Note for 2024/06/24

‭Acts 23:1-35 KJV‬

[1] 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. [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? [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. [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. [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. [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. [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. [12] And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul. [13] And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy. [14] And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul. [15] Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him. [16] And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul. [17] Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him. [18] So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee. [19] Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me? [20] And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly. [21] But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee. [22] So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me. [23] And he called unto him two centurions, saying, Make ready two hundred soldiers to go to Cæsarea, and horsemen threescore and ten, and spearmen two hundred, at the third hour of the night; [24] and provide them beasts, that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor. [25] And he wrote a letter after this manner: [26] Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting. [27] This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman. [28] And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council: [29] whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds. [30] And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell. [31] Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris. [32] On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle: [33] who, when they came to Cæsarea, and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him. [34] And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia; [35] I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.

https://bible.com/bible/1/act.23.1-35.KJV

What are the chances that those, who swore an oath to kill Paul, would inform the council of the Jews with the son of Paul's sister in hearing of it? I am still astonished that they will bind themselves by a curse, and their plot to murder speaks volumes of who they stood in service of. Who then is it that would drive the forces of evil to silence the ministers of GOD?

Paul had to know that he must survive the attack on him for the Lord said to him that he would have to witness the same, before those in Rome. Nothing could stop Paul, for his witness was required in Rome according to God's will.

What is the Lord‘s will concerning you? Do you know? Has the Lord revealed to you what it is he requires of you? Paul knew beforehand even to this, for he greeted his brethren and said they shall not look upon him again. Remember how they wept and fell on his shoulder? We have and will continue to read of Paul's journey, even all of his epistles, if it is God's will. What then is God's will, is it not that we would not perish but receive life everlasting? Is that not why God the Father sent His Son for us? God's Will is made known to us by God's Word. Paul was sent to minister the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, how then are we rejected of GOD? It is not GOD that rejects us, He loves us, but it is man that rejects GOD and conspires murder in their hearts. What then, reigns in our hearts; salvation and love, or murder and damnation? Are we not to be judged as we have judged? Judgment belongs to the Lord our God, we are called to love one another. Yes, it is written that love covers a multitude of sin, even as the love of GOD forgives us from sin. How then do we still live with accusations against those whom GOD has forgiven? So, will the believers in Jesus Christ be spared unto salvation and receive life everlasting, and the wicked continue in their wickedness until God judges them. But he, that comes to repentance, his fate shall be changed as ours were at our repentance and acknowledgement of the sacrifice of God's Lamb. It is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that assures us of our redemption by God. So He Named His only Begotten Son, our Hope, Yeshua, which means, God saves. The Salvation of GOD is literally in his Name that we are called to believe in. Is that a coincidence?

So, just as Paul knew that his life here on earth will be spared until he testified for Christ Jesus, in Rome, so can we know that the Lord will save our soul. It is God's will that we should be saved if only we can believe in His Salvation.

So, shall I be here on this earth for every breath accounted to me by The Living GOD of Creation. Until the last, and then I am assured to come to my end here. So too, will I then lay in waiting for the resurrection that was promised when Christ Jesus returns to redeem us. Why walk in fear then, when GOD has proven Himself Trustworthy to all of Mankind? His will be done, that loves me. And he that hates me, has he not made himself an enemy of GOD, has he not chosen for himself to stand against Him who created him? So I walk in the assurance of GOD, that He determines the length of my days here on earth. He is my beginning and my end. He will call me before Him, when it pleases Him, and His grace is sufficient for me. God's Kingdom comes, His will be done, both in the Heavens and here on Earth. For our Father in Heaven is the Most High GOD and He ordained His only Begotten Son Jesus Christ of Nazareth for all He had to accomplish by the Will of our Father in Heaven. So too have we received the Holy Spirit in the Name of Jesus Christ, to be our comforter and to reveal the will of GOD to us, to bring the Word of GOD to remembrance, to guide us on our journey. So I live not for my ability to survive, but by the mercy and grace of GOD. All that must befall me, will, so God may be Honored in it. Whether I then have or not, it is of GOD. Understand?

Now, what has GOD permitted in your life, and what was the purpose thereof? Is it not to bring you closer to Him? Is it not to bring you unto your very own salvation by GOD? What then, is the duty to which your Savior called you to perform? Here I am, testifying of the Salvation of the LORD. So shall I be spared, until I am called home.

GOD'S will be done, then I will reach the end that He had in store for me.

Shalom

YouVersion Daily Bible Verse

(Expanded from Verse 32)

‭John 8:31-51 KJV‬

[31] Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; [32] and ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. [33] They answered him, We be Abraham's seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? [34] Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. [35] And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. [36] If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. [37] I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. [38] I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. [39] They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham's children, ye would do the works of Abraham. [40] But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. [41] Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. [42] Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. [43] Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. [44] Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. [45] And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. [46] Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? [47] He that is of God heareth God's words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God. [48] Then answered the Jews, and said unto him, Say we not well that thou art a Samaritan, and hast a devil? [49] Jesus answered, I have not a devil; but I honour my Father, and ye do dishonour me. [50] And I seek not mine own glory: there is one that seeketh and judgeth. [51] Verily, verily, I say unto you, If a man keep my saying, he shall never see death.

https://bible.com/bible/1/jhn.8.31-51.KJV

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