Holiness and Power
The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months. Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit (James 5:16b-18).
1. Holiness and Power
In the Bible, there are many instances in which countless people received salvation, healings, and answers through the truly astonishing work of God’s power manifested by His Son Jesus. When Jesus commanded, all kinds of diseases were immediately healed and the infirmities were strengthened and restored.
The blind could see, the mute came to speak, and the deaf began to hear. A man with a shriveled hand was cured, the lame began walking again, and the paralytics received healing. Moreover, evil spirits were driven out and the dead revived.
These astonishing works of God’s power were manifested not only by Jesus, but also by many prophets of Old Testament times and apostles of New Testament times. Of course, manifestation of God’s power by the prophets and apostles could not equal that of Jesus, nonetheless, to people who resembled Jesus and God Himself, God gave them power and used them as His vessels. God who is light manifested His power through deacons like Stephen and Philip because they accomplished sanctification by walking in the light and resembling the Lord.
Among all the characters from the New Testament, the Apostle Paul’s manifestation of God’s power ranked second after that of Jesus. He preached the gospel to the Gentiles, who did not know God, the messages of authority which were accompanied by signs and wonders. With this kind of power, Paul could testify to God the true Deity and Jesus Christ.
From the fact that idol worshiping and incantation were rampant at the time, there must have been some people among the Gentiles who deluded others. Spreading the gospel to such people required manifestation of the work of God’s power that far surpassed the power of false incantation and the work of evil spirits (Romans 15:18-19).
From Acts 14:8 onward is a scene in which the apostle Paul preached the gospel in a region called Lystra. When Paul commanded a man who had been lame all his life, “Stand up on your feet!” the man stood up and started to walk (Acts 14:10). When people saw this, they said, “The gods have come down to us in human form” (Acts 14:11). In Acts 28 is a scene in which the apostle Paul arrived on the island of Malta after a shipwreck. When he gathered a pile of brushwood and put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened itself on his hand. Upon seeing this, the islanders expected him to swell up or suddenly fall dead, but when nothing happened to Paul, the people said he was a god (v. 6). For the apostle Paul possessed a heart that was proper in the sight of God, he could manifest the work of His power even so that he was deemed a “god” by people.
2. The Power of God Who Is Light
The power is given not because someone desires it; it is given only to those who resemble God and have accomplished sanctification. Even today, God is seeking people to whom He can give His power to use as vessels of glory. That is why Mark 16:20 reminds us that, “And they went out and preached everywhere, while the Lord worked with them, and confirmed the word by the signs that followed.” We also find in John 4:48, “So Jesus said to him, “Unless you people see signs and wonders, you simply will not believe.”
Leading countless people to salvation calls for the power from heaven that can manifest signs and wonders, which in turn testifies to the living God. In an age in which sin and evil especially thrive, signs and wonders are all the more required. When we walk in the light and become one in spirit with our Father God, we can manifest the magnitude of power which Jesus manifested. This is because our Lord has promised, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.” (John 14:12).
If anyone manifests the kind of power of the spiritual realm that is possible only for God, then that person is to be recognized as being commended by God. As Psalm 62:11 reminds us, “Once God has spoken; Twice I have heard this: That power belongs to God,” the enemy devil and Satan cannot manifest the kind of power that belongs to God. Of course, because they are spiritual beings they possess superior power to delude people and compel them to oppose God. One factor, however, remains certain, no other being can imitate the power of God, by which He controls life, death, blessing, curses, and history of mankind. He creates something from nothing. The power belongs to the realm of God who is light, and can be manifested only by those who have accomplished sanctification and reached the measure of faith of Jesus Christ.
3. Differences among God’s Authority, Power, and Authoritative Power
In designating or referring to the ability of God, many people equate authority to power, or power to authoritative power; however, there is a clear difference in meaning among the three.
“Power” is the power of faith by which something impossible for man is possible for God.
“Authority” is the solemn, dignified, and majestic power God has established. In the spiritual realm the state of sinlessness is power. In other words, authority is sanctification itself, and the sanctified children of God who have thoroughly cast off evil and untruth in their hearts can receive spiritual authority.
What, then, is “authoritative power” (or “Power and authority”)? It refers to the ability and authority of God which He bestows upon those who have cast off every kind of evil and become sanctified.
