INTRODUCTION
SOME HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
Historically, we get the feeling, as experience has shown us in
our own times, that major world events and what God is doing with
his servants come to some kind of critical mass. The spirit that
rules the world, die Zeitgeist, 'the spirit of the
times', too often influences the church in ways parallel with
the world (Eph 6:12). Ignoring the world is not the same as coming
out of the world. May I quote from A History of Rome to
A.D. 565 (Arthur Boak & William Sinnigan; Macmillan;
1965; p 312):
Continuing with the quotes from the history book:
Some commentators make a point in saying that this chapter is
like a parable of the voyage through life. It is said that there
are poetic allusions to Homer's purported epics, The Iliad
and The Odyssey. Both of these epic poems deal with
heroic sea voyages. I've read no accounts that begin to explain
any the possible parabolic meanings.
Life is a journey, and certainly all who are to
receive the gift of immortality in the Kingdom of God have a journey
that will include many trials and tribulations (Acts 14:22; Matt
10:34-39). Each saint's journey through this present life towards
eternal life in the Kingdom of God is promised to be very difficult
... "difficult is the Way which leads to Life, and
there are few who find it" (Matt 7:13-14;
Lk 13:24). But those who are called, chosen, and faithful (Rev
17:14) will never be forsaken (Heb 13:5,6). What God has truly
started in one of His children He will finish through His Son
(Jn 10:27-29). Sickness, disease, serious accident, strange mishaps,
prison - nothing - nothing can stop what God swears to finish
in each one of His children. Each one who belongs to God will
know, when the time is, that, as Paul said, not long before Nero
had him executed: "I have fought a good fight, I have finished
the race, I have kept the Faith. Finally, there is laid up for
me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge,
will give me on that Day, and to me only but also to all
who have loved His appearing (2Tim 4:7,8). This principle
surely applies to all saints.
THE JOURNEY WILL BE COMPLETED
In Luke's parallel chapter to Matthew 24 and Mark 13, we read:
"CONFESS ME BEFORE MEN"
Acts 27:37 Altogether there were 276 of us on board. 38
When they had eaten as much as they wanted, they lightened the
ship by throwing the grain into the sea (It was necessary to maximise
the floating capacity of the ship). 39 When daylight came, they
did not recognise the land, but they saw a bay with a sandy beach,
where they decided to run the ship aground if they could. 40 Cutting
loose the anchors, they left them in the sea and at the same time
untied the ropes that held the rudders (In crises how good it
is that everybody works together for the welfare of every person).
Then they hoisted the foresail to the wind and made for the beach
(No doubt as many hands as possible were busy, simultaneously,
to ensure it all happened as fast as possible). 41 But the ship
struck a sandbar and ran aground. The bow stuck fast and would
not move, and the stern was broken to pieces by the pounding of
the surf. 42 The soldiers planned to kill the prisoners to prevent
any of them from swimming away and escaping (Soldiers who did
not deliver their prisoners were killed by the governing authorities.
Julius had the heaviest responsibility in this matter). 43 But
the centurion wanted to spare Paul's life and kept them from carrying
out their plan (So God spared the lives of all so that Julius'
life would be spared by the Roman authorities. He probably got
a promotion when he got to Rome). He ordered those who could swim
to jump overboard first and get to land. 44 The rest were to get
there on planks or on pieces of the ship. In this way everyone
reached land in safety.
In our previous Bible Study we covered chapters 25 and 26: Paul
was brought before Festus, the governor of Judaea residing in
the provincial capital, Caesarea, and King Agrippa II, the king
of Judaea appointed by Rome. The result of this trial was that
in response to Paul's appeal he was to be tried before Caesar,
the Emperor, Nero (54-68AD). This was the third farcical trial:
two years before Paul was tried by the Sanhedrin in Jerusalem,
then it was before the previous governor Felix with the kind-hearted
accusers and others sent by the innocently scheming Sanhedrin.
Now Paul was to be sent by ship to Rome. Prophecy was to be fulfilled.
What an amazing journey it proves to be - begun about August of
(probably, according to NJB footnotes) 60AD and ending in Rome
during February-March of 61AD.
Agrippa died in 100AD. He was the last Herodian king in Judaea,
whose kingship ended in 66AD with the Roman siege of Jerusalem
subsequent to Jewish rebellions. The events we will be reading
about in Acts 27 and 28 are from about August 60AD to February-March
61AD. Then with two years of "house arrest" in Rome
(28:30) we end up in early 63AD. The great fire of Rome (started July 18, 64AD). The fire totally destroyed three
of the 14 suburbs or districts, with damage to seven other suburbs.
