Question: Will you kindly explain “Divine healing,” or, “The Fourfold Gospel”? C. S.
Answer: Scripture does not speak in that way. God answers prayer, and often heals those prayed for, and we have had many times to praise Him again for raising up sick ones. But it is not what we should always expect or seek. Paul, the Apostle, who writes guidance for the church on earth, did not heal Timothy (1 Tim. 5:23), nor Epaphroditus (Phil. 2:27), nor Trophimus (2 Tim. 4:20). He owned God’s discipline on His saints, and did not seek to remove it (1 Cor. 11:30). So did John (1 John 5:20). So did James (5:14-16).
But this does not apply in every case, while it applies in some. It is very wrong to make a system of these things, as if we could compel God, or as if God did not love His people more than ever we can do. God gives faith where He sees fit to do so, and “Have faith in God” demands submission to His will.
“The faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3), in which we are to build ourselves up (verse 20) has many more points than four.
Question: Is Satan in heaven? (Rev. 12:7-9). M. W. W.
Answer: We gather from Scripture that “the great dragon,” “that old serpent” called the “Devil” and “Satan,” is still allowed by God for the working out of His all-wise purposes. He is used by the Lord for the blessing of His people, and cannot go any further than he is allowed of God.
(See Job, chapters 1 and 2; Zech. 3:1; Luke 22:31; 2 Cor. 12:7; Eph. 6:12, margin). He is in the heavenlies, that is called heaven. We do not find him in the third heavens, but in an official place, where the angels present themselves before God (Job 1; Jude 9).
We are to resist him and he will flee. He is a defeated enemy, though he roars loudly at times, and deceives very subtlety (James 4:7; 1 Peter 5:8, 9; 2 Cor. 2:11). We are delivered from his power (Col. 1:13) and he will be bruised under our feet shortly (Rom. 16:20), that is, when the Lord comes for us.
Revelation 12:7-9 is future. We, the heavenly saints, are with the Lord, and our voice celebrates the casting out of the accuser of our brethren on earth who are still suffering under his wrath (verses 10, 11). These suffering ones are Jewish saints, the believing remnant of Israel.
Michael, the Archangel, is called “your prince,” that is, he stands up to carry out God’s purposes concerning Israel. (Dan. 10:21; 12:1; Jude 9).
Let us ever remember that we are delivered from his power. “Whom resist steadfast in the faith.” “Resist the devil and he will flee from you.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. “Draw nigh to God and He will draw nigh to you.” How important this is for us.