Cover photo: statue of Emperor Claudius as the Greek god Jupiter.
Some Prophets from Jerusalem
Now in those days, some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch.
ACTS 11:27 Legacy Standard Bible
A believer in Christ, follower of a false prophet, worshiper of an ancient god or iconic contemporary might easily miss the significance of these four verses from ACTS of the Apostles.
As you may recall from our previous look at ACTS 11:26, we have been in Antioch for a year now.
‘Christians‘ – a label by outsiders
The followers of Jesus were so different from the culture around them.. Clearly the followers of the
Tony Merida – Christ-centered Exposition – Exalting Jesus in Acts [p. 162]
Way’ .. people of all cultural backgrounds, weren’t Jews. Gentile observers called them, “little Christs.”
As we observed last time these events took place around A.D. 40 just a few years after the resurrection of Jesus. But these are also tumultuous times for the Roman Empire ruling over a largely Greek-speaking world once ruled by Alexander the Great just three centuries earlier.
Conquering Roman leaders would march their captives into Rome and be worshiped as gods. These mere men likened themselves to the many idols of Rome and gods of ancient Greece and eastern lands where Jews were also led as captives centuries before.
“Only gods may choose new gods.
Claudius, as he refused the request of Alexandrian Greeks to dedicate a temple to his divinity
Tiberius Claudius Nero Caesar Drusus (1 August 10 BC–13 October 54), originally known as Tiberius Claudius Drusus Nero Germanicus, was the fourth Roman Emperor of the Julio-Claudian dynasty, ruling from 24 January 41 to his death in 54. – source
Claudius
On 24 January 41, Caligula was assassinated in a broad-based conspiracy involving Cassius Chaerea – a military tribune in the Praetorian Guard – and several senators..
The Senate quickly met and began debating a change of government, but this eventually devolved into an argument over which of them would be the new princeps. When they heard of the Praetorians’ claim, they demanded that Claudius be delivered to them for approval, but he refused, sensing the danger that would come with complying.
Source: From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Some historians, particularly Josephus, claim that Claudius was directed in his actions by the Judean King Herod Agrippa..
[Who we will meet later in Acts of the Apostles during upcoming missions of the Apostle Paul.]
Claudius was the first emperor proclaimed on the initiative of the Praetorian Guard instead of the Senate [of Rome]
source [more below]
Claudius was concerned with the spread of eastern mysteries within the city and searched for more Roman replacements.. He expelled foreign astrologers, and at the same time rehabilitated the old Roman soothsayers (known as haruspices) as a replacement..
Claudius forbade proselytizing in any religion, even in those regions where he allowed natives to worship freely. [Freedom from {other} religion – sound familiar?}]
It is also reported that at one time he expelled the Jews from Rome. [SEE ACTS 18]
In the world you will have tribulation..
Claudius restored the status of the peaceful Imperial Roman provinces of Macedonia and Achaea as senatorial provinces.
Now the apostles and the brothers who were throughout Judea heard that the Gentiles also had received the word of God. – Acts 11:1
“And I remembered the word of the Lord, how He used to say, ‘John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit.’ – Acts 11:16
Acts 11 continued
27 Now in those days, some prophets came down from Jerusalem to Antioch. And one of them named Agabus stood up and indicated by the Spirit that there was going to be a great famine all over the world. And this took place in the reign of Claudius.
The bold prophesy of future desolation
Who has ever heard of this prophet?
And what brashness to predict some future disaster coming to all the inhabited world!
A POWERFUL prince may predict what disaster he will bring upon the lands he will invade or a lord of legions may cause the devastation of his own citizens, but who can say what the Lord God will do to the whole world?
And who would believe it anyway?
(What can mere mortal men do even knowing of such disasters yet to come?)
Ἄγαβος? (Never heard of him.)
Agabus is a Christian prophet.
Luke’s account of this prediction reveals the power behind Agabus’ prediction of famine is none other than the Holy Spirit of God, Who has already intervened with some frequency in Acts of the Apostles.
