"Now while Paul waited for them at Athens, his spirit was stirred in him, when he saw the city wholly given to idolatry. Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him."–Acts 17:16-17
Because all power has been given to the Lord Jesus, power to shut and power to open the kingdom according to His will (Matt 28:18; Rev 1:18; Rev 3:7), the church of God must go forward with the gospel message. Based upon Matt 28:18, the commandment from vs19-20 is just as living and vibrant today as it has ever been. He says, "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you… (vs19-20)." Here, our Lord Jesus is saying that when a disciple has been made – when a soul has really and truly come under sovereign grace – he is to be baptized and taught to observe everything the Lord Jesus told those early apostles. Therefore, every succeeding generation is sent by God to proclaim the gospel to the generation that shall follow, and then we are to teach those that follow to proclaim the gospel, in word and deed, to the generation that is coming (Ps 78:4-6). And the Lord Jesus left us with this promise, "… and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world (vs20)."
Our hope, as we look upon cities wholly given to idolatry, is that CHRIST WILL GIVE THEM WORSHIP. Our Lord Jesus said in John 10, "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold [non-Jews]: them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd (vs16)." Did you hear Him? He said, "I MUST BRING". He must bring them because they cannot bring themselves. They are morally depraved and corrupt. They will not come; they can not come; and they are as helpless as David's lamb that was in the lions mouth (I Sam 17:34-36). The Shepherd must come and deliver them. Secondly, the Lord Jesus MUST bring them in because He loves them. His Father chose them, His Father gave them to Him, and God's love will not allow any to perish. Thirdly, our Lord and Savior MUST bring in His elect because He has died for them. When Hosea purchased his wife Gomer at the marketplace, it didn't matter what she had been or how long and how far she ran as a harlot, Hosea bought her and she was his (Hos 3:1-3). Even so, the Lord Jesus has purchased His elect people out of the market of condemnation. He gave the law His blood to atone for our sins and the body of His righteousness to justify us for heaven (Gal 4:4-5). And fourthly, the Lord Jesus MUST bring in every one of His elect people, no matter how far they have run in idolatry, because no one can stop Him. He is an infinite Lord and a mighty Savior. If justice will not hinder Him, then surely no man or devil will either. He promised, "I will ransom them from the power of the grave; I will redeem them from death: O death, I will be thy plagues; O grave, I will be thy destruction: repentance shall be hid from mine eyes (Hos 13:14)." Even though His people forget Him, the Lord Jesus Christ will never repent of His promise to save.
Are you a believer? Are you distressed at idolatry all around you? Then believe that GOD WILL GIVE THEM WORSHIP. When Paul saw Athens "wholly give to idolatry (Acts 17:16-17)", he was stirred in his spirit and went preaching the only hope that he had – God saves. He proclaimed a Sovereign God who doesn't need anything from man "seeing He giveth to all life, and breadth, and all things (Acts 17:25)." He preached that the Lord Jesus was in charge of men's destinies and commanded the Gentiles to repent of the foolish notion that God needs them (vs26-30). Then, he set forth the Lord Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, as the one righteousness that God accepts (vs31). Yes, "some mocked: and others said, We will hear thee again of this matter… Howbeit certain men cleaved unto him, and believed… (vs32, 34)." And, this is what you and I must come to believe – God will give His people worship, and He will use the grief and comfort that He's given us.
Look your responsibilities square in the face. The Lord Jesus Christ has left us here to serve Him by ministering to people (Acts 20:19-21). Yet, let us serve them with the comfort that we have. When you see the city wholly given to idolatry, and when you grieve at your inability to save them, look to Him who shall give His people worship. Look to Him who MUST bring them in, and then comfort others with the comfort that you've been given. Yeah, "Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God (II Cor 1:3-4)."
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