I will say I think the Op has stated an opinion with this comment
“ What would the world look like if the 1st century age of the miraculous had not ended?”
The assumption is that the “miraculous” has ended. I think there is two-attitude camps or approach to the OP.
- The 1st century age of the miraculous has ended.
- God still does the miraculous today.
Number 1. Has some very big hurdles to overcome. You have to prove that God has not done any miraculous thing after the first Century. This is a flawed stands for one person to take. No one person confirming of a supernatural working of God has to be done to verify or settle the doubt of another.
The example of Thomas In the Gospel of John Chapter 20:25
“
[SUP]25 [/SUP]The other disciples therefore said unto him(Thomas) , We have seen the Lord. But he said(Thomas) unto them,
“Except I shall see in his hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and thrust my hand into his side, I will not believe.”
Thomas had a hard time with the miraculous. Many presuppose that Thomas did in fact do; what he said he would do to believe . I do not see that in the context of John 20 even though Jesus did tell Thomas to :
[SUP]27 [/SUP]Then saith he to Thomas,
Reach hither thy finger, and behold my hands;
and reach hither thy hand, and thrust it into my side: and be not faithless, but believing.
[SUP]28 [/SUP]And Thomas answered and
said unto him, My Lord and my God.
[SUP]29 [/SUP]Jesus saith unto him, Thomas,
because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
Jesus said “because you have seen “, He did not say because you have seen and touched me you believe.
This is the mindset of those who challenge the miraculous , so because they have not seen it they assume or raise a standard of verification that is not of faith.
Then there is attitude 2.
This is the ones who have not seen God do the miraculous by are believing God for a miracle . They hold to God is the same yesterday today and forever. Hold on to the prayer request and hope of God will answer. They do not need to see it, before they believe God still does the miraculous
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that the is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
WE should not put God into a box; we are to seek HIM in Faith and believe HE is the God the Miraculous today and He is God of every century Past, Present , and Future.