Reactions To
Acts Of Healing

A careful study of Scripture reveals that there is almost always a negative reaction to acts healing. After you have considered the following, you will realise just how much Satan hates people to be healed and you will understand why there is such opposition to the health message. Sadly, it will often be noticed that this negative reaction to healing usually comes from people in spiritual high places.

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`When Jesus saw their faith, He said to the paralytic, "Take heart, son; your sins are forgiven." At this SOME OF THE TEACHERS OF THE LAW said to themselves, "This fellow is blaspheming!" Then He said to the paralytic, "Get up, take you mat and go home." And the man got up and went home. When the crowd saw this, they were filled with awe; and they praised God, who had given such authority to men.' (Matthew 9:6-8).

`The crowd was amazed and said, "Nothing like this has ever been seen in Israel." But The PHARISEES said, "It is by the prince of demons that he drives out demons." ' (Matthew 9:33, 34).

`Then they brought Him a demon-possessed man who was blind and dumb, and Jesus healed him, so that he could both talk and see. All the people were astonished and said, "Could this be the Son of David?" But when the PHARISEES heard this, they said, "It is only be Beelzebub, the prince of demons, that this fellow drives out demons." ' (Matthew 12:22-24)

`[Jesus] said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He stretched it out, and his hand was completely restored. Then the PHARISEES went out and began to plot with the Herodians how they might kill Jesus. [While] those with diseases were pushing forward to touch Him.' (Mark 3:5, 6, 10).

`He looked round at them all, and then said to the man, "Stretch out your hand." He did so, and his hand was completely restored. But they [the PHARISEES and the TEACHERS OF THE LAW] were furious and began to discuss with one another what they might do to Jesus.' (Luke 6:10, 11).

`Indignant because Jesus had healed on the Sabbath, THE SYNAGOGUE RULER said to the people, "There are six days for work. So come and be healed on those days, not on the Sabbath.' (Luke 13:14).

`Then Jesus said to him, "Get up! Pick up you mat and walk." . . . The day on which this took place was a Sabbath, and so THE JEWS said to the man who had been healed, "It is the Sabbath; the law forbids you to carry your mat." So because Jesus was doing these things on the Sabbath, the JEWS persecuted Him.' (John 5:8-10,16).

`Some of the PHARISEES said, "This man is not from God, for He does not keep the Sabbath." But others said, "How can a sinner do such miraculous signs?" So they were divided.' (John 9:16).

` "What are we accomplishing?" they [THE CHIEF PRIESTS AND PHARISEES] asked. "Here is this man performing many miraculous signs. If we let Him go on like this, everyone will believe in Him, and then the Romans will come and take away our place and our nation . . . so from that day they plotted to take His life.' (John 11:47,48,53).

`When their terror was abated, the priests and elders, returning to the temple, had found Christ healing the sick and the dying. They had heard the voice of rejoicing and the song of praise. In the temple itself the children who had been restored to health were waving palm branches and singing hosannas to the Son of David. Baby voices were lisping the praises of the mighty healer. Yet with THE PRIESTS AND ELDERS all this did not suffice to overcome their prejudice and jealousy.' (COL273)

`[After healing the two demon-possessed men] `THE WHOLE TOWN went out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they pleaded with Him to leave their region.' (Matthew 8:34)

When Healing
Threatens Profits . . .

`At that moment the spirit left her. When the owners of the slave girl realized that their hope of making money was gone, they seized Paul and Silas and dragged them into the market place to face the authorities.' (Acts 16:19).

`The merchants of the earth will weep and mourn over her because no-one buys her cargoes of gold, silver . . . horses and carriages; and bodies and souls of men.' (Revelation 18:11, 13).

"The lord does not want anyone to labour as his representative who follows the wrong customs and practices of worldly physicians in treating suffering humanity. Our physicians need to reform in the matter of making high charges for critical operations. Some follow worldly policy in order to accumulate means, as they say, for God's service. But God does not accept such offerings. The charges made are to be proportionate to the work done." (MM125)

Why Do Some Respond Negatively  
To Acts of Healing?

