S. S. Times Acts 23:11-35 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as you have testified of me in Jerusalem… 1. Christ is constantly with His followers, and He often manifests Himself at the very moment when the future looks darkest to human eyes. 2. Christ manifests Himself with a cheering message: "Be of good cheer." The poor persecuted disciple, whom apparently only his enemy's mutual jealousies preserve from instant death, is made to feel that the power of Omnipotence is behind him. 3. Christ manifests Himself with words of cheer for His followers, but He does not assure them that their troubles are yet over. Paul has testified in Jerusalem, and must go on to bear witness at Rome. 4. Christ gives no furloughs until the conflict is over. All Paul could look forward to in this world was a mere change of battlefields. 5. Christ gives no furloughs here, but gives the assurance of a final honourable discharge to those who fight the battle out. Paul testified for Christ in Jerusalem and Rome; Christ testifies for Paul in the New Jerusalem of God. (S. S. Times.) Parallel Verses KJV: And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. |
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