Why Did Paul And Silas Return To Jail When They Could Have Escaped?

     Let's learn about what happened to Paul and Silas pictured above after they were cast into prison for preaching the gospel of the Lord Jesus. Acts 16:23 says And when they had laid many stripes upon them (Paul and Silas), they cast them into prison, charging the jailor to keep them safely: Who, having received such a charge, thrust them into the inner prison, and made their feet fast in the stocks. And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them.

     Acts 16:26 says And suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken: and immediately all the doors were opened, and every one's bands were loosed. And the keeper of the prison awaking out of his sleep, and seeing the prison doors open, he drew out his sword, and would have killed himself, supposing that the prisoners had been fled. But Paul cried with a loud voice, saying, Do thyself no harm: for we are all here. Then he (the jailer) called for a light, and sprang in, and came trembling, and fell down before Paul and Silas, And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

     There was rejoicing, releasing, restraining, and regeneration. After Paul and Silas rejoiced in the midnight hour, an earthquake released the prisoners, the Holy Ghost restrained the prisoners, and the jailor got regenerated and saved.

      

     Let's see what happened to Paul and Silas after the jailer believed the Lord Jesus and got saved. Acts 16:32 says And they (Paul and Silas) spake unto him (the jailer) the word of the Lord, and to all that were in his house. And he (the jailer) took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his, straightway. And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in God with all his house. The jailer got saved and became the friend of Paul and Silas and washed the stripes that he earlier had placed on them.

     Now think about this. An earthquake sent by God set Paul and Silas free from jail. The jailer and his family got saved and gave Paul and Silas a blessed meal of baked chicken, salad, and cornbread. Silas probably told Paul, Our work is finished at Philippi, Jesus set us free from jail, the jailer and his family are saved, and we've had a blessed meal. Let's leave and go to the next city to preach.

     But the bible says that sometime between midnight and sunrise, Paul and Silas returned to the Philippian jail cell. I could see Paul telling Silas, We're going back to jail. Silas probably responded, Paul are you crazy, Jesus set us free and you want to go back to jail. Then Paul explained to Silas that they needed to go back to jail or the jailer (now their brother in the Lord) would be killed for allowing the prisoners to escape. As a result, Paul and Silas willingly submitted themselves to reincarceration.

     Think about how Paul and Silas truly showed the love of Jesus to the jailer. They were willing to suffer and go back to jail to save the jailer's life. As a result, Paul and Silas were freed from prison by the magistrates and the jailer's life was spared. What are we as christians willing to do to help a brother or sister in trouble and even our enemies? 1 John 3:16 says Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He (Jesus) laid down His life for us: and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren.

     Pictured above we see the actual Philippian jail where Paul and Silas were reincarcerated to save the jailer's life. Acts 16:35 says And when it was day, the magistrates sent the serjeants saying, Let these men go. And the keeper of the prison told this saying to Paul. The magistrates have sent to let you go: now therefore depart, and go in peace. But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast us into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out. And the serjeants told these words unto the magistrates: and they feared, when they heard that they were Romans. And they came and besought them, and brought them out, and desired them to depart out of the city. And they went out of the prison, and entered into the house of Lydia: and when they had seen the brethren, they comforted them, and departed.

      Paul and Silas willingly returned to jail between midnight and daylight to save their brother in the Lord (the jailer's life). As a result, the jailer's life was spared and the magistrates allowed Paul and Silas to depart Philippi in peace. Let's all be like Paul and Silas and deny our flesh to help our brothers and sisters in the Lord along with our enemies. Jesus said at Luke 9:23 If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.

     What are you willing to do to help your brothers and sisters in the Lord along with your enemies? Paul and Silas were willing to return to a jail cell to save their brother the jailer. The greatest act of love was when our Lord Jesus Christ willingly submitted to dying on the cross to save a wretched sinner like you and me. Brother Bob says along with the apostle Paul, I am the chief of all sinners, and if Jesus can save this chief, Jesus can save all the Indians (be blessed all my friends in India that read these bible studies) and all of Brother Bob's friends and enemies all over this earth. 

Get saved, repent, decide to stop sinning,

Confess that Jesus is God, and believe the gospel

That Jesus died on the cross for you, was buried, and rose again

     To conclude this bible study below are several examples of saints that were willing to deny themselves like Paul and Silas to bless and save lost souls. In the first picture we see Philip who denied popularity and fame by leaving a crowded revival in Samaria to preach to one Ethiopian eunuch in the desert of Gaza. Philip remembered what Jesus said at Luke 15:10. Likewise, I say unto you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth. He also remembered how Noah kept preaching 120 years about the Lord while he daily worked on the ark, even though no one got saved outside of his family.

