brought with a great display of arms and guards in order not only to ensure
against his escape； but to intimidate all sympathizers and to show the power
of the king。
When the keepers before the door found that Peter had escaped； they were
seized with terror。 It had been expressly stated that their lives would be
required for the life of their charge； and because of this they had been
especially vigilant。 When the officers came for Peter； the soldiers were
still at the door of the prison； the bolts and bars were still fast； the
chains were still secured to the wrists of the two soldiers； but the
prisoner was gone。
When the report of Peter's escape was brought to Herod； he was exasperated
and enraged。 Charging the prison guard with unfaithfulness； he ordered them
to be put to death。 Herod knew that no human power had rescued Peter； but he
was determined not to acknowledge that a divine power had frustrated his
design； and he set himself in bold defiance against God。
Not long after Peter's deliverance from prison； Herod
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went to Caesarea。 While there he made a great festival designed to excite
the admiration and gain the applause of the people。 This festival was
attended by pleasure lovers from all quarters； and there was much feasting
and wine drinking。 With great pomp and ceremony Herod appeared before the
people and addressed them in an eloquent oration。 Clad in a robe sparkling
with silver and gold； which caught the rays of the sun in its glittering
folds and dazzled the eyes of the beholders； he was a gorgeous figure。 The
majesty of his appearance and the force of his well…chosen language swayed
the assembly with a mighty power。 Their senses already perverted by feasting
and wine drinking； they were dazzled by Herod's decorations and charmed by
his deportment and oratory； and wild with enthusiasm they showered adulation
upon him； declaring that no mortal could present such an appearance or
command such startling eloquence。 They further declared that while they had
ever respected him as a ruler； henceforth they should worship him as a god。
Some of those whose voices were now heard glorifying a vile sinner had but a
few years before raised the frenzied cry； Away with Jesus！ Crucify Him；
crucify Him！ The Jews had refused to receive Christ； whose garments； coarse
and often travel…stained； covered a heart of divine love。 Their eyes could
not discern； under the humble exterior； the Lord of life and glory； even
though Christ's power was revealed before them in works that no mere man
could do。 But they were ready to worship as a god the haughty king whose
splendid garments of silver and gold covered a corrupt； cruel heart。
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Herod knew that he deserved none of the praise and homage offered him； yet
he accepted the idolatry of the people as his due。 His heart bounded with
triumph； and a glow of gratified pride overspread his countenance as he
heard the shout ascend； 〃It is the voice of a god； and not of a man。〃
But suddenly a terrible change came over him。 His face became pallid as
death and distorted with agony。 Great drops of sweat started from his pores。
He stood for a moment as if transfixed with pain and terror； then turning
his blanched and livid face to his horror…stricken friends； he cried in
hollow； despairing tones； He whom you have exalted as a god is stricken with
death。
Suffering the most excruciating anguish； he was borne from the scene of
revelry and display。 A moment before he had been the proud recipient of the
praise and worship of that vast throng； now he realized that he was in the
hands of a Ruler mightier than himself。 Remorse seized him； he remembered
his relentless persecution of the followers of Christ； he remembered his
cruel command to slay the innocent James； and his design to put to death the
apostle Peter； he remembered how in his mortification and disappointed rage
he had wreaked an unreasoning vengeance upon the prison guards。 He felt that
God was now dealing with him； the relentless persecutor。 He found no relief
from pain of body or anguish of mind； and he expected none。
Herod was acquainted with the law of God； which says； 〃Thou shalt have no
other gods before Me〃 （Exodus 20：3）； and he knew that in accepting the
worship of the people
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he had filled up the measure of his iniquity and brought upon himself the
just wrath of Jehovah。
The same angel who had come from the royal courts to rescue Peter； had been
the messenger of wrath and judgment to Herod。 The angel smote Peter to
arouse him from slumber； it was with a different stroke that he smote the
wicked king； laying low his pride and bringing upon him the punishment of
the Almighty。 Herod died in great agony of mind and body； under the
retributive judgment of God。
This demonstration of divine justice had a powerful influence upon the
people。 The tidings that the apostle of Christ had been miraculously
delivered from prison and death； while his persecutor had been stricken down