From their own history the Jews know that God will certainly do what he reveals through his prophets.
دانيال (Daniel) 5 :: Open New Arabic Version (NAV)
When Belshazzar tasted the wine, he said to bring the gold and silver vessels which Nebuchadnezzar his father had taken out of the temple which was in Jerusalem.. They drank the wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone.
Suddenly the fingers of a man’s hand came out and began writing opposite the lampstand on the plaster of the wall of the king’s palace, and the king saw the back of the hand that did the writing.
.. Then Daniel was brought in before the king..
“This is the interpretation of the message: ‘MENĒ’—God has numbered your kingdom and put an end to it.
Daniel 5:2a,4-5,13a,26 LSB
Joseph – a similar prophecy from Scripture
Even though you may not know of Agabus you likely know the preparation of Egypt due to the prophesy of Joseph. The Church, too, will take Agabus at his word through the Spirit and prepare itself from the famine yet to come.
التكوين (Genesis) 41 :: Open New Arabic Version (NAV)
Now it happened at the end of two full years that Pharaoh had a dream.. And the ugly and [lean of flesh] thin cows ate up the seven sleek and fat cows. Then Pharaoh awoke.
..seven ears of grain came up on a single stalk, plump and good. And behold, seven ears, thin and scorched by the east wind, sprouted up after them.
And Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I have had a dream, but no one can interpret it; yet I have heard it said about you, that you hear a dream and that you can interpret it.”
Genesis 41:1a,4,5b-6,15
Joseph, Daniel, Agabus & the true Prophets of God
What is it that ALL these true Prophets of the Lord God have in common?
Daniel had reminded Belshazzar son of Nebuchadnezzar how the LORD had given his father power to rule.
“[lit. You king] O king, the Most High God granted the kingdom, grandeur, glory, and majesty to Nebuchadnezzar your father.
Daniel 5:18 LSB
Joseph, Son of Israel (Jacob) gives Pharaoh a similar answer:
Joseph then answered Pharaoh, saying, “It is not in me; God will answer concerning the welfare of Pharaoh.”
Genesis 41:16 LSB
The prophesies of the true prophet of God are neither self-serving nor words of their own AND the prophesy of the LORD will always take place as the Lord has revealed to his prophet.
Then Pharaoh named Joseph Zaphenath-paneah [the god speaks and he lives; treasury of the glorious rest; savior of the age]
Genesis 41:45a; link above to Strong’s H6847
The hundreds of disciples of the risen Christ who had received the Holy Spirit all knew that the prophesy of Agabus would be fulfilled, just as prophesies of saviors of their past had come true.
THEREFORE
Like Joseph, the disciples of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (whom some present had witnessed after the Lord’s resurrection) obediently prepared for their certain future.
And as any of the disciples had means, each of them determined to send a contribution for the service of the brothers living in Judea.
Acts 11:29 LSB
These men and women joined in the fellowship of the Holy Spirit believed this prophesy of Agabus that a famine was about to come upon the whole Roman world. They must support the Apostles of Jesus and fellow followers of The Way in Jerusalem. For these men would be blamed more than most and persecuted as Christians have already suffered even more so in these days to come.
And as for their contribution for fellow saints in Judea:
And this they did, sending it in charge of Barnabas and Saul to the elders.
These are politically troubling times not only in Jerusalem but in Rome and throughout the Roman Empire.
King Herod (as we have just learned) is all caught up in the politics and religion issues with Claudius, Emperor and lord Caesar of the whole world; which, of course, includes Jerusalem.
To be continued.. NEXT: in Jerusalem
26 Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? 27 Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. 28 Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt.
Yet Joseph, a slave in Egypt promoted to the palace, becomes a type of redeemer for the people of the lands he loved. Yes, the lands Joseph loved – both Goshen, a state of Egypt where the Lord would multiply the Hebrew people, and a promised land along the Jordan from which he unwillingly emigrated.