`The subject of health reform has been presented in the churches; but the light has not been heartily received. The selfish, health-destroying indulgences of men and women have counteracted the influence of THE MESSAGE THAT IS TO PREPARE A PEOPLE FOR THE GREAT DAY OF GOD. If the churches expect strength, they must live the truth which God has given them. If the members of our churches disregard the light on this subject, they will reap the sure result in both spiritual and physical degeneracy. And the influence of these older church members will leaven those newly come to the faith. The Lord does not now work to bring many souls into the truth, because of the church members who have never been converted, and those who were once converted, but who have backslidden. What influence would these unconsecrated members have on new converts? Would they not make of no effect the God-given message WHICH HIS PEOPLE ARE TO BEAR?' (CD455)

`Today men are choosing Barabbas, and saying, Crucify Christ. They will do this in the person of His saints. They will go over the same ground as the Jewish priests and rulers did in their treatment of Christ. He, the Son of God, and an innocent man, was murdered because He told men truths that it did not please them to hear.' (TM131)

The Desired Result
Of Healing

`He touched her hand and the fever left her, and she got up and began to wait on Him.' (Matthew 8:15)

`Jesus healed the boy and gave him back to his Father. And they were all amazed at the greatness of God.' (Luke 9:42, 43).

`Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus, praising God. When all the people saw it, they also praised God.' (Luke 18:43).

`Everyone was amazed and gave praise to God. They were filled with awe and said, "We have seen remarkable things today." ' (Luke 5:26).

`And the news about Him spread throughout the surrounding area.' (Luke 4:37)

`And a great crowd of people followed Him because they saw the miraculous signs He had performed on the sick.' (John 6:2)

Our Duty To Urge
The Message Of Health

`Men and women must be instructed, and ministers and people should feel that the burden of this work rests upon them to agitate the subject [of health reform], and urge it home upon others.' `As we near the close of time, we must rise higher and still higher upon the question of health reform and Christian temperance, presenting it in a more positive and decided manner.' `The light given me is that a most decided message must be borne in regard to health reform.' (CD52, 451, 390).

`God means that testing truth shall be brought to the front and become a subject of examination and discussion, even if it is through the contempt placed upon it. The minds of the people must be agitated. Every controversy, every reproach, every slander, will be God's means of provoking inquiry and awakening minds that otherwise would slumber.' (5T453)

`We are now living in the last days, when the truth must be spoken, when in reproof and warning it must be given to the world, irrespective of consequences. If there are some who will become offended and turn from the truth, we must bear in mind that there were those who did the same in Christ's day. . . .' (3SM422)

`Everywhere people are perishing for lack of a knowledge of the truths that have been committed to us.' (CD455)

The Urgency

`The Lord has given instruction that the gospel is to be carried forward; and the gospel includes health reform in all its phases. Our work is to enlighten the world for it is blind to the movements which are taking place, preparing the way for the plagues which God will permit to come upon the world. God's faithful watchmen must give the warning.' (MM159).

`Neither of you have seen the necessity of health reform, but when the plagues of God shall be all around you, you will then see the principles of health reform and strict temperance in all things, - that temperance alone is the foundation of all the graces that come from God, the foundation of all victories to be gained.' (Te201)

`There is so much that we positively must understand in order that we may shape our course of action so that we shall not receive the plagues which are coming on the world.' (Letter 16, 1900).

`As religious aggression subverts the liberties of our nation, those who would stand for freedom of conscience will be placed in unfavorable positions. For their own sake, they should, while they have opportunity, become intelligent in regard to disease, its causes, prevention, and cure. And those who do this will find a field of labor anywhere.' (CH506)

A Most Trying Task

`All who leave the common track of custom, and advocate health reform, will be opposed, accounted mad, insane, and radical. . . .' (2T377)

`When we reach the standard that the Lord would have us reach, worldlings will regard [God's children] as odd, singular, strait-laced extremists.' (FE289)

`When truth in its simplicity and strength, as it is in Jesus, is brought to bear against the spirit of the world, it awakens persecution at once.' (1SG189)

`When the Lord works through human instrumentalities, when men are moved with power from on high, Satan leads his agents to cry, ``Fanaticism!'' and to warn people not to go to extremes. Let all be careful how they raise this cry; for though there is counterfeit coin, this does not lower the value of that which is genuine.' (GW170, 171)

The Attitude Of God's Children

"These things should never be allowed to cause disturbance among brethren . . . we may not feel justified in doing as others do, but we should not allow differences of opinion to create disunion." (CD352)