Tag: tribulation-period

Acts 26:1-32 – Paul Before Agrippa and Bernice

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In this post, we come to Paul’s witness to king Herod Agrippa II and his sister, Bernice — Paul’s longest address on record. Agrippa was Rome’s client king over the Northern Territories, parts of Galilee, and Perea. He also had jurisdiction over the temple in Jerusalem.

Historians generally agree that Agrippa II and Bernice lived as husband and wife. At the time, it was a public scandal. Bernice married Polemon II, the king of Cilicia, ostensibly to quell the rumors circa 64 AD. However, she soon left him and returned to her brother. Like her sister Drusilla, Bernice was renowned for her beauty. Officially known as Bernice of Cilicia or Julia Bernice, Bernice was the Jezebel of her day. She acquired power in Rome through her support of Vespasian and her on-again, off-again relationship with his son, Titus. However, the Romans resented the power and influence that Bernice garnered through her relationship with Titus. This led to Bernice being expelled from Rome — the first time circa 75 AD and the second in 79 AD.

Paul, the chief of sinners, does not judge Agrippa and Bernice. He shares the gospel with them. This should be our attitude as well. Christians are not supposed to judge. (Matt 7:1)

In Acts 9, Jesus said Paul is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: Paul is fulfilling his destiny. His hearing is a high-society gala event. Paul is a celebrity in chains, on trial with Roman fanfare, pomp, and ceremony.

When we left off in our last post, Festus had just finished calling the court to order. The purpose of the hearing is to find something to charge Paul with. Fill each of us with your Holy Spirit, Father, and give us understanding as we read thy word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 26:1-32
Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Thou art permitted to speak for thyself. Then Paul stretched forth the hand, and answered for himself:
2 I think myself happy, king Agrippa, because I shall answer for myself this day before thee touching all the things whereof I am accused of the Jews:
3 Especially because I know thee to be expert in all customs and questions which are among the Jews: wherefore I beseech thee to hear me patiently.

Although Agrippa was a student of Scripture, faith in Christ is a matter of the heart, not head knowledge. Paul wisely begins by asking Agrippa to be patient and hear him out.

4 My manner of life from my youth, which was at the first among mine own nation at Jerusalem, know all the Jews;
5 Which knew me from the beginning, if they would testify, that after the most straitest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
6 And now I stand and am judged for the hope of the promise made of God unto our fathers:

Paul is using the same witnessing technique on Agrippa, the Edomite and Jewish proselyte, that I have often used on Jewish people. The crux of the issue is the promise made from the beginning. (Gen 3:15)

7 Unto which promise our twelve tribes, instantly serving God day and night, hope to come. For which hope’s sake, king Agrippa, I am accused of the Jews.
8 Why should it be thought a thing incredible with you, that God should raise the dead?

It always comes down to the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

9 I verily thought with myself, that I ought to do many things contrary to the name of Jesus of Nazareth.
10 Which thing I also did in Jerusalem: and many of the saints did I shut up in prison, having received authority from the chief priests; and when they were put to death, I gave my voice against them.
11 And I punished them oft in every synagogue, and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly mad against them, I persecuted them even unto strange cities.
12 Whereupon as I went to Damascus with authority and commission from the chief priests,
13 At midday, O king, I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me.
14 And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. [cattle prods]
15 And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest.
16 But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;
17 Delivering thee from the people, and from the Gentiles, unto whom now I send thee,
18 To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.

Verse 18 is a concise encapsulation of the gospel. Through faith alone in Christ alone, we are brought out of darkness into light, saved from Satan and accepted by God, who forgives our sins and gives us an inheritance. We then begin the process of sanctification.

19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:
20 But shewed first unto them of Damascus, and at Jerusalem, and throughout all the coasts of Judæa, and then to the Gentiles, that they should repent and turn to God, and do works meet for repentance.

Paul wrote about the importance of faith in Hebrews 11. (Feel free to disagree, but if you want to be right, Paul was the author.) Hebrews 11 says over and over, by faith, by faith, by faith, by faith… But then after Hebrews, we have James. (Faith without works is dead.) Like James, Paul does not leave off with faith when presenting the gospel. We are saved by faith alone, but faith that saves is not alone. Faith that saves is faith that works.

21 For these causes the Jews caught me in the temple, and went about to kill me.
22 Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come:
23 That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles. [Isa 49:6]

Again, Paul is emphasizing that the hope of the Scriptures has been fulfilled in Christ.

24 And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.

I think the reason for Festus’ accusation against Paul is that Paul is hitting the mark. Festus listened patiently while Paul talked about putting the Jews in prison, putting them to death (v 10), and punishing them in their own synagogues (v 11). But when Paul said he was sent to the Gentiles (that means you, Festus), he accused Paul of being mad. (Mention of the Gentiles is the same thing that got Paul in trouble in the first place at the temple in Jerusalem.) It’s been said that if you throw a brick over a fence into a lot full of dogs, the one that yelps is the one you hit. Paul’s testimony is hitting home with Festus.

25 But he said, I am not mad, most noble Festus; but speak forth the words of truth and soberness.
26 For the king knoweth of these things, before whom also I speak freely: for I am persuaded that none of these things are hidden from him; for this thing was not done in a corner.

Everyone knows what Paul is talking about. The death and resurrection of Jesus is being talked about everywhere. That is why Paul’s trial is such a big event.

27 King Agrippa, believest thou the prophets? I know that thou believest. [Jam 2:19]
28 Then Agrippa said unto Paul, Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian.

I have been at such an impasse myself. I remember one coworker in Southern California whom I used to work on all the time. He drove a classic 59 Corvette. He was a funny guy and liked by everyone. One day I could see that he was right on the edge, considering the gospel, but like Agrippa, he was only almost there, not altogether.

29 And Paul said, I would to God, that not only thou, but also all that hear me this day, were both almost, and altogether such as I am, except these bonds.
30 And when he had thus spoken, the king rose up, and the governor, and Bernice, and they that sat with them:

Rather than give careful consideration to what Paul was saying, Agrippa ended the hearing. Like a child who plugs his ears and starts singing when he hears something he does not want to listen to, Agrippa does not like the uncomfortable feeling he has. So he calls it quits.

31 And when they were gone aside, they talked between themselves, saying, This man doeth nothing worthy of death or of bonds.

Just as Pilate knew Jesus was innocent, Agrippa knows Paul is innocent.

32 Then said Agrippa unto Festus, This man might have been set at liberty, if he had not appealed unto Cæsar.
Acts 26:1-32

Whether Festus was right about Paul possibly being set at liberty, I do not know. What I do know is that Agrippa does not understand the real reason for his meeting with Paul.

I used to believe that the struggle between Jacob and Esau ended with Jesus standing before Herod Antipas, the uncle of Agrippa. (The Herods were Edomites, descendants of Esau.) However, after meditating on Acts 26, I now see that the struggle between Jacob and Esau ended with Paul standing before Agrippa II, the last of the Herods to rule. God’s grace is truly amazing. Just as Jesus gave Judas every opportunity to repent, his grace and mercy extend to the descendants of Esau until the very end.

The same is true for us. God’s grace is extended to us to the end. Our purpose in life is not to garner power and influence like Agrippa and Bernice. It is not to collect toys or trophy women like Jerome of Southern California. We all have to decide what we are going to do with Jesus Christ. Receiving Him is all that really matters in this life. Otherwise, the apostles would not have been willing to suffer and be martyred the way they were. They understood the riddle of life. Do you?

In closing, Paul is on his way to Rome, which is what he prayed for. (Rom 1:10)

When you pray for something, expect it to come to pass.

Acts 25:1-27 — Slow Justice

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

When we left off in our last post, Paul had already been languishing in prison in Caesarea for two years. Antonius Felix did at least allow Paul visitors and “liberty” (special privileges). Porcius (Pors•ē•əs) Festus had just arrived to replace Felix as governor (procurator) of Judea.

