We should note, first of all, that Paul visited Jerusalem several times during his lifetime. (Galatians 1:18-19 with Acts 9:26-28, Acts 11:28-30, Galatians 2:1-10 (Here Paul declares he went to Jerusalem “by revelation”), and Acts 15:1-4 which describes the visit mentioned in Galatians 2.  Then…there was another time Paul desired to go to Jerusalem. 

We have the words of the Apostle Paul in Romans 15:25-27, “But now I go unto Jerusalem to minister unto the saints. For it hath pleased them of Macedonia and Achaia to make a certain contribution for the poor saints which are at Jerusalem. It hath pleased them verily; and their debtors they are. For if the Gentiles have been made partakers of their spiritual things, their duty is also to minister unto them in carnal things.” 

Although Paul was the apostle to the Gentiles (Romans 11:13), he had a such a great love for his fellow countrymen.  He wrote in Romans 9:3-4, “For I could wish that myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my kinsmen according to the flesh: Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises.”  Imagine that!  Paul said he would give up his salvation if only his people would believe on the Lord Jesus.  Of course, we cannot trade our salvation for the sake of another, but this shows how great the love that Paul had was.

In spite of Paul’s love for his people, and his great desire to go to Jerusalem, he was warned not to go.    Let’s read the account given to us in Acts 21:10-14, “And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul’s girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.”  Here, Paul was warned by the prophet Agabus, through the Holy Spirit, of what would happen to him if he went to Jerusalem.  The thought of not going there grieved Paul greatly and he declared that he was ready to be imprisoned and to die there.

When Paul reached Jerusalem, he went to see James and the elders of the Church, who persuaded him to visit the temple to show that he upheld the Law of Moses, hoping it would put an end to the rumors that he was teaching the Gentiles to disregard it (Acts 21:17-24).  Sadly, Paul was arrested and after trials before Felix, Festus, and Agrippa he was taken to Rome where he was eventually executed.

Was Paul wrong in going to Jerusalem this last time?  It’s hard to say.  We have Paul’s own words about this last visit.  In Acts 20:22-24 he wrote, “And now, behold, I go BOUND IN THE SPIRIT unto Jerusalem, not knowing the things that shall befall me there: Save that the Holy Ghost witnesseth in every city, saying that bonds and afflictions abide me. But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.”  Wow!  May the Lord give us such a great love and concern for others that we greatly desire their salvation to such an extent that we would sacrifice tremendously to make sure they heard the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Perhaps Paul should not have gone to Jerusalem this last time.  It ultimately ended up in his death.  Yet, the Lord continued to use Paul greatly in prison and out of prison.  So much so, that just a few months before his execution, Paul could say, “For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I HAVE FOUGHT A GOOD FIGHT, I HAVE FINISHED MY COURSE, I HAVE KEPT THE FAITH: Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.” (2 Timothy 4:6-8).  (CC)  (684.6)