT TIME. CHRIST FORGAVE SINS AND HEALED BEFORE THE CROSS IN VIEW OF HIS COMING ATONEMENT FOR BOTH.

(2) GOD WOULD NOT HAVE HEALED PEOPLE IN BOTH TESTAMENTS IF IT HAD NOT BEEN HIS WILL TO HEAL ALL WHO COME IN FAITH TO HIM. GOD IS NO RESPECTER OF PERSONS (ROM. 2:11), AND HE HAS TOLD US IF ANYONE HAS A RESPECT OF PERSONS HE HAS SINNED (JAMES 2:9). THIS PROVES THAT GOD WILL HEAL ALL ALIKE IF HE HAS EVER HEALED ANYONE. EVERYONE CAN BE HEALED THE SAME WAY THAT OTHERS HAVE BEEN HEALED AND THEY HAVE THE SAME RIGHT TO SUCH HEALING AS ALL OTHERS HAVE HAD, FOR IT IS GOD’S PROMISE TO PROVIDE FOR ALL ALIKE AND BE GOOD TO ALL ALIKE (PS. 84:11; MATT. 7:7-11). THIS IS WHY JESUS DIED (MATT. 8:16-17; 1 PET. 2:24; ROM. 8:32).

(3) GOD WOULD NOT HAVE MADE PLAIN HIS WILL CONCERNING HEALING, IF IT WERE NOT HIS WILL TO ALWAYS HEAL THOSE WHO MEET HIS CONDITIONS OF HEALING (MATT. 8:17; JAMES 5:14-16; 1 PET. 2:24; 3 JOHN 2).

(4) GOD WOULD HAVE BEEN THE ORIGINATOR OF SIN AND SICKNESS, IF IT HAD BEEN HIS WILL FOR SUCH TO CONTINUE IN THE HUMAN RACE (REV. 21:3-7).

(5) HE WOULD NOT HAVE HEALED EVEN ONE PERSON IN ANY AGE AND HE WOULD NOT HAVE PROVIDED FOR AND FREELY PROMISED HEALING AT ALL IF HE WERE RESPONSIBLE FOR SICKNESS (JOHN 10:10).

(6) IT WAS GOD’S WILL THAT MAN SHOULD BE HEALTHY AND SINLESS FOREVER WHEN HE CREATED HIM, AND THAT IS STILL HIS HIGHEST WILL (GEN. 2:17; 3 JOHN 2).

(7) JESUS CHRIST PROVED IT TO BE GOD’S WILL TO HEAL ALL THE SICK WHEN HE ACTUALLY HEALED ALL THAT WERE OPPRESSED OF THE DEVIL (ACTS 10:38).

(8) THE UNIVERSAL WILL OF GOD WAS MADE CLEAR WHEN THE EARLY CHURCH WAS GIVEN POWER TO CARRY ON THE WORK JESUS “BEGAN BOTH TO DO AND TO TEACH” (ACTS 1:1-8; MATT. 29:19-20; MARK 16:15-20; JOHN 14:12-15).

(9) THE FACT THAT SICKNESS IS THE WORK OF THE DEVIL PROVES THAT GOD WILLS TO GET RID OF IT IN HIS CHILDREN (1 JOHN 3:8; JOHN 10:10).

(10) SIN IS ALSO THE WILL OF GOD IF SICKNESS IS, FOR BOTH WERE DEALT WITH ON THE SAME BASIS (MATT. 9:1-12; JAMES 5:14-16; MATT. 13:15).

(11) SATAN AND DEMONS WOULD NOT FIGHT TO MAKE AND KEEP MEN SICK IF IT WAS THE WILL OF GOD FOR THEM TO BE SICK. SATAN WOULD TRY TO MAKE MEN WELL IF IT WAS THE WILL OF GOD FOR THEM TO BE SICK. IT IS AN UNFAILING PRINCIPLE OF SATAN TO WORK JUST THE OPPOSITE OF THE WILL OF GOD. WHEN ONE ARGUES THAT IT IS GOD’S WILL FOR THEM OR ANYONE TO BE SICK HE IS IN CO-OPERATION WITH SATAN AND NOT GOD (ACTS 10:38; 1 JOHN 3:8; JOHN 10:10).

(12) JESUS WOULD NOT HAVE DIED TO HEAL MEN OF SICKNESS IF IT IS THE WILL OF GOD FOR THEM TO BE SICK, AND IF HE WANTED MEN TO BEAR IT (MATT. 8:16-17; JOHN 10:10; 14:12-15; ACTS 10:38; 1 PET. 2:24).

(13) EVERY TIME MEN ASKED CHRIST TO HEAL HE DID IT AND REPEATEDLY HE SAID, “I WILL” (MATT. 8:2, 7; JOHN 5:60). SINCE HE SPOKE ONLY AS GOD GAVE HIM WORDS, THEN HE EXPRESSED THE WILL OF GOD IN SAYING “I WILL” (JOHN 12:49).

(14) THERE CAN BE NO ANALOGY BETWEEN CHRIST’S PRAYER, “IF IT BE THY WILL” AND THE PRAYERS OF CHRISTIANS CONCERNING GOD’S WILL TO HEAL. HEALING IS ALWAYS OF GOD AND IS ALWAYS HIS WILL, AND WE DO NOT HAVE TO ASK HIM IF IT IS HIS WILL CONCERNING ANYTHING THAT IS DEFINITELY PROMISED IN SCRIPTURE. IT IS ALREADY HIS WILL TO HEAL OR HE WOULD NOT HAVE GIVEN HIS WORD THAT IT IS. IN OTHER WORDS, ANY PROMISE GOD HAS MADE SHOULD NEVER ONCE BE DOUBTED AND ASKING GOD WHETHER HIS PROMISE IS TRUE EXPRESSES DOUBT AND UNBELIEF. THE PROMISES TO THE BELIEVER ARE “ASK WHAT YE WILL” AND “WHAT THINGS SOEVER YE DESIRE,” THEREFORE ASK, AND YOU SHALL HAVE THEM (MARK 11:22-24; JOHN 14:12-15; 15:7, 16; 16:23-26; MATT. 21:2122; JAMES 1:5-9; HEB. 11:6). HOW LITERALLY FOOLISH IT IS TO ASK GOD TO KNOW HIS WILL CONCERNING ANYTHING THAT IS ALREADY CLEARLY HIS WILL! NEVER BE GUILTY AGAIN OF PRAYING A USELESS, UNBELIEVING PRAYER CONCERNING ANYTHING THAT GOD HAS PROMISED, SUCH AS “IF IT BE THY WILL.” IT IS A SINFUL REFLECTION UPON GOD TO ALWAYS TELL HIM THAT YOU DO NOT BELIEVE HIS WILL AS EXPRESSED IN PLAIN PROMISES AND THAT YOU MUST HEAR FROM HIM PERSONALLY AS TO WHETHER HIS PROMISES ARE TRUE OR NOT.

