Have You or a Loved One Been Raised From the Dead?
Have You or a Loved One Been Raised From the Dead? Then WE are looking for YOU, and you have come to the right place to tell us about your miracle.
If you are a pastor who has raised someone from the dead, or someone who died and was raised from the dead due to a pastor’s prayer or laying on of hands, etc. Then please tell us your story.
We have heard that miracles are taking place all over the world, where people are dying and being raised from the dead through the gifts bestowed on pastors to be able to do many signs and wonders.
This is your chance to speak to the world, to tell the world your story and of course, provide proof as there are many scamsters around. Therefore we do ask that you can provide proof: Names, dates, places, time of death, time of resurrection, hospital, doctor’s names, contact numbers, witnesses, church name, pastor’s name, newspaper reports, magazine articles, death certificates, Xrays, medical documentation, videos, etc.
Thank you
Paul
See here who William Branham really is please:
And the prophets prophesied falsely and the people loved it so. But what will you do in the end? http://www.letusreason.org/Latrain54.htm
An excerpt taken from their newsletter that the Sharon Star recorded the Branham meeting: “All the great outpourings of the past have had their outstanding truths. Luthur’s truth was Justification by Faith. Wesley’s was Sanctification. The Baptists taught the premillenial coming of Christ. The Missionary Alliance taught Divine Healing. The Pentecostal outpouring has restored the Baptism of the Holy Ghost to its rightful place. But the next great outpouring is going to be marked by all these other truths plus such a demonstration of the nine gifts of the Spirit as the world, not even the Apostolic world, has ever witnessed before. This revival will be short and will be the last before the Rapture of the Church.”( Richard Riss, Latter Rain, Honeycomb Visual Productions, pg. 56-57)
This is exactly what Branham’s message was, as he was taught by his personal angel that he was the Elijah before the 2nd coming. That he was the messenger of the last Church age Laodicea. Branham becomes a key figure in the Latter Rain scenario that many in the Pentecostal Church are operating in even today.
Branham has left his mark despite his proven falsehood. He is revered by the new apostles and is referred to as great by Rodney Browne. “When the great healing Revival started in 1947 with great men of God”… along with AA.Allen, Jack Coe, T.L. Osborn and Oral Roberts (“The Coming Revival,” p. 13, by R.H. Browne). This becomes clear when Browne refers to drinking at Joel’s place, or this is the first drops of rain falling, he is preaching the Latter Rain heresy. The Holy Ghost bartender is serving mickeys to those attending- as if there is such a thing.
Paul Cain considers William Branham as the greatest prophet in the 20th century. This was due not to Branham’s doctrines but to “his gifting in the word of knowledge.” (Paul Cain, Armstrong in Michael Horton ed. Power Religion, 1992, p.67)
To the new age movement “any individual or group who denies the divinity of man” … or is to be in opposition to “Christ in you”-the indwelling Christ …is anti Christ. We must question this latter day movement of deception inside the church and the men involved, since they appear to be saying the very same things only on slightly different terms.
http://www.letusreason.org/Latrain7.htm
I’m very sorry Paul please take heed. DO NOT believe in false prophets like William Branham.
Nobody is disputing that Jesus is alive today (and forever)praise His Name and are limiting what God can do and in this case I can believe that through His unmeasurable grace and mercy this little boy was brought back to life and healed and I am not against true believing Christian’s praying for what carnal man deems impossible but it is the methods used by charlatans and deceivers that have exploited this as they are sensation seekers and attract people for monetrary gain.But the error occurs when you have this doctrine of demand…name it and claim it and all people do die…you cannot demand and force God in a prayer and there are obvious limits that God CHOOSES to operate in …not because He is limited …Never…true believers all believe this…I believe He does NOT favour this to be a publical spectical as He knows what is in man’s hearts and that even the demons enjoy playing around with man’s expectations…all these contraversial issues are diverting the the true reason why the Messiah had to come and that was to rid man of his sinful nature …this is the absolute focus and any thing that waters this down takes away the true power and message of Calvary.
Having said all that..unless there is authenticated medical proof (and even that can be flawed because even doctors and specialists make error).This challenge has integrity…there must be truth…the heart’s of men are despictably wicked and deceptive.
