The Ruler of Hell

The second do not fear has to do with those who kill the body. The harm they do is only temporary. We should instead fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Fear is used here in two senses. The first has to do with fright and terror, while the second has to do with awe and veneration.There may be a price to pay for speaking God’s truth in the light and proclaiming it from the housetops. As Paul determined to go to Jerusalem despite many warnings from his friends, “a certain prophet named Agabus came down from Judea. And coming to us,” Luke reports, “he took Paul’s belt and bound his own feet and hands, and said, ‘This is what the Holy Spirit says: “In this way the Jews at Jerusalem will bind the man who owns this belt and deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles”’ ” (Acts 21:10–11). When his friends began crying at the news, Paul said, “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be bound, but even to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (v. 13). Paul had no fear of those who could only kill the body. He had already said, “Neither count I my life dear unto myself” (Acts 20:24, KJV). . . .