Are signs and wonders the ultimate signs that the Kingdom of God is here? Most preachers today emphasize these more than anything else as a proof that God is working in our midst.
Signs and wonders are significant indicators of God’s power and presence, but they are not the ultimate or sole evidence that the Kingdom of God is here. Scripture provides a broader and deeper understanding of the Kingdom of God, emphasizing spiritual transformation, righteousness, and the proclamation of the gospel alongside miraculous works.
Are wonders against the Word of God?
I strongly believe that signs and wonders and all the spiritual gifts mentioned in 1 Corinthians 12:8-10 are still operational for the edification of the church and the spread of the gospel.
Martyn Lloyd-Jones, preached in 1965: “It is perfectly clear that in New Testament times, the gospel was authenticated in this way by signs, wonders and miracles of various characters and descriptions. . . . Was it only meant to be true of the early church? . . . The Scriptures never anywhere say that these things were only temporary – never! There is no such statement anywhere.” (The Sovereign Spirit, pp. 31-32).
Does signs and wonders diminishes the supernatural power of God’s written and preached word? Does it contradict the sufficiency of the gospel to save sinners, does the search for signs signify a loss of confidence on the Word of the Cross?
Romans 1:16 says, “The gospel is the power of God unto salvation.” The gospel, not signs and wonders. Paul says, “Jews demand signs, Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified . . . the power of God . . .” (1 Corinthians 1:22-23). The “word of the cross is . . . the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18). Sign-seeking is a diversion from the power of Christ crucified. Thus Jesus himself said, “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign” (Matthew 12:39; 16:4).
Miracles help one to conversion. We can see many examples for this in Acts. Even in the miracles of Jesus, we can see that the healed person turns completely in accepting Jesus as the Messiah. So, signs and wonders are the pointers through which one can get to know Christ. Signs and wonders are not the ultimate end of truth seeking as a Christian, but it must be the point from where the truth seeking mentality must begin or sprout. Signs and wonders do not save, they do not transform the heart but it should be the beginning. Many who have seen the miracles of Jesus had left Him even without thanking Him (Luke 17:11-19).
“Most preachers today emphasize these more than anything else as a proof that God is working in our midst.” When we say this, we must be very careful as many new age/new thought teachings promote the idea of ‘heaven on Earth’ by ‘manifesting’ signs and wonders through mass hypnosis. (We’ll discuss about New Age Teachings and their jargons later). This induces a trance or a dream-like state of deep relaxation. It doesn’t heal the person, but they feel better in their mind that they are healed but in reality they are just relaxed to cope up with the symptoms and treatments.
A preacher who preaches or exalts anything more than Christ and His Word is a false prophet, he lures people away from the grace of God for their monetary benefits. As a christian, desiring for the perfect will of God matters more than even witnessing signs and wonders. It may or may not happen, and it must not be the foundation for our christian faith. We must be rooted deeply in the Word of God.
