“And fear came upon every soul: and many wonders and signs were done by the apostles.” (Acts 2:43) 

By this point in the book of Acts, the called-out ones (the church) had expanded by 3,000 people (verse 41). This fact is evidence of a miracle. When has it been recorded in history that 3,000 people had a life changing event that had no association with violence? 3,000 people had their lives simultaneously changed for the better!! What a miracle indeed! Then we read that God performed many other miracles through the apostles. It is not clear whether “fear came upon every soul” is referring to the church or everyone who was present for the celebration of Pentecost. Remember, not everyone who was present believed Peter’s message. It is also interesting to note that the verse does not say that the fear was because of the miracles which were taking place; however, we can logically conclude that this fear must have had some association with this series of strange happenings.  

Miracles  

It is important to reflect on the concept of miracles for a moment before continuing through the rest of this chapter. Some suppose that miracles are no longer happening in the same dramatic fashion as described in the Bible. Others proclaim to currently be empowered to perform miracles whenever they choose. I submit to the reader that both assertions are incorrect.  

The topic of miracles is covered by more than words like miracles, signs, and wonders. This fact means that the topic cannot be thoroughly covered without a separate Bible study. Nevertheless, this section in our study will help you get started in understanding what miracles are, when they occur, and how they occur.  

One of the phrases used to describe miracles is the phrase mighty works. The Greek word translated into mighty works means force (literally or figuratively); specially, miraculous power (usually by implication, a miracle itself). This same Greek word was more frequently translated as the word power. Notice the following verses: 

“And he did not many mighty works there because of their unbelief.” (Matt. 13:58) 

“And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.” (Mark 6:5) 

These verses refer to the same event. Jesus was preaching the gospel in the region He grew up in. The people did not believe the message He gave them in the synagogues. Contrary to the teachings of some, these verses do not mean Jesus was uncapable of doing miracles in His hometown. Clearly, Mark’s account shows that Jesus healed a few sick people which is a miracle. What it does indicate is that God does not typically perform miracles for those who do not believe. It also indicates that miracles happen to those who have faith.  

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb. 11:1) 

It was the few who believed the message of Jesus that were healed not the crowd who questioned His words and deeds. They believe that they could be healed before it was done unto them. Read Mark 6:1-3 (especially verse 2) which indicates that some of this healing was done in front of the people, but they still questioned it in disbelief. Also read Matt. 13:54 where the same Greek word is translated into the phrase mighty works. These people saw His power yet they did not believe so Jesus did not MANY mighty works as indicated in verse 58.  

The lesson to be learned here is that God will show His power, but He will limit what He does if the witnesses of that power do not believe His message that accompanies it. 

Do a word search on miracle(s) in the gospel accounts. You should notice that Jesus did not perform miracles on those who did not believe. The Pharisees and Sadducees were merely witnesses to miracles performed on others, yet they refused to believe Jesus was the prophesied Messiah.  

Miracles and the End Times  

The following paragraphs are not written to insult but to stimulate real belief in the message of Jesus Christ: 

Many want to believe in a rapture which is the concept that the church will be removed from the earth before its’ darkest hour. If this was true, then it would be an amazing miracle. Unfortunately, the word of God does not teach that the saints of the end of this age will be removed from the earth. This has been proven in several of the earlier installments of this series and will continue to be reiterated to prepare Christians for what is to come.  

Why was the Olivet prophecy recorded? Why was any end time prophecy recorded? So that those who would experience its’ fulfillment would be prepared!!! Jesus knew that the disciples who walked with Him would die before His second coming, yet He gave them the prophecy to pass down unto us. This is not conjecture. Read Matt. 28:18-20. The Olivet prophecy would be included in teaching others to observe what Jesus commanded.  

