Riot in Ephesus—-System of today’s god is threatened by Jesus Christ

Acts 19:23-41

The topic of Acts 19:23-41 is the goddess Diana, also known as the goddess Artemis. She was known as the goddess of the hunt, the wilderness, wild animals, nature, vegetation, childbirth, care of children, chastity, and the daughter of the sky god. Diana/Artemis is a prophetic image of the god that governs the global government and its global culture of today. As outlined below.

Goddess of the Hunt: The phrase, “There’s one!” is common here in the United States. That phrase seems to come from thin air but is designed to put thoughts and emotions on alert that we are supposed to come against someone. This puts us in the attitude of the hunt. Today’s culture is obviously in the “hunt” frame-of-mind. They constantly express verbal disapproval against those who are not deemed to be part of their culture. There is also non-verbal disapproval by ignoring anyone who are not part of today’s culture. Today’s culture is driven by the god/goddess that gives them what to speak, do, feel, and think. This entity sees the followers of Jesus Christ as being one to place the focus of the hunt. Christianity is being driven into extinction by the hunt, as described in Revelations 12.

Goddess of the Wilderness: The wilderness represents a place where there is disbelief in God, rejection of Jesus Christ, and opposition to the presence of the Holy Spirit. The god/goddess of today’s culture governs over those who accept atheism as a way of life. This god/goddess replaces the conscience and spirit, while oppressing the presence of the Holy Spirit, in order to give people what to speak, do, think, and feel. In that wilderness, it gives life to the image of the beast to speak and live through people. People everywhere are being groomed to the mark of the beast by what they are given to speak and do. “And authority was given him over every tribe, tongue, and nation. All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life of the Lamb…” Revelations 13:7b-8 The “him” in this verse is the beast of the image and mark of the beast.

Goddess of the Wild Animals: Wild animals are known to live in the wilderness. This refers to the atheistic god/goddess of this world governing over all those who reject God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. This also refers to having power over the physiology of animals the same as power over the physiology of human beings. Today’s culture rejects God as the Divine Creator and believes in creation without God. “And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge… exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever…and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man—and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.” Romans 1:28, 25, 23

Goddess of Nature and Vegetation: The god/goddess of today’s global government and the global culture are very huge on preserving nature and the earth’s vegetation. They focus intently on the “ecological balance” between human beings, animals, the earth, and the “universe” as a whole. They are those who say that global warming is destroying the planet and all life on earth. In response, they urge everyone to do their part to unite with the “universe” to reverse the course of planetary destruction. However, global warming is the Fourth Plague mentioned in Revelations 16:8-9. The more powerful the United Nations become as the one world government the hotter and more intense the effect of global warming becomes. God expects us to repent of rejecting Him, Jesus, and repent of fighting against the Holy Spirit. God warns against becoming one with the “universe” in the effort to find Salvation.

Click here for the “Sustainable Development Goals”.

Goddess of Childbirth: In order to give childbirth, there has to be two people involved in a relationship, however short that relationship may or may not be. Relationships are made or broken apart by the god/goddess that gives people feelings, what to say, what to do, and what to think. Relationships between the followers Jesus Christ are ripped apart because the union of man and wife in the Holy Spirit is very much different than unions formed in today’s atheistic culture. Today’s culture base relationships on a mutual disbelief in God, rejecting the need for Jesus Christ, and opposing the presence of the Holy Spirit. Click here on the post about the bear that tears Chrisitan relationships apart from Daniel 7:5. The killing of the unborn has become normalized, and is referred to as “Women’s Health Care”, “Planned Parenthood”, “Reproductive Rights” etc. Click here for a post on the elimination of Christian births from Revelations 12.

Goddess of the Care of Children: The god/goddess of today’ culture, which is global, considers all people to be under its authority. People are under the influence of the god/goddess that gives them what to feel, do, think, and say. Children are also under that influence, which means the god/goddess of this world considers itself to be the real parent and guardian over children. If a parent, schoolteacher, babysitter, etc. does not recognize the god/goddess of this world, then it becomes a harrowing experience trying to watch over children. To not be recognized as the one who cares for children, turns the god/goddess of this world into the likeness of a parent who has just had their child kidnapped. Vengeance and retribution are sought against the kidnapper.

