Miracles and the Cosmic Battle for the Nations

by Nathan Shaw

Miracles are woven into every aspect of Christianity. In fact, the whole Christian movement started when Jesus became a man. Jesus’ conception was a phenomenal miracle. The uncreated Creator became part of His own creation. It will take eternity to fully comprehend the miracle of Jesus becoming human.

After thirty years of relative silence on the earth, Jesus suddenly burst on the scene. His brief three and a half year ministry was marked by profound miracles of healing and deliverance, and even included miracles of multiplication, authority over nature and authority over death. Miracles went right along with His message. The miracles supercharged the message and the message supercharged the miracles. The impact was so profound it got Him crucified! His crucifixion appeared to be an end. However, the end became a beginning through yet another miracle. Jesus’ resurrection from the dead became the crowning miracle of the message.

Jesus was ‘sent’ to earth to fulfill a glorious mission (John 5:37, 6:38, 8:16, 12:49). The word ‘sent’ is pregnant with meaning. ‘Sent’ is a word full of movement. It includes the movement of God’s heart toward humanity. His message was part of this movement. His miracles were part of this movement. His mission to redeem and transform nations was part of this movement. Apostles became known as ‘sent ones’ because they too were sent. The same movement that surrounded Jesus, surrounded them. Miracles were part of the message that apostles contended for and even died for, and what was true of apostles also became true of believers (Acts 5:12, 6:8-7:60, 14:3, 15:12, 19:11-12, 2 Corinthians 12:12, James 5:14-15).

Jesus made it clear that if the miracles He did in Chorazin, Bethsaida and Capernaum were done in the ancient cities of Tyre, Sidon and Sodom, the ancient cities would have repented (Matthew 11:21-23)! Tyre, Sidon and Sodom were ruled by powerful demonic forces. Ezekiel was given detailed insight into the high level demonic ruling over Tyre (Ezekiel 28:11-19). Tyre and Sidon were strongholds of Baal worship. During the time of Elijah the worship of Baal had even infiltrated Israel.

God sent Elijah to confront Israel’s worship of Baal (1 Kings 17-18). One of the main tools that Elijah was given to accomplish this task was miraculous signs. Here’s how it played out: Baal was associated with rain; Elijah declared that there would be no dew or rain unless Elijah—and by implication God—said so. Baal was associated with fire; Elijah called down fire from heaven, and this after the prophets of Baal had repeatedly failed to do so. Miracles are an integral part of the cosmic battle to displace demonic forces from spiritual seats of government that influence and control cities and nations.

Paul contended fiercely for the Galatian churches because they had been ambushed by spiritual forces that separated them from the miracle of Jesus’ death, burial and resurrection. “You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified” (Galatians 3:1). At the center of the contention was the issue of the working of miracles: “Does God give you His Spirit and work miracles among you by the works of the law, or by your believing what you heard?” (Galatians 3:5). Much more than a theological issue, this was an intense spiritual battle with dire consequences.

The word “bewitched” reveals the diabolical nature of the conflict. It refers to a well understood practice in the ancient world of casting a spell through the evil eye. The impact of the evil eye was considered both potent and pervasive. New Testament scholar David deSilva observes that the Galatians were “being subjected to dark forces to seduce them” (The Letter to the Galatians, NICNT). This was a spiritual conflict in which one spiritual force was pitted against another. When Paul mentions miracles in this context it has a clear implication: miracles are a normal and natural part of Christian living. God generously gives His Spirit and generously works miracles among those who believe.

Should we contend for miracles? Absolutely. Message, miracles and mission go together. Imagine what it would have been like for Elijah to contend with the demonic forces controlling Israel if he wasn’t equipped with the working of miracles. Miracles happen because of simple faith (Mark 6:5, Galatians 3:5), but miracles are more appreciated when we understand the cosmic battle over the earth. Only those who are asleep will allow the message, the miracles and the mission to be minimized.

When it comes to miracles the New Testament has three foundational cornerstones: (1) Jesus becoming human; (2) Jesus performing miracles; (3) Jesus being raised from the dead. Each one of these was a declaration of war in a cosmic battle of epic proportions. Believers have been enlisted into the same glorious battle. It’s time to contend for miracles. The destiny of nations is at stake.

© 2025 Nathan Shaw.

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