Healing: The Fulfilled Prophecy

➤ by Pastor Andy Fulson

Is Healing for Everyone?

An often-cited question on healing asks: If healing was part of God's atonement for salvation, and achieved through Christ Jesus at Golgotha, is it still available today? And is it conditional by believing on Jesus, or by some other way?

Jesus stated: In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world, John 16:33. Tribulation can refer to all kinds of problems, but the focus here is on healing. And what did He mean by: I have overcome the world? It was the fulfillment of prophecy made earlier through Isaiah (Is 53:5) to heal all manner of bodily issues brought into the world following the temptation in the Garden by Satan.

Hope for healing exists in that all things are possible to him that believeth, Mark 9:23.

Mark 9:23, All things are possible to him who believes!

A satisfying and successful Christian life relies on accepting the reality, that Jesus, by the Holy Spirit, is the all-encompassing Helper for every area of life: I am the way, the truth, and the life! John 14:6.

God's instructions to Joshua (Jos 1:8) still apply today. To believers since Pentecost, this includes the continuation of Jesus' works: And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they... lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover, Mark 16:17-18 (Mt 11:4; Jn 14:12).

Healing Prerequisites

Healing is revealed in the Gospels and assigned to those who have believed on Jesus' name for their salvation and to demonstrate His works.

  1. HEALING revealed: by whose stripes ye were healed, 1Peter 2:24 ; (Is 53:4-5)
  2. QUALIFICATION: Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord, James 5:14-15
  3. WHO IS QUALIFIED to heal: they [the believers] shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover, Mark 16:18 [Brackets added]

These scriptures remain eternally unchanged (Jn 14:12; Lk 7:22) since Jesus Christ is: ... the same yesterday, and today, and for ever, Hebrews 13:8.

If this were not the case, the birth of Jesus, His Gospel, our need to be born again (Jn 3:3), and the assigned believer's authority (Lk 10:19) would be called into question. It remains vitally important that we hold fast to the leading of the Holy Spirit: Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, Hebrews 6:19.

Fundamentals of Faith

Faith is essential: But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him, Hebrews 11:6.

Everything that has to do with receiving from God is built on the foundation of faith. His grace remains as the unmerited supply source for all people. However, receiving from His promises is conditional on believing: ... that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him, Hebrews 11,6 [Bolded for emphasis].

Grace leads to salvation (G4982) [sozo], Ephesisans 2:8: For by grace are ye saved [sozo] through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God. This also assigns health and healing at the same time as a gift. Whether it is accepted as such remains as a faith decision.

Side note: To see the Hebrew/Greek words & meanings for yourself, use Olive Tree (free) with KJV Strong's. Hovering over the English words, the Hebrew/Greek translation with meanings will show.

Salvation (Jn 3:3, Rom 10:9-10) refers to make safe and healthy or to keep it healthy; to protect (from harm, illness, misfortune, attacks, etc.), to heal, i.e. to restore one's health and thus save him from death, Strong's Concordance.

Isaiah prophesied healing (Is 53:5), Jesus fulfilled it through Calvary (Jn 19:1), and Peter explained it, (1Peter 2:24). For a born-again believer, this means you are already healed — the question is, 'do you believe that'?

All of God's revelations remain unaltered. It was impossible for God to lie, Hebrews 6:18.

Regarding healing, Jesus said: And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they... lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover, Mark 16:17-18.

This prophecy has never been revoked. It remains valid and active.

Why? For hope and expectation to remain available as a result of the finished work of Jesus (1Pet 2:24): For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God, Romans 8:19. The world is waiting for born-again believers, empowered by grace, to continue Christ's work (John 14:12), even though medicine can alleviate many ailments, but cannot heal them.