Nero's palace, a number of public buildings and temples were also
destroyed. The fire started in the Circus Maximus (a large
stadium, built for those infamous public spectacles paid for by
the public purse, immediately south of Nero's palace and the first
large public building on the Via Appia, the main southern
road into Rome - the road along which Paul entered Rome ([Ancient
Culture and Society. Nero: Reality and Legend
by B.H. Warmington; Chatto & Windus; 1981; pp 123-4]; see
the NIV Study Bible, p 1702, for a map and some details about
Rome).
"THE JEWISH REBELLION: A.D. 66-70. Hostilities broke out
in 66 in Jerusalem, where the Roman garrison was driven out by
the rebels. At the same time a decision of the Roman government
that Jews were not entitled to citizenship in Caesarea (Please
recall that the Sanhedrin had made its final effort to take Paul's
citizenship as a Jew and as a Roman in Caesarea - by plotting
to murder him), the capital of the province, provoked a riot
in which the Greek population (i.e., probably including Jews
who had assimilated Graeco-Roman culture) massacred the Jews.
Similar outbreaks occurred in other towns of Judaea, now one party
now the other being the aggressor, and the disorders spread beyond
the bounds of Judaea to Syria and Egypt. The Romans awoke to the
seriousness of the situation when the legate (governor) of
Syria, Cestius Gallus, who had marched on Jerusalem, was forced
to beat an ignominious retreat.
We should recall Jesus' words in Luke 21:20: "When you see
Jerusalem surrounded by armies, then know that its desolation
is near." And we should recall Daniel's prophecy (11:41,45),
keeping in mind that Jerusalem is a stumbling block to the nations
(Zech 12:2-3; Isa 51:17-23): "[The king of the north],
{who is described in Rev 13:4 as 'Who is like the Beast? Who is
able to make war with him?' - because there is no other
world power that can withstand his might both militarily and economically},
shall also enter the Glorious Land ... and he shall plant the
tents of his palaces (i.e., temporary administration) between
the seas (Mediterranean and Dead Seas) and the glorious holy mountain
(i.e., Mount Moriah, or spiritually Mt Zion [Isa 48:2]; but perhaps
on the Mount of Olives [2Thess 2:9,10; Dan 11:30,32])."
"Late in 67 Vespasian was appointed to command an army of
50,000 assembled for the conquest of Judaea.
"In this
and the following year (67-68) he reduced the open country and
isolated fortresses and was ready to blockade Jerusalem, where
most Jews had fled for refuge (contrary to what the Bible says:
"When you see Jerusalem surrounded .... let those in Judaea
flee into the mountains" [Lk 21:20-21]). Upon hearing of
Nero's death [Nero cut his own throat, with the help of some 'faithful',
on the night of June 8, 68], he postponed his
attack on the city and did not resume active operations until
after the accession of Vitellius (a general who had the support
of the German legions; but Galba became the new Caesar). Shortly
afterward, however, his own elevation to the principate (i.e.,
the official vote of the Roman Senate that he is princeps - in
line for the highest office) caused a further suspension of
hostilities for ten months, during which factional strife raged
fiercely within the city.
Why is it that so often people will fight on despite the fact
that the cause, though seemingly right, is wrong,
and is lost? In the case of the Jews it was in the grossly mistaken
belief that God was still with them. Their ranks were factionalised.
There was disagreement of all kinds amongst them. There were power
struggles amongst them. Pride, covetousness, doctrinal error were
rampant. What is the proof that God is still with the group or
organization one might be a part of? Ezekiel 34:11-23 makes it
clear that strife among the sheep will continue until Christ's
Coming. Let us please be the exception to the prophesied
condition of the Church!
"Vespasian entrusted the conclusion of the war to his eldest
son Titus, who at once began the siege of Jerusalem ([about
March] 70). The city had a triple line of fortifications (including
trenches outside the walls), and within the inner wall were
two natural citadels, the temple and the old city of Mount Zion.
The population, swollen by many refugees, suffered terribly from
hunger but resisted with the fury of despair (not to mention
folly, irrational pride, and the fruit of much factionalism).
Experience and numbers told; the walls were stormed, and the Romans
forced their way into the temple, which was destroyed by fire
(on the same night as in 587BC; see 2Ki 25:8,9; Jer 52:12,13;
Josephus, Wars, Bk.VI, ch. iv,5-8).
