36th Occasion of Believe in Acts: Paul rescued from Jerusalem and testifies he believes the entire Old Testament Scriptures:

We last read about the Apostle Paul reasoning with a mob of his Jewish countrymen while standing on the steps of the Roman fortress next to the Temple in Jerusalem, Acts 22:1 - 201 Men, brethren, and fathers, hear ye my defence which I make now unto you.

2 (And when they heard that he spake in the Hebrew tongue to them, they kept the more silence: and he saith,)

3 I am verily a man which am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, yet brought up in this city at the feet of Gamaliel, and taught according to the perfect manner of the law of the fathers, and was zealous toward God, as ye all are this day.

4 And I persecuted this way unto the death, binding and delivering into prisons both men and women.

5 As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and went to Damascus, to bring them which were there bound unto Jerusalem, for to be punished.

6 And it came to pass, that, as I made my journey, and was come nigh unto Damascus about noon, suddenly there shone from heaven a great light round about me.

7 And I fell unto the ground, and heard a voice saying unto me, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me?

8 And I answered, Who art thou, Lord? And he said unto me, I am Jesus of Nazareth, whom thou persecutest.

9 And they that were with me saw indeed the light, and were afraid; but they heard not the voice of him that spake to me.

10 And I said, What shall I do, LORD? And the Lord said unto me, Arise, and go into Damascus; and there it shall be told thee of all things which are appointed for thee to do.

11 And when I could not see for the glory of that light, being led by the hand of them that were with me, I came into Damascus.

12 And one Ananias, a devout man according to the law, having a good report of all the Jews which dwelt there,

13 Came unto me, and stood, and said unto me, Brother Saul, receive thy sight. And the same hour I looked up upon him.

14 And he said, The God of our fathers hath chosen thee, that thou shouldest know his will, and see that Just One, and shouldest hear the voice of his mouth.

15 For thou shalt be his witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

16 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

17 And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance;

18 And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.

19 And I said, Lord, they know that I imprisoned and beat in every synagogue them that believed on thee:

20 And when the blood of thy martyr Stephen was shed, I also was standing by, and consenting unto his death, and kept the raiment of them that slew him.

. The mob had seized, carried him out of the Temple, and attempted to kill him, Acts 21:27 - 3127 And when the seven days were almost ended, the Jews which were of Asia, when they saw him in the temple, stirred up all the people, and laid hands on him,

28 Crying out, Men of Israel, help: This is the man, that teacheth all men every where against the people, and the law, and this place: and further brought Greeks also into the temple, and hath polluted this holy place.

29 (For they had seen before with him in the city Trophimus an Ephesian, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.)

30 And all the city was moved, and the people ran together: and they took Paul, and drew him out of the temple: and forthwith the doors were shut.

31 And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

when Claudius Lysias, Acts 23:2626 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.

, the Chief Captain of the Roman soldiers stationed in Jerusalem, Acts 21:3131 And as they went about to kill him, tidings came unto the chief captain of the band, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar.

, got word and rescued him, Acts 21:3232 Who immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down unto them: and when they saw the chief captain and the soldiers, they left beating of Paul.

. (The title “Chief Captain” is translated from the Greek “chiliarchos,” (G5506) found 22 times in the NT, meaning a commander of 1000 soldiers.) Claudius Lysias had allowed Paul to speak to the mob and they listened quietly right up to when he said the Lord Jesus Christ told him he was being sent “far hence to the Gentiles.” At that, they went wild, shouting he was not fit to live, wishing to lynch him, Acts 22:21 - 2321 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

22 And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

23 And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,

21 And he said unto me, Depart: for I will send thee far hence unto the Gentiles.

22 And they gave him audience unto this word, and then lifted up their voices, and said, Away with such a fellow from the earth: for it is not fit that he should live.

