From Miletus: Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian elders.

Acts 20:13-38

• Arriving to Miletus from Troas.
• “Let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”
• Paul’s impending death and warning against the devouring wolves in sheep clothing.
• Commended to God, offer goodwill to the weak, and embrace our eternal inheritance.

Arriving to Miletus from Troas.
“Then we went ahead to the ship and sailed to Assos, there intending to take Paul on board; for so he had given orders, intending himself to go on foot.” Acts 20:13

The “we” in this verse refers to Luke, Silas, and Timothy, who sailed to Assos ahead of Paul. Paul would travel by land to Assos and meet with the others there. This is the way Paul wanted it to be. They had just finished ministering the Gospel of Jesus Christ in Troas, Paul’s ministry in Troas is described in Acts 20:7-12.

The important focus of living for Jesus Christ is not in how united we are from person to person but how united we are in the purpose of Jesus Christ. That is how it was with Paul, Luke, Silas, and Timothy. They were often scattered physically from one another but always together in the Spirit of spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 “And when he met us at Assos, we took him on board and came to Mitylene. We sailed from there, and the next day came opposite Chios. The following day we arrived at Samos and stayed at Trogyllium. The next day we came to Miletus. For Paul had decided to sail past Ephesus, so that he would not have to spend time in Asia; for he was hurrying to be at Jerusalem, if possible, on the Day of Pentecost.” Acts 20:14-16

On the map below, Troas is seen at the top middle of the image, with a yellow line on top. From there, Luke, Silas, and Timothy sailed to Assos [below Troas] while Paul traveled there by land. Then, they all continued sailing south to Mitylene, then Chios, then Samos [where they stayed at Trogyllium overnight]. From there, they arrived at Miletus, where Paul called for the elders of Ephesus to say his final farewell to them before going to Jerusalem.

Paul sailed to Samos instead of stopping at Ephesus to avoid spending more time in that region than necessary. Paul was in a hurry to be in Jerusalem on the Day of Pentecost [if possible]. For us today, the Day of Pentecost represents the day the Holy Spirit was poured out, as described in Acts 2:1-2. Jerusalem can be said to be the capital of our soul where God sets on the throne [by the Holy Spirit] by our faith in Jesus Christ. That is the most important part of our ministry, not how many cities we visit, or how many people we influence, but living for the presence of the Holy Spirit.

In the Old Testament [and Jewish customs], the Day of Pentecost is also known as the “Feast of Weeks”. This day is observed fifty days after Passover. Also, the day of the Christian Pentecost is celebrated fifty days after the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The death and resurrection of Jesus was three days, then he walked on this earth for 40 days after His resurrection, which adds to 43 days. Then the resurrected Jesus, just moments before His ascension, told His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit [one week]. That is a total of 50 days.

“Let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.“
From Miletus he sent to Ephesus and called for the elders of the church.” Acts 20:17

Ephesus was just north of Miletus, as seen on the map above. From Miletus, Paul called for the elders of the Church at Ephesus to come to him in Miletus. The Church was not a manmade building that anyone would be able to recognize as being a church. The Church was a gathering of Believers and the elders of the Church were people who guided others in the Way of Jesus Christ. That is still the definition of the Church today. We are the temple of God, the Temple of the Holy Spirit, “Do you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16 Jesus Christ is our Priest who lives within our heart and soul through the Holy Spirit.

 “And when they had come to him, he said to them: “You know, from the first day that I came to Asia, in what manner I always lived among you, serving the Lord with all humility, with many tears and trials which happened to me by the plotting of the Jews; how I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:18-21

When the elders of the Ephesian Church came to Paul in Miletus, Paul spoke words to them that should be within the heart of every follower of Jesus Christ. We should be able to be an example in the Spirit of serving Jesus Christ with humility, not being aggressive, arrogant, argumentative, filled with debate, harshness, conflict, etc.

