Angels From Pentecost to the Last Days
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gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own
accord.”—
Testimonies for the Church 5:748
.
No word is spoken; there is no sound of footsteps. The angel
glides on in front, encircled by a light of dazzling brightness, and
Peter, bewildered, and still believing himself to be in a dream, follows
his deliverer. Thus they pass on through one street, and then, the
mission of the angel being accomplished, he suddenly disappears.
The heavenly light faded away, and Peter felt himself to be in
profound darkness; but as his eyes became accustomed to the darkness,
it gradually seemed to lessen, and he found himself alone in the silent
street, with the cool night air blowing upon his brow. He now realized
that he was free, in a familiar part of the city; he recognized the place
as one that he had often frequented, and had expected to pass on the
morrow for the last time....
The apostle made his way at once to the house where his brethren
were assembled, and where they were at that moment engaged in
earnest prayer for him. “As Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a
damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. 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. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But
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she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his
angel.”—
The Acts of the Apostles, 147, 148
.
The same angel who had left the royal courts of heaven to res-
cue Peter from the power of his persecutor, had been the messenger
of wrath and judgment to Herod. The angel smote Peter to arouse
him from slumber; but it was with a different stroke that he smote
the wicked king, bringing mortal disease upon him.—
The Spirit of
Prophecy 3:344
.
The Stoning of Stephen
As he [Stephen] looked up steadfastly into heaven, a vision of
God’s glory was given him, and angels hovered around him. He cried
out, Behold, I see the heavens opened, and the Son of man standing
on the right hand of God.—
Spiritual Gifts 1:89
.