There are definite lines to be drawn in this…ie I do not believe it is God’s will to go around praying over graves and coffins or victims that are blown to bits…yes He could even do that but you can imagine the unsavoury publicity and exploitation of God’s message of the Cross would be ..a distraction and diversion…man’s real problem is sin and the human condition that is plagued with this curse since the fall of man…this is the most frightening condition of all…and until this condition is dealt with and the absolute priority in God’s redemption then all else fades from the picture.
Elmarie
I believe that if anything is asked in the name of the LORD JESUS and He in his rich mercy answers,the whole glory goes to Jesus.The raising of the dead can only be done by the AUTHOR OF LIFE.So to me man does not matter,God in the man is what matters.The works identify Gods authority.I think it would also be good to look for the positive.
For quite a long time ive been looking for information on W Branham in the net.most of the critics information is biased against him.
I believe God raises people from the dead today – Jesus said greater works than He did we will do.
And when did God stop being the God who does the impossible?
He is the same as He has always been, friends… 🙂
Our God is BIG.
The Israelites limited Him with their unbelief…
—–
Psa 78:12 Marvellous things did he in the sight of their fathers, in the land of Egypt, in the field of Zoan.
Psa 78:13 He divided the sea, and caused them to pass through; and he made the waters to stand as an heap.
Psa 78:21 Therefore the LORD heard this, and was wroth: so a fire was kindled against Jacob, and anger also came up against Israel;
Psa 78:22 Because they believed not in God, and trusted not in his salvation:
Psa 78:40 How oft did they provoke him in the wilderness, and grieve him in the desert!
Psa 78:41 Yea, they turned back and tempted God, and limited the Holy One of Israel.
Psa 78:42 They remembered not his hand, nor the day when he delivered them from the enemy.
Psa 78:43 How he had wrought his signs in Egypt, and his wonders in the field of Zoan:
—–
Mar 6:4 But Jesus said unto them, A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own house.
Mar 6:5 And he could there do no mighty work, save that he laid his hands upon a few sick folk, and healed them.
Mar 6:6 And he marvelled because of their unbelief. And he went round about the villages, teaching.
—
Michael said:
The problem about these contraversal issues is that it is indeed sad as the misinterpretation of these gifts is totally out of context today and does lead to even the elect away from the true emphasis of the greatest miracle of all…God taking up the cause of man’s fallen state and becoming man in the flesh,taking our sins and eniquities upon Himself and dying at the cross at Calvary (Golgotha) to offer Himself as an atonement so that we can receive this…repent of our sins and accept this atonement personally…so as to offer us eternal life.
This in itself is incredible and miraculous…the greatest miracle of all……
AMEN! One of the greatest errors of the various movements is the distortion of the true Gospel message to include the healing of physical ailments. The greatest healing of all is giving us new hearts cleansed by the blood of the Lamb. We need nothing more. The Lord has not promised to heal everyone in an earthly sense – He may choose to do so in some circumstances, but we leave that to Him and His will as He knows the beginning to the end. A sickness or even a death can be used to glorify Him. He chose not to heal Paul of his thorn in the flesh but this did not damper Paul’s faith. It is dangerous business to tamper with the precious Gospel message of Christ.
As to William Branham, it amazes me that people still trust him – it has been proven over and over that he was a totally false preacher/teacher.
Paul
I do not agree with you that most of the critics is biased.
You can just Google William Branham False prophet and you get About 9,900 results (0.14 seconds) or William Branham heresy you get About 8,080 results (0.27 seconds) or william branham cult you get About 8,790 results (0.12 seconds). Now see it is allot of results and it took me 2 minutes. It is also so obvious the man was a heretic and false prophet by just following facts like the things he taught or said and believed.
I found this said about William Branham and that is just one of thousands of pages as I said above. No Paul sorry this man used evil teaching and taught evil things. A wolf in sheep clothing yes. It is so evident.
William Branham’s heretical theology:
1. God’s Word consists of the zodiac, Egyptian pyramids and scripture.
2. Doctrine of trinity is considered demonic
3. The claim that he was Elijah the prophet
4. Millennium to begin in 1977.
5. That he was the seventh angelic messenger to the Laodicean Church Age (Footprints, pg. 620).(Using the dispenational theory that each of the churches in Revelations represents an age of the church, the current one being the Laodicean Church Age).
