Paul’s appeal to the highest court of the nation is granted.

Acts 25:11-12

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

“For if I am an offender, or have committed anything deserving of death, I do not object to dying; but if there is nothing in these things of which these men accuse me, no one can deliver me to them. I appeal to Caesar. Then Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you will go!” Acts 25:11-12

In the previous post on Acts 25:6-10, Paul refused to have his trial moved from the state court in Caesarea to the lower court in Jerusalem. He knew being tried by the Jewish leaders would mean a guilty verdict and his eventual death. Paul said if he was guilty of any wrongdoing deserving of death, he would own up to it and would not appeal a death sentence. However, Paul was not guilty, and as a Roman citizen, no one could give him to a Jewish court system that had already found him guilty and deserving of death.

As followers of Jesus Christ, we do nothing against today’s culture, nothing against their laws, and nothing against the governing authorities. We have definitely done nothing deserving of death. We follow the words of the Holy Spirit who says 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 Even then, today’s atheistic culture and the governing authorities have ordered the extinction of Christianity, as described in Revelations 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 “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.” Revelations 13:7 The “him” in this verse is the beast of the image and mark of the beast.

Paul knew he was innocent of the charges that the Jewish people brought against him, but there was no way he would ever get a legitimate trial in Jerusalem. As Christians, we know there is no ill-will in us towards others. We follow the words of Jesus who said, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 2:37-40 Even then, today’s atheistic culture despises Christianity and want it eradicated from their social network.

As a Roman citizen, Paul used his right to appeal to Caesar, which would be like appealing to a nation’s Supreme Court, the highest court of the land. As followers of Jesus Christ, the only hope of ever being justly judged by the legal standards of this world is to appeal to the Supreme Court. They rule according to the interpretation of the constitution, which is founded on belief in God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Even with that said, nowadays the lawmakers do not implement the values of the Bible in laws and policies.

The council that Festus conferred with was the high-powered Jewish leaders who brought charges against Paul. After conferring with them, Festus said, “You have appealed to Caesar? To Caesar you will go!” At Rome, where the supreme court was, Paul was imprisoned for two more years and then executed. This would have been pleasing to the Jewish leaders, Governor Festus, and the Roman Emperor Nero. Today, the atheistic community culture, their governing authority, and the global leaders are delighted when Christianity is judged against and driven into extinction. Jesus said this, “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 supreme courts of this world will not bring rejoicing to Christians, but only sorrow. However, there is the judgment to come beyond the grave. Then we will be resurrected to everlasting life and those of this world will be resurrected to everlasting contempt, “…those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise swill shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever.” Daniel 12:2-3

What happened to Paul was by the hand of God, who had earlier sent him this message, “Be of good cheer, Paul; for as you have testified for Me in Jerusalem, so you must also bear witness at Rome.” Acts 23:11 In these Godless times, we all pray, as our Lord Jesus did, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.” Matthew 26:39

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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