23 And as they cried out, and cast off their clothes, and threw dust into the air,

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The Jewish mob sincerely believed they were acting in accordance with their religion; they believed Gentiles were nothing more than dogs, and outside the covenant God had made with Israel. The truth is that Gentiles had indeed been outside God’s covenant, Matthew 15:22 - 2722 And, behold, a woman of Canaan came out of the same coasts, and cried unto him, saying, Have mercy on me, O Lord, thou son of David; my daughter is grievously vexed with a devil.

23 But he answered her not a word. And his disciples came and besought him, saying, Send her away; for she crieth after us.

24 But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

25 Then came she and worshipped him, saying, Lord, help me.

26 But he answered and said, It is not meet to take the children's bread, and to cast it to dogs.

27 And she said, Truth, Lord: yet the dogs eat of the crumbs which fall from their masters' table.

, however the mob had either forgotten or paid no heed to the fact that part of God’s plan for them was to be a nation of Priests, Exodus 19:3 - 63 And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;

4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.

5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

3 And Moses went up unto God, and the LORD called unto him out of the mountain, saying, Thus shalt thou say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel;

4 Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles' wings, and brought you unto myself.

5 Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine:

6 And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests, and an holy nation. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel.

, meaning God meant them to be a blessing to all nations. In the future, during the Lord Jesus Christ’s earthly reign over the earth, all Israel will be filled with the Holy Spirit, Ezekiel 37:11 - 1411 Then he said unto me, Son of man, these bones are the whole house of Israel: behold, they say, Our bones are dried, and our hope is lost: we are cut off for our parts.

12 Therefore prophesy and say unto them, Thus saith the Lord GOD; Behold, O my people, I will open your graves, and cause you to come up out of your graves, and bring you into the land of Israel.

13 And ye shall know that I am the LORD, when I have opened your graves, O my people, and brought you up out of your graves,

14 And shall put my spirit in you, and ye shall live, and I shall place you in your own land: then shall ye know that I the LORD have spoken it, and performed it, saith the LORD.

, and thus finally will fulfill Exodus 19:3 - 6 and led all men to God in Jerusalem as prophesied in Zechariah 8:21 - 2321 And the inhabitants of one city shall go to another, saying, Let us go speedily to pray before the LORD, and to seek the LORD of hosts: I will go also.

22 Yea, many people and strong nations shall come to seek the LORD of hosts in Jerusalem, and to pray before the LORD.

23 Thus saith the LORD of hosts; In those days it shall come to pass, that ten men shall take hold out of all languages of the nations, even shall take hold of the skirt of him that is a Jew, saying, We will go with you: for we have heard that God is with you.

. However, during Paul’s time, all in Israel were not filled with the Holy Spirit and those not so filled didn’t believe Jesus was their Messiah and were operating in self-righteous pride in their religion. Their religion, i.e., the Law, was God given but God meant for it to teach them that they were sinners and no one can be justified before God by following it, Romans 3:2020 Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.

. It was a schoolmaster to bring them to their need for Jesus Christ, Galatians 3:2424 Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.

. Jesus explained this fact when He taught about the self-righteous Pharisee bragging about his good works, who never-the-less was lost, whereas the Publican recognized his sin and asked God for mercy, Luke 18:10 - 1410 Two men went up into the temple to pray; the one a Pharisee, and the other a publican.

11 The Pharisee stood and prayed thus with himself, God, I thank thee, that I am not as other men are, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even as this publican.

12 I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess.

13 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

14 I tell you, this man went down to his house justified rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.

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Self-righteousness men persecuting others is not unique to the Jews wishing to kill Paul. Self-righteous religious men through the ages have persecuted other beliefs; Pagans persecuted Christians in the early days of Christianity, the Catholic Church had its Inquisition, Islam it’s Jihad, etc. The Internet dictionary indicates “religion” is a controversial subject with scholars failing to agree on any one definition. Oxford Dictionary defines religion “as the belief in and worship of a superhuman controlling power, especially a personal God or gods.” Merriam Webster states it is; “the service and worship of God or the supernatural; commitment or devotion to religious faith or observance; a personal set or institutionalized system of religious attitudes, beliefs, and practices; scrupulous conformity.” Religions have become organized structures with men and/or women leading them. But the true church today is not an organization or a political state. It is a living organism with a living Head and living members. St. Paul, by divine inspiration, calls the Church, the Body of Christ, Romans 12:55 So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another.

