Roman soldiers assigned to keep peace in the community.

Acts 21:31-32

Click for a description of the mark of the beast.
Click for a description of the image of the beast.

“Now as they were seeking to kill him, news came to the commander of the garrison that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. He immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And when they saw the commander and the soldiers, they stopped beating Paul.” Acts 21:31-32

The Romans were very much against any type of uproar within the Roman Empire, so the mobs of people trying to kill Paul caught the notice of a Roman police commander [military commander]. The commander took centurions [captains of 100 soldiers] and soldiers to the scene of the uproar, which caused the Jewish people to stop beating Paul.

The leaders of today’s culture are very much against any type of uproar or disturbance caused in their community. That is why the extinction of Christianity, as described in revelation 12, is carried out in “humanitarian” ways.  “And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.’” Revelation 12:17 Nowadays, violence is not publicly supported against Christians, and public leaders do not announce the public persecution of the followers of Jesus Christ. Open violence against Christians is not yet upon us and not tolerated by law enforcement [but seems to be edging nearer].

While public violence is not tolerated, those punished for any uproar in the community are those who are not supportive of today’s atheistic culture. This is the same as Paul being arrested [in the coming verses] for no other reason than that the whole community was riled up upon seeing Paul in the temple and knowing he spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ everywhere [Acts 21:30]. As a Chrisitan, it is best not to be around those of this atheistic culture, not to criticize them, nor try to tell them they need to be born-again through Jesus Christ. It’s something like when you point one finger at them, three are pointing back at you. As our Lord Jesus said, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:4-5 

“And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” Matthew 10:14-15

We are told to come apart from the broad way of mainstream culture, “Come out of her, my people, lest you share in her sins, and lest you receive of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities. Render to her just as she rendered to you, and repay her double according to her works; in the cup which she has mixed, mix double for her.” Revelation 18:4-6

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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