Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”
Comment: I don’t knowingly see angels. I’ve dreamt about them occasionally, and I don’t mean beautiful young females. The word is derived from the greek word which means ‘messenger’. The NT book of Hebrews ch 13 v 2 talks about being unaware of entertaining angels. The messenger, without doubt from God, somehow got into the prison and it seems miraculously released Peter’s chains and led him out between the possibly sleeping guards (there should have been four of them there) to the street. Initially Peter thought it was a dream but eventually woke up to the fact that he wasn’t dreaming but this remarkable situation was real. Praising God he headed off to – we’ll see tomorrow. Herod when his people couldn’t find Peter must have been apoplectic!
Prayer: Thank You for all the things for do for us, O God, and please forgive us for often not seeing Your involvement in the events.
As I read it! 