Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: ASC105@psuvm.psu.edu Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Thorn in the flesh Message-ID: Date: 14 Nov 90 08:59:51 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Organization: Penn State University Lines: 26 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu There are very numerous occasions where people refer to the thorn in the flesh in 2nd Corinthians 12 as an illness or ailment. This causes doubt to some as to whether or not God wants His children healed. The "thorn in the flesh" in the New Testament is a parallel to Numbers 33:55, Judges 2:3, Joshua 23:13. These Old Testament verses all mention a "thorn" in some kind of flesh. These thorns were TEMPTATIONS not illnesses. The New Testament verse in 2nd Corinthians 12 is not clear until you read the Old Testament. I think Paul was refering to the Old Testament when he used the word "thorn". Is it God's will to heal us? YES! Why? Because of the explanation given in Hebrews 8:6 that we are under a BETTER covenant. The NEW COVENANT has been in effect ever since Jesus presented Himself as a perfect sacrifice. It was not only for taking away of sins, but also for redemption from sickness -- Isaiah 53:4-5. Christians are under this New Covenant that Job wasn't. There are things that can block healing, but God is patient with us. Someone may actually recieve healing even though he may have an idol that he didn't notice. But this will most probably be dealt with eventually in the person's life. A person doesn't have to be totally right with God to get healed. I don't know of anyone who is... In Jesus's Name, Allen S. Cheung (Jesus is Lord)