- To the Reader
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- Daniel and His Three Companions
- Nebuchadnezzar's Fiery Furnace
- Belshazzar's Feast
- Daniel in the Lions’ Den
- Gabriel Sent to Explain the Vision of Daniel 8
- The Struggle for Influence Over the Kings of Persia
- The Second Temple
- Ezra
- Nehemiah
- The Visions of Zechariah
- The Vision of Joshua and the Angel
- The Vision of the Seven Lamps and the Two Olive Trees
- Angels in the Time of Esther
- The Father of John the Baptist
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- Devil Possession in Jesus’ Day
- Rejection at Nazareth
- The Demoniac in the Synagogue at Capernaum
- The Healing of the Centurion's Servant
- The Demoniacs of Gadara
- The Healing of the Demoniac Son
- Jesus Is Accused of Being Demon Possessed
- Evil Angels in Human Form Were Among Christ's Hearers
- The Resurrection of Lazarus
- Jesus Hunted From City to City During His Ministry
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- Angels Protect Vital Truths
- Peter and John Delivered From Prison
- Philip and the Ethiopian Eunuch
- Paul's Conversion
- Paul Leaves Damascus
- Cornelius and Peter
- Peter Delivered From Prison
- The Stoning of Stephen
- Angels During Paul's Ministry
- The Siege of Jerusalem
- John the Revelator
- Angels in the Middle Ages
- The Protestant Reformation
- Luther
- Melancthon
- The Pilgrim Fathers
- The Three Angels of Revelation 14
- William Miller
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- Good and Evil Angels Will Appear
- The Work of Evil Angels Through Spiritualism
- Miracles in the End Time
- Evil Spirits Active Among the Remnant
- Angels Will Do the Work Men Neglected
- Angels Will Supply the Needs of God's People
- Satan's Personations
- Evil Angels Incite Persecution
- Satan's Personation After the Close of Probation
- Angels and the Universal Death Decree
- God Interposes as the Wicked Try to Kill God's People
- The Second Coming of Christ
- Satan and His Evil Angels Confined to This Earth
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- Epilogue
Peter Delivered From Prison
The day of Peter's execution was at last appointed; but still the prayers of the believers ascended to Heaven. And while all their energies and sympathies were called out in fervent appeals, angels of God were guarding the imprisoned apostle.... Peter was placed between two soldiers, and was bound by two chains, each chain being fastened to the wrist of one of his guard. He was therefore unable to move without their knowledge. The prison doors were securely fastened, and a strong guard was placed before them. All chance of rescue or escape, by human means, was thus cut off.—Redemption: or the Ministry of Peter and the Conversion of Saul, 70.TA 231.4
Peter was in prison, expecting to be brought forth next day to death; he was sleeping at night “between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.”TA 232.1
Peter, suddenly awaking, was amazed at the brightness that flooded his dungeon, and the celestial beauty of the heavenly messenger. He understood not the scene, but he knew that he was free, and in his bewilderment and joy he would have gone forth from the prison unprotected from the cold night air. The angel of God, noting all the circumstances, said, with tender care for the apostle's need: “Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals.”TA 232.2
Peter mechanically obeyed; but so entranced was he with the revelation of the glory of heaven that he did not think to take his cloak. Then the angel bade him: “Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord.”—Testimonies for the Church 5:748.TA 232.3
No word is spoken; there is no sound of footsteps. The angel glides on in front, encircled by a light of dazzling brightness, and Peter, bewildered, and still believing himself to be in a dream, follows his deliverer. Thus they pass on through one street, and then, the mission of the angel being accomplished, he suddenly disappears.TA 233.1
The heavenly light faded away, and Peter felt himself to be in profound darkness; but as his eyes became accustomed to the darkness, it gradually seemed to lessen, and he found himself alone in the silent street, with the cool night air blowing upon his brow. He now realized that he was free, in a familiar part of the city; he recognized the place as one that he had often frequented, and had expected to pass on the morrow for the last time....TA 233.2
The apostle made his way at once to the house where his brethren were assembled, and where they were at that moment engaged in earnest prayer for him. “As Peter knocked at the door of the gate, a damsel came to hearken, named Rhoda. And when she knew Peter's voice, she opened not the gate for gladness, but ran in, and told how Peter stood before the gate. And they said unto her, Thou art mad. But she constantly affirmed that it was even so. Then said they, It is his angel.”—The Acts of the Apostles, 147, 148.TA 233.3
The same angel who had left the royal courts of heaven to rescue Peter from the power of his persecutor, had been the messenger of wrath and judgment to Herod. The angel smote Peter to arouse him from slumber; but it was with a different stroke that he smote the wicked king, bringing mortal disease upon him.—The Spirit of Prophecy 3:344.TA 234.1