(15) SICK PEOPLE SHOULD ASK GOD TO FORGIVE THEIR UNBELIEF EVEN WHEN THEY ARE ONLY TEMPTED TO QUESTION THE WILL OF GOD CONCERNING HEALING OR ANYTHING HE HAS PROMISED. THE WILL OF GOD IS EXPRESSED IN THE LORD’S PRAYER, “THY WILL BE DONE IN EARTH AS IT IS IN HEAVEN” (MATT. 6:10). IF ONE COULD BE PRESUMPTUOUS ENOUGH TO ARGUE THAT HEAVEN IS FULL OF SICK PEOPLE AND THAT THIS IS GOD’S WILL ON EARTH, ONE MIGHT QUESTION THE WILL OF GOD AND EXCUSE UNBELIEF. THIS PRAYER HAS BEEN PERVERTED BY CHRISTIANS ALMOST UNIVERSALLY. EVEN CHRISTIAN HYMNS AND WRITINGS DISCLOSE SUCH DELUSIONS OF SATAN TO KEEP MEN IN BONDAGE TO HIMSELF. CHRISTIANS ACTUALLY THANK GOD FOR THE WORK OF THE DEVIL. SATAN ALSO LEADS THEM TO BELIEVE THAT HIS WORKS IN THEIR BODIES GLORIFY GOD AND THAT THEY ARE IN HIS PERFECT WILL BY HAVING SICKNESSES. A CLEAR SAMPLE OF SUCH FALLACY IS EXPRESSED IN THE FOLLOWING HYMN OF FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL, WRITTEN IN THE ALPS, OCT. 8, 1876, WHILE SHE WAS IN GREAT PAIN:

“I TAKE THIS PAIN, LORD JESUS, FROM THINE OWN HAND; THE STRENGTH TO BEAR IT BRAVELY THOU WILT COMMAND. I TAKE THIS PAIN, LORD JESUS, AS PROOF INDEED THAT THOU ART WATCHING CLOSELY MY TRUEST NEED, THAT THOU, MY GOOD PHYSICIAN, ART WATCHING STILL, THAT ALL THINE OWN GOOD PLEASURE THOU WILT FULFILL. I TAKE THIS PAIN, LORD JESUS; WHAT THOU DOST CHOOSE. THE SOUL THAT REALLY LOVES THEE WILL NOT REFUSE. I TAKE THIS PAIN, LORD JESUS, AS THINE OWN GIFT. AND TRUE, THOUGH TREMULOUS PRAISES I NOW UP LIFT. ‘TIS THY DEAR HAND, 0 SAVIOUR, THAT PRESSETH SORE. THE PRESSURE ONLY TELLS ME THOU LOVEST ME.”

WHAT WONDERFUL LOVE AND WHAT A WAY TO EXPRESS IT! THIS IS ACCUSING CHRIST OF BEING THE AUTHOR OF PAIN AND SICKNESS FOR THE PLEASURE OF GOD; THAT SICKNESS PROVES THE LOVE OF GOD; THAT IT IS THE TRUEST NEED OF MAN ‘ : THAT THE GOOD PHYSICIAN INSTEAD OF HEALING, MAKES SICK; THAT IT IS GOD’S PLEASURE TO CAUSE PAIN IN HIS CHILDREN; AND THAT SUCH IS THE CHOICE OF GOD AND HIS GIFT TO THE REDEEMED.

ONE CAN ONLY BELIEVE THAT SUCH POETRY WAS INSPIRED OF SATAN INSTEAD OF GOD. AND TO THINK, SAINTS ARE SO DECEIVED. SURELY SATAN STANDS BACK AND LAUGHS WITH GLEE WHEN HE CAN GET GOD’S OWN CHILDREN TO ACCUSE HIM OF PUTTING ON THEM THE WORKS OF THE DEVIL.

(16) IT IS AS IMPOSSIBLE FOR GOD TO COMMUNICATE DISEASE AS IT IS FOR HIM TO COMMUNICATE AND PROPAGATE SIN AND REBELLION. NEITHER SIN NOR SICKNESS COMES FROM GOD FOR THEY DO NOT BELONG TO HIM. THEY BELONG TO A FALLEN WORLD OF SINFUL CREATURES (JAMES 3:11-12).

(17) IT IS NOT PRESUMPTUOUS TO PRAY IN EVERY CASE FOR HEALING, BELIEVING FROM THE WHOLE HEART THAT IT IS ALREADY GOD’S WILL AND THAT IT SHALL BE DONE ACCORDING TO HIS WILL (JOHN 10:10; 15:7; JAMES 4:7; 5:14-18; MARK 11:22-24).