Belief Conditions for Healing

The following belief prerequisites are still upheld today:

  1. to believe that God's promises are true, and available (2Tim 3:16-17; Ps 119:89; Heb 6:18)
  2. to believe that the scourging of Jesus made healing available (Is 53:5; 1Pet 2:24)
  3. to believe that God bestowed grace, along with our faith, gives access to healing and health, (Eph 2:8),

Our confidence relies on His name, His grace, His mercy, His love, and Him being the same yesterday, and today, and for ever, Hebrews 13:8.

Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever, Hebrews 13:8

Effective Healing Foretold

Conversion to Jesus Christ (Jn 3:3; Rom 10:9-10) gives the Holy Spirit access into the spiritual life of a born-again person to lead, to teach, to inspire faith, and to give insight and understanding of scripture. He is the same Spirit, who filled Jesus Christ (Rom 8:9), enabling Jesus to perform His miracles, signs, and wonders (Lk 7:22).

Those who are born again, are endued with power and authority (Lk 10:19) to lay healing hands upon the sick (Mk 16:17-18) and to speak to every malady to withdraw, Mark1:23-24. Healing is often immediate providing the person on whom hands were laid, does not doubt the healing or rejects it with unbelief. The outcome will be according to your faith, Matthew 9:29, leading to a 30-, 60- or 100-fold healing result, (Mt 13:8).

Additional gifts of healing (1Cor 12:9) and miracles (1Cor 12:10) may also be given to born-again believers: ... But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will, 1.Corinthians 12:11.

Being born again, you are to reveal John 14:12.

How to Receive Healing

1 - Healing for oneself

Healing for oneself requires personal faith: So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God, Romans 10:17. The hearing of the Gospel message of Grace, results in faith (Heb 11:1), as the inner conviction, prompting the decision to accept (1Pet 2:24), resulting in healing.

At the time of Jesus and before His crucifixion… A certain woman, which had an issue of blood twelve years, And had suffered many things of many physicians, and had spent all that she had, and was nothing bettered, but rather grew worse, When she had heard of Jesus, came in the press behind, an touched his garment. For she said, If I may touch but his clothes, I shall be whole. And straightway the fountain of her blood was dried up; and she felt in her body that she was healed of that plague, Mark 5:25-29 [Bolded for emphasis].

She had an expectation, a vision of being restored to health by going to Him and touching His robe.

Another time Jesus emphasized, All things are possible to him who believeth, Mark 9:23 - and to the Centurion, He said: Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee, Matthew 8:13.

From the parable of 'moving the mountain', Jesus taught: For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them, Mark 11:23-24 [Bolded for emphasis].

A similar parable is given in Matthew 17:20.

The mountain represents a distressing problem such as, any pain, infection, cancer, fracture, etc., and can be commanded to be uprooted with words, i.e., be thou removed, Mark 11:22-24.

  1. SPEAK to the problem by name: 'Pain,' get out of my hip and never return, in Jesus' name (Mk 11:23).
  2. BELIEVE that what has been commanded will actually happen (Mt 12:13). In the case of the man whose hand was withered, Jesus commanded him, stretch out your hand — he did, and it became the same as the other (Mt 12:13).
  3. RECEIVE what was spoken to you without doubt or unbelief. A women bent over for 18 years was told: thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God, Luke 13:12-13.
  4. TESTIFY of having received healing, as it is written (Mk 5:19).

2 - Healing for Others

After Pentecost, Isaiah's prophecy (Is 53:5) was fulfilled through Jesus' finished work on Calvary and continued by those who have believed on His name: And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name ... they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover, Mark 16:17-18 [Bolded for emphasis].

In the account of the lame beggar, brought daily to the temple gate (Acts 3:3), he asked Peter and John for alms: Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk. And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up: and immediately his feet and ankle bones received strength. And he leaping up stood, and walked, and entered with them into the temple, walking, and leaping, and praising God, Acts 3:6-8 [Bolded for emphasis].

Similarly, a lame man in Lystra listened to Paul's preaching ( Acts 14:9-10). Paul, perceiving him to have faith to be healed, said in a loud voice, Stand upright on your feet. And he leaped and walked, Acts 14:10.

