The Judgment to Come Acts 24:25

The Judgment to Come Acts 24:25 Paul had been accosted and imprisoned on false assumptions, Acts 21:29ff. He made a defense to the Jews just outside the barracks, Acts 21:37 – 22:22. He was almost beaten by Roman soldiers before revealing his Roman citizenship, Acts 22: The next day he was allowed to make a defense to the Jewish Council, Acts 22:30 – 23:10. On the following night, the Lord told him that he would witness at Rome, Acts 23:11.

The Judgment to Come Acts 24:25 The next day, he found out about a plot on his life, informed the Roman commander, and was taken that night to Caesarea and Felix, the governor, Acts 23: After five days, Ananias, some Jewish elders, and a lawyer named Tertullus came to Caesarea from Jerusalem, and attempted to make their case against Paul before Felix, Acts 24:1-9.

The Judgment to Come Acts 24:25 Felix was a corrupt and brutal governor; his reforms brought “peace” only through brutality. He was eventually removed from office by the Emperor, Nero. Paul makes his initial defense, but Felix puts him off until Lysias, the commander, could come down from Jerusalem, Acts 24: Some days later, Felix arrived with Drusilla, his wife… (Acts 24:24)

The Judgment to Come Acts 24:25 Drusilla was the daughter of Herod Agrippa II (cf. Acts 12:1-4) whom Felix had stolen from her first husband, Azizus, the king of Emesa. Tacitus, the historian, said of Felix, “with every kind of cruelty (he) exercised the authority of a king with the temper of a slave.” So, this corrupt, brutal, thief was Paul’s judge… What would Paul say to such a man?

The Judgment to Come Acts 24:25 Acts 24:25, “…he was discussing righteousness, self- control, and the judgment to come…” This was just what the governor needed to hear: “Righteousness” was how he should conduct his business; “Self-Control” was how he should conduct his life; and, “Judgment to come” was that with which he should be primarily concerned.

The Judgment to Come Acts 24:25 But let’s focus on “the judgment to come” part for a few minutes. On what is this “judgment to come” to be based? Not our own estimations, Matt.7:22-23; Or that of our family, friends, or even brethren, Luke 16:27-31; but on The words of Jesus, John 12:48; and, Personal conduct, Matt.7:21; 2Cor.5:10.

The Judgment to Come Acts 24:25 Now think this through: Since the Word of God/Jesus does not change, Heb.6:17-18; 1Pet.1:25; and, We are all guilty and deserving of eternal punishment by sin, Rom.3:23; 6:23a; What must change in order for us to be saved? Obviously, we must change! Rom.12:1-2.

The Judgment to Come Acts 24:25 But what can we change? Our past? It cannot be changed, only corrected, 1Cor.6:9-11. Then it can be erased from God’s memory, and potentially from our own, Heb.8:13; Phil.3: Our future? It can only be changed to the degree that we have time/opportunity- neither of which are guaranteed, Jas.4: So…

The Judgment to Come Acts 24:25 But what can we change? Our present is what we must change! Wallowing in the past does not change the present, Luke 15:16-20a. Remorse for the past and desires for a better future must dictate change in the present, Phil.3:7-12; For the present is all we can change!

Our own personal Judgment to Come Will not be based on: Our past unless we fail to avail ourselves of the opportunities graciously given us by God to come to repentance, 2Tim.2:25-26; 2Pet.3:9; or, Our future because it is determined by actions, not intentions, 2Cor.5:10; Matt.25: So, what are you / will you do presently regarding your own judgment to come? Felix delayed and procrastinated, but apparently never did anything, Acts 24:25b-27, what about you?