"Mount Zion still held out but finally was taken by assault.
Jerusalem was destroyed, and Judaea became a province under an
imperial legate. The political community of the Jews was dissolved,
and they were subjected to a yearly head tax of two denarii each
(i.e., two days wages) payable to the temple of Jupiter Capitolinus
(contra the half shekel temple tax paid by every person 20
years of age and older mentioned in Ex 30:11-16; Matt 17:24; and
possibly in 2Chron 24:6-14), in consideration of which they
enjoyed their previous immunities. Titus commemorated his victory
by the arch which still stands near the Roman Forum. One of its
reliefs represents the spoils from the temple, carried in the
triumphal procession to Rome."
Perhaps we need to recognise more clearly that in history there
are times where the crescendo of God's Will clashes with
the rages of Satan as he makes every attempt to destroy
God's people and the work of God expressed in their lives: "This
is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent"
(Jn 6:29). What is Satan doing while God is working with
His saints?
Paul's epistle to the Church of God in Thessalonika has this to
say:
1Thess 1:2-10 We give thanks to God always for you all
(How grateful Paul is to God for the work of the Holy Spirit in
the saints!), making mention of you in our prayers, 3 remembering
without ceasing your work of faith, labour of love,
and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the sight of
our God and Father, 4 knowing, beloved brethren, your election
by God. 5 For our gospel did not come to you in
word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit and
in much assurance, as you know what kind of men we were among
you for your sake. 6 And you became followers of us and
of the Lord, having received the word in much affliction, with
joy of the Holy Spirit, 7 so that you became examples
to all in Macedonia and Achaia who believe. 8 For from
you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in
Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place. Your faith
toward God has gone out, so that we do not need to say
anything. 9 For they themselves declare concerning us what manner
of entry we had to you, and how you turned to God from idols
to serve the living and true God, and to
wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, i.e.,
Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come!
THE JOURNEY - A PARABLE?
Most likely, if you have read chapter 27 ahead of time, you may
have wondered why there is so much detail about a sea voyage.
Where is the doctrinal exposition and practical application to
Christian life? More and more I realise that the sections of Scripture
that appear to be just stories, are far more than that: they are
amazing parables! God's parables guide us into the Kingdom (Matt
13:10-13).
Acts 27:1 (NIV with variations)When it was decided
that we would sail for Italy, Paul and some other prisoners were
handed over to a centurion named Julius, who belonged to the Imperial
Regiment (How convenient that he was responsible for taking Paul
and some other prisoners to the Imperial City, Rome). 2 We boarded
a ship (in Caesarea) from Adramyttium (a seaport of Mysia, in
N.W. Asia Minor, opposite the island of Lesbos - yes, the home
of Sappho, poetess and singer, born about 612BC, queen of the
tribads, i.e., homosexual women) about to sail for ports along
the coast of the province of Asia, and we put out to sea. Aristarchus,
a Macedonian from Thessalonica, was with us (as was Luke; Acts
19:29; 20:4,5; Col 4:10-18; Phil 23,24; both of these epistles
were written from Rome between 60-62AD).
Our lives are inevitably affected by the commercial, mercantile,
political, and cultural activities in the world. Influences are
inevitable. Are we affected like Lot or like Abraham?
How do we handle such influences? How was Paul affected by what
he was experiencing in the world of his time?
3 The next day we landed at Sidon (north of Tyre); and
Julius, in kindness to Paul, allowed him to go to
his friends so they might provide for his needs. (We should
recall the commander of the Jerusalem Roman garrison, Claudius
Lysias. He saved Paul from a crazed Jerusalem mob, then sent him
to Caesarea under military escort to circumvent an assassination
plot hatched by the Sanhedrin). 4 From there we put out to sea
again and passed to the lee of Cyprus because the winds were against
us (i.e., tending to drive the ship south, so they stuck closer
to the "Turkish" southern coast). 5 When we had sailed
across the open sea off the coast of Cilicia and Pamphylia (across
a large geographic bight), we landed at Myra in Lycia. 6 There
the centurion found an Alexandrian ship sailing for Italy and
put us on board (Alexandria was the chief Egyptian port for the
export of grain to Rome).
