The book of Acts ends with Paul in Rome. God’s plan has taken him to the capital of the world to declare that Jesus is the Christ. Remarkably, he is allowed to preach of the Lord Jesus Christ without restraint while under house arrest for two years.
He meets with the Jewish leaders and tries to convince them that Jesus is the promised Messiah, but many reject his teaching. Paul tells them why he has come to Rome: “for the hope of Israel I am bound with this chain.” Even in bondage his love for his nation comes forth.
Thus, he pours out his life to convince his Jewish brothers using Moses and the prophets that Jesus is the Christ. Some were persuaded, but many leave unconvinced. Paul quotes Isaiah as they depart in unbelief. They are the same words Jesus says in Matthew 13 to the Jews who reject Him.
Paul’s final words in Acts are that the salvation of God has been sent to the Gentiles, and they will hear it and believe.
For me, Romans does not end in a big bang but in a quiet triumph of the gospel to the Gentiles, who will embrace the cross and spread the salvation of Jesus throughout the world. For the next 2,000 years the Jews are blinded to the truth and the age of the Gentiles unfolds.
However, now the age of the Gentiles is ending, and the rebirth of Israel has become a miracle to behold. The way is now prepared for Jesus to return, and the nation of Israel will see Him and believe in Him. God’s promise has come full circle. We will see the greatest outpouring of the Spirit upon Jerusalem and Israel where it all began.
These are days to rejoice even though we are in a fierce battle for the soul of Christ’s church, for the soul of America and for the soul of the world. Christ is coming in His glory. We must battle till the end for Him and His kingdom. The world and Satan will fight us with evil and rage, while we do battle with the weapons of the Spirit in love and truth.
Truth will be triumphant. Even though it may not be seen in a generation, Christ’s truth has set us free and has won the war of salvation. The collapse of the unified church and the fall of Babylon will show all nations and people that our only hope is in Jesus Christ.
The book of Acts declares that Jesus is the hope of the world for both Jew and Gentile. Because of the cross we can release the power of the Resurrection wherever we go for His glory. Do not slumber or grow weary, but rise up in the Spirit on wings of eagles to do the work of Christ as Paul did in his humble way. It brought down the greatest empire and raised up the kingdom of God on this earth.
Be strong and mighty in the Lord Jesus and filled with the power of the Holy Spirit, and in the end of the day we will stand in victory with Jesus and one another. Glory be to God!
Listen to this episode of Awaken on Charisma Podcast Network now.
Author’s Note: The Presence of God lives in us. The Word tells us the Holy Spirit comes into our lives the moment we are born again. We also know that the Father and Son abide in us as they have made Their home in us. This life we have in Jesus is a glorious one. We are being changed from one degree of glory to another to be like Jesus. We hunger for less of us and more of God to fill us completely. There are also moments when God’s presence fills the atmosphere where we worship as our Lord did when Solomon dedicated the temple or when Isaiah saw Jesus, the Lord of Hosts, in the temple, or when the Holy Spirit was poured out in Cornelius’ house in the book of Acts. When God acts in His glory, lives are transformed to live for His purposes and plans to redeem the world.
We have set our hearts on God to come in His glory at our “Hosting His Presence” event on Sept. 9-12. We do not want only an encounter with God but for Him to remain, so it is not just a visitation but a habitation that draws us daily to Himself. This glory moment will inspire us with dreams and visions to go into the world as Jesus sent His apostles and disciples to the nations of the earth. Begin praying now for this Holy Spirit gathering, that Jesus will be exalted, and we will see a nation transformed for Jesus.
Our gathering is free. You can register at eventbrite.com. {eoa}
Once a professional baseball player with the Chicago Cubs Organization, Blake Lorenz was called to Asbury Seminary after a radical encounter with Jesus, where he received his master’s degree. He has pastored in the Orlando area for 33 years and has been blessed with the opportunity to evangelize globally, visiting five continents and preaching the gospel to tens of thousands. Blake has also helped plant 500 churches. He has been working in Israel for the past 20 years, includes serving on the board of the Jerusalem Prayer Breakfast in connection with the Knesset. In 2020, blakelorenzministries.com and the Awaken podcast launched to teach and challenge others to join him on a journey of anticipating the return of Jesus. He has used the three books he’s written in his seminars and conferences. He and his wife, Beverly, share three children and six grandchildren.
Read articles like this one and other Spirit-led content in our new platform, CHARISMA PLUS.
Leave a Comment
You must be logged in to post a comment.