Gerald E. Weston

[The text below represents an edited transcript of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

Book of Revelation’s End-Time Bible Prophecy

The Book of Revelation is a great mystery to many—and many avoid it. However, it tells us at the very beginning:

Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near (Revelation 1:3).

So, if you are blessed or benefited by reading, hearing, and keeping those things written in the book, why would you neglect it?

In two previous Tomorrow’s World programs, we discussed the first and second of what are known as the four horsemen of the apocalypse. Evangelist and telecast presenter Wallace Smith explained the meaning of the rider on a white horse and fellow evangelist Rod McNair explained the meaning of the rider on a red horse. If you missed those powerful and insightful programs, you can find them on our website, TomorrowsWorld.org.

Today I’ll explain the meaning of the third and fourth horses and their riders, but it’s vitally important to begin at the beginning. The preamble of the book gives essential keys needed to understand how the four horsemen fit into the overall picture. The preamble begins in chapter 1 and in verse 1.

Jesus Gave the Vision to the Servants of God

The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants—things which must shortly take place. And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John, who bore witness to the word of God, and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, to all things that he saw. Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy, and keep those things which are written in it; for the time is near (Revelation 1:1–3).

It's easy to think such words are unimportant, but that’s a grave mistake, as they explain:

1. Who the message is from
2. Who opens or reveals that message
3. Who delivers it
4. And, number four, who are the intended recipients

Some of the most outrageous speculations are the result of not knowing these simple facts.

Erroneous Titles for the Book of Revelation

Even those who translate and publish the Bible often miss the mark. For example, note the title given to this book in these popular translations:

• The Revelation of St. John the Divine (King James Version)
• The Book of Revelation—The Revelation of John (The New Testament in Modern English by J. B. Phillips)

These titles were added by men and contradict the opening words of the preamble.

Seven Keys to Understanding the Book of Revelation

So, the first thing we need to know is who opens our understanding [of] the message.

1. Key #1: It is the Revelation of Jesus Christ.

Now the word “of” denotes possession rather than “about.” The message is not primarily about the person of Christ as many believe. Yes, He is intimately involved in the message, but His role is primarily that of the one who reveals—or explains—the meaning of the message. But who is the originator of the message?

2. Key #2: …which God gave Him…

The message that Jesus reveals or explains comes from His Father. Now, who the message is ultimately for?

3. Key #3: …to show His servants…

Who these servants of God are might seem to be an easy question to answer, but is it? I’ll give you the answer shortly, but when are the things written in the book to begin?

4. Key #4: …things which must shortly take place…

Now, while the book is primarily about end-time events, the message also had relevance for that time. But who was to carry the message to God’s servants?

5. Key #5: And He sent and signified it by His angel to His servant John…

And what was it that John was to record?

6. Key #6: [John] who bore witness
   1. to the word of God,
   2. and to the testimony of Jesus Christ,
   3. to all things that he saw.

There is an additional key to understanding where the four horsemen fit into end-time events, and that is found in verse 10. Here we find the theme of the book. John writes:

7. Key #7: I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day… (Revelation 1:10).

Now this is critical to understanding, but it has been clouded by so-called scholars who tell us that the Lord’s Day refers to a day of the week. Notice this paraphrased version.

It was Sunday and I was worshiping… (Living Letters, by Kenneth Taylor).

But does Lord’s Day mean Sunday?

Dear friends, nothing could be further from the truth. As we will see, this expression in Revelation is not talking about a day of the week. However, if it were, what day of the week does Jesus [the One who reveals] tell us He is the Lord of? There is not a single passage of Scripture that points to Jesus being the Lord of Sunday. That’s a human invention promulgated long after Christ was resurrected.

On the contrary, Jesus Himself tells us three times, that when speaking of a day of the week, He—“the Son of Man”—is Lord of the Sabbath. Notice one of them.

And He said to them, “The Sabbath was made for man, and not man for the Sabbath. Therefore the Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath” (Mark 2:27–28).

Revelation 1:10 refers not to a day of the week, but to the time of Christ’s intervention at the end of the age. This is clear from the content of the book, which I’ll explain in more detail later in the program.

