The Open Scroll - Peter is at the Door! - The Bride and the Commission of the 144k
Recommended Reading
Passing Through the Iron Gate
For Two Years Now There Has Been Famine in the Land
The Twenty-first Day of the Seventh Month
John Chapter 21
Peter is at the Door! - The Bride and the Commission of the 144k

A continuation of Passing Through the Iron Gate
By Bob Schlenker  (Prints about 8 pages)  5/31/99


In the article entitled, Passing Through the Iron Gate I went through the account of Peter's jailbreak in Acts chapter 12 and described how Peter and the angel passing through the iron gate foreshadowed the Bride theft. The prophetic scenario actually extends beyond that to show the Bride's participation in the commissioning of the 144k. We’ll pick up the record in Acts 12 where the Bride has just been escorted to heaven and has just become aware of that awesome reality. What happens next is a scene where the Bride in her glorified body presents herself as a witness to the 144k, who are then commissioned.
When this had dawned on him, he went to the house of Mary the mother of John, also called Mark, where many people had gathered and were praying. 13 Peter knocked at the outer entrance, and a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer the door. 14 When she recognized Peter's voice, she was so overjoyed she ran back without opening it and exclaimed, "Peter is at the door!" 15 "You're out of your mind," they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, "It must be his angel." 16 But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. 17 Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison. "Tell James and the brothers about this," he said, and then he left for another place. Acts 12:12-17
If your eyes are open there is little more that needs to be said, but allow me to sift through the account to examine its depths for whatever gems you may have missed. I've often read this passage and wondered why these people who had been praying were so reluctant to believe Peter was at the door. If you read this like I used to, you probably assumed that they were gathered to pray for Peter's wellbeing and release. If Peter's release was in answer to such a prayer, the narrative sure has a strange way of expressing it. At the first report of the servant girl about Peter's arrival at the door, they told her she was out of her mind. Now, to me, that kind of accusation seems rather out of place. I would think they would have jumped up, praising God for answering their prayers and swarmed out to greet Peter. But, no. And when she persisted, insisting that Peter really was at the door, instead of getting up and checking it out, they say that it must be his angel. What? His ANGEL??? Really, what's up with that??? These people were more willing to believe that it was his angel than Peter himself? Tell me something's not really strange about this account. Okay, but because Peter kept on knocking, they figured that maybe it wasn't his angel so they opened the door, FINALLY, and saw him. And they were astonished. Like they had never seen a person get out of prison before. Hasn't this record kind of stuck out before, like there was something going on that just didn't make sense? So what should we make of such a passage as this? Prophecy. Hidden truths are abiding in the shadows.

If you haven't yet read the articles I recommended for background, you really should. It will help you understand this view of the event if you are familiar with that view of the same event. The following table is a cross-reference view.

Genesis
 Acts
 Antitype
after two years of the prophesied seven year famine
 during the prophesied famine, after having passed the first and second "guards" (phulake) the last day of Passover - Nisan 21
  
Joseph
 Rhoda
 Y'shua
Benjamin
 Peter
 the Bride
the other brothers
 those in the house of Mary
 the 144,000
Jacob and the rest of the family
 James and the brothers
 those who will receive the testimony of the 144,000
 
 Herod
 the lawless one


Ready to dig in? Let's go! When Peter goes to the house, he knocks at the outer entrance but never goes through. Why? Because the Bride will remain in the heavenly realm and not pass back into the realm where the 144k are. Peter had just passed through an iron gate to get to where he is (Jerusalem - new!) and he would not be joining the 144k where they were. As we see in Genesis 45, they have both come to be before Y'shua in heaven, but the condition of the Bride is different from the 144k.

Those Peter visits are gathered at what is called the house of Mary, the mother of John, also called Mark. Let me address the antitypical physical house first, then elaborate upon how the occupants of the house are identified.  It seems very likely to me that the location of the people praying will be the temple, God's house. A new temple will be the center of a lot of activity very shortly. I won't go into all of what's going on now, but sacrifrice and offering will have been reestablished with an officiating priesthood under authority of the lawless one.