7 We made slow headway for many days (because of a strong north-west
wind tending to push them south and backwards) and had difficulty
arriving off Cnidus. (This was a port, with two harbours,
on the Carian promontory of Triopium [or more simply put, on the
south-western extremity of Asia Minor], frequented by Egyptian
merchant ships). When the wind did not allow us to hold our
course, we sailed to the lee of Crete, opposite Salmone (seeking
shelter from the strong north-wester)]. (Salmone was on the far
eastern tip of Crete). 8 We moved along the (southern) coast (of
Crete) with difficulty (because the offshore wind made it difficult
to stay close to the coast and avoid being swept out to sea, away
from the destination) and came to a place called Fair Havens (midway
along the southern coast), near the town of Lasea (see NIV map
on p 1697).
Satan is the prince of the power of the air (Eph 2:2), or as William
Barclay puts it: "living life as the ruler of the power
of the air dictates it." God's faithful cannot allow
the invisible principalities and powers of this world dictate
what they shall think, feel, speak, do, and be motivated by (Eph
6:12; Jas 4:7)!
9 Much time had been lost, and sailing had already become dangerous
because by now it was after the Fast (probably 5 October, 59AD.
The Day of Atonement would have been observed in Fair Havens;
according to F.F. Bruce; but 60AD in NJB). So Paul warned
them, 10 "Men, I can see that our voyage is going
to be disastrous and bring great loss to ship and cargo, and to
our own lives also." 11 But the centurion (Julius), instead
of listening to what Paul said, followed the advice of the
pilot and of the owner of the ship (The period of dangerous
sailing weather extended from mid September to about mid November).
Why should Julius have heeded Paul. He was just a minister! What
would he know about sailing, the behaviour of the seas, and weather
patterns? I get similar treatment. "What would you know about
business, or farming, or some other area of regular life?"
You've only been a minister for 31 years! What would you know
about real life? What did Paul know about real life? Let's look
in his second epistle to the Church of God in Corinth, probably
written from Ephesus before Pentecost, 55AD.
2Cor 11:16-31 (NIV) I repeat: Let no one take me for a
fool. But if you do, then receive me just as you would a fool,
so that I may do a little boasting (Wise men do not need to boast.
Paul, in his sarcasm is asking them to treat him as a fool). 17
In this self-confident boasting I am not talking as the Lord would,
but as a fool. 18 Since many (i.e., false ministers, as he mentions
in the same chapter: 'ministers of Satan masquerading as ministers
of righteousness') are boasting in the way the world does, I too
will boast. 19 You gladly put up with fools since you are so wise
(i.e., you tolerate so much nonsense, and feel strong about it.
How interesting that so many think they can stay uncontaminated
- Lot had the same problem)! 20 In fact, you even put up with
anyone who enslaves you or exploits you or takes advantage of
you or pushes himself forward or slaps you in the face (Why is
it people prefer to sit before those who abuse them rather than
those devoted to edifying them?). 21 To my shame I admit that
we were too weak for that (Paul sarcastically says that he was
not strong enough to abuse them)! What anyone else dares to boast
about - I am speaking as a fool - I also dare to boast about.
22 Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Israelites? So am I. Are
they Abraham's descendants? So am I. 23 Are they servants of Christ?
[Of course they're not, so why say that? So Paul responds to his
own statement]: (I am out of my mind to talk like this.) I am
more. I have worked much harder, been in prison more frequently,
been flogged more severely, and been exposed to death again and
again. 24 Five times I received from the Jews the forty lashes
minus one (Where is the record of this? Why isn't it there? How
much physical injury was done to Paul in receiving 195 lashes?).
25 Three times I was beaten with rods (once in Acts 21:32 outside
the Temple?). Once I was stoned (in Lystra, to death, in Acts
14:19-20), three times I was shipwrecked (This shipwreck in Acts
27 is the first one recorded in any detail). I spent a night and
a day in the open sea (no record of this elsewhere). 26 I have
been constantly on the move. I have been in danger from rivers,
in danger from bandits, in danger from my own countrymen, in danger
from Gentiles; in danger in the city (in Damascus; Acts 9:23-25;
2Cor 11:32,33), in danger in the country, in danger at sea; and
in danger from false brothers. 27 I have laboured and toiled and
have often gone without sleep; I have known hunger and thirst
and have often gone without food; I have been cold and naked.
28 Besides everything else, I face daily the pressure of my
concern for all the churches. 29 Who is weak, and I do
not feel weak? Who is led into sin, and I do not inwardly burn
(i.e., Paul deeply empathises and recognises their struggles).
? 30 If I must boast, I will boast of the things that show my
weakness. 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is to be
praised forever, knows that I am not lying.
No wonder Paul had a doctor with him most of the time - Luke!