6. That anyone belonging to any denomination had taken “the mark of the beast” (Footprints, pp. 627, 629, 643, 648).
7. That he received divinely inspired revelations (The Revelation of the Seven Seals, Branham; Spoken Word Publications, Tucson, Ariz., n.d.; pg.19; Questions and Answers, Book 1, Branham; Spoken Word Publications, Tucson, 1964; pg. 60.)
8. The fall of man happened when Eve had sexual relations with Satan, that his sexual union produced Cain.(Branham said that “every sin that ever was on the Earth was caused by a woman….the very lowest creature on the Earth” The Spoken Word, Vol. III Nos. 12, 13, 14;, Branham; Spoken Word Publications, Jeffersonville, Ind. 1976; pp. 81-82. Quoted in The Man and His Message, pg. 41).
9. Branham denied the biblical triune Godhead. He pronounced it a “gross error” (The Spoken Word, pg. 79) and as a prophet with the authority of a “Thus saith the Lord,” revealed that “trinitarianism is of the devil” (Footprints, pg. 606).
10. Unsaved descended from the serpent.
http://www.bible.ca/tongues-neo-montanism.htm
I will repeat my earlier warning to take heed : I’m very sorry Paul please take heed. DO NOT believe in false prophets like William Branham.
Burning Lamp
Thank you!! well said and very true words above shared with us all. 🙂
and about :
Yes my point to exactly !!
Andrea
Okie dokie, firstly, Jesus was speaking about spreading the gospel not (miracles). We will never do GREATER things than Him. Jesus only preached in certain regions, so he said to the disciples that we would be able to spread the message to all the world, hence the great commission. If you think you can do better miracles than Jesus…well… I think you need to re-look at what kind of ‘Christianity’ you follow.
As for finding someone who has been raised from the dead since Jesus. Find one for us please. This is what this topic is about. You have 2000+ years of history to go through. I wish you lots of luck 🙂
Paul
Firstly. Information regarding Branham is not biased. He contradicts the bible and preached heresy. End of Story. If you don’t like the truth of the matter then really…go find some un-biased people who love to wallow in false teaching and lies that mocked Jesus Christ and blaspheme His name.
If you want to chat about Branham please go to this topic http://www.discerningtheworld.com/2009/05/09/william-branham-false-prophet-2/ and have your say there and then I will ask you to re-read what is written over and over and over again until you get it.
Well go find one for us please 🙂 Then come back here and I bet you 1 billion Zim$ the preacher is a fake, liar, con artist who preaches a false gospel and uses plots and plans like these to catch gullible people, who will pay him their last penny as he preys on the one thing that hurts people the most – their health.
Paul
Where are they happening exaclty? Are you too one who believes everything they are told without checking.
Dear Abby
The other morning I watched another drawn match in the world cup, then changed over to TBN to see if there were any Christians on that channel yet. No luck there, so I watched paint dry for four hours while listening to my taps dripping. I counted eighteen thousand, four hundred and sixty one drops, to be exact. I ended the day with bowl of dry muesli just after midnight.
My dog woke me the following morning. Does that count as being raised from the dead?
I do believ with all my heart that Jesus is alive,still doing His works.IT IS IN HIS PRESENCE THAT THIS MIRACLES HAPPEN AND IT IS A PROMISE.After Jesus returned to heaven TABITHA WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD WHEN PETER PRAYED FOR HER.
We are still living in Bible days God doesnt change.He will ever be the same yesterday today and forever.
never be a miracle searcher.
I like it when Jesus says” this signs shall follow them that BELIEVE…”AMEN
Paul
Yes the dead in spirit are raised everyday and given a new life by the Holy Spirit and thats that,only Jesus Christ will raise the dead to join him or for judgement, why should someone be raised now? can’t they wait! would this be fair on the church who have to wait for the promise in order to see their loved ones who they miss dearly,if we could raise the dead now imagine millions of people living when they really didnt want to just to please the wanton spirit of whomever doesnt want them dead, where is God’s will in all of this?
May the Lord Jesus Christ raise the whole truth in you so you may see the light.
Paul
What is your comment about the following verse in the Bible?
Jesus said himself:
Matthew 24:24
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and miracles to deceive even the elect—if that were possible.
Who do you think Jesus is warning us against here?
Does the presence of impersonators stop God from fulfilling His promises???
