God Opens Gates

Today is super fun, dear reader. I have made a discovery that makes my heart sing a happy tune, and I sure do hope you enjoy this revelation as much as I do. It is a story of intrigue, of murderous malice, prison, chains, guards, people of faith, deliverance, incredulity, delight, death by worms, and an unstoppable, tell the world Gospel, that goes out because God, Almighty, is exactly that, Almighty. 

Eye witness

I will give you the scene as it played out for me while reading, followed by actual stunningly beautiful scripture that describes what occurred. It is helpful to ask God to give us the visual, as though we are eye witnesses. This locks in the learning, and enables us to share with others when we are given the opportunity to tell them about God's grace, His mercy, and for newbies to the Word of God, His miracles too. Let's go in together. 

Herod is Christian hunting, and after having James beheaded, has Peter arrested and put in prison for the weekend, just before Passover. He intends to try him, but in the mean time, he sets sixteen guards in place to keep an eye on Peter. Herod likes the praise of men, and he wanted the Jews to appreciate his efforts in eliminating God's Gospel messengers. Upon Peter's arrest, believers gathered and were earnestly praying! With four crews of four soldiers per, we find Peter chained twice over, sleeping between two guards, in a prison cell:

Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. And he killed James the brother of John with the sword. And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him, intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. Peter was therefore kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison (Acts 12:1-6)

This is Peter, the one that denied Jesus thrice prior to a rooster crowing and letting him know, that his fear interfered with his faith. This same Peter, was forgiven by Jesus for his betrayal, and these are the words spoken over him by the Saviour:

And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock, I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it! (Matthew 16:18)

Dear reader, this next stretch of scripture is so outstanding, that I will go right to it, sharing it with you now:

And behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands. And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me (Acts 12:7-8)

Peter was awakened by an angel of the Lord, accompanied by bright light, in his prison cell. Chains fell from his wrists, but notice, Peter was asleep without clothes. He was denied the comfort of warmth, and movement, and yet he slept. Clearly, while the guards were also asleep, on duty, the light and angel were not seen, nor were they heard by these soldiers. With the odds seemingly working against Peter, we have a heavenly visitation, a setting free of encumbrance, and a dressing up for escape, for Peter the prisoner. Let's see what happens next, and where the angel of the Lord takes Peter:

And he went out, and followed him: and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel, but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leads unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord; and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him (Acts 12: 9-10)

Incomprehensible duality

Oh my, this is simply marvellous, isn't it? Peter thinks he is imagining things regarding the angel of the Lord. It is somewhat incomprehensible to accept that what is material, what seems so tangible and real, for example, being arrested, being stripped of your clothes, being handcuffed and set between two guards while fourteen others make sure you don't escape, as you await a trial for committing the crime of sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ, is all for nought in God's scheme of things. Peter is being rescued, and dear reader, it is more incomprehensibly inexcusable for an innocent person to be arrested by wicked men, then it is to believe that God sets captives free. Think on the duality now, between the evil in this world, and the righteous mercy of God. Can you, as I have, think of anyone, anything, going on during our now, that is comparable? I ask this leading question, knowing you have made comparisons, and that I am not alone in my understanding of global affairs, that seem oh so similar to Biblical events.  

Before I lose the golden thread, I trap it between my fingers...

... they came unto the iron gate that leads unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord...

God, dear one, opens gates. God sets captives free. God works out the weaving, the how to's the wherefores. Jesus spoke these words to Peter:

... I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it!

The gates, or the Gates, of hell do not stop the living God or His messengers, from going forth to share the Good News, that Jesus Christ died for the sins of the world, and conquered death, so that we might live eternally with Him! Outstanding.

Acts 12

To close, I will point you to Acts 12 in the King James Version, for the rest of the story, where you will see that the answer to vigilant prayers astound and delight believers; Peter goes off to continue his mission, soldiers are investigated and put to death for allowing a prisoner to slip through their fingers, and an arrogant king dares to accept praise worthy only of God, and becomes food for ravenous worms.