Messages to the Seven Churches of Revelation

But since John is to take the message to the servants of God, we need to know who they are. Immediately following the preamble, we read in verse 4 of chapter 1,

John, to the seven churches which are in Asia… (Revelation 1:4).

In verse 13, we read of the glorified Christ walking among seven lampstands, and we’re informed in verse 20 that the lampstands represent the seven churches.

The seven stars are the angels of the seven churches, and the seven lampstands which you saw are the seven churches (Revelation 1:20).

There are many congregations scattered across the Mediterranean region, so why are these seven chosen?

Chapters 2 and 3 contain the messages to each of the seven. Scholars recognize that these churches are more significant than just any churches of God at the time. There are clear references that apply to different historic times.

For example, the letter to Smyrna speaks of ten days of severe tribulation. And elsewhere, we see that biblical day sometimes stands for a year, and history records ten years of severe persecution upon all the churches of God in Asia under Roman Emperor Diocletian—from 303 to 313 A.D.

On the other hand, the references to the sixth and seventh churches speak of the time at the end of the age when Christ returns. And try as they might, scholars are unable to shoehorn the mainstream church into seven eras that align with these seven churches. And there is a reason why—they are looking for the servants of God in the wrong place.

The key to understanding that was given by Mr. Wallace Smith, who pointed out that the rider on the white horse represented counterfeit Christianity. That program can be found on our website, TomorrowsWorld.org.

Now for a very quick overview leading up to the four riders:

• Revelation chapter 1: The message comes from God, is revealed by Jesus Christ, is given to John to pass to the servants of God, and the message is about the Day of the Lord.
• Revelation chapters 2–3: Explain in detail who the servants of God are down through time.
• Chapter 4: Gives details of God sitting on His throne in heaven.
• Chapter 5: [Which] Introduces the message of Revelation contained on a scroll secured by seven seals.

The Seven Seals of Revelation

Now this is critical to understand, so let’s take a closer look at it by reading the first five verses of Revelation 5:

And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it. So I [that is John] wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals” (Revelation 5:1–5).

The remainder of the chapter reveals that this is the Lamb of God, who is worthy of all worship and honor. Yes, as we read in the opening verse in the book, it is Jesus Christ who is the One who breaks the seals and reveals the message.

Now we come to chapter 6, where six of the seven seals are opened, including the four horsemen.

Four Seals: Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse

Many have heard of the four horsemen of the apocalypse, and they know that they have something to do with bad things to happen in the future, but few can give you further details. In this series on the four horsemen, fellow presenter Wallace Smith explained the white horse, whose rider represents counterfeit Christianity. Rod McNair explained the significance of the red horse, whose rider carries a great sword and takes peace from the earth.

Third and Fourth Horsemen in Revelation 6

Let us now look at the third and fourth horses and their riders. We’ll begin in chapter 6 and verse 5.

When He opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a black horse, and he who sat on it had a pair of scales in his hand. And I heard a voice in the midst of the four living creatures saying, “A quart of wheat for a denarius, and three quarts of barley for a denarius; and do not harm the oil and the wine.” When He opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see.” So I looked, and behold, a pale horse. And the name of him who sat on it was Death, and Hades followed with him. And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth (Revelation 6:5–8).

The understanding of what the third rider symbolizes is pretty much straightforward. He is on a black horse, and he clearly represents famine. However, the rider on the pale horse is a bit less straightforward. He represents death and Hades (a word meaning the grave), but we are left to speculate on the cause of death. Note that the last part of verse 8 says:

And power was given to them [all four of the riders] over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth (Revelation 6:8).

Now, beasts of the earth would hardly account for the totality of death brought about by the pale rider.

This is another reason to look to the One who reveals—Jesus Christ. As presenters Wallace Smith and Rod McNair pointed out in the previous two programs, we must turn to the words of Jesus for explanations of these symbols. To not do so leaves open the most outrageous speculations.

Matthew 24 Matches Horsemen of Revelation 6

Matthew 24 gives us the pattern that is found here in Revelation 6. Note that the time setting is just prior to Jesus’ return. We’ll begin in verse 3.

Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, “Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?” (Matthew 24:3).