(18) IF IT WERE NOT THE WILL OF GOD TO ALWAYS HEAL HE NEVER WOULD HAVE PROVIDED THE MEANS OF HEALING, MADE A COVENANT TO HEAL, PROMISED HEALING, DEMONSTRATED IT, REBUKED MEN FOR NOT HAVING FAITH FOR IT, CONTINUED TO HEAL IN EVERY AGE, AND HE NEVER WOULD HAVE MADE HEARING PART OF THE SPIRITUAL EQUIPMENT OF THE CHURCH AND PROOF THAT AN INDIVIDUAL IS A FULL BELIEVER (JOHN 14:12; 1 COR. 12:7-11; ACTS 1:8; 3:6; 4:30; 5:10; 19:11; ETC.)

WHEN SHOULD MEN PRAY “IF IT BE THY WILL”?

IT IS CLEAR BY NOW THAT IT IS SINFUL TO PRAY, “IF IT BE THY WILL” CONCERNING ANYTHING THAT GOD HAS PROMISED TO MEN. THIS KIND OF PRAYING IS A PRAYER OF UNBELIEF AND IT WILL NEVER BE ANSWERED. IT DOES NOT TAKE GOD AT HIS WORD. IT DOES NOT BELIEVE THAT GOD MEANS WHAT HE SAYS. IT CALLS HIM INTO QUESTION CONCERNING THE THINGS HE HAS MANY TIMES ASSURED ALL MEN THAT THEY CAN HAVE IF THEY WILL ONLY HAVE FAITH. THUS ONE SHOULD NEVER PRAY SUCH PRAYERS AS: “IF IT BE THY WILL, SAVE THIS MAN AND FORGIVE HIM OF HIS SINS,” “IF IT BE THY WILL, HEAL THIS MAN AND MAKE HIM WELL,” “IF IT BE THY WILL, SUPPLY MY NEEDS AND MAKE ME A SUCCESS IN BUSINESS,” OR “IF IT BE THY WILL, PLEASE GIVE ME WHAT YOU HAVE PROMISED.” IN FACT, THIS PHRASE, “IF IT BE THY WILL” SHOULD NEVER BE USED IN ORDINARY PRAYING FOR ANY GOOD THING IN LIFE THAT GOD HAS MADE ANY PROMISE ABOUT.

THE ONLY TIME SUCH A PRAYER SHOULD BE PRAYED IS WHEN WE MAKE PLANS TO GO TO SUCH AND SUCH A CITY, TO BUY AND SELL TO GET GAIN, OR TO DO THIS OR THAT, THAT IS NOT DEFINITELY PROMISED IN ANY PART OF THE WORD OF GOD (JAMES 4:13-17). IN SUCH MATTERS IT IS PROPER TO GET THE WILL OF GOD BEFORE ACTING AND NEVER ACT UNTIL GOD’S WILL IS MADE CLEAR. NEVER GO TO GOD AS IF YOU ARE AFRAID, AND AS IF YOU EXPECTED HIM TO UPBRAID YOU. HE DOES NOT DO THIS (JAMES 1:4-8). LEARN FROM THE BIBLE AND IN PRAYER WHAT THE WILL OF GOD IS ABOUT THOSE PERSONAL PLANS IN LIFE THAT ARE NOT MENTIONED IN PARTICULAR IN ANY SCRIPTURE, AND THEN DO THE WILL OF GOD. DO NOT PRAY TO CHANGE GOD OR TO GET HIM TO AGREE WITH YOUR PLANS, BUT PRAY UNTIL YOU ARE CHANGED AND WILLING TO CONFORM TO GOD’S PLAN FOR YOU. IN OTHER WORDS, LEARN WHAT GOD HAS PROMISED IN HIS WORD AND NEVER PRAY, “IF IT BE THY WILL” CONCERNING THESE FACTS. PRAY TO KNOW THE WILL OF GOD CONCERNING ALL OTHER MATTERS AND ALL PRAYERS CAN BE PRAYED IN FAITH AND CONFIDENCE AS TO THE ANSWER.

HOW TO GET HEALED AND STAY HEALED

1. BECOME CONVERTED AND BORN AGAIN

THE GOSPEL TEACHES THAT FORGIVENESS OF SINS AND HEALING OF THE BODY GO HAND IN HAND. IF MINISTERS WOULD TEACH ALL THE GOSPEL, PEOPLE WOULD HAVE FAITH IN BOTH HEALING AND FORGIVENESS AND SINNERS COULD GET BOTH AT THE TIME OF CONVERSION. THE FOLLOWING SCRIPTURES PROVE THAT BOTH BENEFITS WERE PROVIDED IN THE SACRIFICE OF CALVARY: “HIMSELF TOOK OUR INFIRMITIES, AND BARE OUR SICKNESSES” (MATT. 8:16-17); “WHO HIS OWN SELF BARE OUR SINS IN HIS OWN BODY ON THE TREE, THAT WE, BEING DEAD TO SINS, SHOULD LIVE UNTO RIGHTEOUSNESS: BY WHOSE STRIPES YE WERE HEALED” (1 PET. 2:24). THE FOLLOWING PASSAGES PROVE THAT BOTH FORGIVENESS OF SINS AND HEALING OF THE BODY SHOULD BE RECEIVED AT ONE TIME: “WHO FORGIVETH ALL THINE INIQUITIES; WHO HEALETH ALL THY DISEASES” (PS. 103:3); “FOR WHETHER IS EASIER TO SAY, THY SINS BE FORGIVEN THEE; OR TO SAY, ARISE, AND WALK?” (MATT. 9:5); “FOR THIS PEOPLE’S HEART IS WAXED GROSS, AND THEIR EARS ARE DULL OF HEARING, AND THEIR EYES THEY HAVE CLOSED; LEST AT ANY TIME THEY SHOULD SEE WITH THEIR EYES, AND HEAR WITH THEIR EARS, AND SHOULD UNDERSTAND WITH THEIR HEART, AND SHOULD BE CONVERTED, AND I SHOULD HEAL THEM” (MATT. 13:15); “IS ANY SICK AMONG YOU? LET HIM CALL FOR THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH; AND LET THEM PRAY OVER HIM, ANOINTING HIM WITH OIL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD: AND THE PRAYER OF FAITH SHALL SAVE THE SICK, AND THE LORD SHALL RAISE HIM UP; AND IF HE HAVE COMMITTED SINS, THEY SHALL BE FORGIVEN HIM” (JAMES 5:14-16). THUS IT IS VERY CLEAR THAT HEALING IS JUST AS EASY TO RECEIVE FROM GOD AS FORGIVENESS OF SINS. BOTH CAN BE RECEIVED BY THE SAME SIMPLE FAITH IN GOD AND ASKING IN THE NAME OF JESUS. HEALING IS PART OF YOUR SALVATION; DO NOT BE CHEATED OUT OF IT ANY MORE THAN YOU PERMIT YOURSELF TO BE CHEATED OUT OF FORGIVENESS OF SINS. GOD WILL DO ANYTHING WHEN CONDITIONS ARE MET. IF YOU HAVE NEED OF HEALING, IT IS ONLY RIGHT THAT YOU SURRENDER YOUR LIFE TO GOD IF YOU EXPECT HIM TO HEAL YOU. YOU WILL NOT ONLY GET HEALED, BUT YOU WILL BE SAVED AT THE SAME TIME IF YOU ARE NOT ALREADY SAVED FROM A LIFE OF SIN.

