Acts 12

1 Now about that time Herod the king stretched forth his hands to vex certain of the church. 

Herod was the second son of Herod the Great, the one that ruled during the time of the birth of Christ. This Herod is going to cause trouble persecuting the Christians. These are a family of kenites, ones of Esau and the children of satans bloodline. Murderers of Christians and they follow their dad just as in the beginning. John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

2 And he killed James the brother of John with the sword.

3 And because he saw it pleased the Jews, he proceeded further to take Peter also. (Then were the days of unleavened bread.) 

These "Jews" are the people of Judaea not a specific bloodline. Evil will use a day when there are many around and Herod uses Passover. Evil is never satisfied. They want more and more, and they do more and more evil. Look around you today. They're in the churches and every aspect of leadership around the world. Such as it should be for the last generation.

4 And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Passover to bring him forth to the people. 

Four quaternions = 16 men guarding him.

5 Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. 

The Kenites and Herod knew who to go after seeing Peter = rock was made the founder of the church. They figured if they could break him it would make the other fall in line. Peter isn't just any rock.

6 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. 

Peter is chained to a man on each side of him and men at the door to the prison.

7 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.

8 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. 

When you "Gird yourself" you are getting ready to move into battle. A man would reach down and pull the back up as to tuck it in the front making shorts if you will. Peter is getting ready to move quickly!

9 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. 

Peter couldn't believe his own eyes. He wasn't sure if he was having a vision or if it was real. Don't take this as lack of faith, Peter had it!

10 When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth 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.  

"The second ward" was like an outside section of the cell Peter was in and where the rest of the 16 soldiers were. Peter was free and shown yet again God is with him.

11 And when Peter was come to himself, he said, Now I know of a surety, that the Lord hath sent his angel, and hath delivered me out of the hand of Herod, and from all the expectation of the people of the Jews. 

Peter realized it wasn't a vision and that it in fact happened. God is good ALL the time and His purpose WILL be done.

12 And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. 

God's at work, Mary Mother of Mark and the Church in her house, praying for Peter and there he was, free! The REAL Church just as then isn't a structure, it's the body of believers in Christ.  Matthew 18:20 For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

13 And as Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda.

14 And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. 

I don't think Rhoda could believe her ears. She knew Peter was in prison so it was hard to believe he could be knocking at the door of the gate.

15 And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel. 

They pretty much said "you're crazy girl" but she insisted it was Peter she heard.

16 But Peter continued knocking: and when they had opened the door, and saw him, they were astonished.

17 But he, beckoning unto them with the hand to hold their peace, declared unto them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, Go shew these things unto James, and to the brethren. And he departed, and went into another place.  

They themselves went crazy. Peter raised his hands that they be silent. He told them what happened and asked they go tell his brothers in Christ.

18 Now as soon as it was day, there was no small stir among the soldiers, what was become of Peter. 

The soldiers are in a panic looking for Peter.

19 And when Herod had sought for him, and found him not, he examined the keepers, and commanded that they should be put to death. And he went down from Judaea to Caesarea, and there abode. 

God deliverers His out of the hands of evil when we put our faith in Him. It drives evil crazy that they can't get their hands on us mentally or physically.

20 And Tyre and Sidon, for these cities are the home of the Kenites, was highly displeased with them of Tyre and Sidon: but they came with one accord to him, and, having made Blastus the king's chamberlain their friend, desired peace; because their country was nourished by the king's country. 

Tyre and Sidon (Ref. - Ezekiel 28), these cities are homes to the Kenites. Their king is Tyre = satan. These people did the work in keeping Herod pleased so they could operate their system. Tyre an island city in the Mediterranean Sea. These Kenites were the merchandisers from the world. Tyre became the trade center and Sidon was the town of their brothers on shore.

21 And upon a set day Herod, arrayed in royal apparel, sat upon his throne, and made an oration unto them. 

The people love the show so much, they twist what was of God into what isn't and what isn't into what is for them. Same is happening today on a BIG level.

22 And the people gave a shout, saying, It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. 

They love the show this man was giving, just as people do today in the world and their churches. Many will worship satan while he is here because of the show he will put on. When I say many, I mean many! There will be Christians that just didn't have time for God Word in this mix. They have been waiting on a ride = "rapture" instead of knowing satan comes before Christ does. They listened to the fakes instead of going to The Father.

23 And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the spirit. 

God took him out! When you think it's you that blesses you, then you have ignored The One that put you there and blessed you with the ability to do and to be. This one was causing people to fall. It's their choice but having a bottle of alcohol in front of a alcoholic isn't going to have a good outcome. It's best to get rid of it.

24 But the word of God grew and multiplied. 

With the evil out of the way, The Truth can grow. When the fake is out of the way, The Truth is The Only thing left.

25 And Barnabas and Saul returned from Jerusalem, when they had fulfilled their ministry, and took with them John, whose surname was Mark.