Bible reference: Exodus 23:25-27
Serving: The acts of a person or thing that serves
Serve: To perform duties or service for another person or an organization.
Signs: A gesture or action used to convey information or an instruction.
Wonders: Something that causes amazement
Amaze: Filling of surprises.
1. Signs and wonders
Signs and wonders helped to bring people to saving faith, as seen
In the book of Acts 2:1-47, where miracles leads to confession.
Without signs and wonders, people will not believe (John 4:48)
2. Signs and wonders
Sign and wonders refers to experiences that are perceived to be
miraculous as being normative in the modern Christian experience.
The signs and wonders recorded in the book of Acts were a mira-
culous and unique series of events, performed by God through
the Apostles and selected few others with the purpose of showing
the legitimacy of the apostle’s message.
Mark 16:17-18- “And these signs shall follow them that believe in
my name shall they cast out devils, they shall speak with new
tongues; They shall take up serpents and if they drink any deadly
things , it shall not hurt them; They shall lay hands on the sick and
they shall recover”
Signs mentioned by Jesus for His second coming and end of
the world(Matthew 24:1-15)
- The temple of Solomon was destroyed thousands years ago.
- Deception by false Christs (vs4-5):- There are false teachers of heresies and false prophet all over the world today.
- Wars, rumors of war, famines and earthquakes (vs 6-7). First and second world war and national wars has/is taking place.
- Increase in backsliding (vs 12).
- Expansion of the gospel (vs 14): The Gospel of Lord Jesus is being preached all over the world. Even nation who were in opposition to the gospel are now accepting Christ.
- Abomination of desolation (v15):- Many servants of God have ordained women as priests contrary to God’s word. This is the abomination of desolation written by Daniel the prophets(Daniel 11:31, 1 Timothy 3:2, Matthew 24:15)
- Distresses and tribulation (vs 16-20)
Jesus said in John 1:12 “But as many as received Him, to them he gave power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name”.
Jesus Christ promise His disciples power from above, to enable them serve Him. Act 1:8, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy ghost is come upon you: And ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem and samaria and uttermost part of the earth.
5. WONDERS
Wonders generally refers to the mystery and marvelousness of
God.“Psalm 71:7, I am as a wonder unto many but thou art my
strong refuge”.
Examples of wonders in the Holy Scripture
Generally, the Holy Scripture from Genesis to Revelation is full
of signs and wonders of God.
- Miraculous and deliverance healing
- Giving of sight to the blind.
- Lame to walk
- Raising the death
- Sun darkened and moon turned into blood (Acts 2:19-20)
- Blessing wonders (both physical and Spiritual)
Signs and wonders in this generation consist of the manifestation of the power of Holy ghost which was received for the first time by Christian after the baptism of the Holy ghost (Acts 2:1-5).
Signs and wonders are special miracles that signify that something miraculous is going on and it is under the power of the Holy ghost.
However, the signs and wonders in this end time is under the
manifestation of Holy Ghost in the life of the Children of God in
all aspect of life.
The workings of signs and wonders is not by the power of man
but by the power of the Holy ghost. Rather, it is God that uses
man to carry out signs and wonders.
Therefore, no man can ascribe to himself the authority and power of signs and wonders. The Almighty question the servants of God need to ask themselves is “Am I preparing for heaven vis-a-vis serving God with signs and wonders?” The answer is a resounding no because the performance of signs and wonders is from God and not from man or the servants of God.
However, servants of God who carry out signs and wonders should equally consider whether they are obeying or disobeying God.
Preparing for heaven
Brethren, servants of God who are preparing for heaven must abide with the following:
- Fear and obey God (Eccl 12:3, “Let us hear the conclusion of the
the whole matter; fear and obey God and keep his commandments; for this is the whole duty of man on earth”
- Servants of God who are preparing for heaven must be alert, prayerful and watchful towards the instructions from God. (1 Peter 1:8, Be sober, be vigilant because the devil as a roaring lion, walketh about seeking whom he may devour.
- Servants of God preparing for heaven must avoid sharing glory with him(God) both secretly and publicly. (“Isaiah 42:8, I am the Lord, that is my name and my glory will I not give to another; neither my praise to graven images”).
- The servants of God who are preparing for heaven must ensure that their activities are devoid of any form of sin.
- The servants of God who are preparing for heaven must continue to look unto Jesus in whatever they are doing and to be sure they are in agreement with God and being co-heir with him.
Be determined not to go into any form of temptation but focus on Jesus Christ for direction (matt 26:41).
Brethren, a typical example of a man (servant of God) who served God for about 40 years is Moses, the history is well known to every child of God- From the book of Exodus chapter 1 to chapter 40, God performs a large numbers of signs and wonders and miracles which can be described today as:-
1a. Blessing wonders of God (Exodus 11:1-3, Exodus 12:36- 41; God favored Israelite with jewelries and Gold).
1b. (Provision of food for Israelite) Exodus 16:12-15
2. Protection and fighting wonders of God (Exodus 14:13-28)
3. God miraculously provided water for the Israelites from the rock (Exodus 17:3-7).
At the water of meribah, Moses instead of speaking to the rock as commanded by God struck the rock twice and water came out and God was angry with him (Numbers 20:7-13)(Deut 3:21-28)(Deut 34:1-8)(Deut 1:37). The Lord said that Moses did not sanctify Him before his people Israelite, instead of speaking to the rock, he struck the rock twice and water came out in abundance.
Consequently, God was wrath with Moses and said Moses will not enter into the promise land, Moses pleaded and pleaded for his disobedience to the word of God, but God did not hear him and the Lord said to Moses speak to me no more on this matter (Deut 3:26).
However, Satan the devil saw Moses as a disobedient servant of God, and claim that Moses belong to his group, but it was not so, with the repentance and conversion of Moses to obey the word of God, God forgave him.
At Moses’ death, Satan the devil went to claim the body of Moses but God sent archangel Michael to recover the body of Moses from Satan (Jude vs 9). Moses was taken to heaven.
Nevertheless, In the divine inauguration of the Glory of the Lord Overcomers Mission on January 3rd 2004, Moses was among the host of heaven that followed father Abraham for the divine inauguration of the Glory of the Lord Overcomers Mission (Overcomers Church).
APPEAL
Brethren, we strongly appeal to all the servants and children of God to fear and obey God and turn away from disobedience.
Brethren, you want to be known all over the world, you want to be famous, you want to be among the richest billionaires worldwide, where will that lead you when God is not there? put God first in everything you are doing. For what shall it profit a man if he gain the whole world and lose his soul(Mark 8:36)(Matthew 6:33)
Beloved, the scriptures reminded us in Matt 7:21-23, Our Lord Jesus told us of the possibility of performing signs and wonders and not preparing for heaven. A lot of supposed servants of God will say on that day “we have done many signs and wonders in your name” But Jesus will say” I knew you not; depart from me, ye that work iniquity”.
As a servant of God, do not be carried away by the glamour and beauty of manifestation of gifts and power, check your life constantly to know if you are still on the right track. I pray that you’ my reader will not labour in vain in Jesus Name.
FEAR AND OBEY GOD.