What happened to Paul on the road to Damascus before he entered the city?
On the road to Damascus, before entering the city, Paul met the Lord and was stricken blind. He then entered Damascus, received food and sustenance, and his sight was restored. This marked the start of his suffering for the Gospel.
Les teaches that when Paul went into Damascus, he had met the Lord out there on the road and was stricken blind. After he got food and sustenance, he got his sight back. He then went into the synagogue and proclaimed that Jesus was the Christ. But that was no longer sufficient; God had further revelations to give him. Soon the word came that Jews were ready to put him to death, so he had to flee for his life, being let down over the wall in a basket. He later wrote of the governor under Aretas the king keeping the city with a garrison to apprehend him, and how he escaped through a window in a basket. Les explains this was the beginning of a life of suffering and fear, part of getting Paul ready to take the Gospel of Grace.