Why Paul’s Name Was Known in Hell ~ By Dave Early
“Again and again Paul stood fearless before crowds thirsting for his blood. He stood before kings and governors and refused to give an inch. He did not even flinch before Nero, the Roman instrument of hell. He endured extreme suffering, pain, and persecution for the cause of the gospel. He was known in hell.
In his classic book Why Revival Tarries, Leonard Ravenhill explains why Paul was well known in hell. Building on the theme of Paul viewing himself as crucified with Christ, Ravenhill writes:
He had no ambitions – and so had nothing to be jealous about. He had no
reputation – and so had nothing to fight about. He had no possessions – and
therefore nothing to worry about. He had no “rights” – so therefore he could not
suffer wrong. He was already broken – so no one could break him. He was
“dead” – so none could kill him. He was less than the least of the least – so who
could humble him? He had suffered the loss of all things – so who could defraud
him? Does this throw any light on why the demon said, “Paul I know”? Over this
God intoxicated man, hell suffered headaches.
“If we dissect Ravenhill’s assessment of Paul, it helps us see why he was dangerous to hell. It also helps us evaluate our own lives.
He had no ambitions – and so had nothing to be jealous about. Paul’s only ambition was the name of Jesus and the will and the kingdom of God. Do you get jealous, envious, frustrated, or hurt when others are elevated over you? Chosen instead of you? Recognized in place of you? Blessed more than you?
He had no reputation – and so had nothing to fight about. He called himself the slave of Jesus Christ. As such his reputation was that he was a man submitted to the cause of Christ. His identity was lost in the majesty of his Master. He could face slander, gossip, innuendoes, and outright lies. How do you feel when you are misunderstood or misrepresented? Are you willing to be lied about? Can you be slandered without defending yourself?
He had no possessions – and therefore nothing to worry about. He had brought himself to the place in his life where he literally possessed nothing. Money, things, titles, positions, gifts, talents, and abilities had been given to God. His only possession was Christ. Are you willing to forfeit everything for the sake of Christ? Are you more concerned about losing your possessions or losing your testimony?
He had the “rights” – so therefore he could not suffer wrong. Even as an apostle and author of Scripture, he claimed no right to be obeyed, respected, revered, or appreciated. Before God he claimed no right to be spared from suffering or sorrow. He claimed no right to comfort, convenience, pleasure, or prosperity. What rights do you claim before God?
He was already broken – so no one could break him. By being broken at the foot of the cross, no amount of persecution from without or problems caused from within the family of God slowed him down. In what ways was Paul broken? How did this affect how he lived?
He was “dead” – so none could kill him. He was dead to fame and fortune, health and wealth, comfort and convenience. He was dead to his will, his words, and his ways. Jesus said that we must first lose our life if we want to save it. When you examine your life, in what ways is it evident that you have lost your life for Christ?
He was less than the least of the least – so who could humble him? He had suffered the loss of all things – so who could defraud him? Do you view yourself as the least of the least? How would you respond if the government took all of your things because of your Christianity?"
“Again and again Paul stood fearless before crowds thirsting for his blood. He stood before kings and governors and refused to give an inch. He did not even flinch before Nero, the Roman instrument of hell. He endured extreme suffering, pain, and persecution for the cause of the gospel. He was known in hell.
In his classic book Why Revival Tarries, Leonard Ravenhill explains why Paul was well known in hell. Building on the theme of Paul viewing himself as crucified with Christ, Ravenhill writes:
He had no ambitions – and so had nothing to be jealous about. He had no
reputation – and so had nothing to fight about. He had no possessions – and
therefore nothing to worry about. He had no “rights” – so therefore he could not
suffer wrong. He was already broken – so no one could break him. He was
“dead” – so none could kill him. He was less than the least of the least – so who
could humble him? He had suffered the loss of all things – so who could defraud
him? Does this throw any light on why the demon said, “Paul I know”? Over this
God intoxicated man, hell suffered headaches.
“If we dissect Ravenhill’s assessment of Paul, it helps us see why he was dangerous to hell. It also helps us evaluate our own lives.
He had no ambitions – and so had nothing to be jealous about. Paul’s only ambition was the name of Jesus and the will and the kingdom of God. Do you get jealous, envious, frustrated, or hurt when others are elevated over you? Chosen instead of you? Recognized in place of you? Blessed more than you?
He had no reputation – and so had nothing to fight about. He called himself the slave of Jesus Christ. As such his reputation was that he was a man submitted to the cause of Christ. His identity was lost in the majesty of his Master. He could face slander, gossip, innuendoes, and outright lies. How do you feel when you are misunderstood or misrepresented? Are you willing to be lied about? Can you be slandered without defending yourself?
He had no possessions – and therefore nothing to worry about. He had brought himself to the place in his life where he literally possessed nothing. Money, things, titles, positions, gifts, talents, and abilities had been given to God. His only possession was Christ. Are you willing to forfeit everything for the sake of Christ? Are you more concerned about losing your possessions or losing your testimony?
He had the “rights” – so therefore he could not suffer wrong. Even as an apostle and author of Scripture, he claimed no right to be obeyed, respected, revered, or appreciated. Before God he claimed no right to be spared from suffering or sorrow. He claimed no right to comfort, convenience, pleasure, or prosperity. What rights do you claim before God?
He was already broken – so no one could break him. By being broken at the foot of the cross, no amount of persecution from without or problems caused from within the family of God slowed him down. In what ways was Paul broken? How did this affect how he lived?
He was “dead” – so none could kill him. He was dead to fame and fortune, health and wealth, comfort and convenience. He was dead to his will, his words, and his ways. Jesus said that we must first lose our life if we want to save it. When you examine your life, in what ways is it evident that you have lost your life for Christ?
He was less than the least of the least – so who could humble him? He had suffered the loss of all things – so who could defraud him? Do you view yourself as the least of the least? How would you respond if the government took all of your things because of your Christianity?"
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