     And in the second picture we see again where Paul denied his flesh and obeyed the Spirit by traveling to Macedonia instead of his preferred destination in Bithynia. Acts 16:7 says After they were come to Mysia, they (Paul and his disciples) assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not. And they passing by Mysia came down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

     Notice that Paul left Asia to preach the gospel to Europe with a straight course that led to England and the 7th perfect translation of the 1611 KJV Bible. Acts 16:11 speaks about the blessed 1611 KJV bible saying Therefore loosing from Troas (in Asia), we came with a straight course to Samothracia (an island between Asia and Europe), and the next day to Neapolis (in Europe). If you take a straight course on a map from Troas and Neapolis you will land in England and the 1611 KJV bible. Note that the highest mountain on the island of Samothracia is Mount Saos, also popularly known as Fengari. It's amazing that the height of Mount Saos is 1611 meters (5285 feet).  

     The 1611 KJV bible is the best translation of the bible because it was the 7th English translation after Jesus died on the cross. Psalm 12:6 says The words of the Lord are pure words: as silver tried in a furnace of earth, purified seven times. Thou shalt keep them O Lord, thou shalt preserve them from this generation for ever. Note that the 6 prior English bible translations leading up to the 7th pure and perfect 1611 KJV bible translation are listed as follows: 1) Tyndale 2) Matthew 3) Coverdale 4) Geneva 5) Bishops and 6) Great Bible. Also 6 historical bible translations leading up to the 7th pure and perfect 1611 KJV bible translation are listed as follows: 1) Hebrew 2) Aramaic 3) Syriac in Antioch 4) Greek 5) Latin and 6) German by Luther. Therefore preach, read, and study only from a 1611 KJV bible (purified seven times) that is the 7th best, pure, and perfect translation that God has preserved from this generation for ever. According to Revelation 3:10, the Philadelphia church that existed during 1611 KEPT and preserved the perfect KJV translation from this generation forever. The scripture says Because thou (the Philadelphia church) hast kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth. 

     Let's all be like Paul and seek Jesus for direction daily in our lives. Philippians 4:6 says Be careful for nothing (don't worry about anything); but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Like Paul, pray first before you travel anywhere and then wait for the peace of God before you move to a destination. If a request to travel to a place is resisted by God with no peace, avoid that place. If we just move without praying and seeking the Holy Spirit's direction, it usually is the wrong move.

     Let's learn about some more examples of people in the bible who were like Paul and Silas and denied their flesh to bless their brothers and sisters in the Lord along with their enemies. Jonah denied his flesh and was willing to preach to his Ninevite enemies. The Ninevites repented at his 8 word sermon. Yet forty days and Nineveh shall be overthrown. The disciples denied their flesh and were willing to take Jesus through a storm in a boat to a lost man living in the tombs of the Gadarenes who got saved after Jesus cast out a legion demon. Are you willing to take Jesus through the troubles of this world to reach lost sinners all over this earth? Lord Jesus give us all boldness to witness Jesus everywhere to lost sinners at Walmarts, Targets, Krogers, laundromats, grocery stores, and Cracker Barrel restaurants.

     Note some wise sayings about King Solomon and Belshazzar. King Solomon premiered with wisdom, peaked with wealth, and perished with women. And the life of Belshazzar can be summed up in three words: revelry, revelation, and retribution.

     I pray in Jesus name that this bible study blesses multitudes everywhere with great joy, peace, and strength. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 746-7071. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name. 

The Children Of Korah Died Not

     Let's learn about three men named Korah, Dathan, and Abiram pictured above who along with 250 men rebelled against Moses and Aaron. Notice that the children of Korah are not pictured above and refused to fight with their father against Moses and Aaron. Korah, Dathan, and Abiram wanted to be priests like Aaron and not just work in the service of the tabernacle with the Levites.

     The bible says at Numbers 16:19 And Korah gathered all the congregation (with Dathan and Abiram) against them (Moses and Aaron) unto the door of the tabernacle of the congregation: and the glory of the Lord appeared unto all the congregation. Then God told Moses at Numbers 16:24 Speak unto the congregation, saying, Get you up from about the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram. And Moses rose up and went unto Dathan and Abiram; and the elders of Israel followed him.

     Numbers 16:26 says And he (Moses) spake unto the congregation, saying, Depart, I pray you, from the tents of these wicked men, and touch nothing of theirs, lest ye be consumed in all their sins. So they gat up from the tabernacle of Korah, Dathan, and Abiram, on every side: and Dathan and Abiram came out, and stood in the door of their tents, and their wives, and their sons, and their little children. (Notice that only Dathan and Abiram with their wives, sons, and children came out of their tents to resist Moses and Aaron; the children of Korah were not listed because they refused to agree with their father's rebellion against Moses and Aaron).