The First Horse Is False Christianity

And Jesus answered and said to them: “Take heed that no one deceives you. For many will come in My name [claiming His authority, in other words], saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ [in other words, preaching that Jesus is the Christ] and will deceive many (Matthew 24:4–5).

This is how we know that the rider on the white horse represents a counterfeit Christianity.

The Second Horse Is War

Note that the signs that follow are in the same order and give us the pattern for understanding the riders.

And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom (Matthew 24:6–7).

These words by Jesus clearly reveal that the red horse represents warfare, and we find the same sequence of events in both Matthew 24 and Revelation 6.

The Third Horse Is Famine

The next thing Jesus mentions is:

And there will be famines (Matthew 24:7).

And this aligns with the rider on the black horse, where he has scales in his hands to measure out scarce food.

The Fourth Horse Is Death

[And] after famines, Jesus mentions pestilences—or disease epidemics—and earthquakes.

For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences [or disease epidemics], and earthquakes in various places (Matthew 24:7).

It’s easy to see why God used a pale horse, as sick people often look pale and sickly. But the Revelator indicates that there will be other causes of death, including earthquakes and wild animals. Collectively, these four riders bring death and destruction over a fourth of the earth.

And power was given to them over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, with hunger, with death, and by the beasts of the earth (Revelation 6:8).

Before leaving this subject, we need to look at a few details regarding the placement of these riders in the story flow of end-time Bible prophecy.

We saw in the preamble to Revelation that while God the Father is the author of the message, it is Jesus Christ who reveals—or gives understandings—of the message that was written.

Why the Four Horsemen Bring the “Apocalypse”

The words of Jesus in Matthew 24 give us the pattern of end-time events. Counterfeit Christianity, wars, famines, and pestilences have plagued mankind since Christ spoke these words. So what’s new about the four horsemen?

Simply put, these four scourges are ramped up to a far greater level.

The rider on the white horse—a deceptive, charismatic, miracle-working leader, called in Revelation the False Prophet or the Antichrist—will emerge on the scene in the near future. He’ll align himself with a political leader known as the beast.

The rider on the red horse of war will follow.

The black horse of famine and the rider on the pale horse follow in close succession. The result will be massive death affecting one-quarter of the earth.

Fifth, Sixth, and Seventh Seals of Revelation

But end-time prophecy is not about four destructive riders only. As we read in chapter 5, the message of Revelation is contained on a scroll that is sealed, not with four, but with seven seals. The horsemen begin their ride when each of the first four are opened. Once opened, they continue to the time of Christ’s return, but much happens after they begin their ride.

After the Pale rider, the fifth seal is opened, and we read of a martyrdom of the servants of God. This is followed by the sixth seal opening terrifying heavenly signs. Notice this, beginning in Revelation 6:12:

I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb!” (Revelation 6:12–16).

The Day of the Lord Is the Wrath of the Lamb

Now notice verse 17:

For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (Revelation 6:17).

This, dear friends, is the theme of the book of Revelation. Remember in chapter 1, verse 10 where John said:

I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s Day… (Revelation 1:10).

This is not talking about a day of the week. The Lord’s Day is another way of saying the Day of the Lord—a time spoken of in the Bible some 30 times as being the time of Christ’s return. Paul spoke of it in 1 Thessalonians 5:2.

For you yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night (1 Thessalonians 5:2).

Many references are found in the Old Testament, such as Zechariah 14:1;

Behold, the day of the Lord is coming, and your spoil will be divided in your midst (Zechariah 14:1).

And Isaiah tells us that it is a one-year period of “the Lord’s vengeance” (Isaiah 34:1).

Come near, you nations, to hear; and heed, you people! Let the earth hear, and all that is in it, the world and all things that come forth from it. For the indignation of the Lord is against all nations, and His fury against all their armies; He has utterly destroyed them, He has given them over to the slaughter…. [Notice this:] For it is the day of the Lord’s vengeance, the year of recompense for the cause of Zion (Isaiah 34:1–2, 8).

Yes, the four horsemen are merely the prelude to the theme of Revelation—the time of Christ’s wrath on rebellious mankind. Of course, they continue to ride during that time, but they are not the theme of Revelation. They appear when the first four seals of the scroll are opened. The seventh seal constitutes many events that sum up the Day of the Lord—the year of God’s wrath on rebellious mankind.

