The morning of August 21, 2021, I got a call from Norman, a good friend and prayer group member.  He said for about the last week or so, the Lord had been speaking to him about the Apostle Paul’s trip to Rome, specifically the shipwreck and time spent on the island of Malta.  

He knew the Lord was showing something huge, and wanted to share and see what the Spirit might show us together about it. As we spoke of a trip which took place over two-thousand years ago, the Holy Spirit began revealing a deep spiritual meaning behind these events, and the parallels to what we see unfolding in our world this very minute.

Paul was shown in advance by the Holy Spirit that his trip to Jerusalem would end with him being bound in chains and handed over to the Gentiles (Acts 21:11-13).   But Paul could not be dissuaded, saying he was ready to not only be bound, but to die for the name of the Lord Jesus!

As they sailed, making their way toward the belly of the beast (Rome), the devil used everything at his disposal to stop this trip!  The storm began to rage, and they began tossing out their equipment and most of the food to stay afloat.  The tempest became so brutal that all hope they would be saved was lost.   After many days an angel of the Lord appeared to Paul during the night reminding him that he must be brought before Caesar, and his life and the lives of those with him would be spared. 

By the time they made it to the isle of Malta, all had been lost except their very lives.  The inhabitants of the island gave them a very warm reception, building a fire to warm them.  As Paul was unloading a pile of fire wood into the flames, a viper came out and fastened onto his hand.  He shook it off into the fire and went about as if nothing had happened.  When the natives saw the snake bite had no effect on Paul they were amazed. 

The Word of God assures us, everything the enemy does to harm God’s people, God will use for their ultimate good and in the furtherance of His plan.   This is exactly what happened at Malta!  The devil tried to kill Paul with the bite of a serpent.  Not only did it not faze him, but all eyes were then fixed upon him in wonder.  

This provided an open door for Jesus to be preached.  Paul prayed, laid hands upon, and healed the sick of the island – beginning with the father of Publius (leader of the island).  History shows Malta and the surrounding isles were converted to Christ through the preaching and healing ministry of Paul during this time.  Nothing the devil did – even administering a deadly toxin through the bite of a viper – could stop Paul. 

As we talked, I kept seeing a vision of the ‘Rod of Asclepius,’ the image of a snake wrapped around a pole.  Healthcare organizations display this symbol in their practice of medicine.  As I saw this symbol in my spirit, the Lord showed the devil was at it again! 

Just as the kill shot intended for Paul was hidden in a bundle of firewood, so now is a deadly toxic poison meant to kill mankind, being hidden and distributed by “healthcare” organizations, for the “good” of humanity. 

But Paul was immune to the bite of the serpent.  We began to talk of how the hand of God was covering him, and how the Blood of Jesus protected Paul.  Suddenly, I heard the Lord say,

“The blood of the Lamb is immune to the bite of the serpent!”

I began to weep as I explained to Norman what I’d just found out a couple weeks prior.  A neighbor told me a poisonous snake was found a couple properties over from me, so I’d begun researching what to do for my animals in case of a snake bite.  That’s when I found out that sheep are naturally immune to viper’s venom!  The blood of lambs is widely used today to develop anti-venom for snake bites!

Saints, this has been designed by God from the very beginning!   The Lord then began to show how the happenings surrounding Paul’s trip to Malta are to play out again in our day.

God’s plan is for the gospel message of salvation through His Son Jesus Christ be preached to the entire world once again.  Just as in the days of Paul, the devil’s stirring up horrific storms, the likes of which we’ve never seen before, in an effort to stop the plan of God. 

In the very midst of the storms, the Lord’s telling us our assignment may cost us everything in the natural.  But He’s encouraging us with the same assurance given to Paul; nothing will by any means be able to stop a Saint on assignment from God Almighty!

Just as Paul picked up a bundle of wood – totally oblivious to the presence of the serpent, so have many picked up and received this potion, oblivious to the toxins contained therein. 

Earlier in the year, I was awakened in the middle of the night with the Lord saying, “Many are going to die! Will you get up and pray for them?” 

Saints, we know many around the world have now been bitten by the serpent, with some of the Saints of God being in this group.  Without direct intervention by God, ALL these will begin to suffer the effects of this snake bite to one degree or another.  Of those bitten, the Lord’s shown they fall within one of two groups:

His Sheep.  A lamb is naturally immune to the bite of the serpent.  Look at the example of Paul.  He shook off the serpent, casting it into the fire and went about as if nothing had happened.   Paul was completely clothed in the Blood of Jesus.  When we are clothed in Him, covered by the blood of the Lamb of God – nothing can by any means harm us. 

If in ignorance, one has taken this toxin into their body, immediately go to the Lord in repentance.  Apply the blood of the Lamb to cleanse you of sin and all unrighteousness.

The Unsaved.  As many begin to suffer the effects of this poison, a great cry will go forth.  Just as the bite of the serpent provided an open door for Jesus to be preached in Malta, so will it again in our day! 

“Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses.  He sent His word and healed them…” Psalms 107:19-21

It’s critical the sick and dying know, it’s only through the Blood of the Lamb that they may be saved!  Not only will the Blood of Jesus cover their sins, but will heal all their sicknesses, and redeem their lives from destruction!

I keep getting visions of the sick and hurting coming in droves towards the saving and healing message of Jesus Christ.  As on the island of Malta, they brought all the sick to Paul.  He prayed, laid hands upon them, and they were all healed. 

Saints, we have a very short window of time, and the Lord needs us to understand the importance of proclaiming this truth to our families, brethren, and whoever the Holy Spirit brings to us in the days ahead. God will use everything the devil’s doing as an open door to preach the saving message of Jesus Christ and to let the masses know:

“The blood of the Lamb is immune to the bite of the serpent!”

Please pray for further revelation and how this may apply to you personally.  My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will continue to minister this message in a powerful way in the days ahead.

Personal Note:

During out telephone conversation, I’d asked my friend, Norman Gauthier, to write up some of what the Lord was showing him regarding Paul’s trip.  He did so and it’s posted on ‘Open Talk.’

Scripture References:

Acts Chapters 27 and 28, Paul’s ministry on Malta:

Psalms 2:1-5,”Why do the nations rage, and the people plot a vain thing?  The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD and against His Anointed, saying, “Let us break their bonds in pieces and cast away their cords from us.”  He who sits in the heavens shall laugh; The Lord shall hold them in derision. Then He shall speak to them in His wrath, and distress them in His deep displeasure.”

Romans 8:28, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”

 Genesis 50:20, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good, to bring it about that many people should be kept alive…”

1 John 1:9, “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanses us from all unrighteousness.”

Psalms 107:19-21, “Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses.  He sent His word and healed them…”

 Psalms 103:2-4, “Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits: Who forgives all your iniquities; Who heals all your sicknesses; Who redeems your life from destruction…”

Revelation 12:11, “And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.”

Psalms 91 (Chapter)