What was Saul of Tarsus's purpose in persecuting believers before his conversion?

Les teaches that Saul of Tarsus worked in the name of Judaism with the sole purpose of totally removing from the nation of Israel anybody who had recognized Christ Jesus of Nazareth as the Messiah. Ananias knew what kind of man Saul was, and he argued with the Lord about him. Saul had authority from the chief priests to bind and bring back in prison all that called on the Lord’s name, and he had caused utmost suffering. Les points out that the Lord called him a chosen vessel to bear His name before the Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel, and that Jesus said He would show Saul how great things he must suffer for His name’s sake. Les also notes the principle, “What goes around comes around,” and directs attention to Acts 26, where Saul readily admitted the havoc he had wreaked among the Jewish followers of Jesus of Nazareth. There are three accounts of this, in Acts 9, 22, and 26.