We are an example of faithfulness to God through Jesus Christ within many hardships, trials, difficulties, and afflictions. Today’s culture is atheistic and serves the beast that gives them what to speak, do, think, and feel, which is hostile to belief in God, living for Jesus Christ, and the presence of the Holy Spirit. As Jesus said, “If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you. If they kept My word, they will keep yours also.” John 15:18;20

Shortly before Jesus would be delivered up to be crucified, he said, “…Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink, and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?” Matthew 20:22 Jesus says to us, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.” Matthew 16:24

As followers of Jesus Christ, we do not keep anything back from our brothers and sisters in Jesus Christ, even though it is rare to come across a true Believer nowadays. But if we ever do meet another Believer, we would not want to keep anything back about our born-gain testimony, which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ written on our heart. We want to make known the repentance towards God through our faith in Jesus Christ. We repent of our unbelief in God the Creator, repent of our rejection of Jesus Christ, and repent of fighting against the Holy Spirit.

“And see, now I go bound in the spirit to Jerusalem, not knowing the things that will happen to me there, except that the Holy Spirit testifies in every city, saying that chains and tribulations await me.” Acts 20:22-23 

In every city of today’s culture, which is global, the prohibition of the Gospel of Jesus Christ prevails. Chains and tribulations are laid out for Christianity. People in every city are synchronized in their opposition to the testimony of Jesus by the entity giving them what to speak, do, think, and feel. This entity gives life to the image of the beast to speak and live through people as they are groomed to the mark of the beast by what they are given to say and do.

We live in a culture today where the Gospel of Jesus Christ and all of Christianity are kept bound. A crown of thorns was put on the head of Jesus to cause Him pain and suffering. A crown of thorns is put on our head as the entity that gives what to think and feel browbeats the thoughts devoted to God through Jesus Christ. The Good News of Jesus is being crucified from within our thoughts. The heart of Jesus was pierced with a sword, from which blood and water poured out. Our heart is being pierced with a sword through the many heartaches arising from the hostilities to Chrisitan fellowship, families, and loved ones of all types. Jesus said, “Most assuredly, I say to you that you will weep and lament, but the world will rejoice; and you will be sorrowful, but your sorrow will be turned into joy.” John 16:20 The hands and feet of Jesus were nailed to the Cross. Today, our hands and feet are nailed to the Cross to prevent sharing and spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

“But none of these things move me; nor do I count my life dear to myself, so that I may finish my race with joy, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God.” Acts 20:24

With Paul, may we be able to say through the Holy Spirit that nothing is more important than the ministry given to us from our Lord Jesus Christ. That ministry is to share the Gospel of the grace of God. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16 And at the end of our journey through this life, when we are about to experience the reawakening of our resurrection into eternal life, may the joy of the Lord be with us.

Paul’s impending death and warning against the devouring wolves in sheep clothing.
“And indeed, now I know that you all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, will see my face no more.” Acts 20:25

Paul understood through the Spirit that those with whom he shared the testimony of Jesus Christ would never see him again. In Jerusalem [where he was going next], he would be arrested and eventually executed at the command of the Roman Emperor Nero. Some things we know but today’s culture will deny and bury as a deep secret. We know Christianity is being driven into extinction, whether through attrition or withholding lifesaving and life prolonging care when plausible to do so. The psychotic “lamb” is a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. Jesus knew in the Spirit that people were looking to kill Him, and they accused Him of having a demon, “Did not Moses give you the law, yet none of you keeps the law? Why do you seek to kill Me? The people answered and said, “You have a demon. Who is seeking to kill You?” John 7:19-20

“Therefore I testify to you this day that I am innocent of the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.” Acts 20:26-27

Paul measured His guilt and innocence according to the judgment of God. He was innocent of the blood of all people because He did everything possible to make the whole word of God known to everyone he could. The words of Ezekiel [inspired by the Holy Spirit] were deeply within the spirit of Paul, as Christians we are the watchpersons in today’s world, “…if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet, and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any person from among them, he is taken away in his iniquity; but his blood I will require at the watchman’s hand.’…Nevertheless if you warn the wicked to turn from his way, and he does not turn from his way, he will die in his iniquity; but you have delivered your soul.”” Ezekiel 33:6, 9 Click here for a pos ton Ezekiel 33

“Therefore take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, among which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to shepherd the church of God which He purchased with His own blood.” Acts 20:28

“For I know this, that after my departure savage wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock.” Acts 20:29

The savage wolves are the atheists of today’s culture, which are global. Their intent is to devour Christianity according to the beast that gives them what to speak, do, think, and feel. “It was granted to him to make war with the saints and to overcome them. 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 13:7-8 The “him” in this verse is the beast of the image and mark of the beast.

