Putting Evil Out of Business

[Lovekr07]

'About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.” When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theater together. Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater. The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander to the front, and they shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Fellow Ephesians, doesn’t all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to calm down and not do anything rash. You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.” After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.'



Acts 19:23-41

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ACT.19.23-41



Paul and other disciples of “The Way” were preaching the Gospel everywhere and more and more people were becoming saved and turning from their idols. This was in turn inconveniencing the businesses of those who built shrines and crafted idols for worship of other gods. In this particular case, Demetrius was angry because he and the craftsmen were in danger of losing their business and good reputation as people were being awakened spiritually and repenting from idol worship. He stirred up the other craftsmen and the Ephesians against “The Way” saying that the great goddess Artemis would be discredited and robbed of her divine majesty. Secretly, he was only concerned because of his business and reputation being in danger, but he manipulated the people by stirring people up in what would concern them. They thought it was about their god, but it was actually a self-serving act of greed. The Way was not targeting them, but only preaching the Truth. These businessmen were angry because in learning the Truth, the people repented from idol worship which resulted in their no longer supporting their business. They tried to get Alexander to stop The Way but were unable to. Alexander told them that he could not find anything fault with The Way, so that if they sought anything further, they would have to take them to court. The Way was divinely and heavily protected by Lord God Almighty who cannot be stopped!!! The same is true for us. We are not targeting anyone, but if our work for the Lord inconveniences anyone, they may try to stop us or shut us down, but we are highly protected by God. Hallelujah!! When we are on the Lord’s side, His enemies become our enemies, so the battle is His and He is the Victorious One!!! He cannot lose!!!

 

[Hidden In Him]

'About that time there arose a great disturbance about the Way. A silversmith named Demetrius, who made silver shrines of Artemis, brought in a lot of business for the craftsmen there. He called them together, along with the workers in related trades, and said: “You know, my friends, that we receive a good income from this business. And you see and hear how this fellow Paul has convinced and led astray large numbers of people here in Ephesus and in practically the whole province of Asia. He says that gods made by human hands are no gods at all. There is danger not only that our trade will lose its good name, but also that the temple of the great goddess Artemis will be discredited; and the goddess herself, who is worshiped throughout the province of Asia and the world, will be robbed of her divine majesty.” When they heard this, they were furious and began shouting: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” Soon the whole city was in an uproar. The people seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Paul’s traveling companions from Macedonia, and all of them rushed into the theater together. Paul wanted to appear before the crowd, but the disciples would not let him. Even some of the officials of the province, friends of Paul, sent him a message begging him not to venture into the theater. The assembly was in confusion: Some were shouting one thing, some another. Most of the people did not even know why they were there. The Jews in the crowd pushed Alexander to the front, and they shouted instructions to him. He motioned for silence in order to make a defense before the people. But when they realized he was a Jew, they all shouted in unison for about two hours: “Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!” The city clerk quieted the crowd and said: “Fellow Ephesians, doesn’t all the world know that the city of Ephesus is the guardian of the temple of the great Artemis and of her image, which fell from heaven? Therefore, since these facts are undeniable, you ought to calm down and not do anything rash. You have brought these men here, though they have neither robbed temples nor blasphemed our goddess. If, then, Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a grievance against anybody, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. They can press charges. If there is anything further you want to bring up, it must be settled in a legal assembly. As it is, we are in danger of being charged with rioting because of what happened today. In that case we would not be able to account for this commotion, since there is no reason for it.” After he had said this, he dismissed the assembly.'



Acts 19:23-41

https://www.bible.com/bible/111/ACT.19.23-41



Paul and other disciples of “The Way” were preaching the Gospel everywhere and more and more people were becoming saved and turning from their idols. This was in turn inconveniencing the businesses of those who built shrines and crafted idols for worship of other gods. In this particular case, Demetrius was angry because he and the craftsmen were in danger of losing their business and good reputation as people were being awakened spiritually and repenting from idol worship. He stirred up the other craftsmen and the Ephesians against “The Way” saying that the great goddess Artemis would be discredited and robbed of her divine majesty. Secretly, he was only concerned because of his business and reputation being in danger, but he manipulated the people by stirring people up in what would concern them. They thought it was about their god, but it was actually a self-serving act of greed. The Way was not targeting them, but only preaching the Truth. These businessmen were angry because in learning the Truth, the people repented from idol worship which resulted in their no longer supporting their business. They tried to get Alexander to stop The Way but were unable to. Alexander told them that he could not find anything fault with The Way, so that if they sought anything further, they would have to take them to court. The Way was divinely and heavily protected by Lord God Almighty who cannot be stopped!!! The same is true for us. We are not targeting anyone, but if our work for the Lord inconveniences anyone, they may try to stop us or shut us down, but we are highly protected by God. Hallelujah!! When we are on the Lord’s side, His enemies become our enemies, so the battle is His and He is the Victorious One!!! He cannot lose!!!

Hallelujah, sister! Excellent word!

And it's true. Despite their better intentions, there are many Cessationists I have seen who take teachings on the gifts of the Spirit as a personal insult, as if they are somehow being "attacked" by it. But the only thing that is being attacked are the falsehoods, and the demonic spirits that lay behind them who want to keep men blinded and in spiritual bondage, just like with those who lay behind the idols being built during New Testament times.

19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons (1 Corinthians 10:19-21)

But as you say, the word will not be stopped, no matter what the enemy does, and no matter who is discomfited by it. They can hope to save face, they can hope to preserve their means of living in some cases, but they will find themselves fighting God, and fighting on the side of evil until their eyes are opened to the truth.

I think the proper response is to pray for them, that God may open their eyes, and they recover themselves from the deceptions of the enemy, who has taken them captive to do his will (2 Timothy 2:26).

 

[Lovekr07]

Hallelujah, sister! Excellent word!

And it's true. Despite their better intentions, there are many Cessationists I have seen who take teachings on the gifts of the Spirit as a personal insult, as if they are somehow being "attacked" by it. But the only thing that is being attacked are the falsehoods, and the demonic spirits that lay behind them who want to keep men blinded and in spiritual bondage, just like with those who lay behind the idols being built during New Testament times.

19 What am I saying then? That an idol is anything, or what is offered to idols is anything? 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons; you cannot partake of the Lord’s table and of the table of demons (1 Corinthians 10:19-21)

But as you say, the word will not be stopped, no matter what the enemy does, and no matter who is discomfited by it. They can hope to save face, they can hope to preserve their means of living in some cases, but they will find themselves fighting God, and fighting on the side of evil until their eyes are opened to the truth.

I think the proper response is to pray for them, that God may open their eyes, and they recover themselves from the deceptions of the enemy, who has taken them captive to do his will (2 Timothy 2:26).

Amen! Thank you