Reflection

Herod’s desire for the praises of people (Acts 12:3) proves to be his undoing. He accepts the worship of the crowd, who declare that he has “the voice of a god, and not of a man” (v. 22).

The Old Testament consistently teaches that when a person exalts himself, or allows others to exalt him, God will bring him down (Gen. 11:4; Isa. 14:12–15; Dan. 4:19–27). The Bible teaches that it is the humble, lowly, and needy who enjoy the life-giving benefits of God’s mercy and grace. This is the glorious irony of the gospel. With Herod’s death, “the word of God increased and multiplied” (Acts 12:24). God directly intervenes to eliminate another obstacle to his plans, proving that no human can stand in the way of his salvation work. The world may bring distress and sorrow, but it cannot ultimately shake those who have been touched by the power and grace of the resurrected Christ. They pray fervently in the midst of persecution, threat, and suffering (v. 5), and God works beyond even what they can ask or imagine.

Reflection

John presents his book as the revelation of Jesus Christ (1:1); that is, the book comes from and is about Jesus. God gave the message to Jesus, who sent his angel to John with it, so that the servants of Jesus would be motivated to proclaim the Word of God and speak about Jesus (see comments on 10:1–11). John pronounces the first of seven blessings on those who speak, hear, and keep the things that are written in this book (1:3; cf. 14:13; 16:15; 19:9; 20:6; 22:7, 14). Because he died and rose again, Jesus now reigns and blesses those who are faithful to him to the end.