(The following account is a narrative of the event recorded in Acts 19:10-20, KJV).

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, ministered in the city of Ephesus for two years. He shared the wonderful message of salvation, the Holy Spirit, and the Kingdom of God. The good news of the gospel spread throughout Asia Minor to all the people, both Jews and Greeks. Confirming the message with healings and deliverances, the power of God rested on Paul in an extraordinary way. Paul would anoint and pray over handkerchiefs which were then taken to the sick and devil possessed. The sick were healed of their diseases and those with evil spirits were set free.Read more

Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ. —Ephesians 4:13

When an individual is saved by the blood and sanctified by the Holy Spirit, he is then equipped to serve the Lord in holiness. There will always be things that the Lord is perfecting and areas in which a child of God will grow. Our purpose is to become more and more like Christ as we daily yield and surrender ourselves to the will of God. A saint of God need never be afraid of acknowledging a failure or a weakness. It is then that we can obtain greater victory and power. Never be discouraged when the Lord reveals a spiritual need. That is the mercy and love of God to help us prepare for the judgment.

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Knowing that judgment day is coming, the Scripture places much importance upon the examination of one’s own behavior, conduct, and motivations. It is much better to measure by the Word of God in this life while there is opportunity to change, than to wait until the judgment when it is too late.

“So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God” (Romans 14:12). One day, we shall all stand before God at the judgment and give an accounting of the life that we lived here on earth. We will not be judged based on how everyone treated us nor upon the circumstances which we faced. We will be judged on the condition of our heart and upon our daily decisions and behavior.

Examine Yourselves

While it is much easier to see the sin and faults of others, Paul exhorted the church at Corinth to “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves” (2 Corinthians 13:5). Look not at the lives of others but examine your own life and faith. Search your heart and soul diligently (Psalms 77:6) and prove your own experience with God. We are all human and prone to error and to getting off balance if we do not take time for self-examination. Just because someone has served the Lord for years does not guarantee that he is today living pleasing to God. “Wherefore let him that thinketh he standeth take heed lest he fall” (1 Corinthians 10:12).

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Scripture Reading: Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. —2 Corinthians 13:5a

Definition: Self-examination is the study and examination of one’s own behavior, qualities, conduct, and motivations; introspection.

Summary: It important to examine our own spiritual life lest we justify ourselves and become hypocrites, deceived, and ultimately miss heaven.

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Can you explain the meaning of the “sea of glass” spoken of in Revelation 4:6?

The scripture reads: “And before the throne there was a sea of glass like unto crystal: and in the midst of the throne, and round about the throne, were four beasts full of eyes before and behind.”

Revelation 15:2 also refers to the sea of glass and paints a very similar picture. In focus, in the extended verses, is the beauty and majestic glory of God on His throne. The saints of all time are gathered around the throne worshiping and praising the Lord God Almighty. These passages are worthy of study and understanding, but I will address the specific question at hand.

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