“Also from among yourselves men will rise up, speaking perverse things, to draw away the disciples after themselves.” Acts 20:30

Those rising up among us and speaking perverse things are wolves in sheep clothing, as described, “For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple.” Romans 16:18 They serve the beast with two horns like a lamb [speaking like a beast], which is Satan’s version of the Holy Spirit. Satan disguises himself as an angel of light and his followers as ministers of righteousness, “And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.” 2 Corinthians 11:14-15

“These are spots in your love feasts, while they feast with you without fear, serving only themselves. They are clouds without water, carried about by the winds; late autumn trees without fruit, twice dead, pulled up by the roots; raging waves of the sea, foaming up their own shame; wandering stars for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.” Jude 1:12-13

“Therefore watch, and remember that for three years I did not cease to warn everyone night and day with tears.” Acts 20:31

Commended to God, offer goodwill to the weak, and embrace our eternal inheritance.
“So now, brethren, I commend you to God and to the word of His grace, which is able to build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” Acts 20:32

When we come to God for repentance of our rejection of Him, we are commended into the hands of Jesus Christ by the presence of the Holy Spirit. “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord…For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him until that Day.”2 Timothy 1:8, 12 “That Day” is the return of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The word of God’s grace can be found in the pages of the Bible and are able to build us up, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

The guarantee of our eternal inheritance is given through the Holy Spirit within us, “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13-14 We are the “purchased possession”, purchased by the blood Jesus shed on the Cross to atone for our sin.

“I have coveted no one’s silver or gold or apparel. Yes, you yourselves know that these hands have provided for my necessities, and for those who were with me.” Acts 20:33-34

Paul did not use the Gospel of Jesus Christ to solicit money or any material thing. He did not crave for possessions but craved for souls to be reconciled to God through Jesus Christ in the presence of the Holy Spirit. Like Paul, we do not want any earthly thing to stand between the testimony of Jesus Christ and those hearing His word. It’s a tragedy when people associate the preaching of the Good News with others receiving the offering of money or some other material thing. The testimony of Jesus should be associated with the giving of a life-changing message.

One thing for sure, I will never ask money as a requirement for people to read these blogs that I post, nor will I ever solicit money through these blogs. The spreading of the Gospel of Jesus is meant to be free of any financial gain. Personally, I don’t have a penny to my name. I do have this blog to glorify the name of Jesus Christ and to spread the Gospel, and I have clothing with wording to lift up the name of Jesus. Other than that, I’m living in a type of earthly hospice with the IV lines being SNAP benefits, housing assistance, and a minimal amount of social security for retirement. In the past, I have been homeless, yet I continue living for my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. During homelessness, I continued posting blogs, but never ever asked for money or spiritual contributions, and never will!

“I have shown you in every way, by laboring like this, that you must support the weak. And remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” Acts 20:35

Paul was not asking for any earthly reward for himself but was encouraging fellow Christians to help those who were not able to help themselves. Paul showed an example of this by using his own hands to earn provisions for those traveling with him, and for himself. Paul emphasized this by saying, “…remember the words of the Lord Jesus, that He said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’”

Jesus was sent from God to help the weak, to support not to break, “A bruised reed He will not break, and smoking flax He will not quench, till He sends forth justice to victory; And in His name Gentiles will trust.” Matthew 12:20-21 “Behold! My Servant whom I have chosen, My Beloved in whom My soul is well pleased! I will put My Spirit upon Him, and He will declare justice to the Gentiles. He will not quarrel nor cry out, nor will anyone hear His voice in the streets.” Matthew 12:18-19

We know how low a person becomes when they start feeling like it is more important to have and receive than to give with kindness and goodwill. “Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? ² You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures.” James 4:1-3

“And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all. Then they all wept freely, and fell on Paul’s neck and kissed him, sorrowing most of all for the words which he spoke, that they would see his face no more. And they accompanied him to the ship.” Acts 20:36-38

We may not think that the Living God hears our prayer in today’s world, but we can be assured of one thing, God has already heard the prayers of every Chrisitan on this earth, and He is keeping them in a bowl in Heaven as he prepares to bring His judgment on this world, “Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” Revelations 5:8

From there in Miletus, Paul would sail for Jerusalem, where he would be arrested and eventually executed at the command of the Roman Emperor Nero.

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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