What pain and anguish did he go through even daily? What permanent
injuries bothered him? Most people rejected and reject the true
Jesus Christ! Many rejected and still reject the apostle Paul!
Is it any different today? I think not! In a sick and abusive
society most prefer leaders and guides who are pseudo-righteous,
who lust after pre-eminence, and the people seem to love to have
it so. Because righteousness does not grandstand, because godliness
is not arrogant, because love is not self-seeking, because service
to God does not seek power over people, the result is that the
carnal mind rejects such care and seeks a form of religion
that denies the power of God (2Tim 3:5).
12 Since the harbour was unsuitable to winter in, the majority
decided that we should sail on, hoping to reach Phoenix and winter
there (farther east along the Cretan coast). This was a harbour
in Crete, facing both southwest and northwest. 13 When a gentle
south wind began to blow, they thought they had obtained what
they wanted; so they weighed anchor and sailed along the shore
of Crete (Their "good" decision confirmed their wisdom,
and made Paul look foolish. Paul had to go with their
problem. He was in the same boat as they were). 14 Before very long, a wind of hurricane force, called the "northeaster
(Euroquilo)," swept down from the island. 15 The ship
was caught by the storm and could not head into the wind; so we
gave way to it and were driven along. 16 As we passed to the lee
of a small island called Cauda, we were hardly able to make the
lifeboat secure (it was being pulled along behind, and had to
be taken aboard). 17 When the men had hoisted it aboard, they
passed ropes under the ship itself to hold it together. Fearing
that they would run aground on the sandbars of Syrtis (quicksands
on the north African coast west of Cyrene (Libya), which is due
south of Greece), they lowered the sea anchor and let the ship
be driven along. (The storms of life sweep everybody along. The
follies of Middle East diplomacy all of us will suffer!)
GODLY VISION AND COURAGE
18 We took such a violent battering from the storm that the next
day they began to throw the cargo overboard. 19 On the third day,
they threw the ship's tackle overboard with their own hands. 20
When neither sun nor stars appeared for many days
(the means of navigation was hidden. Compare this to people who
are in the storms of life and have no immediate and visible navigator.
The sheep and the shepherds are lost.) and the storm continued
raging, we finally gave up all hope of being saved.
(When there is no sense of direction, and no-one knows where they
are, and where they will end up - what do people do? Utter despair
sets in).
21 The men had gone a long time without food. (They were shattered
psychologically, physically exhausted, and hungry - they had had
no regular meals. Maybe now they would be prepared to listen to
godly advice. They were all on the very edge of total disaster
and despair!) Paul stood up before them and said: "Men, you
should have taken my advice not to sail from Crete; then you would
have spared yourselves this damage and loss. (People don't like
to be told: "I told you so!") 22 But now I urge you
to keep up your courage, because not one of
you will be lost; only the ship will be destroyed (The
vehicle of this part of your journey is to be destroyed. This
is what we are seeing with respect to the attempts in the organizational
structures set up "for" us). 23 Last night an angel
of the God, whose servant I am and whom I serve, stood
beside me 24 and said, 'Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand
trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives
of all who sail with you.' 25 So keep up your courage,
men, for I have faith in God that it will happen
just as he told me. 26 Nevertheless, we must run aground on some
island." (May those here, those who hear by reading this,
take heed to these parables).
27 On the fourteenth night (since leaving Fair Havens) we were
still being driven across the Adriatic Sea, when about midnight
the sailors sensed they were approaching land (heard the pounding
of breakers). 28 They took soundings and found that the water
was a hundred and twenty feet deep. A short time later they took
soundings again and found it was ninety feet deep. 29 Fearing
that we would be dashed against the rocks, they dropped four anchors
from the stern and prayed for daylight. 30 In an attempt to escape
from the ship, the sailors let the lifeboat down into the sea,
pretending they were going to lower some anchors from the bow.
31 Then Paul said to the centurion and the soldiers, "Unless
these men stay with the ship, you cannot be saved." 32 So
the soldiers cut the ropes that held the lifeboat and let it fall
away. (Now the centurion was listening to Paul and the desertion
of all good opportunity was prevented).
33 Just before dawn Paul urged them all to eat.
"For the last fourteen days," he said, "you have
been in constant suspense and have gone without food - you haven't
eaten anything (i.e., no one had eaten any regular meals. The
Christian needs, desperately, as the first beatitude says: "Blessed
are the poor in spirit (i.e., those who beg for the Bread of Life
as beggars do. How would a beggar feel if he didn't beg for food
and didn't get any for a day?). 34 Now I urge you to take some
food. You need it to survive. Not one of you will lose a
single hair from his head." What is meant by this
last statement?