     Pictured above we see what happened to Korah, Dathan, Abiram, and just the children of Dathan and Abiram (not the children of Korah) because they fought against Moses and Aaron. The earth opened her mouth and swallowed them up, and they went down alive into the pit of hell when the earth closed upon them. What a way to leave this earth. Reminds me of how the beast antichrist and the false prophet will be cast alive into the lake of fire by our Lord Jesus.

     Numbers 16:32 says And the earth opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their houses, and all the men that appertained unto Korah (notice again that the children of Korah did not die; only the men that agreed with Korah died), and all their goods. They, and all that appertained to them, went down alive into the pit (hell), and the earth closed upon them: and they perished from among the congregation.

     According to the above scripture Korah is in hell forever and can not escape from hell. This is because there is a great gulf fixed between hell and heaven that can not be crossed. After someone dies and leaves this earth they are either in heaven or hell. There is no purgatory where someone has a second chance to get saved. When any soul is in hell, they are in hell tormented forever with no second chance to get saved. Get saved with the Lord Jesus and escape the eternal torments of hell and the lake of fire. Get saved, repent, decide to stop sinning, confess that Jesus is God, and believe the gospel that Jesus died on the cross for you, was buried, and rose again. 

     2 Corinthians 6:2 says For He (Jesus) saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. Right now and not tomorrow is the time to get saved. You might not have a mind to accept the Lord Jesus tomorrow. What matters is what you do with the Lord Jesus today in this life. 

     If anyone leaves this earth saved, they go to heaven. If anyone leaves this earth denying that Jesus is God and rejecting the Lord Jesus (currently the Jehovah Witnesses, Muslims, and Jews), they burn in hell forever. I know this sounds harsh but it is the truth. Jesus said at John 14:6 I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Also note that just being a Jew won't save you. Korah was a Jew and went to hell. Brother Bob also was an orthodox Jew but Brother Bob has repented, believes that Jesus is God, and is saved going to peaceful heaven.

     Also one other interesting note is that since Korah is in hell, we see that the book of Jude places Cain and Balaam also in hell by linking them by the word and with Korah. Korah (Core) is one person that no one should be associated with. Jude 11 says Woe unto them. for they have gone in the way of Cain, and ran greedily after the error of Balaam for reward, and perished in the gainsaying of Core (Korah). But the children of Korah were delivered from the generational curse of Korah and died not.

     One final note about Cain, Korah, and Balaam who represent the devil, the beast, and the false prophet. Cain represents the devil who was a murderer. Korah represents the beast antichrist who became a rebellious ruler against Moses. Balaam represents a false prophet who according to Revelation 2:14 got a payoff of filthy lucre by teaching Balac to cast a stumblingblock before the children of Israel, to eat things sacrificed unto idols, and to commit fornication by sending beautful Midianitish women to the Jews (Read Numbers Chapter 25). 

     Let's talk about today's message titled the children of Korah died not. Rejoice and say Numbers 26:11. Notwithstanding the children of Korah died not. Korah went to hell, but the children of Korah went to heaven and died not. The children of Korah did not appear with Dathan and Abiram's children to resist Moses. Korah's children told their father, father we love you but we're not going to disobey God and fight against Moses. I could see these kids telling Korah that it's wrong for you as a Levite to also be a priest like Aaron. These children didn't want any part of Korah's sins.

     As a result, Korah went to hell, but the children of Korah got blessed and went to heaven and were delivered from any generational curse. When Korah's children saw their father go down alive into the pit of hell, they said, Thank God we didn't stay with our family and rebel against Moses. As a result, the Lord Jesus rewarded the sons of Korah by dedicating Psalms 42-49 as a memorial written to the sons of Korah forever.

     Let's learn about the above picture and what the bible says about deliverance from generational curses. Let's learn why the children of Korah were blessed in heaven while their father Korah was cursed in hell. Deuteronomy 5:9 says Thou shalt not bow down thyself unto them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me (note that the generational curse of the father is only upon the children that hate God and agree with their parent's sins).

     Now keep reading Deuteronomy 5:10 that needs to be read with Deuteronomy 5:9 because it begins with the word And saying And shewing mercy unto thousands of them that love me and keep my commandments. Note that the thousands of children that love the Lord Jesus and refuse to follow the sins of their parents receive mercy and deliverance from any generational curse.