Take this as an example. If a driver has the “power” to drive a vehicle, then the traffic officer who directs the traffic has the “authority” to pull over any vehicles. This authority to pull vehicles over and send any vehicles back on the road has been given to the officer by the government. Therefore, even though the driver has the “power” to drive a vehicle, since he lacks the “authority” of a traffic officer, when the officer tells the driver to either stop or go, the driver must do as he is told.
In this way, authority and power differ from one another, and when authority and ability are combined, we call it authoritative power. But usually, we simply call it “power” or “power of God.” In Matthew 10:1, Jesus summoned His twelve disciples and gave them authority over unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal every kind of disease and every kind of sickness. Authoritative Power entails both the “authority” to drive out evil spirits and the “power” to heal all diseases and infirmities.
4. The Gift of Healing and Power
Those who are unfamiliar with the power of God who is light, often equate this power to the gift of healing.
1) The gift of healing in 1 Corinthians 12:9 refers to the work of scorching virus-infected diseases. It cannot cure deafness and muteness resulting from the degeneration of body parts or the death of nerve cells. Such cases of diseases and infirmities can be healed only by the power of God and by prayer of faith that pleases Him.
2) The power of God who is light is manifested at all times. The gift of healing does not always work. On the one hand, God gives the gift of healing to those, regardless of the extent of people’s sanctification of the heart, who love and pray a great deal for others and their spirits, and whom God considers to be bold and useful vessels. However, if the gift of healing were used not for His glory but in an improper way and for one’s own benefits, God will certainly take it back.
On the other hand, the power of God is given only to those who have accomplished sanctification of the heart; once given, it does not weaken or wither because the recipient will never use it for his own benefits. Instead, the more one resembles the heart of the Lord, the higher the levels of power God will bestow upon him. If the heart and behavior of an individual become one with the Lord, he can manifest even the very work of God’s power Jesus Himself manifested.
There are differences in the ways in which God’s power are manifested. The gift of healing cannot cure terminal, grave, or rare illnesses. It is also more difficult for those with little faith to be cured by the gift of healing. However, by the power of God who is light, nothing is impossible. When the patient displays even the smallest proof of his faith, healing by God’s power takes place immediately. Here, “faith” refers to spiritual faith by which one believes from the center of his heart.
5. Four Levels of the Power of God
Through Jesus Christ who is the same yesterday and today, anyone who is deemed a suitable vessel in God’s sight will manifest His power.
There are many different levels in manifestation of God’s power. The more you accomplish spirit, the higher level of power you will enter and receive. People whose spiritual eyes are opened can see different levels of illumination of lights according to each level of the power of God. Human beings as creatures can manifest up to the fourth level of God’s power.
1) The first level of power is the manifestation of God’s power by the red light, which destroys by the fire of the Holy Spirit.
The first level of power emanated by the Fire of the Holy Spirit is manifested as red light that burns and heals illness, diseases and infections that are germ and virus related. Illnesses including cancer, lung disease, diabetes, leukemia, kidney disease, arthritis, heart trouble, and AIDS can be healed. This does not mean, however, that all of the diseases above can be healed at the first level of power. Those who already stepped beyond the boundary of life God has set, such as in the case of the last stage of cancer or lung disease, the first level of power is not sufficient.
Restoration of body parts that have been damaged or are unable to properly function requires greater power that will not only heal but also rebuild new body parts. Even in such a case, the degree of the patient’s display of his faith as well as the degree of his family’s display of their faith in love for him will determine the level at which God will manifest His power.
Since the founding, there have been countless manifestations of the first-level power at Manmin Joong-ang Church. When people obeyed the Word of God and received prayer, diseases of all conditions and severity have been cleansed. When people shook my hands or touched the edge of my clothes, received prayer through handkerchiefs on which I had prayed, and prayer recorded as automated telephone messages, or when I prayed on photographs of patients, we have witnessed God’s healing time and again.
The work at the first level of power is not limited to destroying by the fire of the Holy Spirit. Even for a moment, when one prays in faith and becomes inspired, affected by, and filled with the Holy Spirit, any individual can manifest even greater work of God’s power. However, this is a temporary occurrence and not the evidence of permanently embedded power of God. It occurs only when it is suitable to fulfill God’s will.
