Great movies tell a story of someone overcoming obstacles to achieve great victory. We love the stories of the underdog who becomes victorious. We cheer. We love the stories of the Prophets who overcame evil. We marvel. We enjoy imagining ourselves in the position of the underdog hero with people celebrating our victory. Whatever it is that we believe to be good, we fight for. We believe that we are defending the truth. We also love the stories of the terrorizing evildoer who changes into becoming a hero do-good-er. We see hope that people can change. We might see our story this way as well, how we were embroiled in darkness and turned to light. Darkness and light are the way we interpret good and evil, however evil can also look rather gray. It can be subtle, sly, and transformed into a being of light. Therefore, as Jesus suggested, we should be wise and harmless at the same time. Paul and Gamaliel were two opposites in their reactions to the Jews becoming Christians. Both men were Pharisees. Both believed that their religion was right, correct, and true. Both followed the law. However Paul had a harsh response to people who changed from Judaism to Christianity while Gamaliel had a gentle response. Both men were zealous, but one man punished others for not believing the way that he did and the second man allowed people to think for themselves. The second man did what Yahweh does. Let’s explore.
Continuing on the subject of the radiance, phōs, Jesus being the living voice, logos, and that when humans meet Yahweh they see radiance and hear the living voice, let’s explore these ideas further. The earth was become formless, void, and dark. What took place to make it that way, we don’t know, but something cataclysmic took place to cause the earth, not the heavens, but the earth only, to become formless, void, and dark. Then the Elohim spoke radiance in the origin.
Genesis 1:3 G2532 And G2036 God said, G3588 G2316 G1096 Let there be G5457 light! G2532 And G1096 there was G5457 light.
4 G2532 And G1492 God beheld G3588 G2316 G3588 the G5457 light G3754 that G2570 it was good. G2532 And G1316 God parted G3588 G2316 G303.1 between G3588 the G5457 light G2532 and G303.1 between G3588 the G4655 darkness.
The Elohim saw the phōs, the radiance was kalos, “beautiful”. The translators translated the word kalos, as “good”, but it actually means “beautiful”. The word agathos, is what is normally translated as “good”. But here kalos is used, meaning “beautiful, honest, honorable, fair, graceful”. The idea of radiance or light is not good verses bad, it is beautiful verses ugly. Phōs is radiance verses skotos, obscurity. This is very descriptive.
The Elohim made diachōrizomai between the radiance and the obscurity, “through divide” or “through sever”. The Elohim thoroughly severed between the light and the dark. When someone thoroughly severs something they don’t combine them again, they stay apart.
Genesis 1:5 G2532 And G2564 God called G3588 G2316 G3588 the G5457 light, G2250 Day, G2532 and G3588 the G4655 darkness G2564 he called, G3571 Night; G2532 and G1096 there was G2073 evening G2532 and G1096 there was G4404 morning, G2250 day G1520 one.
The Elohim called the beautiful radiance “day”, and the darkness, “night”. While there is day and night that can be seen from the heavens it is not illuminated on the earth. Therefore as we know the Elohim made phōstēr “illuminators or luminaries" to diachōrizomai, “through separate” day and night. The Elohim beheld what he made and it was beautiful.
When the adam and Eve were tempted with being like the Elohim and knowing good and evil they were actually tempted with knowing beautiful and evil. Let that sink in.
Genesis 3:5 G1492 [3knows G1063 1For G3588 G2316 2God] G3754 that G3739 in which G302 ever G2250 day G2068 you should eat G575 of G1473 it, G1272 [3will be opened wide G1473 1your G3588 G3788 2eyes], G2532 and G1510.8.5 you will be G5613 as G2316 gods, G1097 knowing G2570 good G2532 and G4190 evil.
Good again should be translated “beautiful”. Ponēros means “evil wicked, malicious”. They would come to know, with eyes wide open, beauty and evil. The choice was given, beauty or wicked? That is the entire hinge point of our existence. Simply put, all of humanity lives through life coming to know beauty and evil, and choosing one or the other. We live on earth not understanding that there is a difference. Yahweh would like us to choose the beautiful light but he does not force us to choose, he allows to make our own choice and does not stand in our way. He knows what we will choose, but gives us our own freedom to do as we wish. This is our life here on the earth. Affected by the one decision to know the beauty and the wicked. Today we see as through a glass darkly, but then face to face.