Both lame men could have chosen to ignore what was spoken to them. Instead, they responded in agreement and were healed. The following four points relate to Jesus' teaching in Mark 11:23-24:

  1. SPEAK: Peter spoke, and Paul preached, with Holy Ghost empowerment and authority (Acts 1:8;14:8-11).
  2. BELIEVE: Peter, believing, that by laying his hands on the lame beggar, healing would result, Acts 3:7. Likewise, Paul, by preaching, saw the lame man had believing faith to be healed.
  3. RECEIVE: Both lame men received strength, stood up and walked.
  4. TESTIFY: The beggar at the Temple testified by walking, leaping, and praising God, Acts 3:8. At Lystra, the people who witnessed the healing got excited lifted up their voices, Acts 14:11.

Doubt and unbelief are typical hindrances that prevent healing to manifest. Both lame men could have ignored Peter's and Paul's command. Instead, choosing to listen, they responded, were strengthened and walked.

In the report of the disciple Ananias (Acts 9:10), whom God sent to restore Saul's sight, a similar sequence of events occurred.

  1. SPEAK: God spoke to Ananias who obeyed the Lord's command, went to the house of Judas, and found Saul there.
  2. BELIEVE: Ananias trusting God's instructions, laid his hands on Saul. (Mk 16.18) saying, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost, Acts 9:17
  3. RECEIVE: Something like scales fell from Saul's eyes, he received his sight, got up, ate, and was baptized (Acts 9:18).
  4. TESTIFY: Following his healing, Saul, now 'Paul', spent several days with some disciples at Damascus (Acts 9:19).

In each case, the four steps of Mark 11:23-24 are typical sequences of events to receive healing. Nevertheless, faith will always be the essential prerequisite.

Because God and His Word are enduring and unalterable (Jer 1:12), healing remains available for those who need it.

Is Healing for Today's Christians Possible?

About 750 years elapsed between Isaiah's Old Testament prophecy: with His stripes we are healed, Isaiah 53:5, and the fulfillment by the brutal flogging which Jesus endured before his crucifixion, (Jn 19:1).

Jesus' resurrection and ascension entitles everyone to receive healing by grace testified through Peter in the New Testament: Who his own self bare our sins in his own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed, 1 Peter 2:24 [Bolded for emphasis].

Today's born-again believers are to take bold steps of authority (Lk 10:19) over sickness and every type of infirmity (Mk 11:23; 16:17-18). Jesus, having sat down at the right hand of God, assigned the responsibility for healing to the born-again believers (Mk 11:23; 16:17-18) in His name.

Don't ignore Jesus' empowerment to heal others or to be healed yourself by denying knowledge of it. Peter denied Jesus three times (Lk 22:34) and then regretted it.

By His stripes, you have been healed, 1 Peter 2:24

Preparation for Healing

Old Testament

Before Christ, it was common practice to: ... cry unto the LORD in their trouble, and he saveth them out of their distresses. He sent his word, and healed them, and delivered them from their destructions, Psalm 107:19-20 [Bolded for emphasis].

New Testament

Jesus reveals a new practice for healing, brought about through the Holy Ghost empowerment (Acts 1:8), and activated by faith to heal by saying: – 'be whole'; 'receive your sight; 'rise up'; or 'be freed'.

  1. To the man with the withered hand, Jesus commended 'stretch out your hand': And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other, Matthew 12:13.
  2. Since Pentecost, believers have been empowered with the same Holy Spirit as Jesus had (Rom 8:9), making healing available as He did (Jn 14:12). Jesus taught about healing in the moving of a mountain by saying, believing, and receiving (Mk 11:23). Additional instructions on miracle anointings were explained by Paul (1Cor 12:10).
  3. To safeguard healing, avoid doubt or unbelief that deny the gift of grace.
  4. Renew your thinking (Rom 12:2). Learn Christ's strategies for every situation.

