To the Very End

Psalm 119:139

139 My zeal has consumed me,  Because my adversaries have forgotten Your words.  NASU

Psalm 119:139

139 My zeal wears me out, for my enemies ignore your words.  NIV

Meaning of forgotten: consigned to oblivion, out of mind

Meaning of ignore: refuse to take notice of or acknowledge; disregard intentionally; failing to consider something significant; giving no attention to

Acts 28:23 - 31

23 They arranged to meet Paul on a certain day, and came in even larger numbers to the place where he was staying. From morning till evening he explained and declared to them the kingdom of God and tried to convince them about Jesus from the Law of Moses and from the Prophets. 24 Some were convinced by what he said, but others would not believe. 25 They disagreed among themselves and began to leave after Paul had made this final statement: "The Holy Spirit spoke the truth to your forefathers when he said through Isaiah the prophet:

26 "'Go to this people and say, "You will be ever hearing but never understanding;

you will be ever seeing but never perceiving."

27 For this people's heart has become calloused;

they hardly hear with their ears,

and they have closed their eyes.

Otherwise they might see with their eyes,

hear with their ears,

understand with their hearts

and turn, and I would heal them.' 

28 "Therefore I want you to know that God's salvation has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will listen!" 

30 For two whole years Paul stayed there in his own rented house and welcomed all who came to see him. 31 Boldly and without hindrance he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. NIV

Paul worked at giving truth to those who came to see him. He was bold and without any hindrance as he preached the kingdom of God and taught about the Lord Jesus Christ. His relationship with the Lord shined through him.

In the text above Paul stayed in his own rented house and would welcome those who came to him.

In that area and time, Paul was in that city of Rome. His life would end. It all started with a fire of great magnitude. It occurred in the market place near the Circus Maximus. In this fire, half of the city of Rome was destroyed. The year: 64 AD. It was a hot summer that year, and the events of the day is given.

It was the Roman historian Tacitus who recorded such an event of great magnitude. Chaos had ensued very quickly…..

"First, the fire swept violently over the level spaces. Then it climbed the hills-but returned to ravage the lower ground again. It outstripped every counter-measure. . . Terrified, shrieking women, helpless old and young, people intent on their own safety, people unselfishly supporting invalids or waiting for them, fugitives and lingerers alike--all heightened the confusion."

The great fire blazed out of control! And those concerned citizens tried every measure, every possible way to put out the flames. But to no avail, they lost the battle. Also some of the mob had lit torches and threw them into the flames to feed the fire. Tacitus made an interesting note about these arsonists who had claimed "they acted under orders. Perhaps they had ... or they may just have wanted to plunder unhampered."

Another teaching states that it was actually Nero who started the fire.

Either way, Nero had decided to place blame on scapegoats. The dangerous rumor was floating about naming him as the one who started the fire. It was rumored that he ordered the fire to vandalize the capital city and to free up some areas for his ideas and plan for buildings for his name. And for a couple of years, he did see to taking advantage of the situation. He began the building of his very own Golden house.

Yes, as it turned out someone had to be blamed for this atrocity. And it was Christians who would be persecuted. After the fire, another fire of persecution raged. It came from every direction. Anyone claiming to be a Christian….. was committing a crime. Although Nero would die shortly, that persecution would continue for almost three full centuries.

The fire that burned at that time had left many people homeless. It was noted that the fire burned for nine days. And of that great city of fourteen regions (on how many hills) it was only four regions that remained after the devastating fire.

It was at this time, Paul died. Yes, he was a Christian! Yes, he preached the Gospel. He gave many the word of the kingdom of God and how salvation was through Jesus, God’s own Son.

Acts 28:27

Otherwise they might see with their eyes,  hear with their ears,

understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them.' 

Their ears…ous…((ooce) to hear both physically and mentally

Understand: uniemi (soon-ee'-ay-mee); from NT:4862 and hiemi (to send); to put together, i.e. (mentally) to comprehend; by implication, to act piously: KJV - consider, understand, be wise.

Yes, Paul was blamed for something he had not done. He continued even though under guard, and his life would end, but he was giving his all for God’s kingdom, and God’s Son.

The writer of Psalm 119 spoke how he grew weary giving people God’s Word. He said they had forgotten him. And reading the meanings of forgotten, what was spoken was consigned to oblivion. And from the meaning of ignore, one simply refused to take notice, disregarding intentionally……failing to see the “significant”, given not attention to.

Things are always going on around us. Like in Paul’s time, someone started a great fire. The blame, it was directed toward someone who did not deserve it, yet it happened. People are all connected in some way or form. You cannot escape people! One thing is important, and like Paul we would do well to observe and obey God. We should keep going with intent of heart to tell others of Jesus.

Something may or may not come your way. But someone you know will be affected by chaos started by others. Our stance should be on the Word of God and hold unswervingly to truth.

John 3:1-3

3:1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a member of the Jewish ruling council. 2 He came to Jesus at night and said, "Rabbi, we know you are a teacher who has come from God. For no one could perform the miraculous signs you are doing if God were not with him."

3 In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." NIV

Ah yes, ugly lies are rampant, but those who sought Jesus, like Nicodemus, came at night. And this man, the member of the Jewish ruling council, knew Jesus to be a teacher sent from God. And he noted God was with HIM!

May we be found by those who truly seek truth, knowing the Lord Jesus Christ, and understand that we must speak and give that for which Paul was well noted. He gave his all for the kingdom of God, and gave his life to the end. Are we willing to hear, and to give our lives as well………………to the very end?
Revelation 2:26.....And he who overcomes (is victorious) and who obeys My commands to the [very] end [doing the works that please Me], I will give him authority and power over the nations;27 And he shall rule them with a sceptre (rod) of iron; as when earthen pots are broken in pieces, and [his power over them shall be] like that which I Myself have received from My Father. (Psalm 2:8-9)

Notice: 

The Voice of Prayer  has a new teaching published:

Waiting On The Master: The Reward of Service

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FaNOEL3e88Q

You can also visit my Youtube channel The Voice of Prayer for more teaching at  http://bit.ly/1tNyBhV