Some New Thing

Acts 17:22-24

Then Paul stood in the midst of Mars' hill, and said, Ye men of Athens, I perceive that in all things ye are too superstitious.

Here, an end of all things has come. Paul is set to give his final address to this region before moving on with the Lord. Yet his speech is so beautiful and lofty for such a setting. I can see him now standing up in the hall of judgment announcing to all who will listen about his Lord. Yet the hall is not narrow or cramped by men's standards. Behold he stands high above the villages in the clefts of the rocks that are higher than him. Many before him have run here for safety but found none. Well might the rocks have covered them as at the last in Revelation 6:16. Here he stands in the city of the ages, to discourse with the ancients. Some called it Mars Hill, the Roman name for the Acropolis to which he had been summoned. Those addressed were known simply as the "men of Athens." It is certain that both Romans and Greeks gathered here this day. Yet to Christ they were known merely from whence they came. Indeed, from man comes no sure and certain resting place. For such is the refuge and the temple of our God. In this place, as 2 Corinthians 12:1-4 says, Paul's glorying would doubtless be out of place.

See, many are the triumphs of a man, but God should get the glory. Only he could arrange the affairs of men and bring you out with safety. To me, God's work is clear. I see no Jews or mere mean men around to stir up many. For now, Paul is given peace from their attacks with the willing audience provided. In glorying, the text uses the words "not expedient." This refers to a good many habits of the flesh which profit nothing. Yet these city dwellers had one common problem. They were all too superstitious. Come on now; you know how you do. The daily paper comes, and you must check your horoscope. Then your date arrives, and you must seek their astrology sign. Finally, you cannot work as you ought due to the full moon. Whatever happened to the older generation's habit of first consulting Jesus. I will tell you what just as soon as Paul finishes his dialogue. Here, he also has come to the topic of certain "visions and revelations of the Lord." Do not get all holy on me now; this is a serious matter that really ought to be addressed. Indeed, it has direct bearing upon those things that follow.

For as I passed by, and beheld your devotions, I found an altar with this inscription, To The Unknown God. Whom therefore ye ignorantly worship, him declare I unto you.

The Athenians fixed this one altar to the god whom they did not know. This fact only illustrates how polytheistic these people were. Just in case they missed one god, they covered their bases by building yet another altar. Paul's experience shows that the things of God uttered in jest became open invitations for his Majesty to walk right on through into the people's lives. Here we see that building an altar has always been a testament to his power and glory. It might be in memory or in the hope of his provision. But how many of you know that when he is called upon, God will always come through. These people wanted to know him. Somewhere in the darkest part of them they knew that someone else was out there. More than that the idea of an unknown god just made sense to them. Between all their unbelief, philosophy, and everything that moved they found him. See, Jeremiah 29:13 promises that God will be found of those that seek him. Hush now. I hear some saying how you 'cannot see what this has to do with prophecy.' It all starts with a knowledge of God. You cannot do anything if you do not first know him. Nor can you testify of him without knowledge. Now, I am speaking of those that crawl to Heaven's backdoor as these people did. Better to be totally lost than halfway there.

There is a danger to be seen in the Lord finding you without his house, unclothed, and unredeemed. How we need his saving grace today. Paul would have you know of a man he met in Christ. He knows not from whence he came not yet where he was going. No matter, at least he had his body, right? But Paul even lost track of his own when he met this man. My, it ought to tell you that this man had some great power indeed. See, it mattered not if this man came in the Spirit. Only the Lord could know, for such is his domain. Paul's testimony is this. Note how he speaks not of many hardships and trials. When he met this man in Christ, he knew him for a long time. Behold, it was "above fourteen years ago." But one thing is clear. This man was "caught up to the third Heaven." Look now, little believers, here is another Heaven you know of not. This aside, Paul continues to emphasize his relationship with such a man. Indeed, he met him both in the body and out of the body. So was he known both in the Spirit and without. Such a knowing continues both by the soul and without his soul. This thing only God can tell. For it takes the Lord to perform it.

God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that he is Lord of heaven and earth, dwelleth not in temples made with hands;

I love how Paul continues in this vein. His focus remains on this man rather than his own troubles. It seems he has almost forgotten all about Lydia by now. Not really, just that this man by far is the greater of the three. See, this man "was caught up into paradise." Like Mary of John 3:9, you might wonder how this can be. The key to understanding the occasion is found in the phrase, God "dwells not in temples made with hands." In times of old, they built him an altar, a temple, and some sacrifices. In times such as these, God goes wherever he pleases. For is he not the Lord of all things. Behold, he created both Heaven and earth. So, if you have anything to say about it, I suggest you do so now. Soon will come the time of the "unspeakable words" which this man heard. So, this seems to be a direct reference to the words of the seven thunders uttered and sealed in Revelation 10:4. This should let you know that for all eternity he is and always will be God. Now I know you would like to know what was said. But Paul would have you know such was untranslatable, unknowable, and equally unrepeatable. The thunders were sealed because they contained the praise of all the ages. From demonic to angelic and everything in between, God deserves them all. Indeed, it is so for he is their maker. None of the fallen would have breath without him. None of the saints would have eternal life apart from his life. None of the angels would carry out his divine purposes without his power. I say with Daniel 6:21, may this man live forever. For indeed he deserves it. From creation, to rescue, and to the final acts this is his show.