20 And they went out and preached everywhere, the Lord working with them and confirming the word through the accompanying signs. Amen. (Mark 16:17-20)
The Lord confirmed the preaching of His Word with miracles. If Jesus and the first century Christians needed the Word confirmed with the miraculous (Heb. 2:4), then we do too. There is no Scripture that says these miraculous signs have passed away.
Some people have interpreted “that which is perfect” in 1 Corinthians 13:10 to be the complete Bible. This has led them to believe that the gifts of the Spirit have ceased. Although God’s Word is perfect (Ps. 19:7), it is not the perfect thing Paul is referring to here. 1 Corinthians 13:8 does say that tongues shall cease, but it will not happen until “that which is perfect is come.”
In 1 Corinthians 13:12, Paul says, “when that which is perfect is come, we shall see face to face.” This speaks of seeing the Lord face-to-face instead of vaguely, as through a dark glass, as it is now. Some might argue that this is speaking in a symbolic sense, instead of literally face-to-face. But the next comparison in this verse says that then, “when that which is perfect is come,” we shall know all things even as we are also known. There is no other way to interpret this, except as a description of when we will stand before the Lord after this life. Then we will be face-to-face and know all things even as also we are known.
Verse eight says that at the time prophecies fail and tongues cease, knowledge will vanish away. This is talking about the next life, or the new heavens and earth because one of the signs of the end times is that knowledge shall increase (Dan. 12:4). So the “that which is perfect” Paul speaks of cannot be the Bible. It has to be either our glorified body or Jesus at His second coming. Either way, tongues and prophecy will remain until that time.
Jesus said that you would cast out demons, heal the sick, speak with new tongues, and signs and wonders would follow you. That means you have a very exciting life to lead today!