Isaiah 5:20 G3759 Woe G3588 to the ones G3004 calling G3588 G4190 evil G2570 good, G2532 and G3588 G2570 good G4190 evil; G3588 the ones G5087 making G3588 the G4655 darkness G5457 light, G2532 and G3588 the G5457 light G4655 darkness; G3588 the ones G5087 making G3588 the G4089 bitter G1099 sweet, G2532 and G3588 the G1099 sweet G4089 bitter
Isaiah tells us what will happen. People will call evil “beautiful” and beautiful “evil”. They set or establish darkness as light and light as darkness. We see this every day. People twist the truth. Are we wise enough to see it? Isaiah uses an exclamation of grief to denounce this wickedness. Jesus told us that he came into the cosmos as radiance.
John 12:46 G1473 I G5457 [2a light G1519 3unto G3588 4the G2889 5world G2064 1have come], G2443 that G3956 every one G3588 G4100 believing G1519 in G1473 me, G1722 [2in G3588 3the G4653 4darkness G3361 1should not abide]. G3306
The key here is everyone believing in Jesus won’t abide in darkness. This is the caution for the unbelievers. Jesus was persecuted for being light, and then set up for the Romans to murder. The fact is, people who reject Jesus, the radiance, are in darkness. There is no special dispensation for anyone. Yahweh allows us to choose.
John 12:47 G2532 And G1437 if G5100 anyone G1473 should hear of my G191 G3588 G4487 sayings, G2532 and G3361 should not G4100 believe, G1473 I G3756 do not G2919 judge G1473 him; G3756 for I did not G1063 G2064 come G2443 that G2919 I judge G3588 the G2889 world, G235 but G2443 that G4982 I should deliver G3588 the G2889 world.
48 G3588 The one G114 disregarding G1473 me, G2532 and G3361 receives not G2983 G3588 G4487 my words, G1473 G2192 has G3588 the thing G2919 judging G1473 him -- G3588 the G3056 word G3739 which G2980 I have spoken, G1565 that G2919 shall judge G1473 him G1722 in G3588 the G2078 last G2250 day
Jesus came to deliver the cosmos, not to judge it. The ones refusing to believe on Jesus will be judged by the logos, the living voice, the divine utterance, in the last day. The logos is the judge, the word of the Elohim, spoken through Jesus, his divine words do the judging. Look, it is simple, dark or light? Choose.
We know that Peter believed on Jesus and became bold after Jesus’ resurrection. Peter was so bold he kept getting taken to prison. Peter and the disciples got arrested again after they had done many signs and wonders. Peter says this:
Acts 5:29 G611 And answering G1161 G* Peter G2532 and G3588 the G652 apostles G2036 said, G3980 [2to yield obedience G1163 1It is necessary] G2316 to God G3123 rather G2228 than G444 men.
30 G3588 The G2316 God G3588 G3962 of our fathers G1473 G1453 raised G* Jesus, G3739 whom G1473 you G1315 laid hands upon G2910 having hanged G1909 upon G3586 a tree.
31 G3778 This one -- G3588 G2316 God, G747 chief G2532 and G4990 deliverer, G5312 exalted G3588 by G1188 his right hand, G1473 G1325 to give G3341 repentance G3588 G* to Israel G2532 and G859 release G266 of sins.
Peter is not shy to tell the religious leaders to their face that they were the ones who had Jesus hanged on a tree. But now notice Gamaliel ’s response. Gamaliel could have been offended, but he wasn’t. His soft response defused the anger and hatred of the high priest and the religious leaders.
Acts 5:34 G450 And having risen up, G1161 G5100 a certain one G1722 in G3588 the G4892 sanhedrin, G* a Pharisee, G3686 by name G* Gamaliel, G3547 a teacher of the law, G5093 esteemed G3956 by all G3588 the G2992 people, G2753 urged G1854 [4outside G1024 5a little while G5100 G3588 1the G652 2apostles G4160 3to be made to go].