Gladstone once said, “Justice delayed is justice denied.” That is one way to look at Paul’s circumstances. On the other hand, God is at work. (Phil 1:12) It is not justice that God is concerned with so much as the proliferation of the gospel. Paul still has to present the gospel to Festus, king Agrippa II, and Agrippa’s sister, Bernice. This is why Paul is having to wait so long in prison. Acts 25 picks up where Acts 24 left off. 

Fill us with your Holy Spirit and give us understanding, Father, as we read your precious word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 25:1-27
1 Now when Festus was come into the province, after three days he ascended from Cæsarea to Jerusalem.

As his first order of business, Festus goes up to Jerusalem to see if the leadership there has any matters of special importance they want addressed. They do:

2 Then the high priest and the chief of the Jews informed him against Paul, and besought him,
3 And desired favour against him, that he would send for him to Jerusalem, laying wait in the way to kill him.

The high priest is Ishmael ben Fabus. Agrippa II appointed him after Felix had his predecessor, Jonathan, assassinated in 58 AD. Ishmael, along with the ‘chief’ among the Jews (the rulers and elders), is still seeking to kill Paul for the crime of telling the truth. Have you ever noticed how much the truth offends people? 

The kneejerk reaction people usually have to the gospel these days is, “That’s your truth,” but that logic falls apart upon examination. People who say this would never apply it in any other situation. They would not say, “That red traffic light is your truth. I’m going to ignore it.” They would not say, “That law is your truth, judge. I’m going to ignore it.” They would not say, “That thing about having to put gasoline in the tank is your truth. I can ignore it.” Jesus created this world. (Eph 3:9 KJV) If this is true, evolution and all other religions are lies. We fell in sin, but Jesus died and rose again to redeem this world — and us. These things either happened, or they did not.

Someday, we will all stand before Jesus. Nobody will be able to say, “The gospel is your truth, Jesus,” because the truth is the truth. Period. I once had someone counter that “Everyone sees color differently,” which is common knowledge in the printing business. But then another Christian in the room astutely commented, “That doesn’t matter. Color can be measured with a spectrophotometer.”

Eventually every knee will bow, and every tongue will confess that Christ is Lord, whether at the judgment seat of Christ (for believers), or the great white throne of judgment (for non-believers). Everyone will receive either mercy or justice. Slow justice, but justice nonetheless.

4 But Festus answered, that Paul should be kept at Cæsarea, and that he himself would depart shortly thither.

To his credit, Festus did not hand Paul over to the Jews. On the other hand, he kept Paul in prison, which was politically expedient. Festus is in a tight spot. If he sides with Paul, he will upset the high priest and the rest of the Sadducees. On the other hand, Paul is a Roman citizen — and innocent.

5 Let them therefore, said he, which among you are able, go down [from Jerusalem to Caesarea] with me, and accuse this man, if there be any wickedness in him.
6 And when he had tarried among them more than ten days, he went down unto Cæsarea; and the next day sitting on the judgment seat [Gk bema] commanded Paul to be brought.

In Acts 18, it was Gallio on the bema seat looking down on Paul. Now it is Festus on the bema seat. Paul calls it Caesar’s judgment seat (v 10), but Paul knows Festus has no real power over him. (I Cor 2:15) Paul knows that one day he will stand before the true Judge at the judgment seat [bema] of Christ. (II Cor 5:10)

7 And when he was come, the Jews which came down from Jerusalem stood round about, and laid many and grievous complaints against Paul, which they could not prove.
8 While he [Paul] answered for himself, Neither against the law of the Jews, neither against the temple, nor yet against Cæsar, have I offended any thing at all.
9 But Festus, willing to do the Jews a pleasure, answered Paul, and said, Wilt thou go up to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these things before me?

There’s that same phrase again that Dr Luke used in Chapter 24, when Felix kept Paul bound: “willing to shew the Jews a pleasure.” (Incidentally, the Jews had other grievances apart from their differences with Paul. Festus made more attempts to appease the Jews than any of the other procurators, but they still revolted in 66 AD.)

10 Then said Paul, I stand at Cæsar’s judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.
11 For if I be an offender, or have committed any thing worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them. I appeal unto Cæsar.
12 Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Cæsar? unto Cæsar shalt thou go.

Can you just see the looks on the faces of Paul’s accusers as they realize Paul has slipped through their fingers yet again? Oooh, that pestilent Paul!!!!

At first glance, it does not appear that Paul presented the gospel to Festus, but when we read a little further we will see he did (v 19). That was Paul’s way. But Paul will still have to spend more time waiting. After ‘certain days’, Paul is still in his cell:

13 And after certain days king Agrippa and Bernice came unto Cæsarea to salute Festus.

Agrippa II, the client king of Rome, comes to greet the new procurator, Porcius Festus. Much like when kings and politicians meet today, there were extravagant dinners, other events, and business was discussed. One item of business was the case of the Roman citizen and prisoner, Paul the apostle.

14 And when they had been there many days, Festus declared Paul’s cause unto the king, saying, There is a certain man left in bonds by Felix:
15 About whom, when I was at Jerusalem, the chief priests and the elders of the Jews informed me, desiring to have judgment against him.
16 To whom I answered, It is not the manner of the Romans to deliver any man to die, before that he which is accused have the accusers face to face, and have licence to answer for himself concerning the crime laid against him.

This is still a basic principle of law in the West today.

17 Therefore, when they were come hither, without any delay on the morrow I sat on the judgment seat, and commanded the man to be brought forth.
18 Against whom when the accusers stood up, they brought none accusation of such things as I supposed:
19 But had certain questions against him of their own superstition, and of one Jesus, which was dead, whom Paul affirmed to be alive.
20 And because I doubted of such manner of questions, I asked him whether he would go to Jerusalem, and there be judged of these matters.
21 But when Paul had appealed to be reserved unto the hearing of Augustus, I commanded him to be kept till I might send him to Cæsar.

The Augustus referred to here is Nero, not the Augustus of Luke 2:1. Nero’s full name was Nero Claudius Augustus Germanicus Caesar.

It has always been a question of mine as to why Paul would appeal to a madman like Caesar Nero. There are a few things to consider here: At this time, 60 AD, Nero had not yet begun to display the erratic and perverse behavior he is infamous for. In fact, circa 58 AD, when Paul wrote Romans 13, his treatise on good citizenship and respect for governmental authority, Nero was still being guided by his tutor Seneca and Agrippina, his mother. Nero charmed the Romans with live performances on his harp. He was well-liked by the common people. Nero murdered his mother in 59 AD (who had murdered others herself for the same reason — in a struggle for power), but the news had probably not even reached Paul yet. Nero did not go mad until later, circa 64 AD.

I believe that it was Paul’s encounter with Nero that drove him over the edge. Paul surely presented the gospel to Nero (Acts 23:11), just as he always did when given the opportunity. I believe Paul’s gospel presentation to Nero must have been his masterpiece, his magnum opus, the greatest witness Paul ever gave anyone.

I believe when Nero rejected the gospel, God removed a hedge of protection from Nero. In his patience and mercy, God gave Nero the gospel and an opportunity to repent, but when Nero rejected Christ, I believe he became demon-possessed — the infamous Nero we remember from history; the Nero who would use crucified Christians covered with pitch as human torches to light his garden.

22 Then Agrippa said unto Festus, I would also hear the man myself. To morrow, said he, thou shalt hear him.
23 And on the morrow, when Agrippa was come, and Bernice, with great pomp, and was entered into the place of hearing, with the chief captains, and principal men of the city, at Festus’ commandment Paul was brought forth.

This is not the typical courtroom that we are used to today. Paul’s hearing is in a throne room. The throne room is filled with a who’s who of Caesarea — the upper-crust elite of the capital of Roman Judea. This is what the Holy Spirit has been planning and preparing for all the time Paul was in prison.

The first Gentiles were added to the church in Caesarea, ie, Cornelius the centurion along with his friends and family. (Acts 10:24) It would seem that the gospel continued to grow and stir interest in Caesarea. Paul now stands before this august assembly of Romans, who are ready to hear what he has to say.