Be like Moses,there were people who put their rods down and it turned to snakes.this never deterred him for he knew that God had told him to show that sign to pharaoh.
Thus it is today let us never let the presence of impersonators be
a stumbling block to US,the promise of JESUS is what counts.
As long as Jesus is alive if you will believe on Him or not He will
fulfill His promise to those who will believe Him with the faith that is defined in HEB11:1.. not only in the spiritual but also in the physical.
Jesus healed physically and spiritually and He continues to do so for HE PROMISED
HEBREWS 13:8 JESUS CHRIST THE SAME YESTERDAY,TODAY AND FOREVER
No. But allot of christians are led astray by False Teachers and we are to blow the warning trumpet as loud as we can. The choice how ever remains with the individual to take heed to the warnings.
The following Scripture come to mind. Ezekiel 33:4 then if anyone hears the trumpet but does not take warning and the sword comes and takes his life, his blood will be on his own head. and Ezekiel 33:5
Since he heard the sound of the trumpet but did not take warning, his blood will be on his own head. If he had taken warning, he would have saved himself. and also Ezekiel 33:6
But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet to warn the people and the sword comes and takes the life of one of them, that man will be taken away because of his sin, but I will hold the watchman accountable for his blood.’
I do not agree to you using the word impersonators, it sounds tooo friendly. The words False Teacher/ Prophet is more fitting.
Paul, may I ask you a question?
Do you believe that the atonement includes physical healing?
That Christ died not only to save your soul but also to provide healing from diseases?
Grant, love your sense of humor! Thanks for making me smile when I was ready to lose it over all of this craziness!
Paul
You said:
YES. Peter was an Apostle. Peter was before we had the completed Bible. There was a specific REASON for this miracle – a God given reason to enable the Gospel to be believed; a very, very special gift given to Peter, for a very specific purpose, for all mankind.
Self-proclaimed apostles (like Branham and Co) were certainly not around when God’s Word was being completed. None of them are 2000 years old, even though they might be under that impression. None of them can lay claim to the gifts which were given to Peter and the Apostles, although these false preachers are masters at making you believe that they can. They are not Apostles or prophets. They are, by and large, fakes and liars. They will take your faith and destroy it by manipulating your understanding of the Scriptures, just as effectively as they will take your money, or steal your time away from the Word.
No, Paul, we are no longer living in Biblical times. We are certainly in the dispensation of the Church, which commenced around Pentecost (see the book of Acts where Peter also had to defend the gifts he and the Apostles were given, mind you). We have the Bible, it is complete. You admit it yourself: “God does not change”. What would the point of a new sign or miracle be today, especially one “imparted” or “channeled” by a man? Adding to the Word of God? Why? Has God changed or not?
You also say:
Praise be to the living Jesus Christ our Saviour! Please consider that which Jesus said on the cross, His last words: “It is finished”. Why do you expect Jesus to do more than what He already did? He DIED and WAS raised from the DEAD for you in TOTAL INNOCENCE. What could possibly be your reason for expecting more from Him in the form of small individual miracles?
You say:
Paul, please!……Be like Moses?, a murderer among other things you mean?….. where are you in relation to the next quote you make:
Heb 11:1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. You refer to this verse which explains exactly that which you misunderstand. Faith is that which convinces believers in their ‘hearts’, their spirit, which is regenerated by the Holy Spirit who was availed to us by the mercy and grace of God and His Son. THINGS NOT SEEN it says most explicitly, not signs, miracles, wonders. THINGS NOT SEEN!!!
Please Paul!!!….. Please see……
Jemah
Bless you! This piece of yours is worth a thousand more words and a few more repetitive postings. Thank you!
Please don’t be too scarce – return with regularity to this site. Comments to the point in truth, such as this one you made, are sooooo welcome!
Burning Lamp
Forgive me (if), when, I repeat this sort of thing. Forgive me (if), when, I repeat this sort of thing.
When one considers the perfection of all creation, it is clear that God authors the greatest comedy!
Yes, Jemah, I echo Grant’s thoughts on your post. Thanks for dropping by and don’t be a stranger!
to those looking for the signs of the supernatural-it’s not me but Jesus that says…
Mat 16:1-4
(1) The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired him that he would shew them a sign from heaven.
(2) He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
(3) And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowring. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
(4) A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And he left them, and departed.
So why are we looking for external signs?