2) The second level of power is the manifestation of God’s power by the blue light.
Malachi 4:2 tells us, “But for you who fear My name, the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.” People whose spiritual eyes are opened can see rays of laser-like lights emanating beams of healing.
The second level of power drives away darkness and frees people who are demon-possessed, Satan-controlled, and dominated by various types of evil spirits. A range of conditions of mental illnesses brought on by the forces of darkness that include autism, nervous breakdowns, and others are healed by the second-level of power.
These kinds of diseases can be prevented if we are joyful always and give thanks in all circumstances. Instead of being joyful always and giving thanks in all circumstances, if you come to hate others, harbor ill feelings, think negatively, and become easily angered, then you will be more vulnerable to such diseases. When the forces of Satan, which drive man to possess evil thoughts and hearts, are driven away, all those mental diseases will be naturally healed.
From time to time physical diseases and infirmities are healed by the second level of God’s power. Such diseases and infirmities wrought by the work of demons and devils are healed by the light of the second level of God’s power. Here, “infirmities” refer to the degeneration and paralysis of body parts, as in the case of those who become mute, deaf, crippled, blind, paralyzed at birth, and the like.
From Mark 9:14 onward is a scene in which Jesus drove out a “deaf and mute spirit” from a boy (v. 25). This boy had become deaf and mute because of an evil spirit within him. When Jesus drove out the spirit, the boy was immediately healed.
By the same token, when the cause of a disease is the force of darkness, including demons, the evil spirits must be driven out in order for the patient to be healed. If one suffers from problems in his digestive system as a side-effect of a nervous breakdown, the cause must be rooted out by driving out the force of Satan. In such diseases as paralysis and arthritis, the work of the force and remnants of darkness can also be found. Sometimes, although medical diagnosis cannot detect anything physically wrong, people suffer from pain in their bodies. When I pray for anyone suffering in this manner, others whose spiritual eyes are opened often see the force of darkness in abominable animal shapes leaving the patient’s body.
In addition to the forces of darkness found in diseases and infirmities, the second level of power of God, who is light, is also able to drive out the forces of darkness found at home, business, and work. When an individual who can manifest the second level of God’s power visits those suffering from persecution at home and troubles at work and business, as darkness is driven out and the light comes upon people, blessings according to their deeds descend upon them.
Raising the dead or terminating someone’s life according to the will of God is the work of the second level of God’s power as well. The following instances fall into this category: the apostle Paul’s raising of Eutychus (Acts 20:9-12); Ananias and Sapphira’s deception toward the apostle Peter and his consequent curse that resulted in their death (Acts 5:1-11); and Elisha’s cursing of children that also resulted in their death (2 Kings 2:23-24).
There are, however, fundamental differences in the work of Jesus and those of the apostles Paul and Peter and Prophet Elisha. Ultimately, God as the Lord of all spirits had to allow for whether someone was to live or be taken away. Yet, since Jesus and God are one and the same, what Jesus willed was what God willed. This is why Jesus could bring back the dead only by commanding them by His Word (John 11:43-44), while other prophets and apostles had to ask for the will of God and His approval to revive anyone.
3) The third level of power is the manifestation of God’s power by the white or colorless light, and is accompanied by all types of signs and the work of creation.
At the third level of power of God who is light, all types of signs as well as the work of creation are manifested. Here, “signs” refer to healings through which those born blind, mute, or deaf come to see, speak, and hear. The crippled get up and walk, shortened legs are extended, and infantile paralysis and cerebral palsy are completely healed. Deformed or completely degenerated body parts from birth are restored. Shattered bones are put back together, missing bones are created, short tongues have grown, and tendons are reconnected. Moreover, since the lights of the first, second and third levels of God’s power are manifested simultaneously at the third level as necessary, no disease and infirmity will pose a problem.
Even if someone is burned from head to toe and his cells and muscles are burned, or even if the flesh is cooked by boiling water, God can create everything anew. As God can create something from nothing, He can fix not only inanimate objects such as machinery, but also human body parts that are not well.
