Peter testifies of how an angel of the Lord freed him from prison.

Acts 12:16-17

Click for a description of the mark of the beast.
Click for a description of the image of the beast.

“Now Peter continued knocking; and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished.” Acts 12:16

In the previous section, Rhoda [Rose] heard Peter’s voice at the gate and heard him knocking, but instead of letting him in, she ran and informed the others. No one believed Rhoda and said to her, “You are beside yourself!” However, Peter continued knocking and when they opened the door and saw him, they were all astonished. They thought that Herod had already killed Peter and yet there he was at their door.

When our Lord Jesus was crucified and buried, many thought that He would never be seen again, not understanding that it was necessary for Him to be resurrected from the grave. Thomas, one of the twelve Apostles of Jesus Christ, was doubtful when he heard that Jesus was alive after God resurrected Him from the grave. Thomas would not believe unless he saw the nail prints in the hands and feet of Jesus and put his hand into where the spear went through His side and into His heart. Jesus appeared, showed Thomas the nail prints and allowed Thomas to put his hand into His side. Then Thomas said, “My Lord and my God!” Our Lord Jesus replied, “Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.” This is described in John 20:24-29.

The Holy Spirit wants us to know that Jesus will will continue to knock on our heart’s door, waiting for us to open our heart to Him, “Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me.” Revelations 3:20 He only turns away when the Holy Spirit is blasphemed, meaning a person’s heart has become calloused and hardened against belief in God and forgiveness through Jesus Christ. That is what happens when people live for the beast that gives them what to feel, think, do, and say. “Therefore I say to you, every sin and blasphemy will be forgiven men, but the blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven men.” Matthew 12:31

Thomas, one of the twelve Apostles, doubted the resurrection of Jesus Christ, but his heart continued to be a place where the Holy Spirit was alive and working. Likewise, we may have said all types of bad things about Jesus before being born-again, and Paul who persecuted the way of Jesus Christ before he was born-again, and those who told Rhoda she was beside herself, but as long as the Holy Spirit still has a place within us, those sins of unbelief will be forgiven. “Anyone who speaks a word against the Son of Man, it will be forgiven him; but whoever speaks against the Holy Spirit, it will not be forgiven him, either in this age or in the age to come.” Matthew 12:32

“But motioning to them with his hand to keep silent, he declared to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Go, tell these things to James and to the brethren.” And he departed and went to another place.” Acts 12:17

While Peter had been let out of prison by an angel of the Lord, Herod was looking for him to execute him. That is why Peter motioned his hand to all of those in the house to keep silent. The Holy Spirit is letting us know that in these days when Christians are unwanted, and in many countries being imprisoned and killed, we need to keep silent. In other words, don’t blow horns and whistles to attract our persecutors to us and to other Christians around us.

While its true that the beast with power over physiology knows and sees and sets itself up as being all-knowing, all-powerful, and everywhere at the same time across the globe, we do not agitate the government and culture of the beast. We are not to play into Satan’s hand by doing foolish things, as quoted, “Then he brought Him to Jerusalem, set Him on the pinnacle of the temple, and said to Him, “If You are the Son of God, throw Yourself down from here. For it is written: ‘He shall give His angels charge over you, To keep you,’ and, ‘In their hands they will bear you up, Lest you dash your foot against a stone.’ ” And Jesus answered and said to him, “It has been said, ‘You shall not tempt the Lord your God.’ ” Luke 4:9-12

As we live for Jesus Christ, read the word of God, and experience the events of this world, we know God is the Living Creator who is actually all-knowing, all-powerful, and everywhere at the same time. “And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.” Matthew 6:13

Even in these atheistic times, which is globally coordinated, there will be opportunities to share our born-again experience, which is the Gospel of Jesus Christ written on our heart. We won’t be wearing bells and whistles that attracts our persecutors to us, but the Holy Spirit will make a way to share Jesus with just one person in the secret of His presence.

Peter asked others to let James know that he was alive and well. Sometimes, that is the best news that anyone can hear from us, that we are alive and doing well in Jesus Christ. Obviously, this is not the James who was killed by Herod in Acts 12:2 [that James was the brother of John whom Jesus called the “sons of thunder” and both were part of the twelve Apostles of Jesus, Mark 3:13-19]. The James Peter is talking about was the earthly brother [“half-brother”] of Jesus Christ. Mary was the mother of James by Joseph’s seed, whereas Mary was the mother of Jesus by the Spirit of God.

After Peter let the Christians in the house of Mary, the mother of Mark [John Mark], know that he was alive and well, he departed and went elsewhere. The Holy Spirit is letting us know that we should flee from persecution but never to flee from belief in God, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit. Our Lord Jesus says, “And whoever will not receive you nor hear your words, when you depart from that house or city, shake off the dust from your feet. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!” Matthew 10:14-15 Jesus lets us know of the day when no one will be able to work to spread His testimony, “I must work the works of Him who sent Me while it is day; the night is coming when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.” John 9:4-5

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11