24 And Festus said, King Agrippa, and all men which are here present with us, ye see this man, about whom all the multitude of the Jews have dealt with me, both at Jerusalem, and also here, crying that he ought not to live any longer.

Festus is pandering to Paul’s accusers by saying “all the multitude of the Jews” were crying that Paul ought not to live any longer. The record shows it was mainly the Sadducees in power who did so.

25 But when I found that he had committed nothing worthy of death, and that he himself hath appealed to Augustus, I have determined to send him.
26 Of whom I have no certain thing to write unto my lord. Wherefore I have brought him forth before you, and specially before thee, O king Agrippa, that, after examination had, I might have somewhat to write.
27 For it seemeth to me unreasonable to send a prisoner, and not withal to signify the crimes laid against him.
Acts 25:1-27

As Acts 25 ends, court is in session and Porcius Festus is announcing the case on the docket. King Agrippa II is presiding as judge. Paul has broken no laws, so they are holding a special hearing to find something to charge him with. If that does not make Paul a political prisoner, I do not know what would. Stalin’s secret police chief, Lavrentiy Pavlovich Beria, famously said, “Show me the man, and I will show you the crime.” The real crime was usually criticizing Stalin, or in other words, telling the truth — the same thing Paul is guilty of.

We will have to wait until next time to see what happens.

In closing, Solomon wrote, there is no new thing under the sun. Our legal system is just as flawed as the system of Paul’s day, because the laws are only as good as the people who administer them. When I see something wrong, I want justice. For example, the pandemic, among other things, initiated one of the greatest transfers of wealth in world history. Many small-business owners went bust and lost everything they worked for their entire lives to the big corporations (who were allowed to stay open). All some of them want at this point is an apology, but no apology is forthcoming. Yet the villains of that story, who are ostensibly rich and on top, are in reality victims of their own greed. Like the rich fool of Luke 12 who built bigger barns to store his goods, they are facing judgment. One fortuitous result of the lockdowns was that many people found faith in Christ when they otherwise may not have. In the final analysis, God is in control and He knows what He is doing. Although we want justice, what we need is mercy. God doesn’t always give us what we want, but He gives us what we need. (Phil 4:19)

I think of the slaves who lived in the South before the Civil War. Many of them were Christians. According to Ahlstrom, 16% of them were church members; the percentage of slaves who did not belong to a church yet believed in Christ, which was much higher, “no one will ever know.” (1) Their rich owners, on the other hand, were pseudo-Christians for the most part. So truth be told, the slaves were the ones who were free, not their masters

Paul may be a prisoner and a subversive now, but after Christianity triumphed over paganism, Paul was a hero. The Greek philosopher Sextus Empiricus said, “The mills of the gods grind late, but they grind fine.”

In other words, slow justice for Paul is epic grace and mercy for others. Without Paul’s suffering and time in prison, he would not have received the revelations he did, or had the time to write them all down.

Judgment day will come someday, and those who refuse God’s mercy will get the justice they deserve. I thank God I am not going to get what I deserve. When I stand before the bema seat of Christ someday, I am going to get mercy.

1. A Religious History of the American People, p 707.

Acts 22:25-23:11 — Paul’s Defense Before the Sanhedrin

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

When we left off in our last post, Paul was about to be examined by scourging after causing an uproar. It was Paul’s comment about being sent to the Gentiles that caused the uproar, if not an all-out riot. Not knowing Hebrew, the chief captain did not know what Paul said to the crowd to get them so riled up. So, he decided to scourge Paul until he confessed whatever it was he had said. (Acts 22:24)

The year is 58 AD.

Father, fill us with your Holy Spirit, and give us understanding as we read thy word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 22:25-23:11
25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

Paul knows how to talk to people. Instead of saying, “You cannot scourge me! I’m a Roman!” He simply asks a question, one he already knows the answer to. (When you need something from someone, it is often better to word it as a question than as a command. ‘Can we’, ‘Can you’, or ‘Can I’ sounds better than ‘Give me this’ or
‘Do that’.)

26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.
27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.
28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.

As a Roman citizen, Paul had something in common with the chief captain, Claudius Lysias, except Claudius was an ex-slave, while Paul was ‘free born’. Claudius had purchased his freedom and worked his way up through the ranks in the army.

As a citizen, Paul had rights afforded to him by Roman law. If Paul had been a Roman from Rome, I believe he probably would have been released. However, since Paul was a Jewish Roman, he was still stuck in the system (according to God’s will), being accused by the Jews.

29 Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

The guy holding the whip immediately walks away. Even Claudius is worried he might be in trouble now.

30 On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.

Paul always wanted an audience before the Sanhedrin. Paul himself used to be a member. This is the same council that had Jesus crucified, had Stephen stoned, and now is seeking to kill Paul, one of their own.

AND Paul, earnestly beholding the council, said, Men and brethren, I have lived in all good conscience before God until this day.
2 And the high priest Ananias commanded them that stood by him to smite him on the mouth.

Not a very receptive audience, to say the least. Paul is just beginning his opening statement when Ananias has someone hit him in the mouth. It looks like Paul’s claim to have lived in all good conscience before God is what upset Ananias, the high priest. Paul’s conscience was cleansed by the blood of Christ (Heb 9:14), while Ananias’ conscience was evil. (Heb 10:22)  A good conscience convicts you when you do bad. An evil conscience convicts you when you do good.

3 Then said Paul unto him, God shall smite thee, thou whited wall: for sittest thou to judge me after the law, and commandest me to be smitten contrary to the law?

God did smite Ananias. According to Wiersbe, history remembers Ananias as a corrupt ruler who favored Rome over Israel. During the revolt of 66 AD, when Ananias fled for his life to Rome, he was captured by the Jews and executed.

4 And they that stood by said, Revilest thou God’s high priest?
5 Then said Paul, I wist not, brethren, that he was the high priest: for it is written, Thou shalt not speak evil of the ruler of thy people.

Just as Jesus pointed out that He was being abused contrary to the law at his trial (John 18:23), Paul points out that it was illegal for them to hit him. But when Paul is told he is addressing the high priest, he corrects himself for calling the high priest a whited wall. This is one of the scriptures that indicates Paul had eye trouble. If Paul could see well, they should not have had to tell him he was speaking to the high priest.

6 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

Realizing that they are not going to listen, Paul makes the best of a bad situation. He gets the Pharisees on his side by bringing up the doctrine of the resurrection and reminding them that he is a Pharisee too.

7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.
8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.
9 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees’ part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

Paul even has some of the scribes on his side. While it was the Pharisees that persecuted Jesus, it will be the Sadducees that persecute Paul now.

10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle. [fortress Antonia]
11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
Acts 22:25-23:11

Here is one of the main reasons that I believe Paul was in God’s will when he went up to Jerusalem. Jesus tells him to be of good cheer, because as he testified in Jerusalem, he must bear witness also in Rome. That doesn’t sound like something Jesus would say to someone who was out of his will.

From here on out, Paul knows he is on his way to Rome. This is good news as Paul has been wanting to go there. (Acts 19:21; Rom 1:13; 15:24) It will not happen right away, but having received his instructions from the Lord, Paul knows it is as good as done. They say getting there is half the fun, and Paul will have a lot to do before he arrives in Rome. It may not sound like much fun, but I think Paul enjoyed some of it. Not only was it an adventure, but the Lord was with him, and Paul knew he was doing his duty.

Paul will be a prisoner throughout the rest of Acts. Having testified to the Sanhedrin, Paul, the apostle to the Gentiles, will now use his court case to share the gospel with the Roman authorities. Paul began sharing the gospel with Roman officials in Acts 13:

In closing, one thing that struck me in this section was how they arbitrarily struck Paul on the mouth. Imagine going into court, and just as you are getting your first sentence out, they have someone hit you in the mouth. This sounds foreign to us because we enjoy the benefits of living in a society with individual rights derived from the Christian worldview. We have Paul to thank for that, yet things are changing. Francis Schaeffer saw this change taking place over 40 years ago. He detailed his concerns in A Christian Manifesto (Crossway Books, 1982). Schaeffer delivered the message below in 1982, based on the thesis of his book.