May God bless you with his mighty and Holy Spirit!
Sorry Paul I forgot to tell you, if you want to have any information and need a good discernment site that will genuinly help you understand a few things please go to http://www.deceptioninthechurch.com or [URL REMOVED] and from thereon many other sites – if you are genuinly searching
God bless you!
Paul
Ok Paul times up here. Cannot post you last comment tooo Toxic. A friendly suggestion you go find another blog who agrees with your twisted views please. And please do make use of the link Jemah gave you. We pray you find the truth. Paul you also have not answered one question directed at you.The advise you where given by all is good and sound Biblical advise and you don’t hear.
Yikes… it feels like you just going round and round and round and round in circles with your comments and that makes me dizzy ……..mmmm round and a round and stopped.
Jemah
Thank you I echo Grant and Burning Lamps words.
Sadly this is typical behaviour of “word faith” followers…I know too well as I used to fellowship with them.First of all they cannot take well directed criticism and are self-centred and arrogant.They are fond of quoting scripture out of context…do not judge…do not touch or speak against God’s anointed…etc.
Also they go lightly on sin and love spectacular happenings and sensations…they love money as a sign of spiritual well-being…they love to associate with important people and are not humble (although they often use false humility)…I have noticed how Ray Macauley used to run around Hansie during the match-fixing saga and Ray is proud to have Zuma in his church…a man of questionable honesty and integrity… so many allegations against him…fraud and rape although the court decision went in his favour but we all knew this would happen irrespectively. The bible study group I attended was full of wealthy show offs and one comment was made…”its a pity we cannot get Mark Shuttleworth converted…can you imagine what a testimony that would be” as if God is interested in grading people.
Sorry…I should not judge???
Michael
Yes very sad indeed. I found this article that makes sense about:
Just a little 2c piece to share.
Michael
Is Sandy Simpson putting God in a box? [See article quoted by Elmarie above.]
Amanda…Christians must refrain from using this terminology as it is ludicrous and offensive to suggest…these are serious and holy matters…Sandy Simpson backs discernment with scripture in context…thats the way it must be.
Just an excerpt posted Pleas feel free to read complete article at link at bottom of page.
Spiritual deception
Shortly after Peter gave the great testimony on Jesus as Messiah, his fleshliness and lack of spiritual knowledge on the full counsel of God caused him to seriously deviate from the truth. The devil exploited his ignorance and made him say things that were contrary to the gospel of salvation:
“From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You! But He turned and said to Peter, Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offence to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men” (Matt. 16:21-23).
Within a few moments Peter proclaimed a great truth as well as a great lie. He could not understand the necessity of Jesus’ suffering and death, and expressed himself against this idea. He did this in spite of the many Old Testament prophecies on the suffering Messiah who had to pay the ransom for our sins. Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22 clearly reflect this message, but Peter did not yet understand that Jesus had to follow the way of shedding His blood for the salvation of sinners. Did Peter only believe in the generic benevolence of God to forgive people without demanding a sacrifice for their sins? Or did he think that the sacrificial service of the Old Testament was sufficient?
The lack of spiritual discernment on the gospel is characteristic of carnal Christians who do not speak and act under the anointing and guidance of the Holy Spirit. They may correctly understand certain things, but in other respects they reveal great ignorance – to such an extent that they render themselves of no use in the service of the Lord. The Lord Jesus knows the origin of spiritual deception, and rebukes Satan who spoke through Peter. It is ironical that Peter sometimes was a mouthpiece for the Lord but at other times a mouthpiece for the devil.
This situation is typical of carnal Christians who do not have sufficient knowledge and discernment. They do not have enlightened eyes of the mind to correctly comprehend the mysteries of the gospel of justification and sanctification in every respect. Some of them do not properly understand Christ’s deity, attributes and work of grace. Carnal Christians also have a serious lack of knowledge on the necessity of sanctification as a second work of grace. They are not spiritual people in the true sense of the word, who can understand the deeper things of God’s Word. Paul addressed such carnal believers when he said to the Corinthians:
“And I, brethren, could not speak to you as to spiritual people but as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. I fed you with milk and not with solid food; for until now you were not able to receive it, and even now you are still not able; for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?” (1 Cor. 3:1-3).
