Beware the Wolves?
The first reading for this upcoming Sunday (Acts 20:17-35) is amazing! Paul knows “that chains and afflictions are waiting for me.” (v 23) He warns savage wolves will rise up, twisting the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. (v 28-29) However, Paul says, ” I entrust you to God and to the word of his grace, which has power to build you up and to give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.” (v 32) Paul was concerned about the church at Ephesus, “Therefore be always on the alert! Remember that for three years, night and day, I never stopped warning each one of you with tears.” (v 31)
Many years later John, in a vision, saw the result of all the apostles proclaimed:
After these things I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing in front of the throne and of the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and with palm branches in their hands. They called out with a loud voice and said:
Salvation comes from our God, who sits on the throne, and from the Lamb.
From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation+7&version=EHV>
Not just the church Paul was worried about, but multitudes beyond count, will stand before the throne, praising the Lamb of God. Paul did not see what John saw. But both gave witness to the salvation from God.
John in his Gospel gives us Jesus’ words:
Then the Festival of Dedication took place in Jerusalem. It was winter, and Jesus was walking in the temple area in Solomon’s Colonnade.
So the Jews gathered around Jesus, asking, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
Jesus answered them, “I did tell you, but you do not believe. The works I am doing in my Father’s name testify about me. But you do not believe, because you are not my sheep, as I said to you. My sheep hear my voice. I know them, and they follow me. I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all. No one can snatch them out of my Father’s hand. I and the Father are one.”
From <https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John+10&version=EHV>
In all three of these passages, salvation comes from Jesus. By his words, his voice, we are secured in his hand, even until past the very end of time. As Paul points out, the Holy Spirit has put us as “overseers” to shepherd the church of God. We like Paul, worry about the church. We like John, will see the multitude before the throne. Listen to the Good Shepherd. Beware of the wolves. Learn to know the difference.
In the above picture, you will notice the wolves laying around. This is in stark contrast to Paul: “You yourselves know that these hands have provided for my needs and for those who were with me. In every way I gave you an example that, by working hard like this, we need to help the weak and to remember the words that the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’” (Acts 20: 34-35)
Trust The Promises
Steve Skiver