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[The text below represents an edited transcript of the TV version of this Tomorrow’s World program.]

Seven Reasons to Hope for Healing

Heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, cancer, and a multitude of other maladies plague our modern world. Why? And what can you personally do about it?

Sadly, many of you watching this program are afflicted with chronic medical issues from which you are suffering—perhaps for years. A television ad for a new drug shows happy vibrant actors, giving great promise, yet telling you in a pleasant voice all the side effects that may create greater problems. Then comes the next ad from a law firm looking for victims of the side effects to sue big pharma over the last miracle potion.

Is there not a better way?

Jesus’ Ministry of Healing

The Bible tells us that healing was a major part of Jesus’ ministry. People flocked to Him to be relieved of every kind of sickness and infirmity.

So here are some serious questions:

• Were those accounts genuine miracles? Or were they made-up stories?
• Did Jesus and His apostles really bring about such miracles?
• Do you, dear friends, believe those accounts of the blind, the lame, and the deaf being healed to see, walk, and hear—in some cases for the first time in their lives?
• Can these biblical accounts be relied upon? And if not, what else can you discard from the pages of the Bible?
• Are you one who has suffered from an affliction for years?
• Have you gone to doctors and not found lasting relief?
• Are the drugs you are taking helping with one problem, but creating another?

If so, you’re hardly alone. Now, I could give you a litany of statistics, but the fact that millions of others suffer from a similar problem does nothing to solve your problem.

Healing Is Part of Preaching the Gospel

If you’ve lost hope, I’m here to say there is hope. And today I’m going to give you seven points that can restore hope. So let’s get started.

• Point #1: The Gospel Christ preached was accompanied by healing.

The four gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John) record many instances of miraculous healing—far too many to cover here. Notice this account in Matthew 4:23–24.

And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing all kinds of sickness and all kinds of disease among the people. Then His fame went throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all sick people who were afflicted with various diseases and torments, and those who were demon-possessed, epileptics, and paralytics; and He healed them (Matthew 4:23–24).

Here is another example—this time found in Luke 4.

Now He arose from the synagogue and entered Simon’s house. But Simon’s wife’s mother was sick with a high fever, and they made request of Him concerning her. So He stood over her and rebuked the fever, and it left her. And immediately she arose and served them. When the sun was setting, all those who had any that were sick with various diseases brought them to Him; and He laid His hands on every one of them and healed them (Luke 4:38–40).

Jesus Sends His Servants to Heal the Sick

But was Jesus the only One to heal the sick? The answer is not at all.

And that brings us to:

• Point #2: Jesus commanded others to preach the Gospel—and to heal the sick.

It’s evident from Jesus’ commands to His disciples in Luke 9, beginning in verse 1, that preaching the good news of the Kingdom of God was to be accompanied by healing.

Then He called His twelve disciples together and gave them power and authority over all demons, and to cure diseases. He sent them to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.... So they departed and went through the towns, preaching the gospel and healing everywhere (Luke 9:1–2, 6).

But was it Jesus and His Apostles only who were sent to heal the sick? Not at all! Note this little-referenced passage found in Luke 10, beginning in verse 1.

After these things the Lord appointed seventy others also, and sent them two by two before His face into every city and place where He Himself was about to go. Then He said to them, “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest…. And heal the sick there, and say to them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you’” (Luke 10:1–2, 9).

Yes, healing was a major part of first-century Christianity.

1. The gospel Christ proclaimed was accompanied by healing.
2. Jesus commanded others to preach the gospel and heal the sick.

But did divine healing cease upon the crucifixion? Or was it to continue?

Healing Goes With Believing the Gospel

Following His resurrection, Jesus told His Apostles to preach the gospel to all the world, and that miraculous signs would follow those who believe. Note it in Mark 16, beginning in verse 15.

And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover” (Mark 16:15-18).

Was Jesus promoting snake handling and drinking poison as some unbalanced and deceived individuals have taken this commission? Not at all. He never intended His followers to tempt God in this manner, but don’t take my word for it. Prove it for yourself out of your own Bible.

