In the biblical narrative, miracles are often seen as acts of divine intervention, showcasing the power and authority of God. However, Scripture also acknowledges the existence of supernatural acts performed through the powers of evil, serving as counterfeit signs and wonders intended to deceive and lead people away from the truth of God.

Old Testament References

The Old Testament provides instances where miracles are performed through evil powers. One notable example is found in the account of Moses and Aaron confronting Pharaoh. In Exodus 7:10-12 , Aaron's staff becomes a serpent, a miracle performed by the power of God. However, Pharaoh's magicians replicate this sign through their secret arts: "So Moses and Aaron went to Pharaoh and did just as the LORD had commanded. Aaron threw his staff down before Pharaoh and his officials, and it became a serpent. But Pharaoh also summoned the wise men and sorcerers, and they—the magicians of Egypt—also did the same things by their magic arts. Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up their staffs."

This passage illustrates that the magicians, through the powers of evil, could mimic the miracles of God, albeit with limitations, as Aaron's staff ultimately demonstrated superiority by swallowing theirs.

New Testament References

The New Testament further warns of false miracles performed through evil powers. Jesus Himself cautions against false prophets and false Christs who will perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. In Matthew 24:24 , Jesus states, "For false Christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible."

The Apostle Paul also addresses this issue in his letters. In 2 Thessalonians 2:9-10 , he describes the coming of the lawless one, whose arrival is "in accordance with the work of Satan, with every kind of power, sign, and false wonder, and with every wicked deception directed against those who are perishing, because they refused the love of the truth that would have saved them."

The Role of Deception

The primary purpose of miracles performed through the powers of evil is deception. These acts are designed to lead people away from the truth of God and to promote falsehood. The Bible consistently warns believers to be discerning and to test the spirits, as seen in 1 John 4:1 : "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world."

Discernment and Faithfulness

Believers are called to remain faithful to the truth of the Gospel and to exercise discernment when encountering supernatural phenomena. The presence of false miracles underscores the reality of spiritual warfare and the need for vigilance in maintaining one's faith. The Scriptures encourage believers to rely on the Holy Spirit for guidance and to remain rooted in the Word of God, which serves as the ultimate standard for truth and righteousness.2 Thessalonians 2:9
Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
Nave's Topical Index

Revelation 16:14
For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth to the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.
Nave's Topical Index

What Jesus Says of the Meaning of his Miracles
... Indeed, Jesus did not consider his miracles as a ... being impossible, he can only act
through the Spirit of ... make the impression that Jesus performed a miraculous ...
//christianbookshelf.org/beth/the miracles of jesus/ii what jesus says of.htm

"In the Volume of the Book it is Written of Me" (Heb. . .
... the coming one who shall wade through a sea ... 2). Sixth, God's two witnesses performed
miracles before Pharaoh ... in the Tribulation period work miracles before the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pink/the antichrist/in the volume of the.htm

The Casting Out of Devils.
... place at Capernaum, amongst his earliest miracles, and preceding ... Many such cures
were performed, but the individual instances ... Through some he would pass unknown ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/vii the casting out of.htm

On the Words of the Gospel, Luke vii. 2, Etc. ; on the Three Dead ...
... No; but there are those who through their own will are ... you, that our Lord Jesus Christ
performed miracles with this view, that by those miracles He might ...
/.../sermons on selected lessons of the new testament/sermon xlviii on the words.htm

On the Diversity of Spiritual Gifts.
... On Whose Account the Powers of Miracles are Performed. ... gifts of God which are bestowed
by Him through Christ are ... or though he be a worker of miracles: for if ...
/.../various/constitutions of the holy apostles/sec i on the diversity of.htm

Gifts no Certain Evidence of Grace.
... even those of prophecy and miracles are totally ... Service undesignedly performed, and
that which is the effect of ... of the Lamb, who pass through life unnoticed ...
/.../lee/sermons on various important subjects/sermon xiv gifts no certain.htm

The Contribution of the Natural and Social Sciences
... most essential to the evolution of his nobler powers. ... Such deeds were performed through
the power of evil ... To imagine that the working of miracles proved that ...
/.../chapter v the contribution of.htm

As a Child
... industrious, that our work should be performed with exactness ... mercy for the world;
and through all those ... the carpenter's bench as when working miracles for the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 7 as a child.htm

The Lord Coming to his Temple
... by counterfeit miracles, we failed to recognise real miracles, and Him who performed
them ... admirers would grow fewer and more few, some through bigotry, some ...
/.../kingsley/all saints day and other sermons/sermon iv the lord coming.htm

Miracles Granted to the Prayer of Friends.
... For their sakes he performed the miracle thus ... they saw him only, and not the Father
through him, there ... These last miracles are especially full of symbolism and ...
/.../macdonald/miracles of our lord/vi miracles granted to the.htm

What is the difference between miracles and magic? | GotQuestions.org

What were the miracles of Jesus? What miracles did Jesus perform? | GotQuestions.org

Does God still perform miracles? | GotQuestions.org

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