Answer: This is a question that we get asked often. To answer this question, we need to remember that Christ and the apostles have warned us that signs and miracles are not necessarily marks of a true church; for Satan's most deceptive ploy has always been manifested through the use miracles and the casting out of devils. Here are some very important Bible verses on this point:
"Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity" (Matthew 7:21-23).
In the above verse Christ is foretelling that there will be big names involved in healing miracles (healing crusades) and who will be casting out devils in His name, yet they will be regarded by heaven as iniquitous preachers. The reason for the displeasure of heaven is because they are doing "work of iniquity", even though they appear to be involved in great work and multitudes believing in them.
The Apostle Paul also warns that before the end the man of sin will be commissioned by Satan to deceive all who do not love the truth, through signs and miracles:
"[Even him], whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness" (2 Thessalonians 2: 10-12).
Therefore, the performance of signs and miracles is not a proof of divine favor, as we have been forewarned by Christ and Apostle Paul. Does this mean that there will be no real signs and miracles amongst His true people? There will be true miracles and signs amongst His true people, for these gifts of the Spirit were promised by our Lord for the perfection of His people. (See Ephesians 4: 10-13 ). How can the average person distinguish between the true servants of our loving Father, and the false shepherds of Satan?
The answer to this question is found in the following Bible verse:
"To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, [it is] because [there is] no light in them" (Isaiah 8:20). If the preacher is calling your attention to His law and the importance of obeying all the commandments, including the Fourth Commandment, then he/she is from God. If he/she preaches all the 'truth' but neglects to call attention to one of the Ten Commandments (see James 2:10 ), then he/she is not of God. Looking today at the crowded field of miracles doers and healers and by subjecting them to Bible test of Isaiah 8:20 one can not help but conclude that they are all false shepherds, who are working for our Father's archenemy.
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