Goddess of Chastity: In Jesus Christ, chastity refers to being pure in our service to God, not committing “fornication” nor “adultery” with the ways of this world. The god/goddess of this world considers itself to be chaste referring to not permitting “fornication” nor “adultery” with anything outside its realm of giving people what to do, think, feel, and say. Sexual chasteness is far from the practices of today’s culture. This explains why the killing of the unborn has been normalized and given humanitarian names such as “Reproductive Rights”, Planned Parenthood”, and “Women’s Health Care”. In the city where I live, sexually transmitted diseases have become a health crisis, and teenage pregnancies are extremely high. Sex education in the schools has become mandatory, not to teach abstaining from sex, but to teach how to avoid pregnancies and disease. “Safe Sex” is being promoted, and a cultural revolution unfolds in what used to be a Christian nation.

To say that sexual relations should be saved for marriage makes the followers of Jesus Christ the laughingstock and mockery of today’s culture. That’s because Chrisitan values do not fit into the “chasteness” or fidelity of living for the atheistic entity that gives people what to feel, do, say, and think.

The Daughter of the Sky God: What is the sky god? First of all, this is the prince of the power of the air, “…in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience…” Ephesians 2:2 The prince of the power of the air relates to the entity that gives people what to speak, do, think, and feel to make them the children of disobedience. Disobedience to God by rejecting Jesus Christ and fighting against the presence of the Holy Spirit. Ezekiel speaks of the sky god when he sees the vision of the space satellites, space station, and space shuttle. Click here for a post on Ezekiel’s vision from Ezekiel 1.

“For you have said in your heart: ‘I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregations on the farthest sides of the north; I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, I will be like the Most High.’” Isaiah 14:13-14

“This is their resemblance throughout the earth: Here is a lead disc lifted up, and this is a woman sitting inside the basket”; then he said, “This is Wickedness!” And he thrust her down into the basket, and threw the lead cover over its mouth. Then I raised my eyes and looked, and there were two women, coming with the wind in their wings; for they had wings like the wings of a stork, and they lifted up the basket between earth and heaven.” Zachariah 5:6-9

The picture below is a depiction of goddess Diana/Artemis, an original artifact from around 600 BC, which is the subject of the scriptures in this post. As you can see, she looks harmless but is a vicious beast who looks like a sheep.

The temple of Diana/Artemis was one of the great Seven Wonders of the ancient world.

• Paul despised for turning people away from the goddess Diana.
• Culture of the worshippers of Diana seize Paul’s companions.
• City officials rule by law-and-order on behalf of the culture of Diana.

Paul despised for turning people away from the goddess Diana.
“And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way.” Acts 19:23

“About that time” refers to the time Paul was in Ephesus as the Ephesians were receptive to the Holy Spirit and saying “Yes” to the Way of Jesus Christ. Christianity was initially referred to as the “Way”. Paul spoke on receiving the Holy Spirit, miracles were being performed, the Gospel of Christ spread far and wide through the region, and $6,ooo,ooo [six million dollars in today’s money] worth of “magic books” were burned in a fire in one day. Thousands became Christians becoming members of the Way. All of this is explained in the posts on Acts 19:1-22. Some influential unbelievers didn’t like what was happening and created a great commotion against the way of Jesus Christ.

“For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen.” Acts 19:24

Diana is also known as Artemis, as described in the previous section on the introduction to Diana/Artemis. The economy of the Ephesians was deeply integrated into the worship of the goddess Diana. This is like the economy of today’s culture, which is global, being integrated into the service given to the god that gives people what to speak, do, think, and feel. Financial success and prosperity depend on people allowing this entity to give life to the image of the beast to speak and live through them. This entity empowers people to succeed in what they endeavor to do. They are empowered with uncanny knowledge, extraordinary skills and talents, uncanny authority over others, heightened intuition, amazing physical abilities etc. These are those who boasts, “We can!” or “We see!” which is another way of saying “…who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?” Revelation 13:4 Click here for a post on this subject.

Also, the United Nations is creating a global financial network to bring prosperity to nations around the world. Every nation across the globe is paying into the global treasury to redistribute wealth to all countries. The United Nations is progressing towards becoming the one world government of the beast. The global economy is integrated with serving the god that governs through the thoughts, feelings, words, and behaviors of people everywhere. Click here for a post on the global raiser of taxes.