35 G2036 And he said G5037 G4314 to G1473 them, G435 Men, G* Israelites, G4337 take heed G1438 to yourselves G1909 over G3588 G444 these men G3778 G5100 what G3195 you are about G4238 to act!
36 G4253 For before G1063 G3778 these G3588 G2250 days G450 Theudas rose up, G* G3004 naming G1510.1 [2to be G5100 3somebody G1438 1himself], G3739 in whom G4345.1 [3leaned towards G706 1a number G435 2of men], G5616 about G5071 four hundred, G3739 who G337 were done away with; G2532 and G3956 all G3745 as many as G3982 were persuaded G1473 by him, G1262 were parted, G2532 and G1096 came G1519 to G3762 nothing.
37 G3326 After G3778 this G450 [4rose up G* 1Judas G3588 2the G* 3Galilean] G1722 in G3588 the G2250 days G3588 of the G582 census, G2532 and G868 he separated G2992 [2of people G2425 1a fit amount] G3694 to go after G1473 him; G2548 and that one G622 perished; G2532 and G3956 all G3745 as many as G3982 were persuaded G1473 by him, G1287 were dispersed.
38 G2532 And G3569 at present G3004 I say G1473 to you, G868 abstain G575 from G3588 G444 these men, G3778 G2532 and G1439 allow G1473 them! G3754 for G1437 if G1510.3 [2should be G1537 3of G444 4men G3588 G1012 1this counsel], G1473 G2228 then G3588 G2041 this work G3778 G2647 will be broken up.
39 G1487 But if G1161 G1537 [2of G2316 3God G1510.2.3 1it is], G3756 you will not be able G1410 G2647 to break it up, G1473 G3379 lest at any time G2532 even G2314 [2as fighters against God G2147 1you be found].
40 G3982 And they were persuaded G1161 G1473 by him. G2532 And G4341 having called G3588 the G652 apostles, G1194 having flayed them, G3853 they exhorted them G3361 to not G2980 speak G1909 in G3588 the G3686 name G3588 G* of Jesus, G2532 and G630 they released G1473 them.
Gamaliel’s words are wise. Gamaliel is allowing people to choose, as Yahweh Elohim allows us to choose the beauty or evil. Allowing people to make their own choice is what we should also do. If a religion has to beat people into submission or murder those who do not follow, it is a dark religion. There is no beauty in it. It is not radiant, it is not honest, honorable, fair, or graceful. The religion that uses manipulation, intimidation, or domination, is evil and wicked.
Peter had just accused the religious leaders of murder and Gamaliel says “well you know, if this is from the Elohim you can’t stop it”. We can see from Josephus that at the time of the first century there were several people claiming to be the Messiah. We also know that the Masoretes changed and eliminated 243 years from scripture to try and make someone else Messiah. The Masoretes also altered thousands of verses of scripture to accommodate their belief that Jesus was not the Messiah. We see how the darkness tried to obscure the light. It didn’t work. We have the proofs and the evidence of the evil done to obscure the Messiah. Light always dispels darkness.
Paul was not aware of the light. He only heard that the people following Jesus were harming the national religion which he had been educated in. He was so zealous for the national religion that he was willing to kill people who disrupted the Pharisaical way. He was not aware of the light. On the way to imprison the believers of Jesus living in Damascus, he met Jesus, the radiance and living word.
Acts 9:1 G3588 G1161 And G* Saul G2089 still G1709 breathing G547 intimidation G2532 and G5408 carnage G1519 against G3588 the G3101 disciples G3588 of the G2962 Lord, G4334 having come forward G3588 to the G749 chief priest,
“The but Saul yet heavy breathing threats and murder into the disciples the Yahweh, visited the high priest.”
Taking a thirty thousand foot view, is it light or dark to hunt people who do not believe the Pharisaical religion? In a religion calling the darkness light, and evil beautiful, they believed themselves to be justified. But inside, in their own hearts, they knew it was wrong.
Acts 9:2 G154 asked G3844 from G1473 him G1992 letters G1519 for G* Damascus G4314 to G3588 the G4864 synagogues, G3704 so that G1437 if G5100 any G2147 should be found G3588 [2of the G3598 3way G1510.6 1being], G435 both men G5037 G2532 and G1135 women, G1210 having bound them G71 he should lead them G1519 unto G* Jerusalem.
