Signs and Wonders – Part 1
Hebrews 2:4
God also bearing them witness, both with signs and wonders, and with divers miracles, and gifts of the Holy Ghost, according to his own will? (Hebrews 2:4)
The theme of this section in Chapter 2 is, of course, the great salvation. It is the main question of those outside of Christ, that there is no escape of the law of sin and death except in Jesus Christ as Savior and Redeemer. This salvation comes not by the will of man, nor by a group of men, it is solely determined by the will of God through the Holy Spirit of God. (John 1:12, 13)
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: (John 1:12)
Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:13)
The Apostle reminds us that outside of all collective writings and witness of man, God the Father is the final witness of the finished work of Christ on the cross, and His burial and resurrection. This witness takes place with both signs and wonders. What were some of the signs that God performed from the cross to the grave, to the resurrection, and then to the ascension of Christ?
Let’s begin at the cross and onward. The Lord Jesus had told the Father in John 17:4 I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do. He had finished the work of His ministry which the Father had given Him concerning the Jews in Israel. This ministry took 3½ years, this was the witness of the Son of God and the son of man to a nation who had rejected Jehovah. Now the cross was before Him, Paul called this, the accursed place, for cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree. (Galatians 3:13) Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us: for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree: Writing to the Galatians, Paul through the Spirit of God, refers to the cursed place, as one that hangeth on a tree. Paul referred to Old Testament Scripture, Deuteronomy 21: 23, 24, and Joshua 10: 24-27. God had declared in Deuteronomy that for certain crimes against the law, a man was to be hung upon a tree, and this was an accursed place. According to Galatians 3:13 Christ was made a curse for us on the cross, or as Paul stated, ‘a tree.’ To clarify Paul’s position, he declared ‘it is written,’ so that the Scriptures are his authority for his declaration. Now on to the signs and wonders of the cross.
Was it not a wonder — the death, the burial, the resurrection of Christ, and the forty days of His post-resurrection ministry? John wrote in John 21:25 And there are also many other things which Jesus did, the which, if they should be written every one, I suppose that even the world itself could not contain the books that should be written. Amen. Have we ever contemplated all the wonders of Christ? John is correct, if all men would just examine the Scriptures they would see that this whole world could not possibly contain all the written and infallible proofs of the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God; however, it is not up to man to prove the existence of Jesus Christ, or the wonders of His person, and the majesty of His power as the Son of God. The world has little to say about the wonders of Christ, for it is God the Father, and God the Holy Spirit, and the infallible word of God that bears witness to all the wonders of Jesus Christ. Not only are the things recorded by the apostles and the prophets, in the law, and in the Book of Psalms, and in the historical books, a wonder, but one could spend thousands of years extracting the mysteries of God from His holy word.
One of the first signs we have around the cross is the complete fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy concerning the Lord’s crucifixion. For example, read my article on Psalm 22, or the prophecy of Isaiah in 52:14 As many were astonied at thee; his visage was so marred more than any man, and his form more than the sons of men:. This verse refers to the unmerciful beating that the Lord endured before His was crucified. Then in the next chapter of Isaiah 53 in order to understand the surroundings and the dealings of men around the cross, and the judgment against the Lord Jesus, all the verses of Isaiah 53 should be examined. Here we find the Spirit of God foretelling the life of the Lord Jesus, that He was cut off out of the land of the living, and for the transgressions of Israel He was stricken. We see Christ not only as the Son of His Father, but as the man of sorrows in His rejection. Furthermore, Christ is judged by the world, a complete contradiction of the law of Moses, for in Him was no guile, or guilt of any kind. He was, as the Son of God, pure and undefiled by sin. If one could contemplate His heavenly dwelling, one would see that He, as man, was above sin. The law of Moses was given to the nation of Israel, the law was given to control sin, and to keep the heart stayed on Jehovah. Now in the case of the trial of the Lord Jesus, the Jews refused to follow their own law, and delivered the Son of God against their own law into the hands of the Roman Governor, Pilate. Although in the Lord Jesus there was no sin, the Jews chanted for His crucifixion. Although guiltless, He was sentenced to death. Listen to what Pilate said, ‘I find in him, no fault at all.’
