Delivered From Prison
97
feared that the sight of him being led out to die might excite the pity
of the multitude.
The priests and elders also feared lest Peter might make one of
those powerful appeals which had frequently aroused the people to
study the life and character of Jesus—appeals which they, with all their
arguments, had been unable to controvert. Peter’s zeal in advocating
the cause of Christ had led many to take their stand for the gospel,
and the rulers feared that should he be given an opportunity to defend
his faith in the presence of the multitude who had come to the city to
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worship, his release would be demanded at the hands of the king.
While, upon various pretexts, the execution of Peter was being
delayed until after the Passover, the members of the church had time
for deep searching of heart and earnest prayer. They prayed without
ceasing for Peter, for they felt that he could not be spared from the
cause. They realized that they had reached a place where, without the
special help of God, the church of Christ would be destroyed.
Meanwhile worshipers from every nation sought the temple which
had been dedicated to the worship of God. Glittering with gold and
precious stones, it was a vision of beauty and grandeur. But Jehovah
was no longer to be found in that palace of loveliness. Israel as a
nation had divorced herself from God. When Christ, near the close
of His earthly ministry, looked for the last time upon the interior of
the temple, He said, “Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.”
Matthew 23:38
. Hitherto He had called the temple His Father’s house;
but as the Son of God passed out from those walls, God’s presence
was withdrawn forever from the temple built to His glory.
The day of Peter’s execution was at last appointed, but still the
prayers of the believers ascended to heaven; and while all their energies
and sympathies were called out in fervent appeals for help, angels of
God were watching over the imprisoned apostle.
Remembering the former escape of the apostles from prison, Herod
on this occasion had taken double precautions. To prevent all possibil-
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ity of release, Peter had been put under the charge of sixteen soldiers,
who, in different watches, guarded him day and night. In his cell
he was placed between two soldiers and was bound by two chains,
each chain being fastened to the wrist of one of the soldiers. He was
unable to move without their knowledge. With the prison doors se-
curely fastened, and a strong guard before them, all chance of rescue