“Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy — The Great Transition, The Glorious Sweep of God’s Abundant Grace — Part 32 Paul’s Final Words in Rome"

Paul headed Rome by a circuitous route due to storms and shipwreck.  But the Lord preserved him and brought him to Rome as had been promised. But why Rome?  Why was this so important for just one more time of testimony?  Remember Acts 9:15: “But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel”.  After three days Paul called for the Jewish leaders to come and they did come. For an entire day, he testified to them out of the Law and the prophets concerning Jesus, for both testified of him so clearly.  Some believed — but many did not.  Without further discussion, the meeting ended with his final words (and these close the scriptural record concerning the Great Transition period):  Is. 6:9-10 “Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not.  Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed.”  And so it ends there that critical day as the apostle of the Gentiles has now formally cast aside his own nation.  Now Paul’s final ministry would begin: “… to testify the gospel of the grace of God” (Acts 20:24) AND to proclaim the Mystery, as the Prison letters make abundantly clear, that all may know the depth of the glories of God’s unlimited grace through our risen savior. Indeed, “the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it.”