Below, the image to the left shows the contributions of each nation to fund the agenda of the United Nations. The image to the right shows the “Sustainable Development Goals” of the United Nations that each nation is funding. Click here for a clearer image and more information on the “Sustainable Development Goals”.

“He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade.: Acts 19:25

Demetrius called all the silversmiths and workers of a similar occupation together. These are those who were profiting and becoming wealthy from everyone serving Diana. In essence, this is like a powerful union coming together to “strike” and protest against anyone who adversely affects their ability to prosper financially. In their mind, Paul, and the Way of Jesus Christ, was “busting” the union. The trade of the silversmiths and other trades were becoming weaker in number and losing their power, influence, and prosperity.

Today, the powerful union representatives comprise the local grassroot leadership of the global culture. The unions have their power through today’s culture that serves the god that governs through their thoughts, words, feelings, and behaviors. They have their prosperity by uniting together to demand higher wages, increased benefits, etc. If the union representatives lose their support through today’s culture, they lose their financial prosperity.

“Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands.” Acts 19:26

The complaint of Denetrius, the union leader, was that Paul persuaded and turned people away from serving the goddess Diana. Multiple thousands of people believed Paul when he said that service to God is through the Spirit not by anything material that is made with human hands. The Spirit cannot be made from anything in this universe. They came to see that faith was wasted in manmade things, but faith came by belief in God through Jesus Christ.

In today’s culture, which is global, faith is placed in the god that has made the human body [the temple of God] the home of the entity that gives them what to speak, do, think, and feel. This is a non-spiritual and worldly entity. However, the persuasion of we who live for the Way of Jesus Christ is that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Those who believe the testimony of Jesus turn away from the god of this world. The god of this world is the one “…who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:4 ” The “he” in this verse is the “man of sin”. Click here for a post on the “man of sin”.

“So 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 magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.” Acts 19:27

The union leader, leader of the grassroots culture [which is global], feared that the teaching of the Way of Jesus Christ would mar the image of the goddess Diana. The methods and sources of gaining their economic prosperity would be disrespected.

Today, our born-again experience through the Gospel of Jesus Christ is able to pull down strongholds and to shine a light on wickedness. “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ…” 2 Corinthians 10:4-5

The global government, with its global economy, does indeed fall into disrepute, as described in Revelations 18. That describes the collapse of the global economy. The god that uses the temple of our body as its home to govern through the thoughts, feelings, words, and behaviors of people becomes despised. That is what the Battle of Armageddon is all about. That is a time where the world is so filled with rebellion despise against the global government that war breaks out globally. That is described in the events of the Fifth and Sixth Plagues of Revelations 16. As well as in the events of the Fifth and Sixth Trumpets of Revelations 9.

Culture of the worshippers of Diana seize Paul’s companions.
“Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” Acts 19:28

“They” refers to the trade unions of the silversmiths and other such occupations that were becoming wealthy by making shrines for Diana [also known as Artemis]. They heard that the Apostle Paul had turned many people away from Diana to serve God in the Spirit, not through things made by human hands. They feared that their trade was becoming disrespected and that the goddess Diana/Artemis was being despised and no longer revered. This is described in the previous section of Acts 19:23-27. This caused the trade unions to reaffirm their devotion to Diana by crying out, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!”

A description of the goddess Diana/Artemis is described in the top section of this post on the introduction to Diana/Artemis.

In today’s culture, which is global, the trade unions are every single occupation and person working in harmony with community values. The financial prosperity of the economies of cities, states, and nations are integrated with the god that gives them what to speak, do, feel, and think. The global economy benefits from the financial success of peoples and nations across the globe [as seen in the chart of the previous section of Acts 19:23-27].

When today’s financial prosperity is threatened by the values of we who live for Jesus Christ, the atheistic community culture protests with outcries similar to, “Great is the culture of the people!”, which is a translation of, “…who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?” Revelation 13:4 Click here for a post on “The Beast is Unchallengeable”.

“So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions.” Acts 19:29

At hearing that the goddess Diana was in danger of being demeaned, and financial prosperity in danger of collapse, the people of Ephesus were filled with confusion. They needed to know what was going on, so they grabbed members of the Way of Jesus Christ, Paul’s companions, and forced them into the theatre. The theatre was the “Great Theater of Ephesus”, the largest public forum in Ephesus, capable of accommodating around 25,000 people. The theatre was used for public events and gatherings of all types.

