There is a
program I try to catch daily, but because the time of it is during the morning ,
I have to record to watch at a more convenient time. I pay attention to
prophets who give the last day prophesy and how it lines up with the Old
Testament prophets and their prophecies! Especially today when you have the
return of early gods from early Greece. You know the ones, like whom the disciples
had to work the Gospel against after Jesus was crucified. For when Paul was
imprisoned in Rome, he certainly saw to it that John the apostle and Mary,
Jesus’ mother, would move into Ephesus to keep the church going.
Of late, I
have heard that this program needs help to stay on the air! Seems like those
who would hear have either chosen to vacate their lives for fun world for
several weeks in the hot summer sun or else have chosen not to see the kingdom
of God go further in touching lives for God’s glory. So they just hoard their
money in that “safe” place to use for their next summer fun in the sun adventure!
Was reading
about Paul in Ephesus. I loved the parts about him laying his cloths on
individuals and seeing them healed for God’s glory. And this proved to be
against those who did their magic and incantations in that region. Can you see Paul working and praying in tongues. Then when he has worked he goes out to give people the word of God, the kingdom has appeared and how people are healed in Jesus' name.
Ephesus was
notorious for its magical arts and amulets of parchment with inscribed
incantations, valued at enormous prices (50,000 pieces of
silver), yet freely given up to the flame when their possessors received a
living faith found in Acts 19:19 Also many of those who had practiced magic
brought their books together and burned them in the sight of all. And they
counted up the value of them and it totaled fifty thousand pieces of silver.
With the evidence of what occurred in Ephesus,
Paul writes to Timothy in 2 Timothy 3:13 “seducers (conjurors) shall wax worse
and worse, deceiving and being deceived.
2 Timothy 3: 13 But evil men and imposters will grow worse and worse,
deceiving and being deceived. 14 But you must continue in the things which you
have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15
and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to
make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
So the very "special miracles" which God wrought by the hands of Paul were exactly suited to conquer the magicians on their own ground: handkerchiefs and aprons from his body brought as a cure to the sick; evil spirits cast out by him; and when exorcists imitated him, the evil spirits turning on them and rending them.
EPHESUS was
the capital of the Roman province “Asia” which included Mysia and Lydia. Ephesus supported a port in that region. This hub connected the great emporium
of Asia with the interior. Ephesus was the place where John, Timothy and Mary
the mother of Jesus were buried.
It was a
proconsul or "deputy" that ruled Asia. We find that he is mentioned
in Acts 19: on circuit, holding "the court days are (now being)
kept." The "town clerk" had charge of the public records, opened
state letters, and took notes of the proceedings in the assembly
Paul
encountering those who worship Diana and Zeus, found that his reputation had
spread throughout Asia thus making him a threat to the beliefs and lifestyle of
many people. When Paul was here, the temple in Ephesus dated back to the eighth
century B.C. This temple was also
considered one of the seven wonders of the world.
Acts 19:
26-29 NKJV 26 Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but
throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away man people,
saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. 27 For not only
is this trade of ours in danger of falling
into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised
and her magnificent destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship. 28 Now when
they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana
of the Ephesians!” 29 So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed
into the theater with one accord, having sieved Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians,
Paul’s travel companions.
Yes, a
business recession occurred among the idol makers in Ephesus. The spiritual
awakening in the city was widespread. Demetrius, a silversmith, was one of
those seriously affected. He made silver shrines of Diana. Serving as a spokesman
for the trade, it was Demetrius who would gather together all his fellow
craftsmen and sought out to stir the people to take some resolute action
against Paul. But Paul had been successful in persuading the people that there are no gods which are made with human hands.
For Demetrius had revealed his real motive when he said their trade was in
danger, he also colored it with religious tones pretending great reverence for
Diana and her temple so business could continue as usual.
Other
craftsmen or laborers were also noted who would lose their financial status
with the gospel going forward. Acts 19:24-25 For a certain man named Demetrius,
a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the
craftsmen. 25 He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: "men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade."
Protection
from the municipalities had occurred. Paul saw the opportunity change for
Ephesus. He moved on to the next area. He would go to Macedonia.
Taking just
a minute detail from Paul in Ephesus, reveals he proved dangerous to the enemy.
Paul had a prayer for the people to have insight. Ephesians
1:15-19 Amplified Bible 15
For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your
love toward all the saints ( the people of God), 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, making
mention of you in my prayers. 17 For I always pray to the God of our Lord Jesus
Christ, the Father of glory, that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and
revelation [ of insight into mysteries and secrets] in the [ deep and intimate]
knowledge of Him. 18 By having the eyes
of your heart flooded with light; so that you can know and understand the hope
to which He has called you, and how rich is His glorious inheritance in the
saints (His set-apart ones), 19 And [ so that you can know and understand] what
is the immeasurable and unlimited and surpassing greatness of His power in and
for us who believe, as demonstrated in the working of His mighty strength. In Ephesians 3, he gave the apostle's prayer for power: Ephesians 3:14-21 NKJV 14 For this reason I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 from whom the whole family in heaven and earth is name, 16 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height---19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 20 Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
So how much of His power really works in us, so that we can as Him do the impossible? That power is to complete something. It is an exertion. A power that enables us to accomplish that which He desires us to do for Him and His kingdom. It is cooperating with God and it works as we continue to take on His likeness and enter His kingdom. You cannot work if you are not connected with Him! God wants to counsel us and lead us by His Holy Spirit!
Paul had
this available and he taught those in Ephesus of that power. For our strength
is by the Holy Spirit. It is by faith and love in Christ’s indwelling that we
keep future focused. This is for believers connected and God’s glory. As the
believer we are called to responsibility in unity with diligence. Just like we
saw those against God in unity, we are to grow in maturing as the body of
Christ becoming the Bride Jesus will come for. It is untainted love, to shine
as undimmed light bearers and to have on the new man. It is knowing the one
true God, pursing His will and wisdom, to maintain the fullness of the Holy
Spirit through worship and humility. Ephesians 5:18-21 NKJV 18 And do not be
drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19
speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and
making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things
to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 submitting to one
another in the fear of God.
The “clerk”
in Ephesus wanted to please the people in their hearing. He wanted to keep his
job. But what if we want to reveal the kingdom of God instead? It is according
to God’s order. And it is a call to spiritual warfare: the reality of the
invisible conflict, armor for the
warrior and the action involved in that warfare. Paul used handkerchiefs and
aprons from his body that brought a cure to the sick; evil spirits cast out by
him; and when exorcists imitated him, the evil spirits turning on them and
rending those broken and bruised.
As Paul was
and so are we SEALED by the Holy Spirit authorized to represent Christ, He is also
the REAVEALER of Christ, He is the one who enlightens hearts for God’s purpose
and he Empowers us to go as Christ strengthens us from within. As the Spirit of
unity, and holiness, He is the Giver of the Word as sword for battle and He is
on duty even now. Let’s go in Jesus Name and see His kingdom flourish: One true
God! Amen.
New teaching at: Voice of Prayer
Divine Warrior: Jesus Alone