“Requested in the presence of him commands into Damascus towards the synagogues in order that if anyone discover the way being men both and women tie lead away into Jerusalem.”
We have to realize the disciples of Jesus who were Essenes, Nazarenes Therapeutaes, Assideans, the Damascus Community, Zadok/Zedek priests, and prophets were of the lineage of scribes who copied the scrolls in the temple of Nehemiah. They knew the scrolls well, but no one had their own copies. The scrolls were all shared throughout Israel among all the synagogues. To read the scrolls they had to go to the synagogue. Paul, the high priests, and the Pharisees, believed they “owned” the scrolls as keepers of the law. The disciples of Jesus, the holy men and women of “the way”, were disrupting their religion, drawing people away from the law. Technically, the Pharisees didn’t have jurisdiction over people but that did not stop them from beating and imprisoning people. The Pharisees would then claim to the Romans that the disciples of Jesus were at fault. This is what happened to Paul later.
Acts 9:3 G1722 And in G1161 G3588 the G4198 going, G1096 it happened G1473 as he G1448 approached G3588 to G* Damascus, G2532 and G1810 suddenly G4015 flashed about G1473 him G5457 light G575 from G3588 the G3772 heaven.
“In but the journey became he come near the Damascus and unexpectedly flash around like lightning him radiance away from the heaven.”
Paul was stopped by Jesus somewhere outside of Damascus.
Acts 9:4 G2532 And G4098 having fallen G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 ground, G191 he heard G5456 a voice G3004 saying G1473 to him, G* Saul, G* Saul, G5100 why G1473 do you persecute me? G1377
“And fall down on the earth hear voice speaking him ‘Saul Saul which me pursue’.”
Why is Paul pursuing Jesus? Because he doesn’t believe he is the Messiah. He is in the dark, but Paul is now seeing the beautiful radiance.
Acts 9:5 G2036 And he said, G1161 G5100 Who G1510.2.2 are you, G2962 O Lord? G3588 G1161 And G2962 the Lord G2036 said, G1473 I G1510.2.1 am G* Jesus, G3739 whom G1473 you G1377 persecute. G4642 It is hard G1473 to you G4314 [2against G2759 3spurs G2979 1to kick].
“Say but who thou art Yahweh? the but Yahweh say I AM Jesus that you pursue {hard you to sting kick}”
The bracketed words are not in the original, but someone thought to add them to match Paul’s oration of chapter 26 to Agrippa and Festus. Imagine meeting Jesus when you have done everything in your power to destroy his disciples.
Acts 9:6 G5141 And trembling G5037 G2532 and G2284 distraught, G2036 he said, G2962 O Lord, G5100 what G1473 do you want me G2309 G4160 to do? G2532 And G3588 the G2962 Lord G4314 said to G1473 him, G235 But G450 rise up G2532 and G1525 enter G1519 into G3588 the G4172 city! G2532 and G2980 it will be told G1473 to you G5100 what G1473 you G1163 must G4160 do.
“{tremble both and amaze say Yahweh someone he desire do and the Yahweh to him}”
“however rise up and enter into the city and say you someone you necessary to do.”
Again the bracketed words are not in the original text. Jesus announces who he is, then gives Paul directions.
Acts 9:6 LXX W-H G235 CONJ αλλα G450 [G5628] V-2AAM-2S αναστηθι G2532 CONJ και G1525 [G5628] V-2AAM-2S εισελθε G1519 PREP εις G3588 T-ASF την G4172 N-ASF πολιν G2532 CONJ και G2980 [G5701] V-FPI-3S λαληθησεται G4671 P-2DS σοι G3739 R-ASN ο G5100 X-ASN τι G4571 P-2AS σε G1163 [G5904] V-PQI-3S δει G4160 [G5721] V-PAN ποιειν
“however rise up and enter into the city and talk to thee that someone thee it is necessary to do."
These directions are a bit more clear.
Acts 9:7 G3588 But the G1161 G435 men G3588 G4922 journeying G1473 with him G2476 stood G1769 dumb, G191 hearing G3303 indeed G3588 the G5456 voice G3367 [3no one G1161 1but G2334 2viewing].
“the but men the travel him make to stand speechless hear truly voice no one but behold.”
