Signs, miracles, and wonders were significant in Israel's program. It was a covenant God made with them!
Exodus 34:10 And he said, Behold, I make a covenant: before all thy people I will do marvels, such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation: and all the people among which thou art shall see the work of the LORD: for it is a terrible thing that I will do with thee.
This is why Jesus said,
John 4:48 "Except ye [Israel] see signs and wonders, ye will not believe". Paul himself writes in 1 Corinthians 1:22, "For the Jews require a sign, ...",
(Also see: Matt.12:38; Mark 8:11; John 2:18; 4:48)
God's visible and powerful miracles were common place in the Old Testament, in the Gospels and in the beginning of Acts. But, when Israel's program ceased, as the transition from law to grace progressed, these miracles faded, and at the close of Paul's ministry, no more miracles were taking place, barring any that God choose to do for His purposes. (1 Timothy 5:23; 2 Timothy 4:20).
1 Corinthians 13:8-10 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come [the completed written Word of God], then that which is in part shall be done away.
2 Corinthians 5:7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
Today, God's focus is not on miracles that accommodate the flesh. God wants us to have faith in His Word and in His Son. God is working His miracles within us, and in the spiritual realm, not within the natural realm. God can still do miracles today if it suits His purpose and plan, but this is certainly not the norm today. Today God's grace is sufficient for you, and the trials and sufferings of life will be FAR outweighed by the glory we will experience when He comes to fetch us.
2 Corinthians 4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
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