AS THOUGH IT WAS A DREAM

Charismatic Hour (14/06/2021) Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement   Topic:                    AS THOUGH IT WAS A DREAM Text:                      Acts 12:1-11   INTRODUCTION The generation of the present day witnessing the most terrible manifestation of demonic activity in the history of man is ironically characterized by tremendous unbelief. Much of the society (including people in the church) uphold the ideology of ‘seeing is believing’. The few that read the bible generally don’t accept the veracity of the word: as many see this book of books as just a good material that would help a reader maintain a good moral standard.   Sadly, only a few know that the scriptures are timeless living words; and that what God did of old, He still does today (if the required conditions are met (Mal. 3:6).   Our text is a revelation of the illimitable power of God in response to prayers. We shall be looking at the following: (a) The Astounding Predicament (b) The Awesome Intervention From On High.   The Astounding Predicament Herod the king, having power of life and death, had exercised same against James (also an eminent apostle) in a bid to please the Jews and shore up his image (Acts 12:1-3; cp. Prov. 16:14a).   Peter on another hand, had been apprehended and kept in custody under extremely tight security: being at all times chained to two soldiers and having two soldiers also keeping watch. It is to be noted that the Romans divided the night into 4 watches of three hours each; and for Peter, there was a quaternion for each watch of the night to ensure perfect security (Acts 12:4,6).   If such prisoners escaped the formidable security of the quaternion, they would still have a formidable iron gate to cross (Acts 12:10). The death of James the son of Boarnerges, one of the distinguished apostles of the Lord, by the hands of wicked Herod, could have caused a deflation of the faith of the young church; yet they kept on praying (Acts 12:5). They did not accommodate unbelief!   The intimidating security arrangement in the prison which should have potentiated doubt or unbelief, could not discourage the young church, they kept on praying to the God that has been answering their prayers (cons. Acts 4:23-31; cp. Lk. 18:1; 1Thess. 5:17; Jas. 5:16b).   Peter was definitely calm while incarcerated, and did not speak foolishly unto God; neither did he consider suicide. He might have silently reminded the Lord of His word unto him: that he (Peter) would grow old before his death (see Jn. 21:18; cp. Jer. 1:12; Isa. 41:21).   If your situation seems as hopeless as Peter’s, and you believe God; as we pray, be rest assured that as it was with Peter, there will be an awesome manifestation of God’s power unto you in Jesus name.   The Awesome Intervention From On High As the righteous prayed, and the incarcerated trusted, the Lord did much more than was anticipated (Eph. 3:20). A heavenly messenger (angel) was sent to release Peter (Acts 12:7). In like manner, the Lord shall send His angel to liberate you, in Jesus name.   On arrival, the guards all fell asleep and the chains fell off on their own (Acts 12:7). Every person that has been monitoring you shall fall into deep sleep and every chain holding you shall fall away, in Jesus’ name! Every darkness shall give way, in Jesus name!   It is time to gird oneself with hope as this is the time of freedom (Acts 12:8-10). It is time to come punctually and regularly to fellowship for further instructions from God’s angel. (Heb.10:25, Rev. 2:1,8 etc). Every Iron Gate on your way shall open on its own accord because of the influence of the Holy Ghost, in Jesus name. And as it was with Peter, so shall your deliverance be like a dream, in Jesus’ name (cons. Acts 12:10-11, Ps. 126:1-3). What aileth thee?   Rise up and let us pray                                   (HSCF 251)