The men heard Jesus’ voice but did not see him.
Acts 9:8 G1453 [3rose G1161 1And G3588 G* 2Saul] G575 from G3588 the G1093 ground, G455 [3having been opened G5037 1and G3588 G3788 2his eyes] G1473 G3762 [2no one G991 1he saw]. G5496 [2leading 4by the hand G1161 1And G1473 3him], G1521 they brought him G1519 unto G* Damascus.
“raise up but the Saul away from the earth open both the eyes his no one see lead by the hand but him bring into Damascus.”
When Paul got up he could not see even though both his eyes were open. The men led him into Damascus.
Acts 9:9 G2532 And G1510.7.3 he was G2250 [2days G5140 1three] G3361 not G991 seeing, G2532 and G3756 he did not G2068 eat G3761 nor G4095 drink.
“And was days three not seeing and not eating neither drink.”
Paul was blind for three days. He didn’t eat or drink for three days. Maybe this was such a crazy experience he simply could not eat or drink. Later when Paul is arrested in the temple in Jerusalem he tells the people his credentials, as a Jew, a Pharisee, and a student of Gamaliel. Paul certainly did not act like Gamaliel.
Acts 22:1 G435 Men, G80 brethren, G2532 and G3962 fathers, G191 hear G1473 my G3588 G4314 [2to G1473 3you G3568 4now G627 1defense]!
2 G191 And hearing G1161 G3754 that G3588 in the G* Hebrew G1258 dialect G4377 he called out to G1473 them, G3123 the more G3930 they made G2271 rest.
3 G2532 And G5346 he says, G1473 I G3303 indeed G1510.2.1 am G435 a man, G* a Jew, G1080 being born G1722 in G* Tarsus G3588 G* of Cilicia, G397 but being reared G1161 G1722 in G3588 G4172 this city G3778 G3844 by G3588 the G4228 feet G* of Gamaliel, G3811 being instructed G2596 according to G195 the exactness G3588 of the G3971 paternal G3551 law, G2207 [2zealous G5224 1being] G3588 G2316 of God, G2531 as G3956 all G1473 you G1510.2.5 are G4594 today;
4 G3739 one who G3778 [2this G3588 G3598 3way G1377 1persecuted] G891 unto G2288 death, G1195 binding G2532 and G3860 delivering up G1519 unto G5438 prisons G435 both men G5037 G2532 and G1135 women;
5 G5613 as G2532 also G3588 the G749 chief priest G3140 bears witness G1473 to me, G2532 and G3956 all G3588 the G4244 council of elders; G3844 by G3739 whom G2532 also G1992 letters G1209 having received, G4314 [2to G3588 3the G80 4brethren G1519 5in G* 6Damascus G4198 1I went], G71 for leading G2532 also G3588 the ones G1566 at that place G1510.6 being G1210 bound G1519 unto G* Jerusalem, G2443 that G5097 they should be punished.
Paul’s testimony is recorded in Acts 22 as it is in Acts 9. Gamaliel and Paul, both Pharisees, with different approaches to what they perceived to be a threat to Judaism. Both men along with Nicodemus became believers in Christ. They saw the beautiful radiance. They made the choice. Yahweh allows even the people in the deepest darkness to choose. Sometimes he shows up for a chat.
In Acts 26 Paul’s testimony is a bit different. Paul relates his experience to Agrippa and Festus.
Acts 26:12 G1722 In G3739 which G2532 also G4198 going G1519 unto G3588 G* Damascus G3326 with G1849 authority G2532 and G2011 delegated power G3588 G3844 by G3588 the G749 chief priests,
“In this and journey into the Damascus in the midst of power and commission the high priest”
The Romans were no friends of the Jews, they found them to be annoying because of all their uprisings. Paul is explaining what happened and he clearly makes it known that he was going in the power and commission of the high priest. The Romans really had no opinion of Jesus, except for the few Romans that Jesus interacted with. This puts the burden of this whole situation on the shoulders of the Jews. Paul was going on a mission for them. Now the Jews want to kill him. It is clear to the Romans that the Jews instigated a situation they wanted the Romans to judge, and rule in favor of the Jews. But the Romas were not dumb, when they found out Paul was a Roman citizen they sent Paul to Rome where the Jews would not be able to get a death sentence for Paul.