A PDF of Schaeffer’s remarks is available here.

When we appear before the Bema seat, hopefully we will be able to say with Paul, We are unprofitable servants: we have done that which was our duty to do. (Luke 17:10) Doing your duty may sound like a lot of work, but there is no greater feeling than the thrill you get when you lead someone to Christ.

Father, fill us with your Holy Spirit day by day. Help us to focus on your Son, and not on the distractions from the world. Protect us from evil. Help us to be salt and light to those You send us to. Help us to be as patient with others as You are with us. Help us to forgive others as You have forgiven us, that we may do our duty, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 21:15-40 — Paul Goes up to Jerusalem – Happy Birthday America!

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In our last post, Paul returned to Israel. In this post, Paul will come full circle back to Jerusalem, from whence he began his third mission trip. We are entering the last section of Acts now. In this post, we will set the table for everything else that follows. Paul’s return to Jerusalem will set off a chain of events that will lead to Paul’s witness before Caesar Nero.

Give us understanding, Father, and fill us with your Holy Spirit, that we may assimilate your precious word into our hearts, that we may be transformed, that our minds may be renewed, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 21:15-40
15 And after those days we took up our carriages [luggage], and went up to Jerusalem.
16 There went with us also certain of the disciples of Cæsarea, and brought with them one Mnason of Cyprus, an old disciple, with whom we should lodge.
17 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly.

Paul returns to Jerusalem with an entourage of fellowservants. He is bearing a gift from the brethren in Macedonia and Achaia for the poor saints at Jerusalem. (Rom 15:26; Acts 24:17) This shows how the Christians in Jerusalem were having a tough time because of persecution, and also how their Gentile brethren were able to help. (Rom 15:27)

18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James [the half-brother of our Lord]; and all the elders were present.
19 And when he had saluted them, he declared particularly what things God had wrought among the Gentiles by his ministry.
20 And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law:

Dr Luke skips over the part about them glorifying the Lord for the Gentile believers so fast it is easy to miss. In the same sentence, Dr Luke goes into their concerns that Paul may be misunderstood, which, of course, he will be.

21 And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs.

None of this is true, of course. Paul circumcised Timothy for this very reason, so people would not get the wrong impression. He is in Jerusalem to keep the feast of Pentecost. (Acts 20:16) However much Paul tried to make matters clear, though, there were always those who made themselves Paul’s enemies.

22 What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come.
23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them;
24 Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law.

This shows why Paul may have taken the vow in Acts 18. Paul said he was all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. (1 Cor 9:22)

25 As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

Again we see the declaration from Acts 15 for Gentile believers. At this time, the Jewish believers in the early church were still very much keeping the law. As long as they were trusting Jesus for their salvation, they were free to do so.

26 Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.
27 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,
28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.
29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed [assumed] that Paul had brought into the temple.)
30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.

Jesus said My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer, citing Isaiah 56:7, but Gentiles were strictly forbidden beyond the Court of the Gentiles, on pain of death. The Romans allowed the Jews to enforce this custom.

Like the pagan temples Paul has been preaching against, the temple in Jerusalem had become an abomination, since the administrators rejected Christ and continued to trust in the blood of beasts brought for sacrifice. Jesus therefore said the temple would be destroyed (Matt 24), which, of course, it was in 70 AD.

They have been preparing to rebuild the temple for a long time now. Eventually, the temple will be rebuilt (Rev 11), and the Antichrist will be worshiped in it. (II Thess 2:4) In the millennium, however, Jesus will be glorified in the temple in Jerusalem. (Hag 2:9)

31 And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.
32 Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.

Ironic, is it not, that Paul is rescued from the Jews by the Romans?

33 Then the chief captain came near, and took him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains; and demanded who he was, and what he had done.
34 And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle. [ie, the Antonia Fortress]
35 And when he came upon the stairs, so it was, that he was borne of the soldiers for the violence of the people.
36 For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.
37 And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?

Paul was just as comfortable with Greek as he was with Hebrew, being from Tarsus. The chief captain was surprised to hear Paul speaking Greek, since he mistook Paul for an Egyptian dissadent who had been causing problems in Judea:

38 Art not thou that Egyptian, which before these days madest an uproar, and leddest out into the wilderness four thousand men that were murderers?
39 But Paul said, I am a man which am a Jew of Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, a citizen of no mean [ordinary] city: and, I beseech thee, suffer me to speak unto the people.

Being from Tarsus afforded Paul the approval of the chief captain, Claudius Lysias. (Acts 23:26) He allowed Paul to speak to the crowd when he realized Paul was not who he thought he was.

40 And when he had given him licence, Paul stood on the stairs, and beckoned with the hand unto the people. And when there was made a great silence, he spake unto them in the Hebrew tongue, saying,
Acts 21:15-40

I’m afraid we will have to leave off here. In our next post, we will look at Paul’s speech to his fellow countrymen. In this post, we saw the beginning of the persecution that the Holy Spirit has been warning Paul would meet him in Jerusalem. Jesus said Paul would bear his name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel (Acts 9:15). Paul has already taken the gospel to some Roman officials. Now he is getting to know the chief captain in Jerusalem, Claudius Lysias. Before he is done, Paul will also stand before Antonius Felix, Porcius Festus, and king Agrippa II, together with his sister, Bernice. He will also meet Publius of Malta before finally standing before the emperor of the Roman Empire, Caesar Nero. This is one of the reasons I believe Paul was in God’s will in going to Jerusalem. Paul is fulfilling his destiny. All together, Paul will witness to eight important Romans in government that we know of:

In closing, Happy Birthday America! As we celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of our sacred Declaration of Independence, I am heartened to see people from around the world changing their opinions about us after getting to know us a little better.

The World Cup visitors are a reality check for Americans who are not thankful for all God has blessed us with, like the girl at the beginning of the video below:


Finally, Whitney Houston started singing in the choir at Newhope Baptist Church in Newark when she was five years old. She went on to sing the greatest rendition of our national anthem ever recorded (IMO). Rest in peace, Whitney.

Father, thank You for 250 years of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD; please give us one last Great Awakening, for your glory, Father. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 20:18-38 — Farewell to Ephesus

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In our last post, Paul sent for the elders in Ephesus. In this post, they come down to Miletus to hear Paul’s message to them before he leaves for Jerusalem.

Father, fill us with your Holy Spirit and give us understanding as we read your word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 20:18-38
18 And when they [the elders from Ephesus] were come to him [Paul], he said unto them, Ye know, from the first day that I came into Asia, after what manner I have been with you at all seasons,


Ephesus, West Side

19 Serving the Lord with all humility of mind, and with many tears, and temptations [Gk peirasmos], which befell me by the lying in wait of the Jews:

Peirasmos is the same word that Matthew used to describe Jesus’ temptation by the devil, which was a test. (Matt 4:1) Likewise, our trials are tests, and they cannot come unless God allows them. (Job 1:8-2:6) Among these trials, or temptations, that befell Paul by the lying in wait of the Jews (or certain zealots among them) was being beaten with thirty-nine stripes, on five different occasions. (II Cor 11:24)

The Bible is straightforward and unapologetic about the facts. Paul was persecuted by certain of his own countrymen. He was also persecuted by Gentiles. The church began with the Jews in Jerusalem before it shifted to the Gentiles. I mention this because antisemitism is starting to snowball once again in our day, and I beseech you not to get caught up in it. For every example they give you of something bad some Jewish person or persons did, give them an example of something bad a Gentile or Gentiles did. 

The Jews gave us the Bible. The Jews gave us Jesus. Although most of them have still not seen the light yet, the day is coming soon when they will. (Rev 7) The bottom line is that God made us all, and if you don’t like the way He did it, take it up with Him.

20 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publickly, and from house to house,
21 Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul had a public ministry, as well as house churches. His message was the same to both the Jews and the Gentiles: repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

22 And now, behold, I go bound in the spirit unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there:
23 Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide [Gk menō] me.