The problem of these Christians is very obvious – they do not realise that they are a temple of the Holy Spirit (cf. 1 Cor. 3:16) since they are still full of themselves. That is the reason why they could not be fed with solid food from the Word. They were simply not able to grasp these truths as the experience of sanctification was still lacking in their lives.
The Hebrew believers were lacking because of the same problem, and therefore did not experience any spiritual growth: “For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the first principles of the oracles of God; and you have come to need milk and not solid food. For everyone who partakes only of milk is unskilled in the word of righteousness, for he is a babe. But solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil. Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection” (Heb. 5:12–6:1).
How does one grow up to the mature man or woman in Christ, and develop spiritual gifts to correctly discern all the Biblical doctrines? The process of growth towards spiritual maturity after repentance does not automatically follow. Because of the time that had passed since their conversion the Hebrew believers should have already made the surrender which is needed to start growing but instead they stagnated spiritually. They could not be used in the service of the Lord and were often not even sure of their own salvation. The message of certainty of faith had to be proclaimed to them over and over again.
The progress to perfection which was lacking among them does not allude to a situation of sinless perfection but to a life of holiness, overcoming and being filled with the Holy Spirit. No person grows into a state of sanctification without fully committing him- or herself to it. A surrender of this nature demands a time of soul searching and crucifying of the flesh and its lusts, followed by the filling of the Holy Spirit.
Arrogance
In Peter’s life there was a second characteristic of his carnality namely arrogance and self-centredness. Even after he realised that Jesus was destined to suffer and die he said in his own power that he would stand by Jesus and even die with Him: “Lord, I am ready to go with You, both to prison and to death. Then He said, I tell you, Peter, the cock will not crow this day before you will deny three times that you know Me” (Luke 22:33-34). Peter was of the opinion that he himself, without the power of the Holy Spirit, could walk on this way and follow Jesus to the end.
He seriously misjudged himself. He could not follow Christ all the way – neither can any Christian in the world do so. Despite this fact, many carnal Christians try in their own strength to keep their way pure and remain true to Jesus at all times. That is the reason why they continue to stumble and lead inconsistent lives. They are unsuccessful Christians who compromise, fail to fulfil their objectives, do not prevail when they are tested, and generally move from one defeat to another and from one failure to another.
Such people are full of themselves and their own abilities. Like Peter they say, “Leave this matter in my capable hands and I will bring it to pass – I will not fail you.” But such people cannot even testify of the Lord Jesus before a lowly servant when conditions are difficult and persecution is threatening. The reason for this problem is that such Christians have not been empowered and motivated by the Holy Spirit.
Abandoning of your calling
A carnal life so often leads to failed efforts that such a person easily backslides, even to the point of abandoning the struggle and deciding not to follow Jesus any longer. At a certain stage this was also Peter’s reaction since he gave up to be a follower of Jesus and decided to return to his former occupation as a fisherman. After the crucifixion and burial of Jesus he thought it was the end of the road for the followers of Jesus, and said to some of his fellow disciples: “I am going fishing. They said to him, We are going with you also. They went out and immediately got into the boat, and that night they caught nothing” (John 21:3).
When, in the morning, they saw the risen Jesus on the shore, they didn’t recognise Him. They nevertheless obeyed His command to cast the net on the right side of the boat, “and now they were not able to draw it in because of the multitude of fish” (John 21:6). At this point Jesus was recognised by John who shared the knowledge with Peter.
The Lord Jesus understood their lack of knowledge and spiritual motivation, and clearly showed them that they would not be happy if they returned to the world. He gave them a big catch, thereby demonstrating to them that He could make them fishers of men. Jesus afforded Peter the opportunity to confirm three times that he truly loved Him. In this way Peter made good for the three times that he denied Jesus. He was then commissioned to tend His sheep.
There are many carnal believers who, after a time, decide not to follow and serve Jesus any longer. They return to the world and fully immerse themselves in its evil practices. One of Paul’s companions did the same: “For Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world” (2 Tim. 4:10). The lost son was in a similar situation. Such people will never find happiness. To them, there is only one way and that is back to the Lord Jesus, to renewed cleansing by His blood and the filling of His Holy Spirit. Backsliders should read Psalm 51 and again surrender themselves to the Lord.
Taken from
Peter’s Life Before and After Pentecost
Prof. Johan Malan, Mossel Bay, South Africa (July 2010)