One reason I'm convinced about the restoration of sacrifice and offering is the reference made in Acts 2, quoting from Joel. If you can't picture what might characterize animal sacrifice, the following verse might help.
I will show wonders in the heaven above and signs on the earth below, blood and fire and billows of smoke.  Acts 2:19
Another reason is because it surely must begin before it can be terminated.
He will confirm a covenant with many for one 'seven.' In the middle of the 'seven' he will put an end to sacrifice and offering. And on a wing of the temple he will set up an abomination that causes desolation, until the end that is decreed is poured out on him.  Daniel 9:27
The day appointed for the Bride theft is the last day of Pesah. On that day, which will be a yom tov and a high holy day being the weekly Shabbat as well, the 144k will surely be in attendance like as were the 12 apostles on the Shavuot that is the subject of Acts 2. When you think about how significant an event this will be, it only makes sense that it would transpire at the site of the temple.

So, why is the temple referred to as the house of Mary? "Mary" means "their rebellion." Think about it.  Who will be served in this temple? The true and genuine Messiah, or the counterfeit? Who will set himself up "on a wing of the temple" and proclaim himself to be God in the middle of the seventieth week? This temple was foreshadowed by the one that stood in our Lord's day 2000 years ago. It was known as Herod's temple and Herod is a type of the lawless one! Those who serve the lawless one in his temple will be in rebellion against God. They are willing to receive the first Messiah that comes along who acts like a king over the earth.

You might ask why the 144k would even attend the feast if such a tragic and abominable situation exists, and that would be a good question. I would answer by way of asking similar questions. Why would Jesus have gone to Herod's temple? There had been no ark in it for many a year. Since the altar's desecration by Antiochus Epiphanes, no prophet had told them what to do to cleanse the altar and make their sacrifices acceptable once again. The priesthood were simply going through the motions of the Mosaic system of sacrifice. And why would the 12 apostles have been there waiting for the fulfillment of the promise the Lord made on his departure from the Mount of Olives if the temple and its priesthood were in such a state? Because the Lord has a plan, and it works. The house of Mary, though surely the house of their rebellion, is the scene of wondrous acts of mercy and grace, and judgment.

Ok, so the people in the house Peter/Bride visits are the 144k. Their identity should be clear because we know from other accounts like Genesis 45, Haggai 2 and John 21 that these are the people the Bride will interact with upon their having gone to be with the Bridegroom. By observing how they are identified here, our prophetic vocabulary is increased. There are three names associated with the house, being the house of Mary, the mother of John, also called Mark. The name "Mary," as I previously noted, means "their rebellion." "John" means "Jehovah is gracious" and "Mark" means "a defense."

I have shown how the house referred to the location of the temple, but on another level this represents people.  A house is a people, a temple is a people - the house of Mary is a people. They are rebels. They are not interested in getting with the program most people are interested in. The many women named Mary in the Bible are usually very wonderful, God-loving and obedient people. They obey God, but the world sees them as being rebels because they will refuse to get with the antichrist program. Do you love God? Aren't you a rebel?

