MIRACLES, MARVELS, AND MYSTERIES.
By William Samuel Sadler
A DIFFERENCE should be made between genuine miracles and marvels. It is true that the apparently supernatural acts of Satan are termed "miracles" in the book of Revelation, and he is spoken of as having power to work miracles in the sight of men; and it is also true that these marvelous workings of the enemy come within the dictionary definition of the term "miracle;" that is, they are beyond and outside of, the ordinary workings of nature, which are known to man, and are in that sense supernatural, and extra-natural. Hence, it is perfectly proper to speak of them as miraculous; but we have chosen in this connection to limit our use of the term "miracle" to the genuine acts of creation and control on the part of God, and to use in the case of these dark workings of Satan, the term "false miracle," or "marvel." Webster defines the term "marvel" thus: "That which causes wonder; a prodigy; a miracle." All of God's miracles are truly marvelous; a miracle can not but be a marvel; but it does not follow that all marvels are necessarily miracles. The created works of God, and the wonderful manner in which they are maintained, the Bible calls "marvelous." Ps. 9:1; 105:5; 118:23. The works of God in nature and in the hearts of men,—whether ordinary and usual, or extraordinary and unusual, are indeed all "marvelous." Isa. 29:14. God has promised to do "marvels" for His chosen people. Ex. 34:10. The works of God are all "great and marvelous." Rev. 15:3. So it appears that we may rightly and properly speak of all of God's doings and works as "marvelous,"—whether they be "miraculous" or "natural." Webster defines "mystery" as "a profound secret; something which has not been, can not be, explained; hence, specifically, that which is beyond human comprehension." It must be apparent that all the wonderful and unsearchable workings of nature, as evidenced in botany, biology, and physiology, are truly mysteries. No matter how far or how exhaustively the scientist penetrates the realm of nature, he is in the end baffled, and left standing helpless in the presence of a power whose working is both mysterious and marvelous. His findings are incapable of any complete and satisfactory explanation. Even the great Gospel work for the redemption of man is likewise a "mystery." Eph. 6:19. It will therefore appear that in the discussion of natural and supernatural operations, we use these three terms in the following way: 1. Miracle.—In harmony with the theological definition we limit this term to supernatural operations, beyond and outside of the known laws of nature; and farther, in the sense of a true miracle, limit it to the supernatural acts of the Lord God. 2. Marvel.—This term is applied to either natural or supernatural events which are wrought by means of supernatural powers. We may therefore properly speak of common nature mysteries, and daily natural wonders, as "marvelous" and "mysterious." The term is used in the Bible to describe all the works and operations of God, both in the physical and spiritual realms. They are all "marvelous" to behold; "mysterious" to the understanding. 3. Mystery.—As noted, this term is applied alike to the great realms of God's spiritual and physical operations, where the power of God, working on either mind or matter, produces those common every-day phenomena which are so well-known to scientist, physiologist, and evangelist, but which are so little understood, and are equally incapable of satisfactory and ultimate explanation.