Can’t Stop!

Acts 12:19b-24 

19bThen Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. 20 He had been quarrelling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply. 21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died. 24 But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.

Ebola

Ebola virus disease (EVD), formerly known as Ebola hemorrhagic fever, is a severe, often fatal illness in humans.

EVD outbreaks occur primarily in remote villages in Central and West Africa, near tropical rainforests. The virus is transmitted to people from wild animals and spreads in the human population through human-to-human transmission. Fruit bats are considered to be the natural host of the Ebola virus.

 

Thousands of death caused by Ebola virus disease is a testament that death has never been solved by humans. Whatever the cause of death [disease, war, crime, calamity], it is a reality that death will eventually overtake all living things. Death cannot be stopped until Christ returns; that’s for sure.

1.  Death

19bThen Herod went from Judea to Caesarea and stayed there. 20 He had been quarrelling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; they now joined together and sought an audience with him. After securing the support of Blastus, a trusted personal servant of the king, they asked for peace, because they depended on the king’s country for their food supply. 21 On the appointed day Herod, wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne and delivered a public address to the people. 22 They shouted, “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

There was famine in the entire Roman world and many cities including the people of Tyre and Sidon depended on the government for their food supply. It is and was very practical for local citizens to support those politicians in the administration to secure something to eat. People in Tyre and Sidon did not like King Herod that much but they compromised because Herod provided food for them at that time. They cannot get near Herod because Herod did not like them either.

So, they approached Blastus, a trusted servant of King Herod.

King Herod wearing royal robe, sitting on his throne delivered his speech. His audience responded 22 … “This is the voice of a god, not of a man.” 

Politicians work harder and more generous to people who flatter them. Herod knew he was not God but he loved to be respected and worshipped as God. He wanted to show off his authority; he persecuted the disciples. He might have thought he was more powerful than God; he did not believe in God.

23 Immediately, because Herod did not give praise to God, an angel of the Lord struck him down, and he was eaten by worms and died.

God has decided to end Herod’s boasting of himself and persecution of Christians. The Lord sent His angel to infect a deadly disease to eat King Herod alive. Herod might possibly be stricken by Ebola virus disease or perhaps, anthrax.

It is not an issue if God still allows such things these days because we can easily search of many powerful but corrupt politicians ended in disgusting death.

What lesson do we get in the death of Herod, by the way?

The Lord Jesus said in Luke 14:1111 For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.” When God decides that it’s time for Him to take our life, no one can stop Him. Nobody can stop God’s decision even in the spread of the word of God.

2.  Word

24 But the word of God continued to spread and flourish.

Herod’s death and his persecution of Christians were included in the book of Acts. It seems like Luke wanted to reflect on the work of God and the work of men. Not a few will continue to wish that Christianity will eventually end but the Bible has more than enough examples that God’s word will continue to flourish.

Persecution then and now cannot stop the spread of the gospel. God’s servants may be killed or persecuted but His word continues to spread.

Rewards are waiting for those who were persecuted for the sake of the gospel. Eternal condemnation is also reserved for the persecutor.

The Weeds

In Matthew 13:24-30 the Lord Jesus teaches about the weeds. 24 Jesus told them another parable: “The kingdom of heaven is like a man who sowed good seed in his field. 25 But while everyone was sleeping, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and went away. 26 When the wheat sprouted and formed heads, then the weeds also appeared.

27 “The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ 28 “‘An enemy did this,’ he replied. “The servants asked him, ‘Do you want us to go and pull them up?’

29 “‘No,’ he answered, ‘because while you are pulling the weeds, you may uproot the wheat with them. 30 Let both grow together until the harvest. At that time I will tell the harvesters: First collect the weeds and tie them in bundles to be burned; then gather the wheat and bring it into my barn.’”

Not all people who come to church are genuine believers; many are counterfeit. The devil has planted disgusting weeds to discourage and disperse the church. The Lord Jesus did not encourage us to remove them; He allowed them to stay. God can also use the weeds to awaken us and to strengthen us spiritually.

God decides when the weeds have enough; like Herod, He can easily erase them.

Our focus should be to experience more of the power of the Holy Spirit, to grow in perseverance that we may keep on spreading the word of God. Perseverance is not about exerting much effort until we are exhausted. Perseverance is actually an enthusiastic long-lasting service to God by the power of the Holy Spirit who provides joy and peace; not of human efforts.

Some people might be thinking why God allowed James to be killed and Peter was put in prison but eventually allowed him to escape. We may not understand everything but it says in Psalm 116:15…

15 Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his faithful servants.

James died and Peter was thrown in prison; the church came together in prayer. God allows persecution to draw us closer to Him like young children crying and running to their parents when they get hurt.

Toddlers love to play hide and seek; they love their parents to run after them. When they stumble and fall, they cry and seek comfort in their parents’ embrace.

Not a few Christians enjoy playing hide and seek with the Lord. God allows us to experience hurt that we may grow closer to God’s embrace.

As we grow closer to God, He uses our testimony to continue spreading His word. In Matthew 24:14, the Lord Jesus reminds us…

14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.

Maranatha! Come, Lord Jesus!

><((‘> … ><(((‘> tmec\2021 <‘)))>< … <‘))><

 

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