Acts 9: 23, 24 And after that many days were fulfilled, the Jews took counsel to kill him: But their laying await was known of Saul. And they watched the gates day and night to kill him.
When I take up this matter of persecution, most get upset as to how I can be judgmental.
If we look at OT, the Israelites in the book of Numbers did not lose even 1 soldier on the battlefield when they abided in the Lord. Their greatest losses were at the hand of the Lord, not their enemies.
In today’s message, take the case of Paul Saul, when his enemies lay in wait for him to kill him, the Lord made sure that he was safe. His martyrdom could have been avoided had he heeded the warning given by a Prophet named Agabus. He took the warning as a challenge. While in Jerusalem, Paul, a man known to discern the smallest thing, but under the praises of the Church leaders, ended up doing a greatly foolish thing, which got him arrested and taken to Rome. Yet the Lord did not totally reprimand him (like in the case of Moses) and miraculously made a way for him to complete his ministry (mission) in Rome. For 2 years, Paul preached in Rome while under house arrest. He preached with Roman soldiers guarding him!
Personally, I too have faced a similar situation. Due to a foolish decision myself along with some others while distributing Bibles in schools, landed being surrounded by Hindu fanatics who are famous for being violent. Two brothers and myself managed to get others to flee, including the sisters who were with us. We three were saved from the mob by the police who arrived there. We were taken to the main police station, where the mob got more of their people to gather and demand our arrest (FIR to be filed against us). It was the Lord’s grace that the head of that station was a fearless woman inspector who did not bow to the mob. They kept us for some hours, and at the first opportunity allowed us to leave. Later, we came to know that many church leaders worked tirelessly for it in the background. They even managed to get a leader from a Hindu political party to call up the station requesting our release.
With good discernment, I have seen that most of the so-called ‘persecutions’ Christians face (not all) are largely due to their own foolishness. Many try to make disciples for themselves instead of for the Lord. They are more focused on adding people to their church than on adding to the Kingdom of God. They share the Gospel, and by the blessings they receive, they get people to become Church members, but after that, they remain in that state forever. They do not help them grow spiritually, and thus later ignite the wrath of God. One cannot do half a job and expect to please the Lord.
[Prayer Starter]
Lord, You are Almighty God. You, Lord, are God and alone are God. There is nothing that You cannot do. We know, Lord, when we abide in You, not a hair of our head can be harmed. We pray we always see our mistakes and correct them in time, so that we do not face problems and end up crying unto You, blaming You or Satan…
This prayer we make in Jesus’ Name, Amen.
[Reference Scriptures]
Acts 21:10-13
10 And as we tarried there some days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus.
11 And coming to us, and taking Paul s girdle, he bound his own feet and hands, and said, Thus saith the Holy Spirit, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.
12 And when we heard these things, both we and they of that place besought him not to go up to Jerusalem.
13 Then Paul answered, What do ye, weeping and breaking my heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.
Acts 21:18-24
18 And the day following Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present.
19 And when he had saluted them, he rehearsed one by one the things which God had wrought among the Gentiles through his ministry.
20 And they, when they heard it, glorified God; and they said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of them that have believed; and they are all zealous for the law:
21 and they have been informed concerning thee, that thou teachest all the Jews who are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children neither to walk after the customs.
22 What is it therefore? They will certainly hear that thou art come.
23 Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men that have a vow on them;
24 these take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges for them, that they may shave their heads: and all shall know that there is no truth in the things whereof they have been informed concerning thee; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, keeping the law.
Acts 23:11 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.
Acts 28:16, 30-31
16 And when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard: but Paul was suffered to dwell by himself with a soldier that kept him.
30 And Paul dwelt two whole years in his own hired house, and received all that came in unto him,
31 Preaching the kingdom of God, and teaching those things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ, with all confidence, no man forbidding him.
Dated 08 May 2026
Bro Rollwyn