Know the future?

 

READ Acts 21-24

The popularity of astrology, fortune-telling, even the media pundits who try to predict the outcome of sporting events and political elections reveal that human desire to know the future. Those who presume to be wiser say that if we did, we would try to change it and likely mess it up. The fact of the matter? If God or anyone else revealed the future and we could change it, it would be a false revelation.

The Apostle Paul must have known this. When he was told his future by someone who claimed the information came from God, Paul realized if he changed it, then God would be telling him something that would not happen and God does not do that!

And coming to us, he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands and said, “Thus says the Holy Spirit, ‘This is how the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles.’ ” When we heard this, we and the people there urged him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus.” And since he would not be persuaded, we ceased and said, “Let the will of the Lord be done.” (Acts 21:11–14)

This incident reminds me of a time we were going to move to a certain city. We were told of a house we could rent and the Lord assured me that this would be our new home. Then we were told it had already been rented. Yet I knew we would live in it. After a few days, the lease fell through and the house was ours. I’d had no doubt that it would be; God is not a false prophet and I knew my assurance was not presumption. Even if I should hear from Him that negative things are ahead, like the disciples heard what would happen to Paul, my attitude should be, Let the will of the Lord be done!

Paul teaches me another thing; how he knew what to do when under threat from the Jewish religious leaders. He was not in the dark regarding what they believed and used it to redirect their focus from destroying him. They wound up arguing within their ranks:

Now when Paul perceived that one part were Sadducees and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, “Brothers, I am a Pharisee, a son of Pharisees. It is with respect to the hope and the resurrection of the dead that I am on trial.” And when he had said this, a dissension arose between the Pharisees and the Sadducees, and the assembly was divided. (Acts 23:6–7)

In our day, persecution sometimes comes from groups that call themselves Christian but they are false teachers, either cults or with beliefs that do not come from the Scriptures or the enlightening power of the Holy Spirit. While it is seldom wise to study the ideas of false teachers, as I encounter them do I know enough about what they believe to redirect any attack they might be making against my faith? Or do I naively suppose they are ‘different but okay’? Tearing a page from Paul’s example, it is wise to understand enough that I can defend what God says even if it requires creating a diversion.

A third instruction from this passage relates to the first one. God did reveal to the dangers of going ahead as he was instructed. He would suffer at the hands of Gentiles, even more, but he was not afraid of the will of God, nor of dying. Besides, God also told him some good news:

The following night the Lord stood by him and said, “Take courage, for as you have testified to the facts about me in Jerusalem, so you must testify also in Rome.” (Acts 23:11)

Yes, he would be persecuted and this did happen, but the Lord reassured him that he would also take the Gospel where he’d hoped to take it. Now after these events Paul resolved in the Spirit to pass through Macedonia and Achaia and go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” (Acts 19:21)

That desire of his heart was not mere ambition; it was the directing power of God. This tells me to pay attention. My assignments will not have the same importance as his, yet if God tells me what to expect and even if it is negative, I can be confident that He will stand by me no matter what happens.