`Unto whom I am Sending thee (in the present), some years ago (in the

past), when I met thee on the road to Damascus'.

In Acts 22:17 -21 we learn that Paul was in the temple and in a trance,

and therefore this cannot be when he was on the road to Damascus, and there

he heard the voice of the Lord saying:

`Depart: for I will send (future) thee far hence unto the Gentiles'.

Here we have the future exapostello, and of course here the word `now'

is impossible.  In Acts 26:17 that promise to send Paul in the future was

about to be fulfilled, and the word translated `send' changes from the future

to the present, it is `now' as the ancient gloss indicated.

The Gentiles to whom Paul was to be sent were `far off' but at the

moment unidentified.  Subsequently we learn that Rome was in view.

In Acts 19:21 Paul said, `I must also see Rome'.

In Acts 23:11 the Lord said to Paul, `So must thou bear witness also at

And at Rome Paul announced, consequent upon the rejection for a season

of Israel, that:

`The salvation of God is sent' (or "was sent" as already revealed in

Acts 26:17) unto the Gentiles (far off ones at Rome)' (Acts 28:28).

There is no need for the reader to stampede, because some, who are

antagonistic to the Acts 28 position have seized upon these Scriptures for

their own ends.  We want them, just as they are written, unaltered.  The only

difference in the two readings of Acts 26:17 is that of emphasis.  In one,

the reading `now' is expressed, in the other the word `now' is implicit in

the present tense of the verb.

Numerics.  Number in Scripture is presented in two forms.  First there is the

significance of any number, secondly the numerical value of the letters

forming any particular word.

denotes unity.

Two

denotes grace.

is the number of man.

spiritual perfection.

the octave, the first of a new series and dominion.

often indicates finality of judgment.

ordinal perfection.

governmental perfection,

and is especially related to Israel.

denotes rebellion.