      When you look at the family tree above, Brother Bob will tell you about his orthodox Jewish relatives who denied that Jesus is God. Brother Bob was like the children of Korah and had ungodly parents. Brother Bob's parents smoked, drank Michelob beer and Jack Daniels whiskey every week, and gambled by playing poker every week. Brother Bob's parents continuously watched television (hellivision) every day and refused to allow a bible to be in their house. Brother Bob lived in this environment for 21 years.

     Brother Bob didn't even know what a bible was until the age of 21. My parents are not saved and I pray in Jesus name daily that they get saved, confess that Jesus is God, and stop sinning. When Brother Bob was 21, he saw angels save his father from drowning in a boat and got saved. Brother Bob went to Kmart and got a bible and read it from cover to cover. My mother cursed over the bible and told Brother Bob to leave their home. Brother Bob chose to live for Jesus and was blessed and delivered from the generational curses of grandparents and great grandparents who rejected the Lord Jesus. Hundreds of my Jewish relatives who rejected Jesus might have gone to hell, but Brother Bob chose to get saved and go to heaven like the children of Korah. Brother Bob decided to be blessed and broke the generational curse from hundreds of his Jewish relatives who rejected the Lord Jesus and went to hell.

     Take time to read what the prophet Ezekiel said about deliverance from generational curses. A son is not cursed by his father's sins. The children of Korah were not cursed by their father's sins. A daughter is not cursed by her mother's sins. If a mother is a prostitute and whore, the daughter can be delivered from this generational curse and get saved while she lives a respectable life in a dress like a godly wife in church. It works the other way too. A father is not cursed by his son's sins. And a mother is not cursed by her daughter's sins. 

     The apostle Paul said at Philippians 2:12 that we must all work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. Every person is responsible for what they do with Jesus on this earth. If a person gets saved, repents, decides to stop sinning, and believes the gospel that Jesus died on the cross for them, was buried, and rose again that person goes to heaven. If a person rejects Jesus and keeps on sinning, that person goes to hell. Jesus said at Matthew 12:30 He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

     Now say aloud and think about Ezekiel 18:14 while you rejoice with the picture above. Now, lo, if he (a father) beget a son, that seeth all his father's sins which he hath done, and considereth, and doeth not such like. That hath not eaten upon the mountains, neither hath lifted up his eyes to the idols of the house of Israel, hath not defiled his neighbor's wife, Neither hath oppressed any, hath not withholden the pledge, neither hath spoiled by violence, but hath given his bread to the hungry, and hath covered the naked with a garment,

     Ezekiel 18:17 goes on to say That hath taken off his hand from the poor, that hath not received usury nor increase, hath executed my judgments, hath walked in my statutes; he shall not die for the iniquity of his father, he shall surely live. As for his father, because he cruelly oppressed, spoiled his brother by violence, and did that which is not good among his people, lo, even he shall die in his iniquity. Yet say ye, Why? doth not the son bear the iniquity of the father? When the son hath done that which is lawful and right, and hath kept all my statutes, and hath done them, he shall surely live. The soul that sinneth, it shall die. The son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, neither shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the wickedness of the wicked shall be upon him.

     I also had to add this thought to the bible study. A husband can go to heaven while his wife goes to hell. Lot went to heaven but Lot's wife is in hell because she disobeyed God and looked back at Sodom and Gomorrah. Jude 7 says Even as Sodom and Gomorrha, and the cities about them in like manner, giving themselves over to fornication, and going after strange flesh, are set forth for an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire. Lot's wife turned into a pillar of salt in a city about Sodom and Gomorrha and is in hell where there is the vengeance of eternal fire.

     Note one other bible verse that proves that every person must work out his or her own salvation with fear and trembling. Deuteronomy 24:16 says The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin. I also had to add yet another example of a husband who was cursed and a wife who was blessed. Nabal was cursed and died for rejecting King David, but Abigail his wife was blessed and lived because she received King David.

     After writing this bible study we see the need of preaching the gospel to the uttermost parts of the earth. Only Jesus can save a person. I can't make the decision of salvation for my family members and friends. Remember don't judge a person by their family or relatives. I've had a mother totally reject me but her daughter got saved and blessed Brother Bob. I've also had a son totally reject me threatening to call the sheriff and arrest me, but that son's father got saved and received Brother Bob. Keep sending out the Word of God over this internet like Brother Bob so lost sinners can work out their own salvation with fear and trembling. Witness Jesus everywhere.

     I pray in Jesus name that this bible study blesses multitudes everywhere with great joy, peace, and strength. Feel free to email Brother Bob anytime at rz9tlm@gmail.com or write to Brother Bob Malkin, 2233 Pinetree Lane, Apt. N., Reynoldsburg, Ohio 43068. (614) 746-7071. Till we all meet again soon to lift up our Lord Jesus, everyone have a blessed day in Jesus name.