Lk 21:12-19 But before all these things (i.e.,
as in a queue of events all building to the head of the queue,
the Second Coming. Firstly there are the deceits of false gospels
and deceiving ministers, then in front of that wars, in front
of that famines, then pestilences - all having their start and
ongoing effects. Then) they will lay their hands on you and persecute
you, delivering you up to the synagogues and prisons.
You will be brought before kings and rulers for My Name's sake.
13 But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony
(a time to witness, preach, teach, and confound the mighty).
14 Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand
on what you will answer; 15 for I will give you a mouth and wisdom
which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist
(This is responding by faith and the power of God). 16 You will
be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends;
and they will put some of you to death. 17 And you
will be hated by all for My Name's sake. 18 But not a hair
of your head shall be lost. 19 By your patience possess
your souls. (How can one die in persecution, but the hair on one's
head does not perish? God is aware of every event. A Christian
will not fail unless he wants to fail. A Christian will not lose
out unless he wants to lose his eternal life for the sake of saving
the temporary tent, this body (2Cor 5:1-8).
In the mighty chapter dealing with Christ as the good Shepherd,
we see these words:
Jn 10:26-29 But you do not believe, because you are not
of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and
I know them, and they follow Me.
Let me ask you a simple question. The reason for it is because
some accuse me of not seeking God's sheep. If a sheep should wonder
away from the flock, and the shepherd goes after it, finds it,
and calls it, what will the lost sheep do? Notice what the Scripture
says:
Jn 10:3 ... the sheep hear his voice; and he calls his
own sheep by name and leads them out (from being lost. So they
come willingly. If the sheep belong to another 'shepherd', what
will they do? They will not hear this shepherd.
Do the sheep have responsibility in responding to the voice of
a shepherd sent by God? Now if the shepherd is self-deceived,
and is not sent by God, then certainly don't follow him. However,
many sheep are listening to the voices of many shepherds. Confusion
will rule more and more.
Jn 10:4... the sheep follow him, for they know his
voice. (People know what I teach and preach. If they reject what
I preach they reject me. They have another shepherd).
Jn 10:5 They will by no means follow a stranger, but will
flee from him, for they do not know the voice of strangers.
Jn 10:11.... The good shepherd gives his life for the
sheep.
Jn 10:12 But he who is a hireling and not a shepherd, one
who does not own the sheep, sees the wolf coming (or a wolf in
sheep's clothing) and leaves the sheep (to their own devices)
and flees (because he's interested in wages and the security wages
provide. He's not interested in fighting wolves, bears, wild dogs,
and other beasts of the field. He seeks to save his own life -
his covetous flesh). The wolf catches the sheep and scatters them.
Jn 10:28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish;
neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father,
who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one
is able to snatch them out of My Father's hand.
If you really are one of the sheep given by God to the Good Shepherd,
then He will never leave us nor forsake us.
Acts 27:35 After he said this, he took some bread and gave
thanks to God in front of them all. Then he broke it and began
to eat. 36 They were all encouraged and ate some food themselves.
(How amazing that in front of over 270 heathen, other than Luke,
Aristarchus, and possibly Secundus, Paul asked all to acknowledge
the God who had so far delivered them.
Matt 10:32-41 Therefore whoever confesses Me (admits openly)
before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in
Heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny
before My Father who is in Heaven. 34 Do not think that I came
to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword
(Heb 4:12). 35 For I have come to set a man against his
father, a daughter against her mother, and
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; 36 and a man's
enemies will be those of his own household. 37 He who
loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he
who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38
And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not
worthy of Me (The cross that Christ bore took Him to his death.
If we should shirk any burdensome difficulty or trial, i.e., refuse
to carry the trial in the way that pleases God, then we shall
receive the human freedom we seek, but will lose the gift God
promises). 39 He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses
his life for My sake will find it. 40 He who receives you receives
Me (The centurion had received Paul, and his life was saved, as
were the lives of all the others), and he who receives Me receives
Him who sent Me. 41 He who receives a prophet in the name of a
prophet shall receive a prophet's reward (The centurion received
Paul's prophecy and obtained the outcome of the prophecy). And
he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man
shall receive a righteous man's reward (And contrawise, if one
should reject a man or woman, who is approved of by God, then
God will reject the rejecter).
They were all in the drink together, as we are today!