Notice, three words, ‘in,’ ‘no,’ and ‘all.’ Could Pilate look into the heart of the Son of God? No! How could Pilate know that in Christ Jesus there was no fault? Could this be the Spirit of God speaking through Pilate? I find in him, no fault at all, in this profound statement by Pilate we have a complete contradiction of the trial of the Lord Jesus Christ. Under Roman law it was not possible to convict anyone without fault, and especially since Pilate had already judged Christ as being without fault — ‘I find in him, no fault at all.’
Often the world refers to someone, or a victim of a crime as an innocent; and yet, they are not, for all are made under the law of sin and death — all that is, except the Lord Jesus was not made under the law of sin and death. He was made in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, to condemn sin in the flesh, and in Him was no sin. He was guiltless, pure as His realm of righteousness in heaven. Pilate declared ‘no fault.’ Then to bring in all the realm of Pilate’s judgment before the world, and before the Jews, Pilate stressed ‘no fault at all.’ This should have sufficed all Roman law, this statement should have silenced the Jews; yet, they continued to call for the crucifixion of an innocent man. When given a choice by Pilate to release either Christ or Barabbas (a murderer), the Jews went completely contrary to the law of Moses and the law of the land, which was now Roman government, and made their choice for Barabbas, and not the Son of God. Pilate’s statement of ‘no fault,’ did not prevail. The innocent victim without blemish, without sin, without spot, both outwardly and inwardly; the pure Lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world would be sacrificed. Not only was He pure before man, but He had been accepted as the sacrifice for sin in that purity by God the Father. Although guiltless, He was sentenced to death, and that death by the cross— cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree, was this not a sign and a wonder? All the power and authority of Rome could not release Him, all the laws of Moses could not convict Him; yet, the determinate counsels of God took Him as the Savior of the world to the cross. The prophecy of David in Psalm 22:16 proclaimed, they pierced my hands and feet, and Psalm 22:18 They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture.
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you. (John 20:19)
And when he had so said, he shewed unto them his hands and his side. Then were the disciples glad, when they saw the Lord. (John 20:20)
The other disciples therefore said unto him, We have seen the Lord. But he said unto them, Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe. (John 20:25)
And they crucified him, and parted his garments, casting lots: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken by the prophet, They parted my garments among them, and upon my vesture did they cast lots. (Matthew 27:35)
Darkness over the earth
In Luke’s gospel, Chapter 23:44, 45 And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst
There was darkness over the whole earth. It was at this point of the Lord’s crucifixion that God the Father could not bear to look any longer; thus, He covered all the earth in darkness. This was not a natural darkness as we know it. This was the darkness that was over the face of the deep in Genesis 1. God had removed all light from the world because of their wickedness in the crucifixion of His Son. There were other times in Scripture when God used supernatural darkness.
And the LORD said unto Moses, Stretch out thine hand toward heaven, that there may be darkness over the land of Egypt, even darkness which may be felt. (Exodus 10:21)
And Moses stretched forth his hand toward heaven; and there was a thick darkness in all the land of Egypt three days: (Exodus 10:22)
They saw not one another, neither rose any from his place for three days: but all the children of Israel had light in their dwellings.(Exodus 10:23)
And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they gnawed their tongues for pain, (Revelation 16:10)
And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds. (Revelation 16:11)
In Matthew’s gospel we have the kingdom of the Jews and their responsibility to the laws of Moses; therefore, it is recorded in Matthew that the darkness was over the whole land. Now from the sixth hour there was darkness over all the land unto the ninth hour. (Matthew 27:45) This darkness over all the land is in reference to the responsibility of Israel under the law of Moses showing their refusal of the light of God in Jesus Christ. The ‘land’ in Matthew refers to Israel. He came unto His own and they received Him not. (John 1)
In Mark’s gospel we have the gospel of God’s servant, always delighting God the Father in all that He had to do. Although rejected of man, Christ was always steadfast to complete the Father’s will in all that He was given to do. Considering His ministry to Israel, as the faithful servant, once again we have darkness over the whole land. And when the sixth hour was come, there was darkness over the whole land until the ninth hour. (Mark 15:33)
In the Gospel of Luke, it is the gospel of the son of man, the Son of God. Both uniquely joined as God manifested in the flesh. Even the miraculous conception and birth of the Lord Jesus leaves no doubt of the Deity of the Son of God. It is here in Luke’s gospel that we have the Father sending darkness over the whole earth. This darkness was not what man calls a natural phenomena, it was not day versus night, but total darkness sent forth by God the Father. It covered the whole world. It was for what the Jews, the Roman government, and the Gentile world had done to the Son of God. This darkness was a witness against their darkened souls for they all had rejected the light of God. The sun was darkened and the veil in the Temple was rent from top ( heaven) to the bottom (earth). It was on earth where the ultimate sin was committed against God. And it was about the sixth hour, and there was a darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. (Luke 23:44) It is at this point of darkness that we hear the cry of Psalm 22, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? It is also out of this darkness, at the ninth hour, when every thing was complete that the Lord Jesus spoke.
