Jesus promised that his followers would be empowered to do even greater works than he had undertaken up to that time. (John 14:12) What did he mean? One explanation of this promise is that it has reference to the work of converting sinners and thus saving them from eternal death. Associated with this would, of course, also be the work of cooperating with the Lord in healing the ailments of the minds and hearts of those who are converted—their spiritual diseases. The thought is that this work is on a higher level than that of healing physical ailments, hence is referred to as “greater works.”

This promise is sometimes associated with Mark 16:17,18, where Jesus is quoted as saying: “In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.” However, all Bible scholars agree that this passage is spurious, having been added to the inspired text by some unauthorized translator long after the original manuscript was penned.

It is true that the Holy Spirit later empowered some to speak with tongues, that is, in other languages. This was in order that those of other nations could have the Gospel witnessed to them. It is also true that some in the Early Church were given the gift of healing. But this was to serve a temporary purpose only, and the Apostle Paul makes it plain that these special gifts of the Spirit would cease, and they did. (I Cor. 13:8) There is only one recorded instance of a disciple being protected against the bite of a “serpent,” and that was the case of the Apostle Paul when, together with other prisoners en route to Rome, he was shipwrecked on an island. There is nothing about this incident that suggests a fulfillment of Mark 16:18.

James wrote that if anyone in the church was sick, the elders should be called, that they would anoint him, and that “the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up.” (James 5:14,15) The word “sick” in the 15th verse of this passage is from a Greek word meaning “faint,” or “wearied.” It is the same word translated “wearied” in Hebrews 12:3, where the apostle admonishes Christians not to be wearied and faint in their minds. This Greek word is also used in Revelation 2:3, and is translated “fainted.” The evident meaning here, as in Hebrews, is spiritual illness, not physical disease. Discouragement and other forms of spiritual weariness might well lead to a measure of physical sickness. Where this occurs, the curing of the spiritual sickness would automatically result in better physical health. Certainly it is the privilege of all the elders in the church, and of all the brethren, to help one another along these lines whenever and wherever possible.

While this explanation is reasonable and may well have been included in what Jesus promised, we think, nevertheless, that his chief reference was to the work of his thousand-year kingdom, that great project of restoring all mankind to health and life. Many promises of the Bible assure us that the faithful followers of the Master will share in that future kingdom work. Together with him, they will minister to the people as the promised “seed of Abraham,” through which all the families of the earth are to be blessed.—Gal. 3:8,16,27-29. 

How much “greater” will be that future work of the kingdom than that represented in the few miracles performed by Jesus as examples of what is to be done later for all mankind! He opened only a few of the blind eyes, but in his kingdom all the blind eyes will be opened! And this will include the spiritual blindness of the people as well as their physical blindness. No matter what form of disease may be involved, the future work of healing will be universal, not dealing merely with a few individual cases, as at the time of Jesus’ First Advent.

And not only so, but that future work will also be “greater” in that, for all who believe and obey, it will be permanent, whereas in the case of the illustrations given by Jesus, it was temporary. There was no assurance then that those whom Jesus healed would not become ill again. This will not be the experience of those who are restored to health during the thousand years of Christ’s reign—“the times of restitution of all things, which God path spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.”—Acts 3:19-21.

Besides, while Jesus awakened some who were asleep in death, they did not remain alive, as will be the case with all who are awakened during the Millennium and who then obey the laws of that new kingdom. The purpose of their awakening will be to give them the opportunity to believe and obey and live forever. It will be only those who do not obey that will be “destroyed from among the people.”—Acts 3:23.

Truly that will be a “greater” work than anything accomplished by Jesus at his First Advent! And yet the mighty works which he did perform were quite ample to give assurance that, when the due time comes, there is nothing the Lord has promised that will not be possible for Christ and his church to do. It is obvious that if divine power was able to heal a few of the sick, it will be able to heal all the sick. If it was able to awaken a few of the dead, it will be able to awaken all the dead. It is also plain that those same provisions of divine grace will enable all the willing and obedient to live forever.

What a wonderful program of healing and restoration that will be! It is symbolically described in the prophecy of Malachi as the rising of the “Sun of righteousness, with healing in his wings.” (Mal. 4:2) What a meaningful illustration! For 6,000 years the people have been enshrouded in the darkness of sin, sickness, and death. Satan, the god of this “present evil world” has blinded their minds concerning the true God of love. (II Cor. 4:4; Gal. 1:4) Not knowing God, they have stumbled on in darkness over the “broad road” that leads to destruction.—Matt. 7:13,14.