In our next post, we will learn more about how the Holy Spirit has been telling Paul that bonds and afflictions abide him. Modern translations say await, but abide is the literal meaning. While the word connotes that bonds and afflictions await, Paul has already been experiencing these things. Literally, the Spirit is saying these things are here to stay.

24 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
25 And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

Paul knew, through the witness of the Spirit, I believe, that this was the last time they would see him.

26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

Why?

27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Paul was pure from the blood of all men because he did his duty to teach the full counsel of God. Paul taught Leviticus. Paul taught Obadiah. He taught everything from Acts (by living it) to Zephaniah.

28 Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

By exhorting the elders to feed the church, he meant to feed them the word of God. Verse 28 says that Jesus is God. It says God purchased his church with his own blood. Jesus shed his blood for the church. Therefore, Jesus is God. (God the Son, the second Person in the Godhead.)

29 For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.
30 Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.
31 Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

The warning about grievous wolves is not something new. Paul had been warning them about it for three years. The wolves are still with us. If they squeeze you for money, they are wolves. (Paul said feed the flock, not fleece the flock.) If they question the word of God, they are wolves. If they demote the deity of Christ in any way, they are wolves. Is there love in their church? (John 13:35) Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. (Matt 7:20)

32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

This verse reminds me of a song I learned in Goa:

Oh, the best book to read is the Bible,
The best book to read is the Bible.
If you read it every day,
It will help you on your way.
Oh, the best book to read is the Bible.

33 I have coveted no man’s silver, or gold, or apparel.
34 Yea, ye yourselves know, that these hands have ministered unto my necessities, and to them that were with me.

Paul reminded them that he worked and paid his own way. This was Paul leading by example:

35 I have shewed you all things, how that so labouring ye ought to support the weak, and to remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he said, It is more blessed to give than to receive.

The liberal Jesus Seminar voted on which verses Jesus actually said, and the only thing they agreed Jesus definitely said was this above. They either questioned or rejected everything else Jesus said. Satan has attacked the word of God in this way from the very beginning (Gen 3), because the gospel is how Jesus brings life and immortality to light. (II Tim 1:10) But the word of the Lord endureth for ever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you. (1 Pet 1:25)

36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.

Paul was a man of prayer. To effectively minister the word of God, one must be a man of prayer.

37 And they all wept sore, and fell on Paul’s neck, and kissed him,
38 Sorrowing most of all for the words which he spake, that they should see his face no more. And they accompanied him unto the ship.
Acts 20:18-38

The emphasis in this section is on the grace of God and the word of God. Specifically, the gospel of the grace of God (v 24) and the word of his grace (v 32).

By declaring unto the Ephesians all the counsel of God (v 27), Paul fortified them with the gospel of grace. Grace (unmerited favor) tells me I am forgiven. (I John 1:9) The gospel of grace tells me I can eat meat if I want to. (I Tim 4) The gospel of grace tells me that God loves me on my worst day. (Rom 7:24f) The gospel of grace tells me that Jesus will never leave me or forsake me because of my faith in Him — not because of how good I am. (Thank God, because I’m not good.) The gospel of grace tells me There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. (Rom 8:1) If you have doubts, read Hebrews 11 and notice how over and over it says by faith (not works) they were able to accomplish all they did. If you still have any further doubts, consider this:

16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Galatians 2:16

The more I abide in the word of God, the more I increase my faith (Rom 10:17), which is why Paul taught all the counsel of God.

In this section, we also see an emphasis on Paul’s suffering and how the Spirit had been testifying that Paul’s suffering would continue (v 23). It was this suffering that produced the revelations Paul gave us. The plain truth is that although our flesh resists suffering with all its strength, suffering produces fruit.

When the missionaries were kicked out of China in the early 1950s, there were less than a million Protestant Christians in China. (Far less, conservative scholars tell us.) Today, after years of persecution and suppression of the church under Communist rule (and no missionaries), there are over 100 million Protestant Christians in China. According to the Bible, it’s good to suffer. (Gal 5:22; Phil 3:10; II Tim 2:12; 3:12; Heb 5:8; Jam 5:10; I Pet 2:21; 3:14; 4:1, 13; et al)

We are coming to the end of Paul’s third missionary journey. Paul’s first three missionary journeys took place over about ten years, circa 48-58 AD. In our next post, Paul will continue on his way to Jerusalem. We will see the Holy Spirit continue to testify about the persecution that is in store for Paul. That persecution came, just as God said it would. In our day, the Holy Spirit is testifying that the great tribulation period is coming. We do well to heed this warning and prepare accordingly by abiding in Christ.

Father, help us to abide in your word and to abide in your Son through trusting in the gospel of his grace, that we may be prepared against the day of his coming. We pray this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 20:1-12 — Paul Revisits Macedonia and Greece, Raises the Dead in Troas

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In Acts 20, Dr Luke picks back up where he left off at the end of Acts 19. In our last post, Paul was in danger of being torn apart by an angry mob, but his disciples intervened. (Acts 19:30) The situation was eventually diffused by the townclerk. (Acts 19:35ff)

As Acts 20 begins, they are moving on from Ephesus to Macedonia. Timothy and Erastus had already been sent on ahead. (Acts 19:22)

Father, fill us with your Holy Spirit, give us understanding, and speak to our hearts through your word. Your servants are listening, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

 

Acts 20:1-12
1 And after the uproar [in Ephesus] was ceased, Paul called unto him the disciples, and embraced them, and departed for to go into Macedonia.
2 And when he had gone over those parts, and had given them much exhortation, he came into Greece,

Paul revisits the churches he planted throughout Macedonia, before coming to Greece, where he abode three months:

3 And there abode three months. [Cf I Cor 16:5,6] And when the Jews laid wait for him, as he was about to sail into Syria, he purposed to return through Macedonia.

At this time, Paul wrote his Letter to the Romans from Corinth. Our map does not show Paul returning to Athens, but I think it is likely he passed by Athens to check on the believers there as well, since he was in Greece for three months.

Paul was warned of the danger that awaited him on his trip to Syria by ship, so he changes his plans and returns through Macedonia. I can just see the looks on the faces of the Jews who laid in wait for Paul after the ship set sail, and they realized Paul was not on it. ‘Ooooh that malefactor Paul… Foiled again.’

4 And there accompanied him into Asia Sopater of Berea; and of the Thessalonians, Aristarchus and Secundus; and Gaius [Gī´•ǝs, or Guy-us] of Derbe, and Timotheus; and of Asia, Tychicus and Trophimus.
5 These going before tarried for us at Troas.

Again, Paul sends some of his team ahead, ostensibly to start the work of the ministry and prepare for Paul’s safe arrival. Sending his team ahead is a prudent security measure.

It was at this time that Paul wrote II Corinthians from Philippi.

6 And we sailed away from Philippi after the days of unleavened bread, and came unto them to Troas in five days; where we abode seven days.

Paul left Dr Luke behind in Philippi on his second missionary journey to pastor the church there. Now Dr Luke joins them again, as we see the pronouns ‘us’ and ‘we’ return in Chapter 20. (See Acts 17:1; cf 16:16f)

7 And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread [take holy communion], Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.
8 And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.

There is something especially beautiful about a candlelit home-church Bible study. That this was an ‘upper room’ Bible study makes it even more beautiful.

9 And there sat in a window a certain young man named Eutychus, being fallen into a deep sleep: and as Paul was long preaching, he sunk down with sleep, and fell down from the third loft, and was taken up dead.
10 And Paul went down, and fell on him, and embracing him said, Trouble not yourselves; for his life is in him.

Eutychus was a common Greek name meaning ‘Good Fortune’. It was not so fortunate to fall out of the loft, but it was good fortune that Paul was there to raise him from the dead. Did Eutychus become a believer? I like to believe so.

When I was a young man living in Huntington Beach, I met a girl who was sickly as a baby and would not eat anything until a pastor came to her parents’ house and prayed for her. As soon as he said “Amen,” she grabbed a shake that was on the table and drank it. After that, she started eating normally. Miracles still happen and you do not have to be the apostle Paul to perform one.

