Acts 12, It was about the time of the famine in Judea that King Harod arrested some of the church people, intending to persecute them. He had James the brother of John put to death with the sword. When he saw that this pleased the Jews he seized Peter also. This happened during the feast of Unleavened Bread. He put Peter in prison, guarded by 4 squads of 4 soldiers each. Harod intended to bring Peter to public trial after Passover.

While Peter was in prison the church prayed to God for him;

The night before Harod was going to put Peter on trial, an Angel came and woke Peter up, now Peter was chained and guarded by 2 guards on either side of him and sentries at the door to his cell, the Angel told Peter to get up and get dressed, then the Angel led him out of the prison then left.

Peter thought he was having a vision , but when he came to himself. he went to Mary's home. Mary was the mother of John, also called Mark. Peter knocked at the door and a maid savant came to answer, but when she saw it was Peter, she didn't open the door , she just ran to tell the household that Peter was at the door, they didn't believe her, they thought she was crazy or it was his Angel, but Peter kept knocking and they went to let him in and were astonished. Peter motioned for them to be quiet and told them what had happened , and told them to tell James and the brothers about it. Then he left for another place.

In the morning there was a big commotion over Peters disappearance. After Herod had a through search made he questioned the guards and then had them executed.

(At this time any guard that was found derelict in his duty was put to death without a trial.)

Herod went from Judea to Caesarea he stayed there a while. He had been quarreling with the people of Tyre and Sidon; so they banded together and went to Herod and asked for peace, Because they depended on the kings country for food.

On the day of the appointment Herod wearing his royal robes, sat on his throne, delivered a public address to the people. They shouted "This is the voice of a god, not of a man." Immediately, because Herod didn't give praise to God, an Angel struck him down and he was eaten by worms and died.

But the word of God continued to increase and spread.

O most merciful God, let the light of Thy love pierce to the most secret corners of my heart and overcome the darkness of sin within me.

John Baillie

May you walk with Christ in Love, and may the Holy Spirit be with you.

Your sister in Christ Sharon Rose