Because the name, Mary, is the Greek form of the Hebrew name, Miriam, and because the day on which these things in Acts 12 take place happens to be the last day of Pesah, those who are familiar with the Feast are directed into the Torah for more insight. Let me quote from  The Jewish Holidays, A Guide and Commentary, by Michael Strassfeld. p. 27:  "The seventh day, according to tradition, marks the crossing of the Red Sea by the Israelites. Some people, particularly Hasidim, follow the custom of pouring water on the floor and singing and dancing to commemorate the crossing of the sea." The events in view in Acts 12 are founded upon the crossing of the Red Sea.  (See The Master Overlay of Weeks to learn about how the Bride theft and the crossing of the Red Sea correspond on their relative templates.) Moses, whose name means "drawing out" is the deliverer, a type of Y'shua. This Pharaoh is no longer the good Pharaoh of Joseph's time who represented the heavenly Father, but another who represents the Dragon and his Beast. The symbolism of Egypt has also changed from that of heaven to that of the earthly realm and the kingdom of the Beast. Israel compares to Peter, and the crossing of the Red Sea compares to passing  through the iron gate. After crossing, remember, Peter appears at the outer entrance and bears testimony to the house of Miriam. Now, consider the Torah account, and keep in mind that "the last enemy to be destroyed is death."  (1 Corinthians 15:26)
That day the LORD saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. 31 And when the Israelites saw the great power the LORD displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the LORD and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant. 15:1 Then Moses and the Israelites sang this song to the LORD: "I will sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea. 2 The LORD is my strength and my song; he has become my salvation. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will exalt him. 3 The LORD is a warrior; the LORD is his name. 4 Pharaoh's chariots and his army he has hurled into the sea. The best of Pharaoh's officers are drowned in the Red Sea. 5 The deep waters have covered them; they sank to the depths like a stone. 6 "Your right hand, O LORD, was majestic in power. Your right hand, O LORD, shattered the enemy. 7 In the greatness of your majesty you threw down those who opposed you. You unleashed your burning anger; it consumed them like stubble. 8 By the blast of your nostrils the waters piled up. The surging waters stood firm like a wall; the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea. 9 "The enemy boasted, 'I will pursue, I will overtake them. I will divide the spoils; I will gorge myself on them. I will draw my sword and my hand will destroy them.' 10 But you blew with your breath, and the sea covered them. They sank like lead in the mighty waters. 11 "Who among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is like you-- majestic in holiness, awesome in glory, working wonders? 12 You stretched out your right hand and the earth swallowed them. 13 "In your unfailing love you will lead the people you have redeemed. In your strength you will guide them to your holy dwelling. 14 The nations will hear and tremble; anguish will grip the people of Philistia. 15 The chiefs of Edom will be terrified, the leaders of Moab will be seized with trembling, the people of Canaan will melt away; 16 terror and dread will fall upon them. By the power of your arm they will be as still as a stone-- until your people pass by, O LORD, until the people you bought pass by. 17 You will bring them in and plant them on the mountain of your inheritance-- the place, O LORD, you made for your dwelling, the sanctuary, O Lord, your hands established. 18 The LORD will reign for ever and ever." 19 When Pharaoh's horses, chariots and horsemen went into the sea, the LORD brought the waters of the sea back over them, but the Israelites walked through the sea on dry ground. 20 Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron's sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing. 21 Miriam sang to them: "Sing to the LORD, for he is highly exalted. The horse and its rider he has hurled into the sea." 22 Then Moses led Israel from the Red Sea and they went into the Desert of Shur. For three days they traveled in the desert without finding water.  Exodus 14:30-15:22
Compare verses 9-12 above with Peter's statement as he had just passed through the iron gate and walked the length of one street.
Then Peter came to himself and said, "Now I know without a doubt that the Lord sent his angel and rescued me from Herod's clutches and from everything the Jewish people were anticipating."Acts 12:11
The words of Moses' and the Israelites song seem appropriate for Peter, don't they? Read and consider verse 13 above and verses 16-18. This exciting prophecy speaks so loudly in my ear of the day on which the Lord will take his Bride unto himself.

Notice verse 20 now, how that Miriam the prophetess picks up the refrain. Miriam is Aaron's sister. Who does Aaron represent in this prophetic view? As Moses' (Y'shua's) mouthpiece and the priest who will minister before the Lord in the Temple, the one who will have access to the throne room, he represents the Bride. The 144k are Miriam, the sister of the Bride. Miriam took a tambourine in her hand and all the women followed her, with tambourines and dancing. And so the 144k will lead her flock.

Another view of Mary representing the 144k where the Bride is represented by Martha is the account of Lazarus (national Israel) being raised from the dead in John 11.

Returning once again to Acts 12:12, this Mary was the mother of John also called Mark. Again, John means "Jehovah is a gracious giver" and Mark means "a defense." Make note that the man associated with Y'shua when he received grace by way of being anointed with the spirit was named John (the immerser, the Baptist). When the 144k accept Y'shua as their Messiah, they receive the anointing of the spirit like the 12 apostles did in the temple on this age's first Shavuot. The label "John also called Mark" describes the anointing, which is their sealing.
And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.  Ephesians 4:302

Now it is God who makes both us and you stand firm in Christ. He anointed us, 22 set his seal of ownership on us, and put his Spirit in our hearts as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.  Corinthians 1:21-22
This spirit has a lot to do with grace. (See also the following: Gal 6:18, Phil 4:23, 2 Tim 4:22, Phile 1:25, Heb 10:29)
And I will pour out on the house of David and the inhabitants of Jerusalem a spirit of grace and supplication. They will look on me, the one they have pierced, and they will mourn for him as one mourns for an only child, and grieve bitterly for him as one grieves for a firstborn son.  Zechariah 12:10
This spirit of grace is their defense (Mark) as well, a seal. See Revelation 7:1-4 and 9:4. Given what we know about the event, to identify the place where Peter went after he passed through the iron gate as the house of Mary, the mother of John also called Mark seems very appropriate for the 144k in the temple, wouldn't you agree?