; 1 Corinthians 12:2727 Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.

; Ephesians 5:3030 For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

. It has one Head — not a man on earth, but the glorified Christ in heaven, Ephesians 1:2222 And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,

; Ephesians 4:4 - 54 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling;

5 One Lord, one faith, one baptism,

; Ephesians 5:2323 For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

; Colossians 1:1818 And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence.

” - (Cornelius R. Stam, Two Minutes with the Bible).

Satan has promoted religion throughout history to distort the truth of God’s Word while at the same time providing men and women something, they can believe saves them. Religions promote self-righteousness and are Satan’s main field of activity; he doesn’t have to promote murder, envy, greed, brothels, drunkenness, drug addiction, etc., as they come natural to mankind, Galatians 5:19 - 2119 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,

20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,

21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

. Many people who are not members of Christ’s body today are very religious and moral. On the other hand, true believers in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ are members of the Body of Christ. Paul wrote: “Wherein in time past ye (true believers) walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.” Ephesians 2:2 - 32 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

. The true believer’s sin/s are washed away, and he/she is justified and set aside for God’s use, not by religious acts, but in the Lord Jesus, 1 Corinthians 6:9 - 119 Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,

10 Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.

11 And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.

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When the mob shouted that Paul was not fit to live, wishing to lynch him, Acts 22:21 - 23, Claudius Lysias ordered he be taken into the Castle to be questioned by torture. But he called it off when Paul pointed out he was a Roman citizen, Acts 22:24 - 2924 The chief captain commanded him to be brought into the castle, and bade that he should be examined by scourging; that he might know wherefore they cried so against him.

25 And as they bound him with thongs, Paul said unto the centurion that stood by, Is it lawful for you to scourge a man that is a Roman, and uncondemned?

26 When the centurion heard that, he went and told the chief captain, saying, Take heed what thou doest: for this man is a Roman.

27 Then the chief captain came, and said unto him, Tell me, art thou a Roman? He said, Yea.

28 And the chief captain answered, With a great sum obtained I this freedom. And Paul said, But I was free born.

29 Then straightway they departed from him which should have examined him: and the chief captain also was afraid, after he knew that he was a Roman, and because he had bound him.

. But Claudius wanted to know what the Jews were accusing Paul of so he brought in the Chief Priests and their council the next day to confront Paul, Acts 22:3030 On the morrow, because he would have known the certainty wherefore he was accused of the Jews, he loosed him from his bands, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down, and set him before them.

. There, Paul, recognizing the group was divided, some being Sadducees who did not believe in the resurrection while others were Pharisees who believed in it, said he was a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee and he was being called into question because of his hope of the resurrection, Acts 23:6 - 86 But when Paul perceived that the one part were Sadducees, and the other Pharisees, he cried out in the council, Men and brethren, I am a Pharisee, the son of a Pharisee: of the hope and resurrection of the dead I am called in question.

7 And when he had so said, there arose a dissension between the Pharisees and the Sadducees: and the multitude was divided.

8 For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both.

. At this, the Pharisees sided with Paul and clashed with the Sadducees, to the point Claudius Lysias had to have soldiers rescue Paul from being torn apart by the two factions, Acts 23:9 - 109 And there arose a great cry: and the scribes that were of the Pharisees' part arose, and strove, saying, We find no evil in this man: but if a spirit or an angel hath spoken to him, let us not fight against God.

10 And when there arose a great dissension, the chief captain, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces of them, commanded the soldiers to go down, and to take him by force from among them, and to bring him into the castle.

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The Lord had a purpose and plan for Paul: “And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome. Acts 23:1111 And the night following the Lord stood by him, and said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome.

