PRISONERS AT MIDNIGHT
ACTS 12:1-16
This story of Peter in prison is an allegory of a sinner that is locked up in the prison house of sin. When we read the account of Peter’s imprisonment, we say his case is hopeless.
Prison- Peter was behind three walls. They passed through the first ward. Then they passed by the second ward. Then they came to the Iron Gate. Also there were 4 sets of guards. Four was on each set.
The prison house of sin is the most powerful prison ever known to mankind. It will bind, hold, and confine you. It would be more possible for a man to break out of the highest maximums security than for some soul to escape the prison of sin.
Darkness- it was at night and there was no light.
Men and women that locked up the inner prison have no light to see the shape they are in.
You may hold the light of the gospel to the eyes, but still they are blinded and cannot see.
Asleep- Peter was asleep. No matter if the all the doors were opened up, he never would have escaped because he was asleep. Men are not only locked up, but they are asleep. Unaware of everything going on around them. This world is asleep in pleasure like never before.
Chained- Peter was bound with two chains. The enemy was not taking any chances.
The enemy knew the impact Peter would have for God. He knew that much damage would be done to his kingdom if Peter was saved. There are people in prison the enemy knows that God would use them mightily. They would cause havoc to his kingdom. He has his best imps to guard them. There are certain people the devil fights harder.
Prisoners at midnight. Peter was going to die the next morning. But God had a different plan.
When we look at all these obstacles, we say there is no way. There is no hope. There is no way my family will ever be saved. There is no way children will come out of that prison. The door of hope is closed.
John 10
9 I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.
Hosea 2
15 And I will give her her vineyards from thence, and the valley of Achor for a door of hope: and she shall sing there, as in the days of her youth, and as in the day when she came up out of the land of Egypt.
He can shine the Light of the Gospel in the darkest prison.
He can break the strongest fetters of sin.
Isaiah 61
1 The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives, and the opening of the prison to them that are bound;
He might send an earthquake. Paul and Silas in prison. At midnight they prayed and sung.
There’s not a prison that can hold your captive when my Lord gets ready to bring them out.
The church must pray these souls out of prison.
Peter never would have come out, if the church had not interceded.
We can talk about souls that are in prison, but it is up to the church to offer supplications for them.
One last point. The angel told Peter to bind on his sandals. To me this was signifying that Peter had no plans to go anywhere.
That is the way it is with people who are bound in sin. They have been there so long. They feel their case is so hopeless, they make no plans to leave.
But when God gets ready, the impossible becomes possible.
Don’t give up on what seems hopeless.
