In answer to the governor's question, Paul said: "I stand at Caesar's judgment seat, where I ought to be judged: to the Jews have I done no wrong, as thou very well knowest.For if I be an offender, or have committed anything worthy of death, I refuse not to die: but if there be none of these things whereof these accuse me, no man may deliver me unto them.I appeal unto Caesar."Festus knew nothing of the conspiracies of the Jews to murder Paul, and he was surprised at this appeal to Caesar.However, the words of the apostle put a stop to the proceedings of the court."Festus, when he had conferred with the council, answered, Hast thou appealed unto Caesar? unto Caesar shalt thou go."Thus it was that once more, because of hatred born of bigotry and self-righteousness, a servant of God was driven to turn for protection to the heathen.It was this same hatred that forced the prophet Elijah to flee for succor to the widow of Sarepta; and that forced the heralds of the gospel to turn from the Jews to proclaim their message to the Gentiles.And this hatred the people of God living in this age have yet to meet.Among many of the professing followers of Christ there is the same pride, formalism, and selfishness, the same spirit of oppression, that held so large a place in the Jewish heart.In the future, men claiming to be Christ's representatives will take a course similar to that followed by the priests and rulers in their treatment of Christ and the apostles.In the great crisis through which they are soon to pass, the faithful servants of God will encounter the same hardness of heart, the same cruel determination, the same unyielding hatred.
All who in that evil day would fearlessly serve God according to the dictates of conscience, will need courage, firmness, and a knowledge of God and His word; for those who are true to God will be persecuted, their motives will be impugned, their best efforts misinterpreted, and their names cast out as evil.Satan will work with all his deceptive power to influence the heart and becloud the understanding, to make evil appear good, and good evil.The stronger and purer the faith of God's people, and the firmer their determination to obey Him, the more fiercely will Satan strive to stir up against them the rage of those who, while claiming to be righteous, trample upon the law of God.It will require the firmest trust, the most heroic purpose, to hold fast the faith once delivered to the saints.
God desires His people to prepare for the soon-coming crisis.Prepared or unprepared, they must all meet it; and those only who have brought their lives into conformity to the divine standard, will stand firm at that time of test and trial.When secular rulers unite with ministers of religion to dictate in matters of conscience, then it will be seen who really fear and serve God.When the darkness is deepest, the light of a godlike character will shine the brightest.When every other trust fails, then it will be seen who have an abiding trust in Jehovah.And while the enemies of truth are on every side, watching the Lord's servants for evil, God will watch over them for good.He will be to them as the shadow of a great rock in a weary land.