You can envision the confusion that would arise if people in cities around the world woke up to hear through news and social media that a global recession is approaching and the god that gives them what to speak, think, feel, and do is no longer a relevant power. This will be the scenario at the coming of the Fifth Plague [Revelations 16:10-11], when the power center of the beast is destroyed. This the power center of the global government and its global culture. They will no longer be empowered by the beast that gives them what to speak, think, do, and say. Losing that empowerment will cause much confusion to set in. Everyone will lose their uncanny knowledge, extraordinary skills, uncanny authority over others, heightened intuition, amazing physical abilities etc. On top of that, the collapse of the power center of the beast will bring the collapse of the global economy, as described in Revelations 18.

During the time when the power center of the beast is plunged into darkness, there is going to lawlessness everywhere. People will be seeking revenge against the government that once controlled their every word and movement, as well as hostilities against Christians who call for people to live by the Way of Jesus Christ.

“And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater.” Acts 19:30-31

The “Great Theatre of Ephesus” was filled with very many angry, hostile, and confused individuals who knew they hated the Way of Jesus Christ but loved the goddess Diana. Paul wanted to go inside to defend his fellow Christians, Gaius and Aristarchus. The worshippers of Diana were hyped-up, especially against Paul, whom they knew by name. The last things the followers of Jesus Christ wanted was for Paul to walk into that theatre, it would have ended badly. Even some of the officials of Asia [Asia Minor is the province where Ephesus was], urged Paul not to enter that theatre.

In today’s culture, the theatre is global and consists of hostilities towards the way of Jesus Christ. The global culture loves the entity that prospers them in worldly ways while governing through their thoughts, feelings, words, and behaviors. As followers of Jesus, we are warned not to enter into the theatre where atheism prevails and hatred to Christians are the norm, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have piled up to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.” Revelation 18:4-5

“Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together.” Acts 19:32

Multitudes of people were called to gather at the largest theatre in Ephesus, but most of them had no idea why they were gathered. In today’s culture, most people don’t have a clue what the Gospel of Jesus Christ is all about, but they know that it’s mandatory to embrace the will of the community culture. When they are called to gather in protests and riots against anyone or anything that comes against the atheistic culture, they do so.

 “And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people. But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” Acts 19:33-34

The Jewish people pushed Alexander forward to the front of the crowd, and the worshippers of Diana drew him up to the stage. The purpose was for Alexander to give his defense as to what was happening relating to the goddess Diana being disrespected and the Ephesus economy being headed towards collapse. However, when Alexander was recognized as being Jewish, the worshippers of Diana cried out, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” The people of Ephesus knew that the Jewish people considered them to be Gentiles and that they were heathens for worshipping the goddess, Diana. While that sounds like what Paul was preaching, he was preaching faith in Jesus Christ through the Spirit, and that faith in God through the laws of Judaism was not necessary.

In today’s culture, most people don’t have a clue what faith in God through Jesus Christ means and are not familiar with the idea of living in the presence of the Holy Spirit. As soon as they realize that someone is a Christian, and desires to speak about faith in Jesus Christ, the Chrisitan is immediately cut off from speaking. Then today’s culture responds by saying “Great is the god that gives what to speak, do, feel, and think”.

Jesus says, “Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” Matthew 7:13-14 Also, “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

City officials rule by law-and-order on behalf of the culture of Diana.
“And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus?” Acts 19:35

The people of Ephesus were gathered in the “Great Theatre of Ephesus”, which could hold about 25,000 people, as a protest/riot against Paul and the Way of Jesus Christ. Paul was causing multiple thousands of Ephesians to turn away from the false goddess Diana to serve God in the Spirit through Jesus Christ. How did the city official respond to the uproar? He said that the community of Ephesus had nothing to worry about because everyone knew that that their culture was the guardian of the “great goddess Diana“. And of the image which fell down from Zeus.

The goddess Diana/Artemis is described in the top section of this post on the introduction to Diana/Artemis. And Zeus was the god above all gods, the father of all gods. In other words, Diana could be considered an offspring of Zeus.