2. HAVE FAITH IN GOD FOR HEALING:

IF ONE WILL ASK GOD FOR HEALING AND BELIEVE THAT IT IS DONE AS HE IS TAUGHT TO ASK FOR FORGIVENESS OF SINS, IT WILL BE DONE. ONE SHOULD NEVER DOUBT FOR ONE MOMENT THAT GOD WILL HEAL HIM, JUST AS HE IS TAUGHT TO BELIEVE IN FORGIVENESS OF SINS. ONE SHOULD RESIST ALL DOUBT THAT HE IS HEALED, JUST AS HE MUST IF HE IS TEMPTED TO DOUBT THAT GOD HAS FORGIVEN HIM. MEN ARE TAUGHT TO ACCEPT SALVATION BY FAITH AND COUNT IT DONE WHETHER THEY FEEL IT OR NOT. THEY ARE TAUGHT THAT GOD HAS FORGIVEN THEM REGARDLESS OF FEELINGS; AND IF THEY WILL BUT BELIEVE THIS, THEY ARE SAVED. SO IT IS WITH HEALING OF THE BODY. AFTER PRAYER HAS BEEN COMPLETED AND HEALING HAS BEEN ASKED FOR, ONE SHOULD LIKEWISE COUNT IT DONE AND BELIEVE IT REGARDLESS OF FEELINGS, SYMPTOMS, OR OUTWARD EVIDENCES TO THE CONTRARY.

IF ONE WILL MAINTAIN THAT HE IS HEALED JUST AS MUCH AS HE DOES THAT HE IS FORGIVEN, GOD WILL CONFIRM THE HEALING JUST AS HE DOES FORGIVENESS OF SINS. THIS FACT CANNOT BE OVEREMPHASIZED, AS HEALING DEPENDS MUCH ON THIS FIRM STAND THAT PRAYER HAS BEEN HEARD AND ANSWERED. IF YOU WANT THE BENEFITS OF THE GOSPEL, DO WHAT IS REQUIRED TO GET THESE BENEFITS, AND YOU WILL NOT FAIL TO GET THEM.

WE CANNOT GUARANTEE THE BENEFITS ACCORDING TO THE GOSPEL UNTIL YOU MEET THESE CONDITIONS. ARE THE BENEFITS WORTH THE EFFORTS IN MEETING THE CONDITIONS? IF THEY ARE, THEN DO AS YOU ARE INSTRUCTED. IF THEY ARE NOT WORTH THE EFFORT TO BELIEVE GOD WITHOUT A WAVER, THEN DO NOT FRET BECAUSE YOU DO NOT GET WHAT YOU WANT. YOU CANNOT EXPECT GOD TO BE A RESPECTER OF PERSONS AND GIVE YOU THESE BENEFITS WHEN YOU FAIL TO DO AS HE REQUIRES. HE IS NOT THAT KIND OF GOD, AND HE WILL NOT BREAK HIS LAWS FOR ANYONE. HE KNOWS THAT EVERY INDIVIDUAL CAN, IF HE WILL, CHOOSE TO MEET THE CONDITIONS OF UNWAVERING FAITH. DO ‘NOT BABY YOURSELF ANY LONGER OR COMPLAIN THAT IT IS HARD TO BELIEVE. THIS VERY ATTITUDE IS SINFUL, AND YOU SHOULD ASK GOD TO FORGIVE YOU FOR BELIEVING LIES AND SATAN IN PREFERENCE TO TRUTH AND GOD. AS LONG AS YOU COOPERATE WITH SATAN AND ALLOW UNBELIEF, YOU CANNOT COOPERATE WITH GOD AND EXERCISE TRUE FAITH. ONE CANNOT SERVE TWO MASTERS OR HAVE FAITH AND UNBELIEF IN HIS LIFE AT THE SAME TIME (MATT. 6:24; JAMES 1:4-8).

3. QUIT PRAYING “IF IT BE THY WILL”:

AS WE HAVE SEEN , IT IS GOD’S WILL TO HEAL, BECAUSE HE HAS DEFINITELY PROMISED TO HEAL ALL WHO COME TO HIM IN FAITH. LET THIS BE SETTLED ONCE AND FOREVER AND NEVER AGAIN QUESTION GOD OR MAKE HIM A LIAR BY SAYING, “IF IT BE THY WILL.” SINCE HE HAS PROMISED HEALING, IT IS SINFUL AND CONTRARY TO HIS WORD AND WILL TO PRAY THIS WAY. ONE SHOULD GO TO GOD IN ABSOLUTE UNWAVERING FAITH FOR THOSE THINGS THAT HE HAS PROMISED. HE SHOULD NEVER QUESTION THE WILL OF GOD AT ALL CONCERNING WHAT HE HAS PROMISED. TO DO SO IS TO MAKE HIM A LIAR BY LETTING HIM KNOW THAT WE KNOW THAT HE HAS PROMISED, BUT WE DO NOT BELIEVE IT, OR WE DOUBT WHAT HE HAS SAID AND WE DO NOT BELIEVE THAT HE MEANS WHAT HE SAYS. IT IS HIS WILL TO GIVE WHAT HE HAS PROMISED OR HE WOULD NOT HAVE MADE HIS WILL KNOWN BY THE PROMISES.

