Why Are Some Healed and Others Aren’t?

In Acts 19:11-12, the simple passing around of a handkerchief that had touched Paul’s skin was sufficient to heal sick people and those with evil spirits and yet, where was that hanky—or even Paul’s skin—when Epaphroditus nearly died? Why didn’t Paul heal him?

John Wimber says we’re in a time where the kingdom of God is here but not yet. The speaker gave an example of this. D-day was the sign of the end for World War II in Europe. After D-day, everyone knew the war was over. Germany was defeated. All that was left to do was the mopping up. Another 11 months passed before VE (Victory in Europe) Day but the there was no doubt to the end once D-day had occurred. Amazingly, in those last 11 months there were more lives lost than in all the years of the war before then.

We’re living in those 11 months, so to speak. Victory is here but it’s not quite yet. It’s a time of disillusionment but also of victory. Some will be healed and others will be buried and we don’t get to pick. We’d rather for healing to happen all the time or not at all. It’s too painful to have a bit of both and yet there will be seasons of great power and seasons of nothing. Through it all, we’re called to persevere as servants of God, doing what He’s called us to do—heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those with leprousy and drive out demons (Matthew 10).