11 When he therefore was come up again, and had broken bread, and eaten [this seems to be a normal meal, or possibly what the early church called a love feast (pot luck)], and talked a long while, even till break of day, so he departed.

A candlelit upper-room Bible study with the apostle Paul teaching until daybreak, with a miracle in the middle of it all, that included holy communion and a meal, now that is one Bible study I would like to have attended!

Paul had quite the healthy constitution. He did not worry about sleeping to prepare for his departure. He preached all night, then left in the morning.

12 And they brought the young man alive, and were not a little comforted.
Acts 20:1-12

 

Let’s take a closer look at verse 7. It clearly states that they were meeting on the first day of the week to have holy communion (cf I Cor 16:2). As Gentile Christians entered the church, they wanted to meet on the day Jesus rose again (the Lord’s day), not the day He was still in the grave. This became a bone of contention with some of the Jewish believers. Therefore, Paul addressed the issue in his Epistles (Rom 14:5; Col 2:16). It is still a bone of contention today with legalistic Christians who do not fully embrace the New Covenant of grace or heed the teachings of Paul on the matter:

5 One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind.
Romans 14:5

There are stories about Constantine changing the Sabbath, which are nonsense. Saturday is still the sabbath, and I do not think that is disputed. Basically, the debate boils down to the law and grace, the same debate that was taking place in Paul’s day.

This reminds me of another issue that has become a bone of contention in these last days: the doctrine of the pretrib rapture. There are stories about the Plymouth Brethren creating the pretrib doctrine, specifically John Nelson Darby. I have had the pleasure and honor of fellowshipping with the Plymouth Brethren in both Southern California and Goa, India. In fact, I got to know some in Goa very well, and I remain in touch with them. I can tell you from experience that one thing that marks these Christians (now as in Darby’s day) is an intense interest in and study of the word of God. It was undoubtedly this deep study of the word of God that convinced the Plymouth Brethren of the pretrib doctrine. Before I knew the word of God all that well, I used to think that preachers probably just taught the pretrib doctrine to make people feel better. However, after teaching every Book in the Bible, chapter by chapter, verse by verse, with an emphasis on the study of Bible prophecy, I am thoroughly convinced that the pretrib view is correct.

One thing I have noticed about people who attack the pretrib view is their typical lack of Bible study. I once saw Hank Hannegraaff get clubbed like a baby seal in a debate with Tim LaHaye on this topic. (A debate which has been memory-holed and is impossible to find on the web.) One notable exception, though, is Dr Kent Hovind. However, although Dr Hovind is a devout student of Scripture, he specializes in creation science. I have even heard him say that he previously held the pretrib view “because I hadn’t studied it.” To think Kent Hovind is correct about his current position on the timing of the rapture because he is well-versed in creation science is like assuming someone is a grammar expert because they are a spelling bee champion.

One of the most laughable claims I hear about the pretrib view is that it is a ‘fringe view’ that the church has never held, when it is, in fact, the view of the largest denomination in North America: the Southern Baptists.

For more on the pretrib view, see here and here.

For a deeper dive, I humbly recommend my first book, Where Did All the People GO? (and its sequel, Dragon Slayer Jesus Christ.)

Moreover, a study in I Thessalonians and II Thessalonians would be most helpful. In I Thessalonians, Paul laid the groundwork for the doctrine of the rapture, which takes place before the great tribulation period. In II Thessalonians, Paul laid the groundwork for the doctrine of the second coming, which takes place at the end of the great tribulation period. In closing, John Nelson Darby did not invent the pretrib view; Jesus did:

34 And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares.
35 For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth. [It can happen at any time.]
36 Watch ye therefore, and pray always, that ye may be accounted worthy [through faith alone in Christ alone] to escape all these things that shall come to pass, [not go through them, but escape them] and to stand before the Son of man.
Luke 21:34-36

Not only do we have this passage, but the passage in Luke 17, where Jesus said just as Noah and Lot were saved before destruction came (the flood and the judgement of Sodom), thus shall it be in the day when the Son of man is revealed. (Luke 17:30) Then, of course, we also have the passage in John 14, where Jesus told us not to let our hearts be troubled because He is coming back to get us. If He meant after the great tribulation period and not before, that would be troubling. But if He meant before, which He did, that is comforting. I will not let my heart be troubled knowing that.

Acts 8:1 — No Fear

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

In this post, let us consider how the apostles patiently waited for the leading of the Holy Spirit in the midst of persecution. 

Father, fill us with your Holy Spirit and give us understanding as we read your word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

     And Saul was consenting unto his [Stephen’s] death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Acts‬ ‭8‬:‭1‬ ‭

One of the things I have been contemplating as part of this study in Acts is how to discern the voice of the Holy Spirit. To be led of the Spirit, I first need to hear the voice of the Spirit. In The Spiritual Man, Watchman Nee spends a lot of time talking about the need to differentiate between the various voices competing for our attention:

1 There are the many voices from the world that bombard us each day.
2 There are my thoughts, that come from my own soul, or mind. 
3 There is the voice of the enemy, who can inject thoughts into our minds.
4 Then there is the voice of the Holy Spirit.

The last three on the list are the tricky ones. One guideline that I have found helpful is to ask myself if I sense fear. If you sense that a directive you think may be coming from the Holy Spirit has an element of fear attached to it, that is an indicator that it is in fact coming from the enemy. 

One of my favorite proverbs is, ‘Worry is a sin’. (Phil 4:6)

This sort of thought inevitably comes when God is telling us to do something new for Him, when we really need to trust Him as we step out in faith. The enemy would love nothing more than to cripple us with fear. He wants us to be afraid of the government, or a new relationship, or some potential disaster that will befall us if we trust God and do as He says — anything he can use to scare us. Sometimes he will even pick some minor arbitrary issue. For example, I recently felt like God might be telling me if I rented a car to go to Philippi, it was going to turn out to be a hassle that was more trouble than it was worth. I’ve rented dozens of cars and I’ve never had a thought like this before. I almost listened to this thought, but then I realized it was coming from a place of fear. I went ahead a rented the car, and when I woke up on the day I had to return it, I was having a dream that the car was stolen. That was when I knew the enemy was trying to scare me. I had been wondering what the deal was, and now I knew. The dream was proof that I was worried.

In closing, as Saul was wreaking havoc on the church in Jerusalem, the apostles were waiting on the Lord, a good habit to get into. (Why didn’t Saul go after them? Probably because he saw what happened the first two times they tried.) David, who spent a lot of time waiting for the leading of the Holy Spirit, wrote: What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee. In God I will praise his word, in God I have put my trust; I will not fear what flesh can do unto me. (Ps 56:3, 4)

Solomon, a chip of the old block, wrote:

     The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion.
Proverbs‬ ‭28‬:‭1‬ 

Be brave friends, the Lord commands it: Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest. (Joshua 1:9)

Acts 7:54-60 — Saul Rejects the Witness of the Holy Spirit 

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

Before we proceed with Philip’s work in Samaria, let’s take another look at the other character mentioned in last week’s post. At the end of Chapter 7, we were introduced to the central figure in the Book of Acts next to God, Saul of Tarsus. Let’s review the end of Chapter 7 once more and consider this key historical figure. Fill us with your Holy Spirit, Father, and give us understanding, as we read your word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.


Acts 7:54-60
54 ¶ When they heard these things, they were
cut to the heart, and they gnashed on him with
their teeth.
55 But he [Stephen], being full of the Holy Ghost, looked up stedfastly into heaven, and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing on the right hand of God,
56 And said, Behold, I see the heavens
opened, and the Son of man standing on the
right hand of God.
57 Then they cried out with a loud voice, and
stopped their ears, and ran upon him with one
accord,
58 And cast him out of the city, and stoned
him: and the witnesses laid down their clothes
at a young man’s feet, whose name was Saul.
59 And they stoned Stephen, calling upon
God, and saying, Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.
60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a
loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge.
And when he had said this, he fell asleep.
Acts 7:54-60

Jesus said the blasphemy of the Holy Spirit could not be forgiven, and that is what happened here. Instead of listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit, the council stopped their ears and ran upon Stephen with one accord, then stoned him. 