Remember, you have been assigned to heal and to receive healing through grace. It belongs to you. Declare it as such! Say “I have been healed and given the authority to heal” (Jn 14:12, Lk 10:19).

Let what you say confirm 1 Peter 2:24 as your testimony.

The 'Laying on of Hands' Results

Jesus prophesied the following: 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 thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover, Mark 16:17-18 [Bolded for emphasis].

Place one or both hands on the ailing person and command (Mk 11:23): “... Pain ...”, leave this “... Arm...”, “joint”, “tooth”, etc., in Jesus' name! And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him, Colossians 3:17.

Avoid using excessively loud spoken commands — they do not result in more power. Realize that you have authority, empowered through the indwelling of the Holy Ghost. Loudness for emphasis is often used by those who have not yet experienced their authority of Jesus' name. 

Declare with authority and conviction against pain, whether due to cancer or any other cause, whether to a joint, tooth, abdomen, eyes, etc. Say: “... Pain...” out with you and all your root, never to return, in Jesus' name.

It can also be shortened as: “... Pain...” Out with you, in Jesus' name!

If it has to do with cancer, swelling, fractures, etc., command it with: “... Cancer...” Out with you, leave no root, in Jesus' name!

Avoid long prayers. Nowhere is it written that Jesus used long prayers before restoring sight to the blind, healing the sick, or raising the dead (Mk 4:35-41; 6:47-53). Avoid the tendency for long prayers.

Jesus spoke — and it was done. As a believer, do it likewise — speak by conviction, knowing that the scriptures are your assigned authority (Lk 10:19; Jn 14:12)

Healing by Faith

Jesus assigned healing by (1) the laying on of hands, and (2) by speaking a command (Mk 11:23-24). Both are based on the assigned authority to a believer (Lk 10:19) and the prerequisite of faith (Mk 4,20; 9:23).

  1. The authority for the laying on of hands, (Mk 16:17-18) or the spoken command (Mk 11:22-24) are for every type of disease or disability whether for cancer, pain, lameness, hemorrhaging, fractures, etc. The receiving is always according to your faith be it unto you, Mark 4:20; Matthew 9:29. Should a person on whom hands are laid have doubts or is unbelieving, then 0-, 30-, 60- or 100-fold healing outcomes result. A person's will is never dominated with good intentions.
  2. Assigned healing gifts (1Cor 12:9) and performing of miracles (1Cor 12:10), are given only by the Holy Spirit, as He wills, (1Cor 12:11). Only when these gifts are in operation will healing occur. Whereas with personal faith, any affliction can be healed at any time without waiting for miracle gifts to be in operation.

A willingness to heal by good intentions (1) or (2), cannot overrule or dominate a person's will, as Jesus experienced: And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief, Matthew 13:58. Even though all scripture is Holy Ghost inspired (2Tim 3:16), where healing is either not manifested or not accepted, the reasons cited in the parable of the Sower and the Seed (Mt 13:3-9) may be the cause.

Health problems are not always caused by illness. Injuries such as dislocated shoulders, broken arms, severed muscles, can also be healed by any of the (1) or (2), above: According to your faith be it unto you, Matthew 9:29.

Testify of your healing. Offer praise with gratitude and great joy in Jesus' name: Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:15.

Until that day when Jesus suddenly splits the heavens (1Thes 4:16), healing, as it is written, (1Pet 2:24), will remain available to those who strive to receive it by faith.

Our God watches over His word: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it, Isaiah 55:11.

Be a testifier of God's grace. Allow the healing authority of the scriptures to operate in and through you, to bring healing to those in need, in Jesus' name.

From the German article, Heilung: Die erfüllte Prophetie

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Mark 9:23, All things are possible to him who believes!
Jesus Christ, the same yesterday, today, and forever, Hebrews 13:8

Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

Matthew 28:19-20

Unless stated otherwise, all Bible passages quoted in orange are from the KJV translation.

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