Jesus Himself never tempted God. It was the adversary, Satan the Devil, who challenged Christ to show His faith by tempting Him—Matthew 4:5-6.

Then the devil took Him up into the holy city, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you,’ and, ‘In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone.’”

But what was His response to this challenge?

Jesus said to him, “It is written again, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God’” (Matthew 4:7).

So what did Jesus mean by taking up snakes or drinking poison and not being harmed? The Bible explains itself, sometimes by examples, and we have an example of precisely what Christ meant in Acts 28. We’ll begin in verse 3.

But when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks and laid them on the fire, a viper came out because of the heat, and fastened on his hand. So when the natives saw the creature hanging from his hand, they said to one another, “No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he has escaped the sea, yet justice does not allow to live.” But he shook off the creature into the fire and suffered no harm (Acts 28:3–5).

Paul was not going about tempting God to prove his faith.

So, again:

1. The Gospel Christ proclaimed was accompanied by healing.
2. Jesus commanded others to preach the gospel and heal the sick.

Jesus Christ Is Still Healing the Sick

And now for point #3—let’s read it straight from the Bible—Hebrews 13:8.

• Point #3: Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

Yes, the same Jesus Christ who walked this earth 2,000 years ago and performed mighty miracles is alive today and He has not changed.

When I entered Ambassador College in the fall of 1965, I learned about a faculty member who had been a quadriplegic as a result of injuries sustained in the Korean War. But he had been miraculously healed, not in a tent meeting with cameras running and a lot of hoopla, but in private with a faithful minister of Jesus Christ anointing and praying for him.

The college only had 550 students, and everyone knew everyone, and everyone knew of his miraculous healing. I often saw him dripping with sweat, coming out of the handball court after a vigorous game of handball. In 1974, he visited us in our home in Monroe, Louisiana.

Yes, I knew him well, and I knew men and women who knew him prior to his healing. No one disputed that this paralyzed man was healed by the same Jesus Christ who performed miracles of healing nearly 2,000 years ago. And, I have known many others since that time who have been miraculously healed. Yes, Jesus is the same today as He was yesterday.

Divine Healing Requires Faith

So, why do we not see more genuine divine healings today? The answers are found in our next four points.

• Point #4: Faith is a factor in healing.

I understand that one can point to a handful of situations where faith by the one being healed may not be certain, but in most cases, faith is a definite factor in healings.

Jesus was confronted by two blind men seeking that their sight would be given them (Matthew 9:28–29).

And when He had come into the house, the blind men came to Him. And Jesus said to them, “Do you believe that I am able to do this?” They said to Him, “Yes, Lord.” Then He touched their eyes, saying, “According to your faith let it be to you.”

“Your Faith Has Made You Well”

Then again He was confronted by another blind man (Mark 10:51–52).

So Jesus answered and said to him, “What do you want Me to do for you?” The blind man said to Him, “Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.” Then Jesus said to him, “Go your way; your faith has made you well.” And immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus on the road.

Then there was the case of the man in Lystra who was crippled from birth. We read of this miraculous healing at the command of the Apostle Paul in Acts 14:9–10.

This man heard Paul speaking. Paul, observing him intently and seeing that he had faith to be healed, said with a loud voice, “Stand up straight on your feet!” And he leaped and walked.

On the flip side, when Jesus visited His hometown of Nazareth, those who grew up with Him, could not get past the fact that Jesus was a local and therefore could not be the Savior. We read in Mark 6:3–6.

“Is this not the carpenter, the Son of Mary, and brother of James, Joses, Judas, and Simon? And are not His sisters here with us?” And they were offended at Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his own country, among his own relatives, and in his own house.” Now He could do no mighty work there, except that He laid His hands on a few sick people and healed them. And He marveled because of their unbelief (Mark 6:3–6).

So why are there not more healings today? Is it in part, because of the question Jesus asked in Luke 18:8, where He said:

“Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

Obedience to God Brings Healing

Except in unusual cases where another lesson is taught, faith in Christ is a prerequisite for healing, but it’s not the only prerequisite.

And that brings me to:

• Point #5: God hears the prayers of those who obey and do those things pleasing in His sight.

Here it is in 1 John 3:22.

And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight.

