The Life of Christ

• When Paul found himself in this position frequently, such as in Acts 23-26, the Spirit often led him to give his personal testimony.

Mt. 10:21-23 “And 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. 22 And you will be hated by all on account of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved. 23 But whenever they persecute you in this city, flee to the next; for truly I say to you, you shall not finish going through the cities of Israel, until the Son of Man comes.”

The words of Jesus’ commission now reach deep into the church age to the time when persecution will abound, even within one’s very own family.

• Jesus predicts His second coming will occur before the church has had the chance to evangelize every city in modern Israel.

• The Aramaic Text reads, "You shall not finish converting all the Jews until the Lord returns.”

• Though a powerful revival is scheduled for the nation of Israel before the Lord returns, Jesus will come before every Jew is converted.

Mt. 10:24-25 “A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a slave above his master. 25 It is enough for the disciple that he become as his teacher, and the slave as his master. If they have called the head of the house Beelzebul, how much more the members of his household!”

They called Jesus the Prince of the devils, and naturally the church will be equally slandered.

• When Nero ordered the burning of Rome, he blamed it all on the Christians. 27

Mt. 10:26-27 “Therefore, do not fear them, for there is nothing covered that will not be revealed, and hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops.”

In Israel the rooftop was flat and used as a patio for fellowship.

• During social hours the rooftop is a prime time and place to testify for the Lord.

• What believers hear in their spiritual ears is to be proclaimed when people gather socially.

Mt. 10:34-36 “Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I came to SET A MAN AGAINST HIS FATHER, AND A DAUGHTER AGAINST HER MOTHER, AND A DAUGHTER-IN-LAW AGAINST HER MOTHER-IN- LAW; 36 and A MAN’ S ENEMIES WILL BE THE MEMBERS OF HIS HOUSEHOLD. ”

The making of enemies within natural families was never God’s intention, but it will become the collateral damage of spiritual warfare.

• Our true family is now our brothers and sisters in Christ, much more so than our natural family.

27 John Foxe, op. cit., p. 11.

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