Acts 7:56 “Look! I see the Heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the Right Hand of God!”

 

The council of the Synagogue came against Stephen with a great vengeance but their hatred did not stop him. In fact, Stephen stood there and proceeded to give them all a history lesson. (Acts 7:2-50) They all knew every bit of this history but Stephen took this opportunity to remind them. This was his attempt to convince them of the Truth and cause them to repent but they refused.

 

Then, after the history lesson, Stephen called them all out! You stiff-necked and uncircumcised in heart and ears! You always resist the Holy Spirit; as your fathers did, so do you. Which of the Prophets did your fathers not persecute? And they killed those who foretold the coming of the Just One of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers, who have received the law by the direction of Angels and have not kept it.” (Acts 7:51-53)

 

Well, that did it! When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. (Acts 7:54) Stephen had to know they were going to kill him just like they did Jesus. He knew the power they had but still, he held fast to the Truth and God allowed him to see what was ahead of him. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into Heaven and saw the Glory of God, and Jesus standing at the Right Hand of God, and said, “Look! I see the Heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the Right Hand of God!” (Acts 7:55-56)

 

What an example Stephen is for all of us! Put yourself in his place. What would you do if the government came and told you to stop talking about Jesus and preaching the Gospel? If they dragged you into court before the highest justices in the land, what would you say? Would you give them a history lesson about the Life, Death, Burial, Resurrection, and Ascension of Christ? Would you tell them of the Power of the Holy Spirit to Heal and Deliver people from the bondage of sin and shame? Would you tell them all this even though you knew they would kill you if you did? Would you?

 

The Apostle Paul tells us to stand strong in the face of our enemy. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. (Ephesians 6:13) Stephen was wearing the whole armor of God as he stood before the council that day and lectured them all on their own history and preached repentance to them. In the face of death, Stephen stood strong. Again I ask you: Would you stand strong given the same circumstances?

 

Take up the whole armor of God and stand because God is about to …..…….turn the tide

 

Standing in Jesus’ Name!         Doreen

 

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