THURSDAY July 20, 2023
Stone Cold Dead
Then Jews from Antioch and Iconium came there; and having persuaded the multitudes, they stoned Paul and dragged him out of the city, supposing him to be dead. However, when the disciples gathered around him, he rose up and went into the city. And the next day he departed with Barnabas to Derbe.
Acts 14:19-20
As Paul and Barnabas were ministering to the multitudes in Lystra, the Jews from Antioch and Iconium came together to feed the people lies––false doctrine. These false teachers came among the people to disrupt the work of God. They began to cause confusion and persuaded the people against the apostles. Sadly, they believed the lie instead of the truth. People are so fickle. They will love you, and then the next minute, they will turn to hate you!
After the Jews stoned Paul, they thought him to be stone cold dead, but what had really happened to him? In 2 Corinthians 12, we find that Paul was actually taken to heaven, and then he miraculously came back to life:
I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—how he was caught up into Paradise and heard such inexpressible words, which it is not lawful for a man to utter. Of such a one I will boast; yet of myself I will not boast, except in my infirmities. For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me (2 Corinthians 12:2-6).
What Paul saw in heaven was so incredible. He had no words for what he had seen and heard. Because of this, God gave him a “thorn in his flesh,” a physical aliment to ensure he remained humble (2 Corinthians 12:7). Heaven is more beautiful that anything we see or hear in this world.
Is heaven your goal? Are you looking forward to going there? I know I am, and I pray you are too. What a glorious future God has prepared for us!
~Billy Graham~
For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!
