Exposing Satan's Playbook The Perry Stone

the faith.

—2 T IMOTHY 4:6–7 Paul had escaped numerous life-threatening circumstances, yet in this moment of his life he was “ready to be offered,” a term that is similar to the Old Testament sacrifices that were placed on the altar. He was laying down his life as the ultimate sacrifice and offering for the cause of Christ. Could not the Lord have sent an angel to release Paul, as had occurred when the angel of the Lord released Peter from prison (Acts 12:6– 11)? The answer may be found in that Christ predicted Peter would live to be an old man (John 21:18), and at the time of Peter’s arrest and death threat he was still young and had many years remaining in ministry. This prophetic word of Christ outweighed any form of death threat against Peter, and the angel released Peter to continue fulfilling God’s purpose. In Paul’s case he was an older man and felt his assignment was complete. Therefore he asked for no intercession from God for his release, but he was ready to depart this life and enter the eternal, heavenly kingdom. Christ could not be arrested and slain without His willingness to submit, and Paul was spared until the time he said his departure was at hand and he was ready for the journey. W HEN S AINTS W ANT TO G O H OME This is perhaps difficult for family members to understand, but