Acts 26:13 G2250 [2of the day G3319 1in the middle] G2596 in G3588 the G3598 way G1492 I beheld, G935 O king, G3771 from heaven G5228 above G3588 [2the G2987 3brightness G3588 4of the G2246 5sun G4034 6shining about G1473 7me G5457 1light], G2532 and G3588 the ones G4862 [2with G1473 3me G4198 1going].
“Day middle downwards the way know King from heaven above the splendor the sun shine around me radiance and the in company with me journeying.”
Paul describes this as occurring in the middle of the day as the sun was going down the sun shone around him, radiance. The sun was going down it was not high noon. No one can make the sun change direction, so this is an important point for the King to hear. Paul points out that he has witnesses.
Acts 26:14 G3956 And all G1161 G2667 of us having fallen down G1473 G1519 onto G3588 the G1093 ground, G191 heard G5456 a voice G2980 speaking G4314 to G1473 me G2532 and G3004 saying G3588 in the G* Hebrew G1258 dialect, G* Saul, G* Saul, G5100 why G1473 do you persecute me? G1377 G4642 It is hard G1473 for you G4314 [2against G2759 3spurs G2979 1to kick].
“all both fall down of us into earth hear voice saying to me and Hebrew language Saul Saul who me pursue hard to thee to sting kick.”
Everyone fell down on the ground hearing the voice speaking in Hebrew, not Greek, Aramaic, or Roman, which were also the languages of the region. Jesus says here to Paul that it is hard for Paul to sting kick. The idea is like kicking a scorpion who stings or a bee who stings. The kicker is kicking the stinger.
Acts 26:15 G1473 And I G1161 G2036 said, G5100 Who G1510.2.2 are you, G2962 O Lord? G3588 G1161 And G2036 he said, G1473 I G1510.2.1 am G* Jesus G3739 whom G1473 you G1377 persecute.
“I but say who thou art Yahweh the but Yahweh say I AM Jesus this you pursue.”
This is interesting. Jesus identifies himself as Jesus. Paul did not know Jesus was Yahweh. If Yahweh would have said he was Yahweh Elohim, Paul would have assumed the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, not Jesus. Why? Because what is light is being said to be darkness. Paul is making clear to Agrippa and Festus that it was Jesus. Darkness, obscurity, or even the gray areas, say Jesus is just a prophet or just a man. He is Yahweh Messiah, the I AM.
When evil tries to play opposite day to make evil good, and darkness light, then we have to be wise and harmless. However, Paul watched as Stephen was murdered, making him as guilty as the actual stone throwers. Paul’s idea of good was murder if someone was different than his religion. Paul’s idea of light was the law, but later in Romans Paul will tell us that the law makes more sin, Romans 5:20.
Acts 26:16 G235 But G450 rise up, G2532 and G2476 stand G1909 upon G3588 G4228 your feet! G1473 G1519 [2in G3778 3this G1063 1For] G3708 I appeared G1473 to you, G4400 to handpick G1473 you G5257 as an assistant G2532 and G3144 witness G3739 both of what G5037 G1492 you beheld, G3739 and of what G5037 G3708 I shall make known G1473 to you;
Acts 26:16 G235 CONJ αλλα G450 [G5628] V-2AAM-2S αναστηθι G2532 CONJ και G2476 [G5628] V-2AAM-2S στηθι G1909 PREP επι G3588 T-APM τους G4228 N-APM ποδας G4675 P-2GS σου G1519 PREP εις G5124 D-ASN τουτο G1063 CONJ γαρ G3700 [G5681] V-API-1S ωφθην G4671 P-2DS σοι G4400 [G5664] V-ADN προχειρισασθαι G4571 P-2AS σε G5257 N-ASM υπηρετην G2532 CONJ και G3144 N-ASM μαρτυρα G3739 R-GPN ων G5037 PRT τε G1492 [G5627] V-2AAI-2S ειδες G3165 P-1AS | με G3165 P-1AS | " με " G3739 R-GPN | ων G5037 PRT τε G3700 [G5701] V-FPI-1S οφθησομαι G4671 P-2DS σοι
“however rise up and stand on the feet thy into that for I am seen to thee I appoint thee under rower and witness that also know me, me that also am seen to thee”
Paul says that Jesus told him to stand up because he, Jesus, is visible to Paul. Paul then says that Jesus appoints him under-rower, meaning someone to help row the boat under Jesus. He is to witness to those who also know Jesus, Jesus who is seen to Paul.