However, God gives us a lifetime to repent. Saul blasphemed the Holy Spirit along with the rest of them. As Chapter 8 opened, Saul was doubling down on his persecution of the church, but he will be forgiven when he repents. If you are afraid you may have committed the unforgivable sin of blaspheming the Holy Spirit, you haven’t. Only people who reject Jesus with no thought of repentance commit this sin. Because Saul repented, he became one of the most important figures in church history, not to mention world history.

Saul’s missionary journeys, along with the epistles he wrote to the churches he planted, bore more fruit than anyone imagined possible. In fact, the church by and large rejected Saul when he first started out, but the Bible tells us not to despise the day of a small beginning. (Zech 4:6-10) It was because of Saul’s patience and persistence that Europe was eventually delivered from paganism and brought into the modern era.

One of the things I have noticed since coming to Greece is that Saul is everywhere you look here. He is nothing short of a national treasure.

The price Saul had to pay was tremendous. He probably lost his wife as a result of embracing the gospel, as we do not know what happened to her. (We know Saul was married as this was required to be a Pharisee.) He lost his position in Jerusalem and his reputation among the elders. He lost his health as a result of his missionary travels. (II Cor 12:7) He was beaten by the Jews with thirty-nine stripes on five different occasions, not counting the beatings he received from Gentiles. He labored endlessly for the gospel. In Lystra, he was stoned. At times, he was thrown into prison. He suffered perils wherever he went, whether by land or sea, often being robbed, attacked, and even shipwrecked. 

      In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
II Corinthians‬ ‭11‬:‭27‬ ‭

He willingly accepted all these hardships to spread the gospel and care for the churches he planted. In the end, he was beheaded by Nero, but let’s back up. When Saul was a party to the execution of Stephen, he had a very prestigious and lucrative career before him. (Gal 1:14) He was not only well connected with the Temple leadership, but he was one of Gamaliel’s star students. Why would he leave behind such a charmed life to be persecuted for Christ? Because Saul knew he found the truth. That is the only explanation for his radical 180 degree change of heart. Saul went from persecuting the church to leading it. His position was on par with the other top apostles.

For example, Peter allowed Saul to rebuke him (Gal 2:11), then even acknowledged Saul’s deep understanding of Christian doctrine. (II Pet 3:15f) 

I wonder what Saul was thinking as he listened to Stephen’s discourse on the history of Israel? It was a powerful and compelling message. Stephen reminded his listeners how Israel had rebelled against both God and their brethren who were sent by God, at nearly every step along the way throughout their history. 

I wonder what Saul was thinking when Stephen said he saw the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing on the right hand of God?

Not only was Saul a firsthand witness to the power of the Holy Spirit working through Stephen and the others in the early church, but he was well aware of Jesus’ ministry and the miracles He performed. Saul was a firsthand witness to all the phenomena surrounding Jesus’ crucifixion. (Widespread darkness at midday, earthquake, veil in the Temple rent from top to bottom, etc.) Saul was also well aware of the accounts of Jesus’ resurrection — which could not be disproven as no body was found. I believe there was a conflict taking place in deep down in Saul’s inner being. (Acts 9:5)

Despite the fact that Saul persecuted the church unto the death (Acts 22:4), God forgave him and used him as a powerful messenger and defender of the faith, to say the least. 

Have you done something terrible? God will forgive you too, if you will only pray and let Him:

Father please forgive me. I have sinned against You. Please have mercy on me and write my name in your Book of Life. Lord Jesus, thank You for the precious blood You shed for me on Calvary. Please come into my heart, take control of my life, and direct my path. I ask this in your holy and precious name, the name above all names. Amen.

Memorial to Paul in Berea.

PS: Endofdays.press will expire in January. Notes on Acts will continue to be posted at: MichaelJamesHarvey.substack.com

Acts 8:1-11 — Simon the Sorcerer Part I

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends,

Greetings in Christ!

When we left off in Acts 7, Stephen was being received into heaven as they stoned him with stones. Saul was present as a party to his execution. As Chapter 8 opens, Dr Luke mentions Saul again, as consenting to Stephen’s death, and then engaging in the persecution of other believers as well. Give us understanding, Father, and fill us with your Holy Spirit, as we read your word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 8:1-11
AND Saul was consenting unto his death. And at that time there was a great persecution against the church which was at Jerusalem; and they were all scattered abroad throughout the regions of Judaea and Samaria, except the apostles.

The apostles did not fear the persecution. They stayed in Jerusalem and cared for the church.

2 And devout men carried Stephen to his burial, and made great lamentation over him.
3 As for Saul, he made havock of the church, entering into every house, and haling men and women committed them to prison.
4 Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word.

In Acts 1:8, Jesus gave the outline for Acts. We now come to Section II, as the gospel goes into Samaria. The persecution is watering the church and making it grow, as rank-and-file Christians go out from Jerusalem into Samaria. Similar to how the wind spreads the seeds of a dandelion, the Spirit is using their evangelism to spread the seeds of the gospel.

Just as the Holy Spirit raised up Stephen from among the seven deacons selected in Chapter 7, likewise now Philip steps out in faith:

5 Then Philip went down to the city of Samaria, and preached Christ unto them.
6 And the people with one accord gave heed unto those things which Philip spake, hearing and seeing the miracles which he did.
7 For unclean spirits, crying with loud voice, came out of many that were possessed with them: and many taken with palsies [paralized], and that were lame, were healed.
8 And there was great joy in that city.

Wherever the gospel is received, it brings joy. Reading Acts reminds me of when I was young and living in San Diego. My friends and I met in houses, churches, Christian coffee shops, on the beach, in the park, and Jesus always came with. When one of my friends was diagnosed with a fatal disease, we all felt the leading of the Holy Spirit telling us to hold a prayer meeting. After we laid hands on her and asked for healing, the Spirit spoke to us and told us she was healed, so we sent her back to the doctor to get tested again. When we went to collect her at the hospital, she informed us the test was negative and she had a clean bill of health. Do you think we had joy? You bet we did, but eventually hardships hit our group and we all splintered off in different directions. That was bitter, but when I ended up in the mission field I found even more joy.

Paul’s treatise on joy, his letter to the Philippians, was written while he was in prison, as joy is not necessarily dependent on circumstances. As Christians, the joy of the Lord is our strength (Neh 8:10), whatever our situation may be. Moving through Acts, Dr Luke has been highlighting the joy and gladness that the gospel brings. (Acts 2:41, 46; 3:8f; 5:41; 8:8, 39) Dr Luke highlighted the joy that accompanies the gospel in his first letter to Theophilus as well, but not everyone is filled with joy. We should endeavor to rejoice in the Lord alway (Phil 4:4) but remember to weep with those who weep. (Rom 12:15)

9 But there was a certain man, called Simon, which beforetime in the same city used sorcery, and bewitched the people of Samaria, giving out that himself was some great one:
10 To whom they all gave heed, from the least to the greatest, saying, This man is the great power of God.
11 And to him they had regard, because that of long time he had bewitched them with sorceries.
Acts 8:1-11

That is a very interesting word in verse 11, sorceries (Gk mageia).  Simon fooled people by pretending to be “some great one.” I suspect he wore a costume, as that is usually the first requirement to be a convincing con man sorcerer. For example, a Catholic priest wears a costume, says some mysterious-sounding Latin words, “Hoc est enim Corpus meum,” and turns a piece of bread into Jesus. (Did you know that is where the phrase ‘hocus pocus’ comes from?) 

Anthony Fauci’s costume was his tie and white lab coat. His silver tongue was every bit as effective as a mysterious-sounding foreign language. The tie and white lab coat is probably the most effective costume there is in this regard. People will believe almost anything or do almost anything if a man in a tie and a white lab coat tells them to. This has been demonstrated, for example, in the Milgram experiment, where people delivered what they believed were life-threatening electric shocks to others because a man in a tie and a white lab coat told them to. 

