When these things were accomplished, Paul purposed in the Spirit, when he had passed through Macedonia and Achaia, to go to Jerusalem, saying, “After I have been there, I must also see Rome.” So he sent into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he himself stayed in Asia for a time. (Acts 19:21-22)
And about that time there arose a great commotion about the Way [Christianity]. For a certain man named Demetrius, a silversmith, who made silver shrines of Diana, brought no small profit to the craftsmen. (Acts 19:23-24) Diana (or the Greek Artemis) was believed by her pagan worshipers to be a goddess of fertility, a provider for and protector of her people, and the mother of the earth. (read "Artemis of Ephesus" and "The Temple of Artemis at Ephesus")
Diana was "big business", and even though she was a "false god", the Ephesians who profited from her did not want this teaching of the Way to continue in Asia. Demetrius went on to explain why. He called them together with the workers of similar occupation, and said: “Men, you know that we have our prosperity by this trade. Moreover you see and hear that not only at Ephesus, but throughout almost all Asia, this Paul has persuaded and turned away many people, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship.” (Acts 19:25-27)
By this time, the Word of God had been spread throughout almost all Asia, and many people had been persuaded and turned away from worshiping false gods, including Diana. But we must understand, that For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. (I Timothy 6:10) Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. (Romans 1:24-25)
Now when they heard this, they were full of wrath and cried out, saying, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” So the whole city was filled with confusion, and rushed into the theater with one accord, having seized Gaius and Aristarchus, Macedonians, Paul’s travel companions. And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him. Then some of the officials of Asia, who were his friends, sent to him pleading that he would not venture into the theater. (Acts 19:28-31)
Some therefore cried one thing and some another, for the assembly was confused, and most of them did not know why they had come together. And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people. But when they found out that he was a Jew, all with one voice cried out for about two hours, “Great is Diana of the Ephesians!” (Acts 19:32-34)
And when the city clerk had quieted the crowd, he said: “Men of Ephesus, what man is there who does not know that the city of the Ephesians is temple guardian of the great goddess Diana, and of the image which fell down from Zeus? Therefore, since these things cannot be denied, you ought to be quiet and do nothing rashly. For you have brought these men here who are neither robbers of temples nor blasphemers of your goddess. (Acts 19:35-37)
This is very important to make note of. Our world if overcome by immorality, even amorality, just as Ephesus were. Yet, Paul and his companions did not rob their temples nor blaspheme their goddess. They just spoke the Truth, accurately and boldly, saying that they are not gods which are made with hands. Often times as Christians, we turn people off from the gospel message, because we come in condemning and judging, instead of ...speaking the truth in love... (Ephesians 4:15) Jesus was our perfect example, for He said, "And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day." (John 12:47-48)
In a future letter, Paul will explain it this way, "Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. I do everything to spread the Good News and share in its blessings." (I Corinthians 9:22-23 NLT) We have to try and be loving towards all people, because love is action, it's how we treat people, and ...the goodness of God leads you to repentance. (Romans 2:4) Not the wrath of God, because the wrath of God is reserved for Judgement Day. But for now, He ...desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (I Timothy 2:4)
The city clerk concluded by saying, "Therefore, if Demetrius and his fellow craftsmen have a case against anyone, the courts are open and there are proconsuls. Let them bring charges against one another. But if you have any other inquiry to make, it shall be determined in the lawful assembly. For we are in danger of being called in question for today’s uproar, there being no reason which we may give to account for this disorderly gathering.” And when he had said these things, he dismissed the assembly. (Acts 19:38-41)
Regardless of this world's courts and lawful assemblies, God will be the final judge regarding Diana, all false gods, and all people. “To whom will you liken Me, and make Me equal And compare Me, that we should be alike? They lavish gold out of the bag, And weigh silver on the scales; They hire a goldsmith, and he makes it a god; They prostrate themselves, yes, they worship. They bear it on the shoulder, they carry it And set it in its place, and it stands; From its place it shall not move. Though one cries out to it, yet it cannot answer Nor save him out of his trouble. ... For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me,..." (Isaiah 46:5-9)
“Assemble yourselves and come; Draw near together, You who have escaped from the nations. They have no knowledge, Who carry the wood of their carved image, And pray to a god that cannot save. Tell and bring forth your case; Yes, let them take counsel together. Who has declared this from ancient time? Who has told it from that time? Have not I, the Lord? And there is no other God besides Me, A just God and a Savior; There is none besides Me. Look to Me, and be saved, All you ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other. I have sworn by Myself; The word has gone out of My mouth in righteousness, And shall not return, That to Me every knee shall bow, Every tongue shall take an oath. He shall say, ‘Surely in the Lord I have righteousness and strength. To Him men shall come, And all shall be ashamed who are incensed against Him." (Isaiah 45:20-24) AMEN!
As for Diana and her temple, Demetrius had said, So not only is this trade of ours in danger of falling into disrepute, but also the temple of the great goddess Diana may be despised and her magnificence destroyed, whom all Asia and the world worship. Well, that's exactly what happened. The temple of Diana, once the largest building of the ancient world, and one of the Seven Wonders of the World, now of which scarcely a trace remains. "Historical sources tell us that the temple was deliberately burnt down by Herostratus in 356 BC, and, according to tradition, on the very night that Alexander the Great was born in Macedon. Many of the architectural elements and sculptures from the Archaic Artemision show clear signs of burning." It was rebuilt three times before being completely destroyed in 268 AD. (read "Diana of Ephesus")
Hear, all you peoples! Listen, O earth, and all that is in it! Let the Lord God be a witness against you, The Lord from His holy temple. "All her carved images shall be beaten to pieces, And all her pay as a harlot shall be burned with the fire; All her idols I will lay desolate, For she gathered it from the pay of a harlot, And they shall return to the pay of a harlot.” (Micah 1:2, 7) Diana is dead, and her temple is destroyed. But Christ Jesus is still alive, Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance ... and forgiveness of sins.(Acts 5:31) And He is still willing and able to save!
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