Paul’s impending death and warning against wolves in sheep clothing.

Acts 20:25-31

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

“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, or directly imprisoning and killing Christians. 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, “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 about being the watchperson of God. 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, 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

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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