Festus consults with the Jewish leaders and grants them another trial against Paul.

Acts 25:1-5

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

“Now when Festus had come to the province, after three days he went up from Caesarea to Jerusalem.” Acts 25:1 

As learned in the post on Acts 24:26-27, Porcius Festus replaced Felix as the Governor, where he ruled from Caesarea of Judea. The Roman Emperor, Nero, would have been the one who appointed Festus, and Nero was brutal in his persecution and killing of Christians. Three days after being appointed Governor, Felix went to Jerusalem, where the Jewish leaders wanted Paul kept imprisoned and executed.

In today’s atheistic culture, the government leaders are becoming increasingly intolerant of Christianity and the spread of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The only way for the United Nations to be established as the undisputable one world government of the beast is to have government officials in place who support their agenda and goals. These government officials rule in every city, state, and nation around the world. Government leaders rule by the entity governing through their thoughts, feelings, words and behaviors. This entity replaces the conscience and spirit and opposes the Holy Spirit to give life to the image of the beast to speak and live through them. They are groomed to the mark of the beast by what they are given to say and do.

Our Lord Jesus Christ says this, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” Mark 8:36

“Then the high priest and the chief men of the Jews informed him against Paul; and they petitioned him, asking a favor against him, that he would summon him to Jerusalem—while they lay in ambush along the road to kill him.” Acts 25:2-3

While in Jerusalem, Festus and the most important leaders of the Jewish people made Paul the focus of their discussions. The Jewish leaders felt very comfortable revealing to Festus their murderous intent against Paul. That’s because they all had something in common, their hatred of Christianity and the intent to exterminate Christians from the Roman Empire and Jewish culture. Today, Christian births are being exterminated as described in the post on Revelation 12.  “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

The Jewish plan was for Festus to summons Paul to Jerusalem, from Caesarea, and some of the Jewish people would ambush Paul and kill him. In today’s atheistic culture, those who live for the testimony of Jesus Christ are being ambushed in every way, to kill Christianity. On top of receiving negative feedback and social disapproval from every angle, Christians are shunned in other ways as well. The churches have already abandoned the Gospel of Jesus Christ to partner with the community agenda. Government lawmakers no longer integrate the values of the Bible in laws and policies. The educational system does not allow the Bible to be taught in classrooms, and the Gospel of Christ is not wanted in any sector of society.

Our Lord Jesus Christ says, “…beware of men, for they will deliver you up to councils and scourge you in their synagogues. You will be brought before governors and kings for My sake…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 10:17-18, 21-22

“But Festus answered that Paul should be kept at Caesarea, and that he himself was going there shortly. “Therefore,” he said, “let those who have authority among you go down with me and accuse this man, to see if there is any fault in him.” Acts 25:4-5

Festus did not want to have any direct involvement in the conspiracy to kill Paul, an uncondemned Roman citizen. Especially not with the Jewish leaders. Likewise, there are no government politicians, especially in a state Governor position, that wants to have an image of conspiring to kill off Christianity.

However, Governor Festus did agree to hold another court trial against Paul, on a state level in Caesarea. This would be like a trial in a state supreme court, the highest level of court proceedings before appealing to Caesar, which is like the Supreme Court of a nation today. Festus called for the most authoritative Jewish prosecutors to lead the charge against Paul. Today, Christianity is being defeated in the court system, and really there are no cases in defense or in prosecution of Christianity. Christians and the Gospel of Jesus Christ are being silenced before even reaching the courts at any level. That is how much of an atheistic society we live in today.

“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.” Revelation 13:7 The “him” in this verse refers to the beast of the image and mark of the beast. The beast is the entity that gives thoughts, feelings, words, and behaviors to every tribe, tongue, and nation. That is how authority is held over the global population. This entity gives life to the image of the beast to speak and live through people everywhere as they are groomed to the mark of the beast by what they are given to say and do.

“All who dwell on the earth will worship him, whose names have not been written in the Book of Life…” Revelation 13:8 As born-again followers of Jesus Christ, our name is written in the Lamb’s Book of Life.

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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, 3:1