EVERYONE NEEDS DELIVERANCE

Not long after my extreme encounter with the Lord in 1977, I decided to trust Him with all of my life—even with my physical body. I was a conditioned hypochondriac and had always run to the doctors in fear of every little physical symptom. It was a big step for me, but even when a Baptist preacher, my favorite scripture was Romans 12:1-2. I often used it with my autograph—my body—a living sacrifice.

The times of testing came. Symptoms would manifest in my body and all kinds of thoughts of the worst scenario would come to mind. Could this be cancer? Am I having a heart attack? This might be life threatening! I learned to war against those ominous voices, and the menacing symptoms would leave.

I went to a doctor once since that time, for a flight physical (which I passed, by the way). I have found God faithful to His Word for almost thirty-three years now. He has not only healed me, but also kept me well.

One night, a few years after my decision to make God my sole physician, I was awaken by the Lord and directed to get my bible and study about Pergamos in Revelation 2. I had no clue what this was all about, but the leading was so strong, I was compelled to get out of bed and do what I heard. I trembled as I went to my desk and grabbed my bible. As I read the six verses about the church at Pergamos, the phrase, “where Satan’s seat is,” jumped out at me. Wondering why this particular phrase seemed important, I was impressed to search out what the Lord was saying to me.

It just so happened, I had an eight-volume set of Will Durant’s The Story of Civilization in my little library. On page 515, in volume III, called Caesar and Christ I found some interesting information about Pergamos, or Purgamum, as spelled in the book. First, it was a city filled with sexual symbols and worship regarding the goddess Artemis, and second, it had a scientific center and medical school. Actually, the medical school was the Temple of Asclepius, where those seeking healing would make pilgrimages, perform prayers and sacrifices, make monetary gifts and spend the night in the temple.

Asclepius' symbol was a single snake entwined around his staff- the 'Asclepian staff'. The snake symbolized rejuvenation and healing to many ancient Mediterranean cultures. The single-snake staff of Asclepius and the double snake of the caduceus appear with other ancient medical images involving snakes. When people spent the night in the temple, their hopes were for one of the snakes, which were loosed there, to touch or crawl on their bodies and bring them healing.

This ancient, superstitious ritual birthed our present day medical system. This is why we see the pole with snakes on it. They represent pagan gods. “This,” the Lord spoke to me, “is where Satan’s seat is.”

I was astounded! Can this be so? “Lord, am I hearing you correctly?”

He was not done yet. He then directed me to read the Hippocratic oath which I was also able to find in Durant’s volumes. Another jaw-dropper!

“I swear by Apollo Physician and Asclepius and Hygieia and Panaceia and all the gods and goddesses, making them my witnesses, that I will fulfill according to my ability and judgment this oath and this covenant . . .”

“Do doctors still do this? Do they actually swear to these pagan gods?” I wondered. It was too early in the morning to call the medical school in Dallas to ask that question, which I did later.

I understand the oath is optional today, but it still stands as a covenant declaration influence over the entire medical entity and lays open the origin of the medical practices and arts.

My next thought was, “I can’t teach this. People will think I am crazy or will really come against me.” I must admit, I was afraid to say much about it at first, but I knew what the Lord had shown me. It was very real and incredibly intense; nonetheless, I sat on this revelation for a long time.

Through the past 33 years, I have watched the statistics accumulate: people dying from medical error, drug reactions and infections incurred while in the hospital. Doctors even say they do not like to go into a hospital to be treated. Actually, the medical apparatus is one of our greatest killers percentage wise.

At present, our government is on the brink of forcing this system on every citizen in our country. They are saying we have the best medical system in the world. If it is the best, as they say, we certainly stand in massive need for something better, but it will not come from human ingenuity.

We do have something better—the promises of God (YAHWEH RAPHA) which really work when we truly believe them. God doesn’t just do healings. He is healing. That’s His nature and one of His names. His Son, Jesus, said that, if we can believe, all things are possible to him who believes. Do we really believe there are some diseases He can’t or won’t heal? Is God limited or are we limiting Him?

Many times people have said to me, “Don’t you believe God gave us doctors?”

Well, of course, God gave us doctors. He is sovereign, you know. Everything we know of came from Him—even bugs. Some of what the Lord has given to us (so to speak) is to challenge us to obedience and trust. For instance, He put the tree of knowledge in the Garden of Eden. He gave it, but it was not for human consumption.

The choice is ours—man’s way or God’s way—a lesser way or a better way. The choice for some is only God’s way, because they are dealing with something man calls incurable. Through the years, we have had many in such desperate straits reach out to us for ministry. In most cases, they tried everything else first before turning to the Lord. They had not made the effort to obtain the faith to believe for the miracle they were so desperately seeking. It doesn’t work that way.

Perhaps, the day is soon coming when we all of us will have no choice but God’s way. Would that be so bad?

It’s time to get out of the boat and walk on the water (Word of God).

It’s time to get ready so we can be ready.

It’s time to believe our God.