GOD WILL ANSWER ANYONE WHO WILL QUIT DOUBTING HIS WORD AND WILL AND WHO WILL PRAY IN FAITH ACCORDING TO THE PROMISES.

4. WHOLLY TRUST GOD IN SICKNESS AND ADVERSITY:

THE BIBLE SAYS, “CURSED BE THE MAN THAT TRUSTETH IN MAN, AND MAKETH FLESH HIS ARM, AND WHOSE HEART DEPARTETH FROM THE LORD. . . HE SHALL BE LIKE THE HEATH IN THE DESERT. . . BLESSED IS THE MAN THAT TRUSTETH IN THE LORD, AND WHOSE HOPE THE LORD IS . . . HE SHALL BE AS A TREE PLANTED BY THE WATERS . . . AND SHALL NOT SEE WHEN HEAT COMETH, BUT HER LEAF SHALL BE GREEN [SHALL HAVE HEALTH] . . . NEITHER SHALL CEASE FROM YIELDING FRUIT” (JER. 17:5-10. SEE ALSO PROV. 3:5-8; 2 CHRON. 16:12-14; 2 KINGS 1:1-17; MARK 5:25-34).

5. OBEY GOD AND HIS WORD:

“MY SON, FORGET NOT MY LAW; BUT LET THINE HEART KEEP MY COMMANDMENTS: FOR LENGTH OF DAYS, AND LONG LIFE, AND PEACE, SHALL THEY ADD TO THEE” (PROV. 3:1-8); “ATTEND TO MY WORDS; INCLINE THINE EAR UNTO MY SAYINGS . . . FOR THEY ARE LIFE UNTO THOSE THAT FIND THEM, AND HEALTH TO ALL THEIR FLESH” (PROV. 2:1-5; 3:13-24; 4:20-23) “IF YE ABIDE IN ME, AND MY WORDS ABIDE IN YOU, YE SHALL ASK WHAT YE WILL, AND IT SHALL BE DONE UNTO YOU” (JOHN 15:7; 1 JOHN 3:21-22; 5:14-15. SEE ALSO EX. 15:26; DEUT. 4:40; 7:12-15; 28:1-62; 30:1-20; PS. 105:37; 107:20).

6. MAKE PEACE WITH FELLOW MEN:

“WHEN YE STAND PRAYING, FORGIVE, IF YE HAVE OUGHT AGAINST ANY: THAT YOUR FATHER ALSO WHICH IS IN HEAVEN MAY FORGIVE YOU YOUR TRESPASSES” (MARK 11:22-26); “CONFESS YOUR FAULTS ONE TO ANOTHER, AND PRAY ONE FOR ANOTHER, THAT YE MAY BE HEALED” (JAMES 5:14-16).

7. CALL CHURCH ELDERS AND BELIEVE IN THEIR PRAYERS:

“IS ANY SICK AMONG YOU? LET HIM CALL FOR THE ELDERS OF THE CHURCH; AND LET THEM PRAY OVER HIM, ANOINTING HIM WITH OIL IN THE NAME OF THE LORD: AND THE PRAYER OF FAITH SHALL SAVE THE SICK” (JAMES 5:14-16); “THEY SHALL LAY HANDS ON THE SICK, AND THEY SHALL RECOVER” (MARK 16:17-20).

THOUSANDS OF MINISTERS TODAY CAN TESTIFY OF MIRACULOUS HEALINGS IN THEIR MINISTRY IN THE LIVES OF PEOPLE WHO HAVE OBEYED JAMES AND CALLED FOR PRAYER. MULTIPLIED THOUSANDS OF PEOPLE ARE BEING HEALED EVERY DAY BY OBEYING THIS DIVINE PRESCRIPTION. IN ALMOST EVERY CHURCH THERE ARE MANY WITNESSES TO THE POWER OF GOD TO HEAL THE BODY BY FAITH IN THE NAME OF JESUS CHRIST. IF HEALINGS ARE NOT BEING PERFORMED IN YOUR CHURCH PERHAPS YOU NEED TO FIND ANOTHER CHURCH.

8. CONTROL THE TONGUE:

THE MOUTH OF A RIGHTEOUS MAN IS A WELL OF LIFE. . . THERE IS THAT SPEAKETH LIKE THE PIERCINGS OF A SWORD; BUT THE TONGUE OF THE WISE IS HEALTH. . . HE THAT KEEPETH HIS MOUTH KEEPETH HIS LIFE; BUT HE THAT OPENETH WIDE HIS LIPS SHALL HAVE DESTRUCTION. . . A WHOLESOME TONGUE IS A TREE OF LIFE . . . PLEASANT WORDS ARE AS AN HONEYCOMB, SWEET TO THE SOUL, AND HEALTH TO THE BONES. . . DEATH AND LIFE ARE IN THE POWER OF THE TONGUE” (PROV. 10:12; 12:18; 13:3; 15:4; 16:24; 18:21).

“WHAT MAN IS HE THAT DESIRETH LIFE, AND LOVETH MANY DAYS, THAT HE MAY SEE GOOD. KEEP THY TONGUE FROM EVIL, AND THY LIPS FROM SPEAKING GUILE” (PS. 34:13-14; 1 PET. 3:10-11; JAMES 3). IT IS INTERESTING TO NOTE THAT NINE TIMES OUT OF ELEVEN PLAGUES UPON ISRAEL, AS RECORDED IN NUMBERS ALONE, WERE CAUSED BY THE MISUSE OF THE TONGUE (NUM. 11:1-3, 33-35; 12:1-16; 13:26-33; 14:1-37; 16:1-50; 21:5).

