For a moment, heaven was opened to the guilty and hardened Nero, and its peace and purity seemed desirable. That moment the invitation of mercy was extended even to him. But only for a moment was the thought of pardon welcomed. Then the command was issued that Paul be taken back to his dungeon; and as the door closed upon the messenger of God, the door of repentance closed forever against the emperor of Rome. No ray of light from heaven was ever again to penetrate the darkness that enveloped him. Soon he was to suffer the retributive judgments of God.

For et øjeblik var Himmelen åbnet for den forbryderiske og forhærdede Nero og dens fred og renhed forekom ham tillokkende. I dette øjeblik nåede barmhjertighedens budskab selv til ham. Men kun for et øjeblik var tanken om tilgivelse ham velkommen. Så lød der befaling om, at Paulus skulle føres tilbage til sit fangehul og da døren lukkedes efter Guds udsending, lukkedes omvendelsens dør for stedse for Roms kejser. Aldrig mere skulle et lys fra Himmelen trænge ind i det mørke, der omgav ham. Snart skulle han komme til at lide under Guds gengældelses dom.