. The next day 40 Jews took a vow not to eat or drink until they killed Paul. They went to the Chief Priest and Elders asking them to request Paul be brought before them again for more questioning; when they would kill him when he was brought near, Acts 23:12 - 1512 And when it was day, certain of the Jews banded together, and bound themselves under a curse, saying that they would neither eat nor drink till they had killed Paul.

13 And they were more than forty which had made this conspiracy.

14 And they came to the chief priests and elders, and said, We have bound ourselves under a great curse, that we will eat nothing until we have slain Paul.

15 Now therefore ye with the council signify to the chief captain that he bring him down unto you to morrow, as though ye would enquire something more perfectly concerning him: and we, or ever he come near, are ready to kill him.

. But Paul’s nephew heard about their plan and told Paul who asked a Centurion to bring his nephew to see Claudius Lysias. The nephew told Claudius about the plan, and he told the nephew not to tell anyone else, Acts 23:16 - 2216 And when Paul's sister's son heard of their lying in wait, he went and entered into the castle, and told Paul.

17 Then Paul called one of the centurions unto him, and said, Bring this young man unto the chief captain: for he hath a certain thing to tell him.

18 So he took him, and brought him to the chief captain, and said, Paul the prisoner called me unto him, and prayed me to bring this young man unto thee, who hath something to say unto thee.

19 Then the chief captain took him by the hand, and went with him aside privately, and asked him, What is that thou hast to tell me?

20 And he said, The Jews have agreed to desire thee that thou wouldest bring down Paul to morrow into the council, as though they would enquire somewhat of him more perfectly.

21 But do not thou yield unto them: for there lie in wait for him of them more than forty men, which have bound themselves with an oath, that they will neither eat nor drink till they have killed him: and now are they ready, looking for a promise from thee.

22 So the chief captain then let the young man depart, and charged him, See thou tell no man that thou hast shewed these things to me.

. Claudius then called up 470 Roman soldiers who escorted Paul out of Jerusalem at 9:00 PM, Acts 23: 23 - 24. (According to Companion Bible notes, the gates would have been closed securely at 9 PM so no one could leave the city until 6:00 AM the next day when they were opened.)

Claudius Lysias wrote a letter to Governor Felix in Caesarea, Acts 23:25 - 3025 And he wrote a letter after this manner:

26 Claudius Lysias unto the most excellent governor Felix sendeth greeting.

27 This man was taken of the Jews, and should have been killed of them: then came I with an army, and rescued him, having understood that he was a Roman.

28 And when I would have known the cause wherefore they accused him, I brought him forth into their council:

29 Whom I perceived to be accused of questions of their law, but to have nothing laid to his charge worthy of death or of bonds.

30 And when it was told me how that the Jews laid wait for the man, I sent straightway to thee, and gave commandment to his accusers also to say before thee what they had against him. Farewell.

and had Paul escorted safely there where Felix told him he would hear him, Acts 23:31 - 3531 Then the soldiers, as it was commanded them, took Paul, and brought him by night to Antipatris.

32 On the morrow they left the horsemen to go with him, and returned to the castle:

33 Who, when they came to Caesarea and delivered the epistle to the governor, presented Paul also before him.

34 And when the governor had read the letter, he asked of what province he was. And when he understood that he was of Cilicia;

35 I will hear thee, said he, when thine accusers are also come. And he commanded him to be kept in Herod's judgment hall.

. Five days later, the High Priest and Elders, along with a lawyer appeared before Felix and laid out false claims of misconduct against him, Acts 24:1 - 91 And after five days Ananias the high priest descended with the elders, and with a certain orator named Tertullus, who informed the governor against Paul.

2 And when he was called forth, Tertullus began to accuse him, saying, Seeing that by thee we enjoy great quietness, and that very worthy deeds are done unto this nation by thy providence,

3 We accept it always, and in all places, most noble Felix, with all thankfulness.

4 Notwithstanding, that I be not further tedious unto thee, I pray thee that thou wouldest hear us of thy clemency a few words.