And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? (Matthew 27:46)
And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit: and having said thus, he gave up the ghost.(Luke 23:46)
This leaves only the Gospel of John, and should I say, in him is no darkness at all.
In this gospel the Lord Jesus is portrayed as the light of the world; therefore, we have no mention of the darkness at His crucifixion, for it is the ministry of the Holy Spirit sent forth to show forth the light of Christ in this very gospel.
The signs and wonders keep piling up. There was a great earthquake, the foundation of the world shook. And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; (Matthew 27:51) This was a jolt of Divine fury that was felt over the whole earth. In reference, turn to Psalm 24:1 The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. The whole earth shook, and the rocks were rent, all over the world His Divine fury was felt. Could this be why geologists get so confused with their many time-lines? If I was a scientist, with all their education, I would examine that education for I would be embarrassed for all the false claims that science has made over the years. No one has a license to lie or to deceive. In my mind, there are two branches of science; one branch trying to destroy the world with atomic bombs, and nuclear disasters; such as Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, and the latest disaster in Japan which is affecting the whole world, and will for years to come. Not to mention, the current expansion of nuclear power and weapons in Iran. Then let’s consider our ozone layer, science continues to send rockets blowing holes through our ozone layer, and depleting it at a rapid rate, so it is effecting our environment. We have an increase in skin cancer all over the world— just ask an Australian, they’ll tell you about their cancer rate and it’s connection to the ozone holes — science falsely so called. Then we have a branch of science claiming to save the world by lying about their false claims of global warming, if they were really serious they would stop the other branch of science from attempting to destroy the world. How can science be so unrighteous that they refuse to judge themselves? Thanks be to God that we have a Judge, who is the Judge of the whole earth, and He will judge these people for their deceptions — science, falsely so called. (1 Timothy 6:20) O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:
It is science that is always contradicting the word of God, they do it purposely in some cases, and ignorantly in others — not knowing their Creator; but God, who can not lie, has all the secrets of the universe and the inner man in His Word. If you dare to seek — you will find — a very long time before Columbus (approx. B.C.712) God declared there was the circle of the earth (Isaiah 40:22), before Isaac Newton, God declared there was gravity (Job approx. B.C. 1520). God’s word is always way ahead of true science. Back to the miracles of God. And by the way, the definition of a miracle of Almighty God is this, there is no scientific reason or explanation, God’s miracles are beyond man’s ability to reason —what I have written, I have written!
In the Gospel of Matthew 27:51,52, 53, this was God’s witnessing to Israel. The earth was shaken, they were the people who He had called out of Egypt as sons, yet they rejected His Sovereignly over them, and transgressed His law till there was no remedy. One could say to the Jews, or even to the world, Seek him that maketh the seven stars and Orion, and turneth the shadow of death into the morning, and maketh the day dark with night: that calleth for the waters of the sea, and poureth them out upon the face of the earth: The LORD [is] his name:‘ (Amos 5:8)
The world crucified their Creator, yet He rose from the dead with an endless life. This same Jesus, the Son of God, will once more shake the earth. Haggai 2:6-7; Joel 2:10,11; Revelation 10:7; 11:13,19; 15:1; 16:1-21. Read all these Scriptures. In your heart connect these great truths of the Word of God. These mysteries unfold like a beautiful rose, in all things concerning our blessed Lord. He, as the rose of Sharon, will lift our hearts into His presence, and He will sup with us, and we will sup with Him.
We go now to the next wonder. Matthew states that the graves were opened when the earth shook; however, this particular earthquake was not at the time of the death of the Lord Jesus. The earth shook once again at His resurrection. The graves were opened, and the bodies of the saints which slept came out of the graves on the day of the Lord’s resurrection.
