Responding to Persecution-Part 2

      It doesn’t take long until King Herod gives in to the religious leaders and joins the persecution brigade. Acts 12 records that he stretches out his hand to harass some from the church. Then he kills James, the brother of John, with the sword. “And because he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to seize Peter also” (Act 12:1-3).
      Ironically, the king does this during the Feast of Unleavened Bread, which is celebrated in conjunction with Passover. It is designed to cleanse the household of leaven (yeast), which symbolizes sin.  The king assigns four squads of soldiers to hold Peter until the king can bring him before the people after Passover. Four symbolizes the earth.
         Apparently, the king is mindful of the previous “escapes.” Peter is bound by chains and there are soldiers guarding the door to his cell. Not that this matters because the King of kings is in control. Meanwhile, Peter is sleeping. Seems he knows God is in control.
        “Now behold, an angel of the Lord stood by him, and a light shone in the prison; and he struck Peter on the side and raised him up, saying, ‘Arise quickly!’ And his chains fell off his hands. Then the angel said to him, ‘Gird yourself and tie on your sandals’; and so he did. And he said to him, ‘Put on your garment and follow me.’ So he went out and followed him, and did not know that what was done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision” (Acts 12:7-9).
      It seems Peter is still getting used to experiencing the supernatural realm as he fulfills his heavenly assignment. When he and his angelic escort reach the iron gate of the city and it opens on its own accord, it finally dawns on Peter what’s up. When the angel disappears, Peter states the obvious, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all the expectation of the Jewish people” (vs. 11).
          It still takes him a moment to wrap his brain around this before he realizes he should probably get to somewhere safe. So he goes to a house where the disciples are gathered in prayer. A young woman answers the doors, sees Peter, and shuts the door in Peter’s face out of her eagerness to tell the others he is safe. Even though they have been praying for Peter, it seems they’re still getting used to the supernatural intervention of God as well because they don’t believe her at first. It’s a good thing God is patient with us.
         Meanwhile, back at the jail, when morning arrives there is “no small stir among the soldiers about what had become of Peter” (vs. 18). The soldiers know they’re in a heap of trouble. Sure enough, when Herod searches for Peter and he can’t be found, the king takes it out on the soldiers. They are killed instead. Meanwhile, Peter is safe in Caesarea.
         Now it’s Herod’s turn. The king is about to reap what he has sown. During a celebration with a visiting delegation, the people keep shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” and Herod is loving it. Immediately, an angel of the Lord strikes Herod because he does not give glory to God.  Remember, he is the king of the Jews, who are supposed to be God’s people. He is devoured from within by worms and dies. Even though persecution and opposition continue, God is in control. For “the word of God grew and multiplied” (vs. 24).
        The Chronos Plan: The vast majority of us who live in the western world really don’t know the depth of persecution. Despite living in the extended time of the tribulation, we have had it relatively easy in comparison to the rest of the world. Persecution, like the rest of the “fruit” of the Devil, has always been with us, as has poverty, famine, pestilence, earthquakes and other natural disasters, wars, and ethnic cleansing. 
        In the time of the early Church, they were just beginning to sort out what it looks like to be the hands, feet, and mouthpieces of Christ on the earth. They were just learning how to stand on the truths of the Old Testament books by the leading of the Spirit within them. As we said before, this was a whole new ball game. Things would never be the same under the New Covenant.
         It is one thing to hear the Word and another to receive the Word inwardly, to where it is so trustworthy that the supernatural realm becomes more real than the natural, physical realm.  Part of the great commission that Jesus gave us informs us that we don’t have to worry about “taking up a serpent” or inadvertently drinking or eating anything deadly (Mark 16:14-18). This truth is our reality in these last Days.
        If there is any Psalm that we need to meditate on and come to accept as our new normal in this day and hour, it is Psalm 91. When we dwell in God’s Word and abide in His presence, He is our refuge and fortress. We can trust Him. I highly recommend that you commit this Psalm to memory.
         Among its many promises: He delivers us from the one who tries to ensnare us and from any pestilence, wherever it comes from. No destructive plan of the enemy can touch us. No plague can come near our dwelling. No evil shall befall us. He’s given His angels charge over us. Through Jesus’ authority, we trample the evil hierarchy underfoot. God always answers us in trouble. With long life He satisfies us. We can fully expect to see the benefits of our salvation not only when we are in Heaven, but now on this earth at this time!