Act 27:27 | KingComments | STEP | Significantly, Luke speaks of the fourteenth “night”. That best reflects the experience of the sailors. The count has also been kept. Also the time has been kept. It is midnight when the sailors suspect that they are approaching land. This means that salvation is near. The expression ‘midnight’ is a prophetic expression used in connection with the coming of the Lord Jesus as the Bridegroom ( ). We can therefore connect this expression with the coming of the Lord. In this sense we can say that the land we are approaching is the heavenly land. It also means that the day is near, the day that He appears. All on board desire it to become day ( ). To measure the depth of the water they take soundings. The first measurement indicates that the water is twenty fathoms, that is thirty-six meters, deep. When they take another sounding, it turns out that the water is only fifteen fathoms, that is twenty-seven meters, deep. The water becomes shallower and shallower. That means that they are approaching land. If we apply this to the situation of professing Christianity, we can compare the taking of soundings with the Word of God. If we take soundings in the Word, we might measure only five fathoms or even less. For us, too, the land is coming more and more into sight. It is also our desire that it becomes day, for the day means the salvation of the whole people of God (cf. ). The lamentable developments of Christianity and all attempts to keep the boat afloat have failed miserably. All that remains is the longing for the day. There is also another side. That is the side of responsibility. Nobody can be saved on his own initiative. It is to be saved together and all along the same path. The actions of the sailors to sneak off with the boat are in opposition to the faith that Paul expressed. Those who knew so well and set the course want to abandon the enterprise. That can be shocking for those who are left behind. Paul prevents it. To him, they are part of it and they too will be saved, but then they have to stay in the ship with Paul and do what he says. God has spoken that all will be saved, but in His way. This chapter also shows through everything the history of God’s faithfulness. He will come to His goal with His people. Now they do listen to Paul. In the midst of all the circumstances caused by the storm, Paul stands upright. In the storm there is faith in his word. His word is proof of his right. People of faith turn out to be people of faith in the storms. If there were no storms, we would not be able to show our faith.

‏ Acts 27:27

Around Midnight

Significantly, Luke speaks of the fourteenth “night”. That best reflects the experience of the sailors. The count has also been kept. Also the time has been kept. It is midnight when the sailors suspect that they are approaching land. This means that salvation is near.

The expression ‘midnight’ is a prophetic expression used in connection with the coming of the Lord Jesus as the Bridegroom (Mt 25:6). We can therefore connect this expression with the coming of the Lord. In this sense we can say that the land we are approaching is the heavenly land. It also means that the day is near, the day that He appears. All on board desire it to become day (Acts 27:29).

To measure the depth of the water they take soundings. The first measurement indicates that the water is twenty fathoms, that is thirty-six meters, deep. When they take another sounding, it turns out that the water is only fifteen fathoms, that is twenty-seven meters, deep. The water becomes shallower and shallower. That means that they are approaching land.

If we apply this to the situation of professing Christianity, we can compare the taking of soundings with the Word of God. If we take soundings in the Word, we might measure only five fathoms or even less. For us, too, the land is coming more and more into sight. It is also our desire that it becomes day, for the day means the salvation of the whole people of God (cf. Rom 13:11b-12). The lamentable developments of Christianity and all attempts to keep the boat afloat have failed miserably. All that remains is the longing for the day.

There is also another side. That is the side of responsibility. Nobody can be saved on his own initiative. It is to be saved together and all along the same path. The actions of the sailors to sneak off with the boat are in opposition to the faith that Paul expressed.

Those who knew so well and set the course want to abandon the enterprise. That can be shocking for those who are left behind. Paul prevents it. To him, they are part of it and they too will be saved, but then they have to stay in the ship with Paul and do what he says. God has spoken that all will be saved, but in His way. This chapter also shows through everything the history of God’s faithfulness. He will come to His goal with His people.

Now they do listen to Paul. In the midst of all the circumstances caused by the storm, Paul stands upright. In the storm there is faith in his word. His word is proof of his right. People of faith turn out to be people of faith in the storms. If there were no storms, we would not be able to show our faith.