by the curse of God； were borne to all lands and became the means of leading
many to a belief in Christ。
The experience of Philip； directed by an angel from heaven to go to the
place where he met one seeking for truth； of Cornelius； visited by an angel
with a message from God； of Peter； in prison and condemned to death； led by
an angel forth to safetyall show the closeness of the connection between
heaven and earth。
To the worker for God the record of these angel visits should bring strength
and courage。 Today； as verily as in the days of the apostles； heavenly
messengers are passing through the length and breadth of the land； seeking
to comfort the sorrowing； to protect the impenitent； to win the hearts of
men to Christ。 We cannot see them personally；
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nevertheless they are with us； guiding； directing； protecting。
Heaven is brought near to earth by that mystic ladder； the base of which is
firmly planted on the earth； while the topmost round reaches the throne of
the Infinite。 Angels are constantly ascending and descending this ladder of
shining brightness； bearing the prayers of the needy and distressed to the
Father above； and bringing blessing and hope； courage and help； to the
children of men。 These angels of light create a heavenly atmosphere about
the soul； lifting us toward the unseen and the eternal。 We cannot behold
their forms with our natural sight； only by spiritual vision can we discern
heavenly things。 The spiritual ear alone can hear the harmony of heavenly
voices。
〃The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear Him； and
delivereth them。〃 Psalm 34：7。 God commissions His angels to save His chosen
ones from calamity； to guard them from 〃the pestilence that walketh in
darkness〃 and 〃the destruction that wasteth at noonday。〃 Psalm 91：6。 Again
and again have angels talked with men as a man speaketh with a friend； and
led them to places of security。 Again and again have the encouraging words
of angels renewed the drooping spirits of the faithful and； carrying their
minds above the things of earth； caused them to behold by faith the white
robes； the crowns； the palm branches of victory； which overcomers will
receive when they surround the great white throne。
It is the work of the angels to come close to the tried； the suffering； the
tempted。 They labor untiringly in behalf
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of those for whom Christ died。 When sinners are led to give themselves to
the Saviour； angels bear the tidings heavenward； and there is great
rejoicing among the heavenly host。 〃Joy shall be in heaven over one sinner
that repenteth； more than over ninety and nine just persons； which need no
repentance。〃 Luke 15：7。 A report is borne to heaven of every successful
effort on our part to dispel the darkness and to spread abroad the knowledge
of Christ。 As the deed is recounted before the Father； joy thrills through
all the heavenly host。
The principalities and powers of heaven are watching the warfare which；
under apparently discouraging circumstances； God's servants are carrying on。
New conquests are being achieved； new honors won； as the Christians；
rallying round the banner of their Redeemer； go forth to fight the good
fight of faith。 All the heavenly angels are at the service of the humble；
believing people of God； and as the Lord's army of workers here below sing
their songs of praise； the choir above join with them in ascribing praise to
God and to His Son。
We need to understand better than we do the mission of the angels。 It would
be well to remember that every true child of God has the co…operation of
heavenly beings。 Invisible armies of light and power attend the meek and
lowly ones who believe and claim the promises of God。 Cherubim and seraphim；
and angels that excel in strength； stand at God's right hand； 〃all
ministering spirits； sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of
salvation。〃 Hebrews 1：14。
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Chapter 16
The Gospel Message in Antioch
After the disciples had been driven from Jerusalem by persecution； the
gospel message spread rapidly through the regions lying beyond the limits of
Palestine； and many small companies of believers were formed in important
centers。 Some of the disciples 〃traveled as far as Phenice； and Cyprus； and
Antioch； preaching the word。〃 Their labors were usually confined to the
Hebrew and Greek Jews； large colonies of whom were at this time to be found
in nearly all the cities of the world。
Among the places mentioned where the gospel was gladly received is Antioch；
at that time the metropolis of Syria。 The extensive commerce carried on from
that populous center brought to the city many people of various
nationalities。 Besides； Antioch was favorably known as a resort for lovers
of ease and pleasure； because of its healthful situation； its beautiful
surroundings； and the wealth； culture； and refinement
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to be found there。 In the days of the apostles it