At Manmin Joong-ang Church, through handkerchief prayer or prayer recorded as automated telephone messages, internal organs that have not functioned properly or been severely damaged are restored. When the work of the power of creation is manifested at the third level of God’s power, brutally damaged lungs are healed, and kidneys and livers that needed transplants become normal
There is one factor here that needs to be clearly differentiated. On the one hand, if the function of a body part that has been feeble and is restored, that is the work of the first level of God’s power. On the other hand, if the function of a body part or organ which has had no chance of recovery is revived or created anew, that is the work of the third level of God’s power. This is the power of the creation.
4) The fourth level of power is the manifestation of God’s power by the gold light, and is the fruition and fully manifested power of God.
A. Just by the command
As we can tell by the work of power manifested by Jesus, the fourth level of power governs all things, rules over the weather, and even orders inanimate objects to obey. In Matthew 21:19, when Jesus cursed a fig tree, we find that, “And at once the fig tree withered.” From Matthew 8:23 on is a scene in which Jesus rebuked the winds and the waves, and it was completely calm. Even the nature and such inanimate objects as the winds and the sea became obedient as Jesus commanded them.
Jesus once told Peter to put out into deep water, and let down the nets for a catch, and when Peter obeyed, he caught such a large number of fish that his nets began to break (Luke 5:4-6). At another time, Jesus told Peter, take the first fish that comes up; and when you open its mouth, you will find a shekel. Take that and give it to them for you and Me. (Matthew 17:24-27).
As God created all things in the universe by His Word, when Jesus commanded the universe, it obeyed Him and became real. By the same token, once we possess true faith, we will be sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1), and the work of power that creates all things from nothing will be manifested.
B. Transcending time and space
Furthermore, at the fourth level of God’s power, the work is manifested transcending time and space. Among Jesus’ manifestations of God’s power, a few of them transcended time and space. From Mark 7:24 on is a scene in which a woman begged Jesus to heal her demon-possessed daughter. Upon seeing the woman’s humility and faith, Jesus told her, “You may go. The demon has left your daughter” (v. 29). When the woman returned home, she found her child lying on the bed, and the demon gone.
Even though Jesus did not visit each of the sick personally, when He saw the faith of the sick and commanded, healings that transcended time and space took place. Jesus walking on the water, which is the work of power that He alone manifested, also testifies to the fact everything in the universe is under Jesus’ authority.
Furthermore, Jesus tells us in John 14:12, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father.” As He assured us, truly astonishing work of God’s power are manifested at Manmin Joong-ang Church today.
For instance, various wonders in which the weather is altered take place. When I pray, pouring rain stops in the blink of an eye; a very dark cloud receded; and a clear blue sky was filled with clouds in an instant. There have also been countless instances in which inanimate objects obeyed my prayer. Even in the case of life-threatening carbon monoxide poisoning, a minute or two after my command, the person who had been unconscious recovered and suffered no side effects. When I prayed for an individual suffering from a third-degree burn saying, “Burning sensation, go away,” the person no longer felt any pain.
In addition, the work of God’s power that transcends time and space is taking place all the more greatly and overwhelmingly as time passes. The case of Cynthia, daughter of Rev. Wilson John Gil, senior pastor of the Pakistan Manmin Church is particularly notable. I prayed for Cynthia, on whom the doctors had given up all hope. I prayed on her photograph in Seoul, Korea, a distance of thousands of miles from her, and from the moment I prayed for her she quickly recovered.
At the fourth level of power, the power to heal diseases, drive away the forces of darkness, display signs and wonders, and command all things to obey – the combined work of the first, second, third, and fourth levels of power – are manifested.
6. The Most High Power of Creation
The Bible records Jesus’ manifestations of power that are above the fourth level of power. This level of power, the Most High Power, belongs to the Creator. This power is manifested not at the same level at which human beings as a creature can receive and manifest His power. Instead, it comes from the original light that illuminated when God existed alone.
In John 11, Jesus commanded Lazarus, who had been dead for four days and whose body reeked of a terrible odor, “Lazarus, come out!” At His command, the dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face (v. 43-44).
After a person has removed every kind of evil, becomes sanctified, comes to resemble the heart of his Father God, and changed into a whole spirit, he will enter the spiritual realm. The more he gathers the knowledge of the spiritual realm, the higher his manifestation of God’s power will rise above the fourth level.
