What Happens When People Aren't Healed? (over-realized eschatology leads to pain.)
One of the reasons I choose to create this blog was because of I have experienced a gap (at times a chasm) between learned Biblical theology and its practical application for us as followers of Christ, leaders, and those in ministry.
One area where this is glaringly obvious is over-realized eschatology that permeates many of our churches today. Coming from my perspective (which is pentecostal) this often focuses on either healing, the ‘good’ life, or the future destiny of a believer.
I certainly believe God heals today —physically and mentally. I see that in a plain reading of scripture (Isaiah 61:1,2; Luke 4:18; 7:19–23; John 14:12-14). I have experienced physical healing in my own life. I know that it takes courage to believe that God will heal; courage we are all meant to have when we pray, and as we trust, and ultimately accepting the sovereignty of God (For more on healing (https://ag.org/Beliefs/Position-Papers/Divine-Healing). That last part — God’s sovereignty is not always easily recognized.
It is contended by some that because God heals today if someone is not healed, there is a problem with that person’s faith; it is insisted that God wants to heal the sick right now and is willing. While I agree that God has a desire to heal us, which is why He sent His son to make way for redemption leading to eternal life in glorified bodies, the timing is His.
When healing is forced into a causal relationship with our faith right now; I have concerns. I believe this stems from an ‘over-realized’ sense of the Kingdom of God in the here and now. No doubt, Jesus affirmed the faith of people for healing—‘Go your faith has made you well.’ (Matthew 9:22 Luke 17:11 Mark 5: 34)
Faith, as it is used here, is: Πίστις — Pistis — faith; trust to believe in, to have confidence in
From my perspective, there is a correlation, a strong one, between my confidence and trust in God to heal and that creative miracle of God taking place. However, that trust in God to heal maybe something demonstrated over a long period of time, or it may lead to a seemingly instantaneous miracle, or maybe something in between. But if healing is delayed; is my faith lacking? If all healing was meant to take place now, what of the promises made to us in Rev 21? What faith ‘caused’ the healing of the man with the withered hand (Mark 3:1-6), there is no faith mentioned. In the case of Lazarus, belief is lacking, yet Lazarus still is raised from the dead.
The point is that healing experienced in the here and now is not as clear in its cause and function as we might like. This is because some aspects of the Kingdom of God are to be fully realized when Christ returns. Put another way, the Kingdom of God was inaugurated by Christ’s coming, His death and resurrection; but is not fully realized until He returns.
Theologian George Eldon Ladd introduced the evangelical movement to the concept of the Kingdom of God being already here but not yet fully realized:
“Already but not yet” is a phrase which arises out of a system of Christian thought is called kingdom theology. It captures the notion that God’s Kingdom was inaugurated in Jesus’ death and resurrection and that this Kingdom is already here on earth, but not yet in its fullness (Crossway; 2014).”
In the ‘Love’ chapter, 1 Corinthians 13, I see a beneficial illustration. When talking about the fullness and enduring aspect of love, Paul speaks of our experience as to ‘see through a glass darkly”. This imagery had to do with metal mirrors that were made in Corinth from brass. They were never quite as bright as the real image.
Though Paul’s emphasis here is not the Kingdom of God, but on love, there is an implication here that right now we see and know the God’s fullness in part — then (upon Christ’s return) we will live in the fullness of the Kingdom being established where there are no more tears; no more pain, (Rev 21:4). Then we will have glorified bodies, but for now, we look through a glass darkly.
Why is this important for us as thoughtful leaders and followers of Christ? Well, I think that’s best illustrated by this true story:
A vibrant young family was hit by tragedy many years ago. A young mom who was a follower of Christ was diagnosed with a disease that would confine her to a wheelchair soon and was ultimately terminal. Without a miracle or unlikely response to medical treatment, she had a limited amount of time to live on earth.
She had a loving husband, three beautiful children all in elementary school. Why do these things happen?
Her faith kept her strong through the initial ordeal.
Over time a lack of theological understanding and how it applied practically to our lives on the part of the well-intentioned pastors was a significant factor (if not the only factor) that robbed this family of their last years together.
The family and the church, led by their pastors, were praying for a miracle--that God would heal her. They prayed and prayed, and the church they attended supported as best they could. But no miracle came. More prayers, emotion, energy, believing God. But still no miracle. Sincere belief, desire and faith demonstrated in prayer is what we are called to do.
However, I was in attendance at a gathering where misguided theology (in this case, an over-realized sense of God’s Kingdom now) led to one of the most disturbing sites I have seen in ministry.
This young mom; in front of her children and husband was coaxed, then forcefully lifted from her wheelchair to walk. The Lord did not intervene with a creative miracle and this lady stumbled. The pastor continued to pull her along — she struggled — lurched, stumbled. But he just kept going — a frenzy of shouting in ‘prayer’ followed and then music dialled up to ‘set an atmosphere’ where God could move (For the record: I have not problem with genuine prayer, shouting in worship, using music and other creative means to point us toward God). 20 mins later, this precious lady was back in her wheelchair. No one knew what she was thinking or feeling as she hadn’t been able to verbalize for months.
An over-realized sense of God’s Kingdom here on earth leads to moments like these. Where rather than living in the tension between God’s promises and their fulfilment, we try and force them into realization.
But the worst of the story came later.
Under the weight of discouragement, disappointment and questions about why God would not heal his wife, the husband left the church and his wife. This young mom already confined to a wheelchair and non-verbal was left to spend the last years of her life in an assisted living home basically on her own. She passed into the Lord presence without her husband and children whom she loved dearly.
Perhaps you have faced similar situations in your journey of faith—why doesn’t God heal everyone? Are miracles really still happening today? The Bible promises healing, no more pain, the ‘good life’, why aren’t I experiencing it?
Well, the story doesn’t give us an out for choosing not to pray and believe for healing. But it does give us a reason to pause and think through what we believe, why we believe it an how it applies to those we lead and pastor. Over-realized eschatology can lead to pain.
We have a responsibility to know all we can from the Bible, and to say we don’t know when we do not. I have been healed, I have witnessed others experience healing, and I have experienced the opposite. The times when healing doesn’t come are the times to trust God, be at peace in His sovereignty, and know that His Kingdom is not yet fully realized…yet.
Helpful Links & References
(https://www.christianitytoday.com/edstetzer/2017/august/3-abny-social-realities-shaping-north-american-missions.html)
https://www.crossway.org/articles/the-already-and-the-not-yet/
https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/trevin-wax/a-theologian-you-should-know-george-eldon-ladd/