The TV set is an effective prop for sorcery as well. Viewing something on TV, or even in the new media if it is presented well, creates a psychological effect of believability. Why am I talking about this? Because Jesus warned us not to be deceived. (Matt 24:4) 

Whether Simon’s ‘sorcery’ involved any real magic, as seemed to be the case with Pharaoh’s magicians, for example, is not certain, but what real difference does it make? Consider our situation today; when spiritual wickedness in high places takes control of peoples’ minds through control of mass media, turns them away from the gospel, and convinces them to trust new-world-order narratives that are harmful to themselves and others, what real difference does it make how they manage to pull it off? 

Let us consider the contrast between the ‘magic’ Simon used and the power of the gospel that Philip possessed:

Magic requires skill, deception. It enriches the practitioner as he deceived his victims.

The gospel requires humility, obedience, and faith to minister the truth of the the word of God (creation, death and resurrection, second coming, etc). The gospel benefits all who receive it.

The word for Simon’s magic, mageia, is different than pharmakeia, which specifically refers to deception using drugs or poisons. That one, pharmakeia, is a hallmark of the end-times deception. (Rev 9:21; 18:23) 

Although we are not currently experiencing 2020-level lies and deceptions, there is deception all around us. Even for those of us who know Christ, this deception is dangerous. Otherwise, Jesus would not have bothered to warn us about it. Jesus said if it were possible, they shall deceive the very elect.

We will see what happens with Simon the sorcerer in our next post, but for now, let’s consider the Simons in our own day. Let’s carefully consider what we are being told. Question everything and examine all the evidence when considering important issues. Remember the key question, Who benefits? Pray for discernment. Most of what we are told in the media is lies, but if we keep our focus on Christ, if we keep our armor on and continue in prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, we will not have a hard time remembering that we are the ones who have the answers — not the talking heads on TV or on X. Most of them are just a distraction.

In closing, ‭‭I don’t often feel joy after reading the news, but I do after sharing the gospel with someone. It may be foolishness to those that perish, but unto us which are saved, it is the power of God. Father, we are living in the age of deceit and the strong delusion is already taking hold of peoples’ minds. Strengthen us Father, that we may be strong in the Spirit and in the truth of your word, that we may light the way for others. We ask this in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Prophecy Update: Finally, let’s consider a bit of good news concerning one of the ‘Simons’ in our day, Jeffrey Epstein bud and tech titan, Bill Gates. He has been walking back his ridiculous claims about ‘climate change’. Notice the body language in the clips below as Gates realizes people are no longer fooled by his nonsense:

Of course, profiting from ‘climate change’ through things like carbon credits and fake meat was only one of Gates’ grifts. He is a party to the mRNA vaccine catastrophe, which used the same business model he used at Microsoft; create computer viruses, then market the solution. He applied this model to vaccines, mosquitoes (more vaccines), and more — all of it tied to the new world order and their agenda of depopulation.

PS: Endofdays.press will expire in January. Notes on Acts will continue to be posted at: MichaelJamesHarvey.substack.com

Acts 5:19-33 — We Ought to Obey God Rather Than Men

~ mikethemissionary

Dear Friends, 

Greetings in Christ!

When we left off at Acts 5:18, the envious religious leaders who ran the Temple were beside themselves, as people flowed into the city to get saved and/ or healed of whatever was afflicting them. Instead of listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit, the Sadducees tried to silence the apostles by arresting them.

One might think the apostles were in big trouble, but nothing is as it seems. Jesus said that persecution is a cause for celebration. (Matt 5:12) The apostles knew their arrest was not worthy to be compared with the tremendous move of the Spirit taking place in Jerusalem. (Acts 5:12; Rom 8:18)

Father, please fill us with your Holy Spirit and give us understanding as we read your word, in Jesus’ name. Amen.

Acts 5:19-33
19 But the angel of the Lord by night opened the prison doors, and brought them forth, and said,
20 Go, stand and speak in the temple to the people all the words of this life.
21 And when they heard that, they entered into the temple early in the morning, and taught. But the high priest came, and they that were with him, and called the council together, and all the senate [Sanhedrin] of the children of Israel, and sent to the prison to have them brought.
22 But when the officers came, and found them not in the prison, they returned, and told,
23 Saying, The prison truly found we shut with all safety, and the keepers standing without before the doors: but when we had opened, we found no man within.
24 Now when the high priest and the captain of the temple and the chief priests heard these things, they doubted of them whereunto this would grow.

So, the apostles are rescued by an angel. Did you know you have angels watching over you? If you are in Christ, you do. (Ps 91:11; Heb 1:14) Now that their cell is found empty, their persecutors are getting even more concerned about the spread of the gospel. 

25 Then came one and told them, saying, Behold, the men whom ye put in prison are standing in the temple, and teaching the people.
26 Then went the captain with the officers, and brought them without violence: for they feared the people, lest they should have been stoned.
27 And when they had brought them, they set them before the council: and the high priest asked them,
28 Saying, Did not we straitly command you that ye should not teach in this name? and, behold, ye have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this man’s blood upon us.

The Sadducees are indignant that the gospel has spread throughout Jerusalem, but I can almost see the apostles high-fiving each other. They have now completed the first phase of the Great Commission. (Luke 24:47; Acts 1:8) 

The actions of the Sadducees seem to be prompted not only by envy, but fear as well. They are afraid the apostles intend to bring Jesus’ blood upon them, but that is what they agreed to. (Matt 27:25) How quickly they seem to have forgotten. In the grand scheme of things, I am just as guilty as they were, but they refused to repent. David committed adultery and then murder to cover it up, but he repented. Saul, his predecessor, refused to repent of his sins. As a result, he grew more and more fearful and vindictive, like the Sadducees in our text.

29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.
30 The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom ye slew and hanged on a tree.
31 Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins.

There is a certain preacher with a high-profile ministry to Israel, Hagee, who tells them Jesus is not their Messiah, but he clearly missed something. (Does he know how to read?) Jesus is the only Messiah — the Messiah of Israel, the Messiah of the Gentiles.

32 And we are his witnesses of these things; and so is also the Holy Ghost, whom God hath given to them that obey him.
33 When they heard that, they were cut to the heart, and took counsel to slay them.
Acts 5:19-33

Jesus taught us that as Christians, we are similar to the prophets. (Matt 5:12) Thus, Peter and the apostles responded to their persecutors in the same manner as the prophets that went before them. The result is always the same, ie, their persecutors took counsel to slay them. This is what happens not only to prophets, but to all believers from Abel all the way to Jesus. Satan would gladly kill us all if he could. Thankfully, we each have a hedge of protection which Satan cannot breach without Father’s permission. (Job 1:9-2:7)

Christianity is not a game and Jesus does not like cowardice. (Josh 1:9; II Tim 1:7; Rev 21:8) The good news is that even if you are not a brave person, the Holy Spirit will make you into one. (Matt 26:56; cf Acts 5:29-32)

I have been humbled at times to meet Christians who have been jailed and beaten for sharing their faith. Although I have been ‘hauled in’ a few times, I’ve never seen the inside of a jail cell. I’ve never been beaten. I can still remember the first time it ever occurred to me that I might be tortured or worse some day for being a Christian and it freaked me out. Now when I think about it, I always remember what Opa said to Corrie ten Boom when she asked him ‘What if I’m persecuted some day and I’m not strong enough to keep from denying Jesus?’ Opa said, ‘When we take the train to Amsterdam, when do I give you your ticket?’ Corrie answered, ‘Before we get on the train’. Opa then explained to Corrie that Jesus would give her all the strength she needs when she needs it, should that time ever come. Many years later, persecution did come, and Corrie passed her test with flying colors. 

As for the rest of us, Jesus commands us to share the truth in love. When the world calls it hate and tries to intimidate us, remember We ought to obey God rather than men.

Father, give us the boldness of the apostles, that we may always tell the truth, the way the prophets who went before us did. Should persecution come, give us the courage of David that we may obey You always, even unto death if need be, that we may receive a crown of life, in Jesus’ name. Amen.