Acts 21:1-16
21: And when we had parted from them and set sail, we came by a straight course to Cos, and the next day to Rhodes, and from there to Patara. 2 And having found a ship crossing to Phoenicia, we went aboard and set sail. 3 When we had come in sight of Cyprus, leaving it on the left we sailed to Syria and landed at Tyre, for there the ship was to unload its cargo. 4 And having sought out the disciples, we stayed there for seven days. And through the Spirit they were telling Paul not to go on to Jerusalem. 5 When our days there were ended, we departed and went on our journey, and they all, with wives and children, accompanied us until we were outside the city. And kneeling down on the beach, we prayed 6 and said farewell to one another. Then we went on board the ship, and they returned home.
7 When we had finished the voyage from Tyre, we arrived at Ptolemais, and we greeted the brothers and stayed with them for one day. 8 On the next day we departed and came to Caesarea, and we entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. 9 He had four unmarried daughters, who prophesied. 10 While we were staying for many days, a prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. 11 And coming to us, he took Paul's belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’” 12 When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. 13 Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” 14 And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.”
15 After these days we got ready and went up to Jerusalem. 16 And some of the disciples from Caesarea went with us, bringing us to the house of Mnason of Cyprus, an early disciple, with whom we should lodge.
Reflection
The Holy Spirit is making it clear to those around Paul that suffering awaits him in Jerusalem (Acts 21:4, 11–12). But Paul’s main objective in life is not to avoid suffering. Paul’s life exists for the sake of “the name of the Lord Jesus,” and to that end he is willing to face prison and even death (v. 13).
The decision to follow Jesus is a decision to give up this world as our ultimate home. It requires us to “count the cost” (Luke 14:28), understanding that following Jesus requires us to give up our lives. We no longer live for ourselves, but for him who for our sake died and was raised (2 Cor. 5:15).
Revelation 13:1-10
13: And I saw a beast rising out of the sea, with ten horns and seven heads, with ten diadems on its horns and blasphemous names on its heads. 2 And the beast that I saw was like a leopard; its feet were like a bear's, and its mouth was like a lion's mouth. And to it the dragon gave his power and his throne and great authority. 3 One of its heads seemed to have a mortal wound, but its mortal wound was healed, and the whole earth marveled as they followed the beast. 4 And they worshiped the dragon, for he had given his authority to the beast, and they worshiped the beast, saying, “Who is like the beast, and who can fight against it?”
5 And the beast was given a mouth uttering haughty and blasphemous words, and it was allowed to exercise authority for forty-two months. 6 It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven. 7 Also it was allowed to make war on the saints and to conquer them. And authority was given it over every tribe and people and language and nation, 8 and all who dwell on earth will worship it, everyone whose name has not been written before the foundation of the world in the book of life of the Lamb who was slain. 9 If anyone has an ear, let him hear:
10 If anyone is to be taken captive, to captivity he goes; if anyone is to be slain with the sword, with the sword must he be slain.Here is a call for the endurance and faith of the saints.
Reflection
Satan pursues his war on the offspring of the woman (Rev. 12:17) by bringing forth a “beast” (13:1; cf. 11:7) to whom he gives power and rule and authority (13:2). Words that should be spoken only of the one true God are blasphemously spoken of Satan’s beast (v. 4). God is able to protect Christ’s people from Satan’s deception (v. 8), though faithfulness to the gospel comes at a high cost (v. 7; cf. 11:7).
John writes to equip those who believe the gospel to face this attack and maintain their testimony to Christ in spite of Satan’s war on them. Though the ongoing and future (1 John 2:18) works of Satan and his “beast” are fierce, we can be confident that God will spiritually protect and strengthen his people (Rev. 12:6, 14–16) to proclaim the gospel until our work on earth is finished (11:7). Even if we must suffer greatly, we can find comfort in knowing that our hardships are designed by a good and wise God, who calls us to endure in our faith (13:10).
Psalm 34:19
19 Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.
Like Paul, our goal should not be to avoid suffering at all costs. Suffering is inevitable for everyone in this world, but Christians are the only ones who will someday find eternal comfort. Ask God to use this truth to strengthen your resolve to give your life for the work of the gospel.