Is it not strange, that Jesus did not plainly say, “But do not worry about all these things because I am going to remove the saints before it gets too bad?” Instead, Jesus warns that things will get bad, but that’s just the beginning of sorrows (Mark 13:8; Matt. 24:7-8). Jesus goes on to explain how things would continue to get worse and that there would be a need to flee. “For in those days shall be affliction, such as was not from the beginning of the creation which God created unto this time, neither shall be. “(Mark 13:19)  

Again, what would be the purpose of sharing this? If all the saints were going to be removed from the earth, there would be no need to. Notice the following verses: 

“For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be.²² And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” (Matt. 24:21-22) 

Here, Jesus could have said that the elect would be in heaven with Him during this great tribulation, yet He did not! Why? Because the elect will be present on the earth during the Great Tribulation!!!  

Some have taught that Rev. 3:10 is proof of the rapture. IT IS NOT!!! Misinterpretation of scripture is the main reason why every Christian should strive to be a Berean (Acts 17:10-11). We must search the scriptures daily to see what is true.  

“Because thou hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.” (Rev. 3:10) 

The Greek word translated into keep does not mean to take out, to be caught up, or any such thing. To interpret it as such is to falsify the message Jesus gave to the Philadelphian church. According to the Strong’s Concordance, the word keep (in Greek) means a watch; to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon); i.e. to note (a prophecy; figuratively, to fulfil a command); by implication, to detain (in custody; figuratively, to maintain); by extension, to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively, to keep unmarried); by extension, to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively, to keep unmarried). This same Greek word was used 75 times in the Bible. This same word was used in John 17:15 which reads: 

“I pray not that thou shouldest take them out of the world, but that thou shouldest keep them from the evil.” 

This is Jesus’ personal prayer to the Father!!! He prayed that His disciples would not be taken out of the world. This was not just for the 12 disciples. Read verse 20 for proof. This applied to those who would believe on Jesus through the word of His original disciples!!!  

What does any of this have to do with miracles? When the world is covered in darkness during the Great Tribulation, how will God keep watch over His elect? God will keep His saints from evil through many mighty works, miracles! Those who do not truly believe the gospel of Jesus Christ should NOT expect to be protected through His miracles! Those who are not faithful to the good news of the coming kingdom of God should NOT expect to be protected through His miracles!  

We better learn to truly believe in the promises of God and be faithful to His work if we expect to be kept from the hour of temptation that will come upon the whole world!!! 

Yes, God has promised to protect His saints and He gave that message to John the apostle in Rev. 12:14-17. Unfortunately, this prophecy indicates that a remnant of the Church will be left behind to face the wrath of the satan. We know that God has miraculously preserved the saints of old and we must have faith that great miracles can occur in our lives as well. Nevertheless, Christians would do well to maintain the attitude described in Rev. 12:11.  

“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.¹¹ And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.” (Rev. 12:10-11) 

Many professing Christians choose to believe in a rapture because the belief provides a sense of comfort. This is not where Christians should draw comfort from. Christians are to draw comfort from the hope in the resurrection which is what Jesus Christ and His disciples preached as the things that should bring us comfort. Read John 6 where Jesus promises to raise up the saints on the last day (that is resurrect) several times. Also read I Thes. 4:13-18 where Paul tells them to comfort one another with this hope of the resurrection. The disciples did not just preach of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. They preached about the resurrection of the dead through Jesus. (See Acts 4:1-2; Acts 17:18,32; Acts 23:6; Acts 24:14-15 for a few examples of this fact.) 

If anyone hopes to be protected through the Great Tribulation, then he must believe that God can and will protect him. The saints of old were protected through their tribulations not protected from them. You too can be protected. More importantly, keep your eyes on the resurrection of the saints at the return of Jesus Christ and love not your life unto death if that is God’s will for you.  

“Then Peter, turning about, seeth the disciple whom Jesus loved following; which also leaned on his breast at supper, and said, Lord, which is he that betrayeth thee? ²¹ Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? ²² Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me. ²³ Then went this saying abroad among the brethren, that that disciple should not die: yet Jesus said not unto him, He shall not die; but, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee?” (John 21:20-23)