Acts 9:24

But their plot became known to Saul. And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him. Acts 9:24

It was previously seen that the Jews plotted to kill Saul (Paul). That now continues with, “But their plot became known to Saul.” Luke states this as a fact but without explaining how it became known. The odds are that if it was divinely revealed, Luke would have noted that as he does elsewhere. Hence, it was probably through someone having heard about it and then having passed it on. Regardless of this, Luke continues by saying, “And they watched the gates day and night, to kill him.”

This would explain the plot having been discovered by Paul. He had been there three years and walked about in freedom. Eventually, the Jews decided to do away with him, he heard about it, they realized he had heard, and so they began watching the gates in case he attempted to escape.

In 2 Corinthians 11:32, Paul provides more information about this event, saying, “In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me.”

It is unknown what the connection between the Jews and the governor was, but he was either a Jew or he was sympathetic to the words of the Jews and so he ensured guards were posted in order to apprehend Saul on their behalf.

Life application: Paul faced difficulties, but the Lord brought him through them in order to ensure His message got out as it should. When Paul’s ministry was complete and he had served his time, his life ended, and others continued carrying on the message. This will continue until the fulness of the Gentiles has come in according to God’s plan. When that occurs, the Lord will call His church home.

We can expectantly await that day without getting anxious and without trying to predict when it will be. The Lord is simply not going to tell us when the rapture will occur. The best thing to do concerning rapture date setters is to ignore them.

There is work to be done, learning should go on, and the days will continue to pass as they always have until then. So why fritter away your time with idle speculation? Live your life in hopeful anticipation, but with the notion that just as today might be the day, today might also not be the day. Live your life with both in mind.

Lord God, the working out of Your plan for the church has been in progress for thousands of years. It may come to its completion today, or it may go on for quite some time. We will hope for the former but prepare for the latter. Help us to be responsible with our time as we wait upon the Lord. Amen.