Let me address the identity of the servant girl, Rhoda, who plays an important role and whose name means, "a rose." She represents the Lord, since He is the one who opens the "door" and hosts this special introduction. A rose is a widely recognized messianic symbol.
I am a rose of Sharon, a lily of the valleys. Song 2:1
Often, a brief look at what Satan is up to speaks volumes about the truth he tries to distort. The Rosicrucians, the order of the Rose Cross are all about preparing the world to receive the antichrist messiah. Because of their request to respect the copyright, I can't quote here from the excerpt from the Introductory Monograph of the Confraternity of the Rose Cross but one of their respected writers,  H. Spencer Lewis, evidently stated that the relationship between Judas and Jesus was necessary because of the need for a catalyst to bring about necessary change and transformation. It may be noted that there is truth in that statement, but their perspective is inverted. They will herald Judas' arrival. But enough about that.

Compare Rhoda's role with that of Joseph's in Genesis 44-45. It was Rhoda who was told she was out of her mind by the ones who heard her report. It was Joseph, symbolic of Y'shua, the rose of Sharon, who prompted the strange response described in Genesis 45:3. It was Rhoda who was insistent about the identity of the Bride-type Peter at the door, and Joseph who was insistent about the Bride-type Benjamin knowing his identity. For further insight into the relevance of the rose (crocus) to this most significant turning point in Israel's history with her Messiah, consider Isaiah 35.

Now, I mentioned earlier how curious it seems that the people in the house had gathered and were praying but yet were so reluctant to accept the report that Peter would be at the door. The puzzle is resolved when you understand the prophetic implication, that the 144k will be gathered and praying, but not for Peter to be released. As I have noted in another view of this event, they will be praying for discernment because the lawless one will have just previously (Nisan 13) been revealed to the Bride and they will be in the midst of an uproar about whether this miracle worker is truly Israel's Messiah like so many of the Rabbi's insist, or whether the Bride is right about his being an impostor. I believe their hearts will be very convicted and they will want very badly to know whether their past rejection of Y'shua as the Messiah of Israel is really the reason for Israel's past and present distress. This is the issue that, once resolved, forms the basis of their future testimony.

These people are presently being prepared in Torah knowledge, in zeal, and in their commitment to the land and promises of restoration of the people of the land. They will be genuinely shocked when they find themselves in the presence of the glorified Bride. Their reaction to the report and to his appearance speaks to me of the Bride's glorified bodies and the white robes they will surely be wearing. The Bride's appearance will be stunning! Look closely at the response from those in the house to the servant girl's report.
"You're out of your mind," they told her. When she kept insisting that it was so, they said, "It must be his angel." {16} But Peter kept on knocking, and when they opened the door and saw him, they were astonished. Acts 12:15-16
The Bride will appear to the 144k like the angels. Of course, the Lord's appearance factors in as well as the setting being that of heaven, but the focus in Acts 12 is upon the Bride. It will be a "mount of transfiguration" kind of experience. Compare the above view of their reaction in Acts with that of Genesis account.
Joseph said to his brothers, "I am Joseph! Is my father still living?" But his brothers were not able to answer him, because they were terrified at his presence.  Genesis 45:3
In colloquial English, they were "dumbfounded" - struck dumb with astonishment. Further insight into the witness of the Bride's glorified condition can be seen in the following verse.
Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet and described how the Lord had brought him out of prison.  Acts 12:17a
Peter motioned with his hand for them to be quiet before he described how the Lord brought him out of prison. This expression is used a few other times in Acts to indicate that the one signaling had something important to say and those around him should be quiet and pay attention. So what, right? Okay, here's what. The Greek word for "hand" (cheir) is found four other times in Acts 12 and lends insight into verse 17. This word is easier to track in the KJV because it is consistently translated more literally as "hand." Look at verses 1,7 and 11. This word speaks of a person's abilities and the limits thereof. My point is that it will be more than just the radiant appearance that will testify to the reality of the situation, the scope of ability of the glorified bodies will bear witness as well.

Having given extensive documentation of the typology, here's the simple commission the 144k are given.
Tell James and the brothers about this.   Acts 12:17b
Compare this to the commission given the 144k-type in Genesis.
Tell my father about all the honor accorded me in Egypt and about everything you have seen. And bring my father down here quickly." Genesis 45:13
Although the correlation is pretty obvious, let's make the "name" connection. Those commissioned to "tell" are identified in Acts as James and the brothers, and in Genesis as Joseph's father, Jacob. James is merely the Greek form of the Hebrew name Jacob.

According to Acts 12:17, after Peter testified standing before the outer entrance of Mary’s house, he left for another place. Where did he go? Good question! But this particular mission of the Bride's will have been accomplished.Elijah's mantle will have been passed to Elisha. For His Glory!