Consider how many sicknesses are clearly linked to the violation of biblical laws and principles: cancers and other maladies relating to smoking and vaping, damaged minds and bodies linked to the use of “recreational drugs,” and sexually transmitted diseases as a result of promiscuous behaviors.

God tells us that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit, but how many do not take care of their bodies and overeat, eat too many refined foods, and move their bodies too little?

Additionally, there are laws spelled out in Scripture that tell us we should not eat certain meats, but people rationalize—and even take scriptures out of context—to get around God’s clear instructions. The result? Swine flu, Ebola, SARS, MERS, Nipah Virus, and more. All these diseases involve animals God warned against eating. And the 1918 pandemic that killed between 50 and 100 million people worldwide was a swine flu.

Forgiveness and Healing Are Linked

If you are a reader of the Bible, perhaps you remember this famous account found in Luke 5, beginning in verse 18.

Then behold, men brought on a bed a man who was paralyzed, whom they sought to bring in and lay before Him…. When He saw their faith, He said to him, “Man, your sins are forgiven you.” And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, “Who is this who speaks blasphemies? Who can forgive sins but God alone?” But when Jesus perceived their thoughts, He answered and said to them, “Why are you reasoning in your hearts? Which is easier, to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven you,’ or to say, ‘Rise up and walk’” (Luke 5:18, 20–23)?

This brings me to point #6.

• Point #6: Healing is the forgiveness of sin through Christ’s sacrifice.

It is widely recognized that Isaiah 53 is a Messianic prophesy. Sadly, the translators of the King James and other versions of the Bible did not translate some words literally, as they should have in the following passage. However, the literal meanings are found in the margins.

Surely He [Christ] has borne our griefs [literally sicknesses], and carried our sorrows [literally pains]; yet we esteemed Him stricken, smitten by God, and afflicted. But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed (Isaiah 53:4–5).

”By His Stripes We Are Healed”

Jesus was crucified to pay the penalty of sin for us, but why did He have to suffer such a terrible death? Why was He beaten mercilessly? Peter confirms what Isaiah wrote (1 Peter 2:21).

For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps: “Who committed no sin, nor was deceit found in His mouth”; who, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but committed Himself to Him who judges righteously…. who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed (1 Peter 2:21–24).

Our sins bring about pain and suffering, both physically and spiritually. And sin leads to sickness and death.

Jesus was the perfect sacrifice, experiencing sin’s full penalty for us.

Know God’s Plan, God’s Will, God’s Timing

And as I’ve shown, healing is tied to faith and obedience, but perfect faith and obedience do not automatically bring healing.

And that brings us to our seventh and last point.

• Point #7: Healing must fit into God’s great plan for each of us.

The Apostle Paul was facing many trials, and God, out of His great mercy, gave him a most realistic vision of heavenly things. It is in this context that we read that God did not heal him of a grievous affliction. We pick up the story in 2 Corinthians 12:7–9.

And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me (2 Corinthians 12:7–9).

God does not always heal us in this physical life. He worked many mighty miracles through the prophet Elisha, but as we read in 2 Kings 13:14:

Elisha had become sick with the illness of which he would die.

Romans 8:18 Meaning: We Suffer with Christ

Jesus Christ came with a message about a coming Kingdom that will rule on earth. That message tells us He is working out a great plan that you can be part of, and sometimes we only learn important lessons through suffering. Here is what the Apostle Paul wrote to the people in Rome.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God…. and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed we suffer with Him, that we may also be glorified together. For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us (Romans 8:14, 17–18).

God Heals in His Wisdom and Timing

Before closing, let me say that nothing in this program is meant to say that you should not see a doctor. However, that does not mean you should not go to God for healing. I personally have known of many absolutely miraculous healings that defied doctors’ predictions. I’ve seen people miraculously healed of one painful condition, but not another.

I’ve also known many people who asked God to heal them, but they died.

The reality is that there comes a time for each of us to go to sleep until the resurrection. If we know God, we realize His plan transcends this physical existence.

God does heal today. I know that. I’ve seen it. I’ve experienced it. But God heals according to His wisdom and His plan for each of us. And in the end, it is up to Him as to how and when.

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