Notes for podcast with same name.
When the Bible says supernatural things believe them. If God sent the great prince to help Daniel, God would send the great prince to help you. If God would send angels to help Peter, He would send angels to help you. Oh, “angel worship” yet we talk about Satan more than we do Michael. God used and uses angels for the church’s good.
Peter Draws a Sword and Jesus explains (Matthew 26:52–54)
Matthew 26:52–54 (NKJV)52 But Jesus said to him, “Put your sword in its place, for all who take the sword will perish by the sword. 53 Or do you think that I cannot now pray to My Father, and He will provide Me with more than twelve legions of angels? 54 How then could the Scriptures be fulfilled, that it must happen thus?”
King Herod Drew a Sword (Acts 12:1–2)
Acts 12:1–2 (NKJV)1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched out his hand to harass some from the church. 2 Then he killed James the brother of John with the sword.
Peter gets prayed for and an angel frees Him (Acts 12:5–11)
- The same principal Jesus taught Peter about requesting angels.
- One could believe that the saints that prayed for Peter were Peter’s disciples, but nonetheless, the church prayed, and an angel came.
Acts 12:5–11 (NKJV)5 Peter was therefore kept in prison, but constant prayer was offered to God for him by the church. 6 And when Herod was about to bring him out, that night Peter was sleeping, bound with two chains between two soldiers; and the guards before the door were keeping the prison. 7 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. 8 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.” 9 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. 10 When they were past the first and the second guard posts, they came to the iron gate that leads to the city, which opened to them of its own accord; and they went out and went down one street, and immediately the angel departed from him. 11 And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “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.”
Acts 6:8 (NKJV)8 And Stephen, full of faith and power, did great wonders and signs among the people.
Saul, on the Road to Damascus (Acts 9:1-9)
- Jesus took the persecuting of the church personal (“why are you persecuting me?”). Steven was martyred by Saul (Acts chapters 6-7) and King Herod beheaded James the brother of John. He was getting ready to do the same to Peter, but the saints prayed for Peter, and he was freed by an angel (probably the same angel that confronted Herod).
- I believe Saul would have died like King Herod did, both happen around the same time.
- Jesus appeared before Saul; an angel of the Lord appeared before King Herod (Acts 12:21-23). God knew Saul would repent, that is why Jesus came to Saul and not an angel.
- Not teaching to hate, teaching to trust God and His ways. When the enemy comes against the church, and one tries to stop the word of God, He knows the hearts of men and will act accordingly (i.e., Paul saying, “judge them by their works”).
Acts 9:1–9 (NKJV)1Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
Acts 12:21–24 (NKJV)21 So on a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat on his throne and gave an oration to them. 22 And the people kept shouting, “The voice of a god and not of a man!” 23 Then immediately an angel of the Lord struck him, because he did not give glory to God. And he was eaten by worms and died. 24 But the word of God grew and multiplied.