9. LIVE IN GOD AND UNDER HIS PROTECTION:

“HE THAT DWELLETH [REMAINS, SETTLES DOWN, OR TAKES UP A HOMESTEAD] IN THE SECRET PLACE OF THE MOST HIGH SHALL ABIDE UNDER THE SHADOW [DEFENSE, PROTECTION] OF THE ALMIGHTY. . . I WILL SAY OF THE LORD, HE IS MY REFUGE AND MY FORTRESS: MY GOD; IN HIM WILL I TRUST. SURELY HE SHALL DELIVER THEE FROM THE SNARE OF THE FOWLER, AND FROM THE NOISOME PESTILENCE. HE SHALL COVER THEE WITH HIS FEATHERS . . . HIS TRUTH SHALL BE THY SHIELD AND BUCKLER. THOU SHALT NOT BE AFRAID FOR THE TERROR BY NIGHT; NOR FOR THE ARROW THAT FLIETH BY DAY; NOR FOR THE PESTILENCE THAT WALKETH IN DARKNESS; NOR FOR THE DESTRUCTION THAT WASTETH AT NOONDAY. A THOUSAND SHALL FALL AT THY SIDE, AND TEN THOUSAND AT THY RIGHT HAND; BUT IT SHALL NOT COME NIGH THEE.. . THERE SHALL NO EVIL BEFALL THEE, NEITHER SHALL ANY PLAGUE COME NIGH THY DWELLING. FOR HE SHALL GIVE HIS ANGELS CHARGE OVER THEE, TO KEEP THEE IN ALL THY WAYS. THEY SHALL BEAR THEE UP IN THEIR HANDS, LEST THOU DASH THY FOOT AGAINST A STONE. THOU SHALT TREAD UPON THE LION AND ADDER; THE YOUNG LION AND THE DRAGON SHALT THOU TRAMPLE UNDER FEET… HE SHALL CALL UPON ME, AND I WILL ANSWER HIM: I WILL BE WITH HIM IN TROUBLE; I WILL DELIVER HIM AND HONOUR HIM. WITH LONG LIFE WILL I SATISFY HIM, AND SHEW HIM MY SALVATION” (PS. 91).

10. PRAISE GOD IN FAITH FOR HEALING:

DAVID SAID, “BLESS THE LORD, 0 MY SOUL: AND ALL THAT IS WITHIN ME . . . FORGET NOT ALL HIS BENEFITS: WHO FORGIVETH ALL THINE INIQUITIES; WHO HEALETH ALL THY DISEASES” (PS. 103:1-5). IT IS WRITTEN OF ABRAHAM, “HE STAGGERED NOT AT THE PROMISE OF GOD THROUGH UNBELIEF; BUT WAS STRONG IN FAITH, GIVING GLORY TO GOD; AND BEING FULLY PERSUADED THAT, WHAT HE HAD PROMISED, HE WAS ABLE ALSO TO PERFORM. AND THEREFORE IT WAS IMPUTED TO HIM FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS” (ROM. 4:17-22; HEB. 11:11-12). PAUL SAID, “BE CAREFUL [ANXIOUS] FOR NOTHING; BUT IN EVERYTHING BY PRAYER AND SUPPLICATION WITH THANKSGIVING LET YOUR REQUESTS BE MADE KNOWN UNTO GOD” (PHIL. 4:5-6; HEB. 13:15-16).

11. SERVE GOD IN HOLINESS AS EARNESTLY AS YOU SOUGHT HIM:

“AS YE HAVE THEREFORE RECEIVED CHRIST JESUS THE LORD, SO WALK YE IN HIM; ROOTED AND BUILT UP IN HIM, AND STABLISHED IN THE FAITH, AS YE HAVE BEEN TAUGHT, ABOUNDING THEREIN WITH THANKSGIVING” (COL. 2:6-7); “SIN NO MORE, LEST A WORSE THING COME UNTO THEE. – . NEITHER DO I CONDEMN THEE: GO, AND SIN NO MORE” (JOHN 5:14; 8:11); “IF OUR HEART CONDEMN US NOT, THEN HAVE WE CONFIDENCE TOWARD GOD. AND WHATSOEVER WE ASK, WE RECEIVE OF HIM, BECAUSE WE KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS, AND DO THOSE THINGS THAT ARE PLEASING IN HIS SIGHT” (1 JOHN 3:21-22; 5:14-15). IF ONE WANTS TO KEEP HIS HEALING, LET HIM KEEP HIS FAITH, LIVE FREE FROM SIN, AND RESIST THE DEVIL WHO WILL TRY TO BRING BACK THE SICKNESS (JAMES 4:7; 1 PET. 5:8-9).

12. APPROPRIATE THE BENEFITS OF CALVARY:

WHOSOEVER SHALL EAT THIS BREAD, AND DRINK THIS CUP OF THE LORD, UNWORTHILY, SHALL BE GUILTY OF THE BODY AND BLOOD OF THE LORD. HE THAT EATETH AND DRINKETH UNWORTHILY, EATETH AND DRINKETH DAMNATION TO HIMSELF, NOT DISCERNING [COMPREHENDING THE BENEFITS BY FAITH OF] THE LORD’S BODY. FOR THIS CAUSE MANY ARE WEAK AND SICKLY AMONG YOU, AND MANY SLEEP” (1 COR. 11:27-30); “WHAT THINGS SOEVER YE DESIRE, WHEN YE PRAY, BELIEVE THAT YE RECEIVE THEM, AND YE SHALL HAVE THEM” (MARK 11:24).

