The Gate Of Freedom and Deliverance
Prisoners of war have been captured while in territory which is not their home. They’ve been captured behind enemy lines. Prisoners of war have been treated brutally in various parts of the world. Typically, prisoners of war are released through the process of negotiations with their country however, there have been times when countries would completely deny that they were holding prisoners of war. One thing is for certain, prisoners of war don’t just walk away without desistance. Let’s take a look at the miracle of freedom.
King Herod, a representative of the government who had announced war on the church, had begun to execute the will of the religious leaders. He began a violent aggression against the Christians, beginning with the leaders. James was murdered by stabbing. The Jewish leaders were pleased by the King’s actions so he continued to attack the Christians and come after the leaders. Peter was next on his list. Peter was a peculiar threat to the Jewish leaders because of the strength in his witness to the person of Jesus.
Peter is arrested during a religious season so the King had to wait some days before having him killed. So Peter was placed in prison to wait the passing of the festival days. Let me pause right here for a moment, at the point of Peter’s arrest.
This whole idea of being captured and confined for imminent murder has spiritual parallels for so many of us. The motives of Peter’s enemies are clear. The identity of Peter’s enemies have been clearly presented. The extreme measures of Peter’s enemies are also clear. King Herod didn’t have a personal history of ongoing problems between himself and Peter. And yet, King Herod was motivated by the Spirits of darkness to execute Peter. Can you see this spiritual parallel happening in your life? Can you discern that war has been declared against you?
What type of prison have you been confined in by an enemy seeking to kill, steal or destroy you?
Today’s sermon may not touch everyone as powerfully or pierce everyone in tender spots but for some people this message will be life.
Peter is arrested, put in prison and has 4 squads guarding him. Chains have been attached to Peter and he is flanked by soldiers as he sleeps. Also guards are posted in front of the prison doors. Do you have a mental picture of Peter’s physical arrest and confinement? Every time Peter tried to make a move, he was hindered by chains and guards flanked on his sides. But for some of us who have been chained and guarded in the spirit, the effects are just as limiting. With our physical eyes, we see nothing, but with our spiritual eyes, we discern the chains holding us back. We discern the demonic guards posted beside us to limit us. We discern the watchers at the prison doors. No, we don’t see it physically, but we certainly discern when something is off!
Act 12:5 says “While Peter was kept in prison, the Church prayed fervently to God for him”. We don’t know the content of their prayers, but we do know the conclusion of their prayers. For those of you who are discerning that darkness has declared war on you and here on earth, its like being behind enemy lines and you discern something is off! Peter had the church praying fervently for him, but that might not be the case for you. Your friends might not be praying for you. Your family may not be praying. You must be praying for your own freedom. You must be praying for your own release. You must be praying for your own divine intervention.
Verse 7 says “Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shined in the cell.” Peter was asleep so the angel woke Peter up and said “Get up quickly”. Peter stood up ad the chains fell off his wrist. The angel told Peter “Get your shoes and clothes, it’s time to go.” All this time, all of this miracle moment, Peter was thinking it was a dream, a vision.
Peter is out of the cell but he isn’t out of danger. He is out of the cell but he isn’t in freedom yet. Verse 10 says Peter and the angel came before the last obstacle – the iron gate to the city. The iron gate opened for them on its own accord. Friend, let me help you understand that there are indeed stages to your spiritual freedom when you are a prisoner of war. Please don’t ignore what you are discerning. Your confinement and capture must be spiritually discerned. You don’t do yourself a bit of good ignoring how the dark and evil spirits have your every move guarded and your movement or expressions restricted. Discern the chains. Discern the guards that have been demonically posted in your life.
Second, please pray for your freedom! Don’t mince words. Third, stay ready for your day of release. As long as prayers are going forth to God for your freedom, then your day of release shall manifest. You shall be freed. Verse 7 says “Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared”. I think every time an angel of the Lord appears that is suddenly a moment. The angel told Peter to get dressed and follow him. Now, these were physical clothes but each of these physical items have a spiritual counterpart. Ephesians 60:14 has the belt of truth. Ephesians 6:15 has the shoes as the gospel of peace. As it pertains to his coat- well, there are many spiritual references in the scriptures related to coats. But in 1 King 19:19, the prophet Elijah passes by Elisha and throws his mantle, his coat on him and Elisha followed in the footsteps of Prophet Elijah.
Lastly, spiritual freedom is supernatural rendered. The gates supernaturally opened. When Peter got out, he decreed God’s supernatural freedom. Spiritual bondage is broken by spiritual power. Peter nor the angel had to tug on the gate, climb the gate or kick the gate. The gate just opened at the approach of God’s angel who was escorting Peter to the freedom that the Church had been praying for. God is still sending angels to escort former prisoners through the open gates of freedom. That rings true for me today. Verse 11 – “Peter came to himself and declared how God had rescued him from the hands of his enemies”.
While we celebrated how God has rescued us, I’m prayerful for all the people God has attempted to rescue but instead of following the angel out, they chose to stay inside with the demonic guards posted in their lives. You can say that you want to be free, but until you are willing to follow the assistance God provides, your freedom is nothing but a fantasy. Don’t stay captured. Follow the divine assistance through the gates of freedom.
Make the choice to be free.
Photo by Travis Saylor from Pexels
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