Acts 28- Snakes and Promises

I know I wrote about Acts 28 just a couple of days ago but we had some awesome discussion about Paul's snake bite that I wish to share.  Remember that Paul had been promised that he would make it to Rome.  Also, remember that he had just been shipwrecked on Malta.

"Paul gathered a pile of brushwood and, as he put it on the fire, a viper, driven out by the heat, fastened on his hand.  When the islanders saw the snake hanging from his hand, they said to each other, "This man must be a murderer; for though he escaped from the sea, Justice has not allowed him to live."  But Paul shook the snake off into the fire and suffered no ill effects." Acts 28:3-5

Cool story huh?  There are a few awesome points from this story that I wish to highlight.

First, God continued to keep His promise to Paul.  He told Paul that he would make it to Rome, and nothing would stop that from happening.  Prison didn't, a shipwreck didn't, attempts on his life didn't, and a snakebite sure didn't either.  Luke is showing us yet again that God's Will is unstoppable and that He is faithful to His promises despite what our present situation looks like.

Second, God continued to keep His promise to the saints.  Remember that Luke wrote Acts as a letter to Theophilus.  Luke, of course, also wrote the letter of Luke to Theophilus.  Read this:

"'The seventy-two returned with joy and said, "Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name."

He replied, 'I saw Satan fall like lightening from heaven.  I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you.  However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." Luke 10:17-20

Theophilus would remember this passage from Luke's last letter.  Again, God kept His promise.

Finally, Paul threw the snake into the fire.  We know that at the end of time God will through Satan, the serpent, into the lake of fire.  We also know that in Romans 16:20 Paul said to the church in Rome, "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet."  See, Paul's destroying the snake in the fire is an analogy for what we will do to Satan through the power of the risen Christ.

What an awesome passage in Acts!  Who knew a snakebite could say so much?

Remember, the God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet.  He will keep this promise so get your stompin' shoes on today.