13. RESIST THE DEVIL, REFUSE TO BE DENIED:

“RESIST THE DEVIL, AND HE WILL FLEE FROM YOU. DRAW NIGHT TO GOD AND HE WILL DRAW NIGH TO YOU” (JAMES 4:7-8); “THE DEVIL, AS A ROARING LION, WALKETH ABOUT. SEEKING WHOM HE MAY DEVOUR: WHOM RESIST STEADFAST IN THE FAITH” (1 PET. 5:5-10. SEE ALSO EPH. 6:10-18; 2 COR. 10:4-7).

14. OBSERVE THE LAWS OF GOD AND OF NATURE:

THE BODY IS GOD’S HOUSE AS WELL AS OUR OWN. IT BELONGS TO GOD AND NOT TO US; “KNOW YE NOT THAT YOUR BODY IS THE TEMPLE OF THE HOLY GHOST WHICH IS IN YOU, WHICH YE HAVE OF GOD, AND YE ARE NOT YOUR OWN? FOR YE ARE BOUGHT WITH A PRICE: THEREFORE, GLORIFY GOD IN YOUR BODY, AND IN YOUR SPIRIT, WHICH ARE GOD’S” (1 COR. 6:19-20). AS IT IS GOD’S HOUSE, WE ARE FORBIDDEN TO MAR IT, TO DEFILE IT, OR TO ABUSE IT (1 COR. 3:16-17; 6:19-20).

COMMON SENSE TELLS US THAT GOD CAN GET MORE GLORY OUT OF A BODY THAT IS WELL AND STRONG BECAUSE A PERSON WITH SUCH A BODY HAS COMPLETE USE OF ALL HIS FACULTIES. A RUGGED CONSTITUTION, A KEEN, ALERT MIND, AND UNIMPAIRED MORAL AND SPIRITUAL FACULTIES ARE NECESSARY IF ONE IS TO FULLY GLORIFY GOD IN THE BODY AND SPIRIT. WE CAN GLORIFY GOD BEST BY BEARING MUCH FRUIT (JOHN 15:8). TO BEAR MUCH AND GOOD FRUIT THE TREE OR VINE MUST BE HEALTHY AND NORMALLY FREE FROM DISEASE AND THINGS THAT CAUSE FRUIT TO BECOME FAULTY (MATT. 3:10; 7:16-20). SO IT IS WITH A CHRISTIAN.

IF GOD CAN GET SOME GLORY OUT OF LIVES THAT ARE HINDERED BY PHYSICAL HANDICAPS, HOW MUCH MORE GLORY COULD HE GET OUT OF THE SAME PEOPLE IF THEY DID NOT HAVE SUCH HANDICAPS? NATURALLY, ANYONE WITH SOME PHYSICAL HANDICAP CAN DO SOMETHING, BUT HE COULD DO MORE IF HE DID NOT HAVE SUCH PHYSICAL DEFECTS.

EVERY PERSON WHO WANTS HEALTH SHOULD SEE TO IT THAT HE GETS THE PROPER FOOD AND EATS IT IN THE RIGHT WAY AND IN PROPER AMOUNTS FROM DAY TO DAY. HE SHOULD WEAR WARM CLOTHES AND NOT EXPOSE HIS BODY TO COLD FOR THE SAKE OF SOME STYLE. HE SHOULD TAKE PLENTY OF EXERCISE AND LIVE IN THE OPEN AS MUCH AS POSSIBLE. HE SHOULD SLEEP IN WELL VENTILATED ROOMS WITH PLENTY OF FRESH AIR. HE SHOULD SEE TO IT THAT THE HOME GETS PLENTY OF FRESH AIR THROUGH THE DAY AND EACH ROOM GETS AS MUCH OF SUNSHINE AS POSSIBLE. HE SHOULD HAVE CLEAN HABITS, BATHE OFTEN, AND KEEP HIS TEETH IN GOOD SHAPE. HE SHOULD NOT OVERWORK OR ABUSE ANY PART OF HIS BODY. HE SHOULD TAKE PLENTY OF REST AND KEEP FREE FROM ALL WORRY AND ANXIETY. HE SHOULD DO EVERYTHING POSSIBLE TO CARE FOR HIS BODY, SOUL, AND SPIRIT, ACCORDING TO THE BEST KNOWLEDGE HE HAS, AND HE CAN HAVE LONG LIFE AND HAPPINESS.

TO BE HEALTHY ONE MUST CONTROL THE MIND AND THOUGHTS. UNCLEAN THINKING, READING OF NOVELS AND LOVE STORIES FILLED WITH IMMORAL SUGGESTIONS, ADMIRING OBSCENE PICTURES, DANCING, KISSING, CARESSING. TEASING, FONDLING, SPOONING, SECRET SINS, DISSIPATION, DRINKING, SMOKING, HATRED, ANGER, WORRY, WRONG EATING, LITTLE SLEEP, OVERWORK, LACK OF EXERCISE, LAZINESS, AND OTHER BAD HABITS WEAKEN THE WILL AND UNDERMINE THE PHYSICAL, MENTAL, AND MORAL HEALTH. JUST GOOD OLD FASHIONED WHOLESOME LIVING WILL CREATE LIFE AND ENERGY, VITALIZE THE BLOOD, GIVE ELASTICITY AND STRENGTH TO THE MUSCLES, AND BUILD UP PHYSICAL HEALTH, BODILY STRENGTH, AND PERSONAL MAGNETISM, BEAUTY, AND CHARM.