When the kingdom of Christ becomes operative for the blessing of the people, how different it will be! The “Sun of righteousness” will then be shining. Associated with Jesus in this work of enlightening and blessing the world will be his church. Concerning these, Jesus himself said that they would “shine forth as the sun” in that glorious kingdom.—Matt. 13:43.

Yes, they will share with him in these “greater works” which Jesus promised. And how much better that will be than the healing efforts sometimes attempted today in the name of Christ! God’s ways and plans are always better than those of men; so let us continue to pray for his kingdom to come, and for his will to be done in earth, even as it is now done in heaven. When this prayer is answered, it will be true, as foretold by the Prophet Isaiah, that “the inhabitant [of that day] shall not say, I am sick.”—Isa. 33:24. 

Of Jehovah, the Great Physician, the psalmist wrote: “Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy diseases; who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies; who satisfieth thy mouth with good things; so that thy youth is renewed like the eagle’s.” (Ps. 103:3-5) How clearly is thus set forth the Creator’s ultimate purpose concerning the human race. It was sin—disobedience to divine law—that brought sickness and death to the human race. But in this reassuring promise we are informed that, through the redeeming love of God, iniquity will be forgiven, resulting in the healing of all diseases.

How wonderful is the promise that those who are thus blessed by the Lord shall renew their youth! This blessed experience will be literally true in the case of all who, during the thousand years of Christ’s reign, accept the grace of God, as represented in the atoning blood of the Redeemer, and obey the righteous laws of the Messianic kingdom.

No one then will need to grow old and die. No one then will need to die of disease. No one then will need to die at all; for, as so clearly stated by the Revelator regarding that time when the divine provision of health will be available, “God shall wipe away tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away.”—Rev. 21:4.

Another comprehensive promise of the blessings of health and life that will be vouchsafed to all under the administration of Christ’s kingdom is that of Revelation 22:1,2,17. Here the provisions of divine love are symbolized as a mighty “river”—“a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and the Lamb.” The “throne of God” is symbolic of the divine authority that will be exercised in the earth through Christ’s kingdom. The association of the “Lamb” with this picture reminds us that the blessings of life represented by the river will be available only because of the shed blood of the “Lamb of God that taketh away the sin of the world.”

Note the reference in verse 2 to the “tree of life,” and that the leaves of this tree (or trees, as it is in the Greek text) are for “the healing of the nations.” Yes, thank God, the people of all nations are to be given an opportunity to be healed, to partake of the “tree of life” from which the human race was once barred because of sin. (Gen. 3:24) In verse 17 we are informed that when the “river of life” is thus flowing for the blessing of the people, the invitation to partake of its life-giving waters will be extended to “whosoever will.” Then “the Spirit and the bride say, Come. … And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

The “bride” who says “Come” is the church of Christ, united with him in glory, having proved worthy of this high position by suffering and dying with him during this age. In the divine plan these are rewarded, not with physical health now, but with glory, honor, and immortality, to live and reign with Christ for the purpose of sharing with him in healing all mankind of their diseases and extending everlasting human life to all who will accept the invitation, “Come, and take the water of life freely.”

“The wilderness and desert will be glad in those days. The wasteland will rejoice and blossom with spring crocuses. Yes, there will be an abundance of flowers and singing and joy! The deserts will become as green as the mountains of Lebanon, as lovely as Mount Carmel or the plain of Sharon. There the LORD will display his glory, the splendor of our God.

With this news, strengthen those who have tired hands, and encourage those who have weak knees. Say to those with fearful hearts, “Be strong, and do not fear, for your God is coming to destroy your enemies. He is coming to save you.” And when he comes, he will open the eyes of the blind and unplug the ears of the deaf. The lame will leap like a deer, and those who cannot speak will sing for joy! Springs will gush forth in the wilderness, and streams will water the wasteland. The parched ground will become a pool, and springs of water will satisfy the thirsty land. Marsh grass and reeds and rushes will flourish where desert jackals once lived. And a great road will go through that once deserted land. It will be named the Highway of Holiness.”

—Isaiah 35:1-8