5 For we have found this man a pestilent fellow, and a mover of sedition among all the Jews throughout the world, and a ringleader of the sect of the Nazarenes:

6 Who also hath gone about to profane the temple: whom we took, and would have judged according to our law.

7 But the chief captain Lysias came upon us, and with great violence took him away out of our hands,

8 Commanding his accusers to come unto thee: by examining of whom thyself mayest take knowledge of all these things, whereof we accuse him.

9 And the Jews also assented, saying that these things were so.

. We recall that when the Lord Jesus Christ first saved Paul on the road to Damascus He told him he was chosen to bring His name before Gentiles, Kings and Israel, Acts 9:1515 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

15 But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:

. The Greek word translated “kings” in Acts 9:15 is basileus (G935) defined as “leader of the people; prince; commander, lord of the land, king,” thus our Lord knew beforehand that Paul would be witnessing to Governor Felix. Paul first pointed out that he had arrived in Jerusalem just 12 days prior and the claims against him were false, Acts 24:10 - 1310 Then Paul, after that the governor had beckoned unto him to speak, answered, Forasmuch as I know that thou hast been of many years a judge unto this nation, I do the more cheerfully answer for myself:

11 Because that thou mayest understand, that there are yet but twelve days since I went up to Jerusalem for to worship.

12 And they neither found me in the temple disputing with any man, neither raising up the people, neither in the synagogues, nor in the city:

13 Neither can they prove the things whereof they now accuse me.

. He said he worshiped the God of his fathers and believed everything written in the Old Testament, including the fact there is going to be a resurrection of the just and the unjust and he had always lived with a clear conscience with no offense to God or man, Acts 24:1414 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

- 1614 But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets:

15 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

16 And herein do I exercise myself, to have always a conscience void to offence toward God, and toward men.

. Note that the 36th occasion of the word “believing” is found in Acts 24:14, where Paul states “But this I confess unto thee, that after the way which they call heresy, so worship I the God of my fathers, believing all things which are written in the law and in the prophets.”

Some may assume Paul was teaching the Kingdom Gospel at this time because he said he believed everything in the Old Testament and worshiped the God of His Fathers and therefore he had had not begun teaching the Gospel of Grace, Acts 20:2424 But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

, which had been God’s secret since the world began up until it was revealed exclusively to him, Romans 16:25 - 2625 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,

26 But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

; Ephesians 3:1 - 51 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

. This is a false assumption on the face. Of course, he believed all in the Old Testament, just as we do because it is God’s Word. At the time he made this statement he was being accused of subverting the Old Testament worship, but he was not doing so. He believed the Kingdom Gospel of the OT and Gospels, but knew from the revelations the Lord Jesus Christ had given him that the Kingdom Gospel, i.e., the promises to Israel as a Nation were being set aside because through him (Paul) the Gospel of God’s Grace was being ushered in for a season, (which has been almost 2,000 years now.) He also taught that the prophetic promises to Israel, the Kingdom Gospel, given in the Old Testament as well as by Jesus Christ Himself will be fulfilled to the letter, 1 Thessalonians 5:1 - 81 But of the times and the seasons, brethren, ye have no need that I write unto you.

2 For yourselves know perfectly that the day of the Lord so cometh as a thief in the night.

3 For when they shall say, Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them, as travail upon a woman with child; and they shall not escape.

4 But ye, brethren, are not in darkness, that that day should overtake you as a thief.

5 Ye are all the children of light, and the children of the day: we are not of the night, nor of darkness.

6 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.

7 For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night.

8 But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation.

, after we the Church, the Body of Christ are taken up to Heaven, 1 Thessalonians 4:13 - 1813 But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope.

14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.

15 For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep.

16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.

18 Wherefore comfort one another with these words.

; 1 Thessalonians 5:9 - 119 For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,

10 Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.

11 Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.

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