15. WHAT THE WORLD DOES TO MAINTAIN HEALTH:

ALL GOVERNMENTS AND ORGANIZATIONS REQUIRE PHYSICAL FITNESS. THEY HAVE CERTAIN STANDARDS OF FITNESS FOR THEIR EMPLOYEES AND MAKE PROVISION THAT IT BE KEPT UP TO THE HIGHEST PEAK OF EFFICIENCY. THEY DEMAND THAT THE LEAST ACCIDENT OR SICKNESS BE REPORTED AND EVERY SORE, ILLNESS, COLD, ETC., BE TAKEN CARE OF AT ONCE IN ORDER TO CHECK ANY FURTHER LAYOFF OR SPREAD OF THE TROUBLE TO OTHERS. IN EVERY FACTORY AND PUBLIC PLACE WE READ SIGNS SUCH AS “BE CAREFUL,” “WATCH THAT COLD,” “DON’T EXPOSE YOUR BODY,” “TAKE EXERCISE,” ETC. MANY FIRMS PROVIDE THEIR EMPLOYEES CERTAIN PLACES FOR RECREATION AND EXERCISE ON THEIR OWN TIME. LAWS ARE MADE IN EVERY CITY AND STATE WHICH REQUIRE PHYSICAL FITNESS FOR MARRIAGE, OR FOR CERTAIN PUBLIC POSITIONS. FREE CLINICS, MEDICINE, ADVICE, ETC., ARE PROVIDED FOR THOSE WHO CANNOT AFFORD WHAT THEY NEED TO PRESERVE THEIR HEALTH. PARENTS WILL SPEND THEIR ALL AND SACRIFICE EVERYTHING IN LIFE TO SEE THAT THEIR CHILDREN HAVE THE BEST OF PHYSICAL CARE AND PROTECTION. THEY WOULD HEAL THEIR OWN CHILDREN IN A SECOND IF POSSIBLE. PRACTICALLY EVERY HUMAN BEING WOULD MAKE SOME SACRIFICE TO SEE THEIR FELLOW MEN HEALED AND ENJOY GOOD HEALTH. MEN CAN FIGHT AND HATE EACH OTHER, BUT WHEN SICKNESS OR DEATH COMES, THE SAME MEN WOULD AID THEIR ENEMIES TO GET WELL OR HAVE A DECENT BURIAL IF THEY DIE. EVEN MOST ANIMALS TAKE CARE OF THEIR OWN AND DO EVERY CONCEIVABLE THING TO PROLONG THE LIFE AND WELFARE OF THEIR OWN.

16. DOES GOD CARE AND MAKE PROVISION FOR HEALTH?

IS GOD THE ONLY BEING IN THE UNIVERSE THAT LOVES TO SEE HIS OWN CHILDREN, HIS OWN CREATION, HIS OWN WORKERS, AND THOSE WHOM HE PROFESSES TO LOVE TO BE SICKLY, PUNY, TIRED, WORN, AND GOOD FOR NOTHING PHYSICALLY? IS HE THE ONLY ONE WHO LOVES TO SEE PAIN AND DISEASE IN HIS OWN CREATION? IS HE THE ONLY ONE WHO HAS NOT PROVIDED FOR THE PHYSICAL WELFARE OF HIS OWN? IS HE THE ONLY ONE WHO GLOATS OVER THE HANDICAPS OF HIS CHILDREN AND DESIRES THEM TO BE DISEASED SO THAT HE CAN BE BEST GLORIFIED BY SEEING THEM SICK? IS HE THE ONLY ONE WHO PREFERS SICKNESS TO HEALTH; WHO WOULD NOT HEAL HIS CHILDREN WHEN THEY GET SICK; WHO CHASTENS HIS CHILDREN BY CAUSING THEIR LUNGS TO BE EATEN UP BY DISEASE, THEIR LIMBS TO ROT OFF, THEIR LIVES TO LINGER BETWEEN LIFE AND DEATH IN THE MOST INTENSE INHUMAN SUFFERING FOR YEARS UPON YEARS, AND THEIR LIVES TO BE DESTROYED BY THE ENEMIES OF BOTH GOD AND MAN; WHO WOULD MAKE A CREATION ONLY TO LET IT END IN SUFFERING AND DEFEAT AND TO DIE PREMATURELY AS MANIFEST ON EVERY HAND; AND WHO WILLS THESE SIN-CURSED, DISEASE-DESTROYING AGENCIES TO TAKE THEIR TOLL OF LIFE AND TO CUT OFF MEN BEFORE THEY FINISH THEIR LIFE WORK? IS HE THE ONLY ONE WHO DOES NOT DEMAND A HIGH STANDARD OF PHYSICAL FITNESS AND EFFICIENCY AMONG HIS WORKERS? IS HE THE ONLY ONE WHOSE HIGHEST WILL IS MANIFEST BY THE SUFFERINGS, SICKNESSES, AND HELPLESS CONDITIONS OF HIS PEOPLE ? IS HE THE ONLY ONE WHO CAN GET THE BEST GLORY OUT OF PEOPLE WHEN THEY ARE PHYSICALLY, MORALLY, AND SPIRITUALLY DEPRIVED OF THEIR NORMAL CREATIVE FUNCTIONS ? AWAY WITH SUCH SLANDEROUS CONCEPTS OF GOD! HE IS NOT THIS KIND OF BEING.

THE BIBLE MAKES IT CLEAR THAT IT IS GOD’S HIGHEST WILL FOR ALL MEN TO “PROSPER AND BE IN HEALTH, EVEN AS THY SOUL PROSPERETH” (3 JOHN 2). THE BLAME FOR WRONG CONCEPTS OF GOD IS ENTIRELY UPON MAN AND THE ENEMIES OF BOTH GOD AND MAN. INSTEAD OF MEETING THE CONDITIONS OF THE GOSPEL TO RECEIVE HEALING AND STAY HEALED, MAN CONTINUES TO BREAK THE LAWS OF GOD AND NATURE AND LIVE IN UNBELIEF AND REJECTION OF GOD’S WAY OF HEALING AND HEALTH IN CHRIST. THE SENSIBLE THING TO DO IS TO LEARN THE CAUSE OF THE TROUBLE AND REMOVE IT AND KEEP THE CAUSE REMOVED; THEN ONE CAN BE HEALED AND STAY HEALED.

PARTS OF THIS WAS TAKEN FROM THE WORLD’S GREATEST REFERENCE BIBLE “THE DAKE’S ANNOTATED REFERENCE BIBLE.” WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND THAT YOU PURCHASE ONE FROM 1-800-241-1239. IT WILL BLESS YOU ALL THE DAYS OF YOUR LIFE.

John 10:10

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.