Jesus, when he had cried again with a loud voice, yielded up the ghost (Matthew 27:50).
And, behold, the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent; (Matthew 27:51)
And the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, (Matthew 27:52)
And came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many. (Matthew 27:53)
Now when the centurion, and they that were with him, watching Jesus, saw the earthquake, and those things that were done, they feared greatly, saying, Truly this was the Son of God. (Matthew 27:54)
In the end of the sabbath, as it began to dawn toward the first day of the week, came Mary Magdalene and the other Mary to see the sepulchre. (Matthew 28:1)
And, behold, there was a great earthquake: for the angel of the Lord descended from heaven, and came and rolled back the stone from the door, and sat upon it. (Matthew 28:2)
It is quite evident that there were two earthquakes, one at the Lord’s death, and one at His resurrection. Let us clarify, one earthquake is a symbol of God’s wrath, that the Lord Jesus will sit as the refiner over all of mankind for this horrible act of killing the prince of life. Acts 5:30,31; Acts 13:27-31; Acts 10:39.
Ye men of Israel, hear these words; Jesus of Nazareth, a man approved of God among you by miracles and wonders and signs, which God did by him in the midst of you, as ye yourselves also know: (Acts 2:22)
Him, being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain: (Acts 2:23)
But ye denied the Holy One and the Just, and desired a murderer to be granted unto you; (Acts 3:14)
And killed the Prince of life, whom God hath raised from the dead; whereof we are witnesses. (Acts 3:15)
The Lord will come in His glory to judge the quick and the dead. All nations will be on trial at His coming, and all those who have rejected Christ will be judged. They have trampled under foot the Son of God, and counted the blood of His covenant unworthy, and they have done despite to the Spirit of grace.
Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:29)
For we know him that hath said, Vengeance belongeth unto me, I will recompense, saith the Lord. And again, The Lord shall judge his people. (Hebrews 10:30)
It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God. (Hebrews 10:31)
This is a solemn warning to a world that has rejected Christ. As God shook the earth in His fury at the death of His Son, He will shake the earth again in His fury of judgment.
Let’s go to the 2nd earthquake. This earthquake took place at the rolling away of the stone upon the tomb of the Lord Jesus. It was performed by an angel sent down from heaven to reveal to the world that the Lord was no longer there, but had risen. As a proof of His resurrection the graves were opened and the saints came forth, and showed themselves in Jerusalem, a witness to the Jews of the power of God. These were, of course, Old Testament saints who had been followers of Jehovah, and who had there names written in Jehovah’s book of remembrance.
Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. (Malachi 3:16)
And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. (Malachi 3:17)
Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. (Malachi 3:18)
These saints who were resurrected are undoubtedly the first-fruits of the Lord’s resurrection, they are proofs of His statement in John 11:25, that He is the resurrection and the life; and he that believeth in the Lord Jesus thou he were dead, yet shall he live. This was tangible proof of the Lord not only having the power of resurrection, but He Himself being that power. He upholds all things by the Word of His power, being the eternal Word of God, and also, the resurrection and eternal life. In these first fruits of resurrection do we not have a prophetic picture of the resurrection of the saints at the latter day? Also, since this witness was to Israel in Jerusalem, do we not have an eye in the Scripture looking back at the valley of dry bones in Ezekiel 37?
In the prophecy of Ezekiel, we are shown what will take place in the day of the Lord’s second advent. There will be an actual resurrection of those of faithful Israel who followed Jehovah in the day of the Lord’s second advent. They will be raised incorruptible, and they will be the jewels that Malachi spoke of in his prophecy by the Spirit of God. This will also affect all the nations; for the nation of Israel will be spiritually awakened, so that they will say, ‘blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord.’ They will receive the Lord Jesus with an open heart, as Lord of lords, and King of kings.
Are there more signs and wonders around the cross, and around His resurrection, and around His forty days of ministry, and His 2nd ascension? I think that this would be a good place to pause in our first section on this subject. We will continue with part 2 in a short space. God bless, for I am getting tired, and Amen.
© Copyright 2015, Michael Haigh
Article may be used, but not for gain. Freely ye have received, freely give.
All Scripture references are from the Authorized King James Bible. (KJV)