In today’s atheistic culture, which is global, the governing authorities believe that people in every city around the globe know who governs this world. They say that there is nothing to worry about [relating to the Gospel of Jesus Christ] because everyone knows that the global culture is the “guardian of the great god” that governs through thoughts, feelings, words, and behaviors. That is the same as saying,  “Who is like the beast? Who is able to make war with him?” Revelation 13:4 They believe this entity is the offspring of the one who sets himself up as the god above every god by setting in the temple of God, our body, as if he is God. This is the one “…who opposes and exalts himself above all that is called God or that is worshiped, so that he sits as God in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God.” 2 Thessalonians 2:4 The “he” in this verse is the “man of sin”. Click here for a post on the “man of sin”.

“Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly. For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess.” Acts 19:36-37

The governing authorities of today’s culture urges that uproars and violence against the followers of Jesus Christ to be silenced. They are not protecting Christianity but relying on the defeat of Christianity through a process known as out-of-sight and out-of-mind. It’s a process of quietly ignoring any statements made by Christians about the Living God, Jesus, and ignoring the presence of the Holy Spirit. They are being guided in what they say and do, or don’t say and don’t do, by the god that gives them what to speak and do. The governing authorities believe that the god who governs within people’s thoughts, feelings, words, and behaviors cannot be denied.

The quiet extinction of Christianity is seen in that the churches have abandoned the message of the Cross to partner with the community culture. Christianity is quietly becoming extinct as government lawmakers no longer integrate the values of the Bible in their laws, policies, and executive orders. The educational system has quietly put Christianity into extinction by prohibiting the teaching of the Bible in classrooms. Christianity is not wanted in any sector of society. Click here for a post on the extinction of Christian births from Revelations 12.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we do not try to rob today’s culture of their choice of who to serve, nor speak evil words of hatred and vengeance against the false god they serve. We each must choose who to serve, but as for me, I will serve the Lord Jesus. The Holy Spirit reminds us of this, “Michael the archangel, in contending with the devil, when he disputed about the body of Moses, dared not bring against him a reviling accusation, but said, “The Lord rebuke you!” Jude 1:9 Our Lord Jesus said this to those who delivered Him to be crucified on the Cross, “But this is your hour, and the power of darkness.” Luke 22:52

The Holy Spirit speaks these words to us, “…be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.” Titus 3:1-2 We want to live as those who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of their god.

“Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. But if you have any other inquiry to make, it will be determined in the lawful assembly.” Acts 19:38-39

The courts are and will be used against those who spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the community culture. There are already numerous ordinances, laws, and prohibitions against speaking the Gospel of Jesus Christ in public places. These ordinances and laws are in every city around the world. They are all in synch against Christianity by the entity guiding their thoughts and actions against the spread of the testimony of Jesus. Even in the United States, Christians find themselves in jail for violating public peace by the simple act of witnessing about the Good News of our Lord Jesus. The persecution will become more severe as days progress, and as the United Nations becomes more powerful as the one world government of the beast.

As Christ Jesus says, “Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved.” Matthew 10:21-22 And, “…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. But it will turn out for you as an occasion for testimony. Therefore settle it in your hearts not to meditate beforehand on what you will answer; for I will give you a mouth and wisdom which all your adversaries will not be able to contradict or resist.” Luke 21:12-15

“For we are in danger of being called in question for today’s uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.” And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly.” Acts 19:40-41

The Romans were strict about keeping law and order and not allowing uproars and community wide disturbances. Those responsible for stirring up the community was the offender and subject to interrogation and punishment. In other words, the will of the community ruled regardless of the innocence of the person the community came against. That is why the city official said, “we are in danger of being called in question for today’s uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.” That sense of law and order describes the culture we live in today. The community includes those who serve the entity that governs through what they say and do, the offender being the one who offends them. The gospel of Jesus Christ offends them, Christians offend them.

“Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered.” Daniel 8:12 The transgression is unbelief in the Living God, rejection of Jesus Christ, and fighting against the presence of the Holy Spirit. Because of that transgression, the army of the global population is given over to the “horn” which is the entity that gives people what to speak, do, feel, and think. The truth is thrown down to the ground through the will of the global population living for the “horn”. The beast does this and causes the global government and its global culture to prosper. Click here for a post on Daniel 8:1-14.

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11