Acts 26:17 G1807 taking you out G1473 G1537 from G3588 the G2992 people G2532 and G3588 the G1484 nations, G1519 unto G3739 whom G3568 now G1473 I shall send you, G649
“Remove thee from out of the people and the from out of the nations into this I send forth thee”
Paul now explains that he is to move out from Israel and go where Jesus will send him. It is interesting to point this out because the religious leaders could have just told Paul not to come back to Jerusalem, but instead they pursued Paul with accusations until the Romans would kill him.
Acts 26:18 G455 to open G3788 their eyes, G1473 G3588 G1994 to turn G575 from G4655 darkness G1519 unto G5457 light, G2532 and G3588 the G1849 authority G3588 G4567 of Satan G1909 unto G3588 G2316 God, G3588 G2983 for them to receive G1473 G859 a release G266 of sins, G2532 and G2819 a lot G1722 among G3588 the ones G37 having been sanctified G4102 by the belief G3588 G1519 in G1473 me.
“Open the eyes them the turn about away from darkness into radiance and the power the Satanas on the Elohim the receive they dismissal sins and portion in the holy faith the into me”
Paul says that Jesus told him to open the eyes of others, turning them from darkness to radiance, from Satanas to the Elohim. Because the Jews pursued Paul almost all the way to Rome, Paul became famous. Everyone knew that the Jews wanted to kill Paul. This gave Paul lots of open doors to speak to people about Jesus. Paul’s dark situation brought the beautiful radiance to many people for the release of their sins and their sanctification. Eventually the radiance is seen and known.
Here is our dilemma. We don’t live in a movie. We have to live life wading through darkness to find Jesus and his radiance. Then we have to dispel the obscurity and the gray shade to overcome the things that try to bind us.
1 Peter 2:9 G1473 But you G1161 G1085 [2race G1588 1 are a chosen], G934 a royal G2406 priesthood, G1484 [2nation G39 1a holy], G2992 a people G1519 for G4047 procurement; G3704 so that G3588 [2the G703 3virtues G1804 1you should publish] G3588 of the one G1537 [2from out of G4655 3darkness G1473 1calling you] G2564 G1519 into G3588 G2298 his wonderful G1473 G5457 light.
The believer in Christ is a selected or chosen genos. We are no longer identified as our tribal human roots. We are a new genos, race, tribe. We are kingly priests. That is our new race. Our skin color, hair color, geographical location, or our language, do not define us. Our race is kingly priests who make up a new nation, ethnos hagion, or holy nation. There will be no borders in the millennial kingdom for the kingly priests. Today, the earth is our border. We live in territories and nations that define us by our genetics, or ethnicity, and our career path. Jesus changed our genos and our ethnos, and appointed us a new career, kingly priests. Our border is the earth, until we die or are harpazo’d.
We are the kingly priests of this holy nation on earth. We were acquired out of darkness into radiance. In the millennial kingdom there are no borders, no defining tribes, no boundaries, for us. There will be earthly tribes in the millennial, but not for us, we are a heavenly tribe. Today our radiance dispels the darkness. If people are looking at us and determining who we are by our looks or our accent, they are in darkness. They are playing opposites and trying to tie us to darkness. We are a chosen genos, kingly priests, a holy nation. Our status changed when we came out of skotos into phōs.
Paul’s mission was to open people’s eyes so that they turn from darkness to radiance. Peter says we have come out of darkness into radiance and then we are a new genos, kingly priests, a holy ethnos. Jesus says that if we believe on Him we don’t abide in darkness. In the beginning the Elohim said the radiance was beautiful. We can come to know beauty if we can remember Isaiah’s words. We cannot allow the darkness to declare what beauty is. We cannot allow dark people to define the light. We need to tell others what is good, light, and sweet, and let them choose the beautiful radiance. Light is beautiful.