At that time, he reaches the level of power, power that can only be manifested by the Deity, which is the Most High Power of Creation. When man wholly accomplishes this, as the time when God created everything in the universe by His command, he will also manifest wondrous work of creation.
For instance, when he commands a blind person, “Open your eyes,” the blind man’s eyes will be immediately opened. When he commands a mute person, “Speak!” the mute person will come to speak in an instant. When he commands a cripple, “Stand up,” the crippled man will walk and run. When he commands, scars and body parts that have been decaying will be renewed.
This is accomplished by the light and the voice of God, who had existed as light and voice since before the beginning of time. When the limitless power of creation in the light is drawn forth by the voice, the light descends and the work is manifested. This is the way for people, who have stepped beyond the boundary of life God has set, and diseases and infirmities that cannot be cured by the first, second, or third level of power, can be healed.
7. Receiving the Power of God who Is Light
How can we resemble the heart of God who is light, receive His power, and lead countless people to the way of salvation?
1) First, we must not only avoid every kind of evil and accomplish sanctification, but also achieve the good of the heart and long for the uppermost goodness.
If you show no signs of ill feelings or discomfort against an individual who made your life extremely difficult or harmed you, could you be said to have accomplished the goodness of the heart? No, that is not the case. Even if there is no shaking of the heart or a sense of discomfort and you wait and endure, in the sight of God this is only the first step of the goodness.
At the higher level of goodness, one will speak and behave in ways to move the heart of people who make his life difficult or harm him. At the uppermost goodness with which God is pleased, one must be able to give up his own life for the sake of his enemy.
Jesus could forgive the people who were crucifying Him and gave up His life freely for those people because He possessed the uppermost goodness. Both Moses and the apostle Paul were willing to give their lives for the very people who were trying to kill them as well.
When God was about to destroy the people of Israel, because they opposed God in idol-worshiping, complained against Him, and bore resentment against Him even as they witnessed great signs and wonders, how did Moses respond? He earnestly pleaded with God: “But now, if You will, forgive their sin and if not, please blot me out from Your book which You have written!” (Exodus 32:32).
The apostle Paul was the same. As he confessed in Romans 9:3, “For I could wish that I myself were accursed, separated from Christ for the sake of my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh,” Paul had accomplished the uppermost goodness and thus great work of God’s power always accompanied him.
2) Next, we must accomplish spiritual love.
Love has abated considerably today. Although many people tell one another, “I love you,” with the passing of time, we see that most of this “love” is fleshly love that changes. The love of God is spiritual love that is pure beautiful and of the highest of moral value day after day, and is described in detail in 1 Corinthians 13.
First, Love is patient. Love is kind and is not jealous. Our Lord has forgiven all our sins and flaws, and opened the way of salvation by patiently waiting even for those who are not forgivable. Yet, even though we confess our love for the Lord, are we quick to expose the sins and flaws of our brothers and sisters? Are we quick to judge and condemn others when something or someone is not to our liking? Have we been jealous of someone whose life is going well or felt disappointed?
Next, love does not brag and is not arrogant. Even if we may appear to be glorifying the Lord on the outside, if we have a heart wanting to be recognized by others, expose ourselves, and disregard or intend to teach others with our position or authority, it would be boasting and being proud.
Moreover, love does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered. Our rude behavior towards God and people, our fickle hearts and minds that easily change, our effort to be greater even at the expense of others, our easily-conceived ill feelings, our tendency to think negatively and to hold evil thoughts towards others all have no part in this love.
In addition, love does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. If we have love, we must always walk and rejoice in the truth. As 3 John 1:4 tells us, “I have no greater joy than this, to hear of my children walking in the truth.” the truth must be the source of our delight and happiness.
Lastly, love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails. Those who truly love God come to know the will of God, and thus they come to believe all things of God. As people look forward to and earnestly believe in the return of our Lord, the resurrection of believers, and the heavenly rewards, they have hope for things above, they endure all difficulties, and they strive to accomplish God’s will.
In order to show evidences of His love for those who obey the truth such as goodness, love, and others as recorded in the Bible, God who is light gives them His power as a gift. He is also eager to meet and answer all those who strive to walk in the light.
Therefore, by discovering yourself and rending your heart, I pray in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ that you may have the desire to receive God’s blessings and answers, become prepared vessels before Him, and experience the power of God!