The death of Herod

“And immediately an angel of the Lord struck him because he did not give God the glory, and he was eaten by worms and died.” (1) God swiftly brought judgment upon Herod. (a) Here, the “angel of the Lord” is the severe pain that struck Herod. (b) The reason for this judgment was that Herod failed to give glory to God. (c) Isaiah 42:8 says, “I am the Lord, that is My name; I will not give My glory to another, Nor My praise to idols.” (2) “He was eaten by worms and died.” (a) This refers to intestinal parasites (over 25 cm long) that tore through the intestinal walls. In the ancient world, this cause of death was not uncommon and was considered one of the worst possible ways to die. (b) Herod was carried from the amphitheater to the palace, where he suffered for five days (according to Josephus) before dying at the age of 54. (3) After Herod’s death, the position of Judean governor was held by Felix and then Festus. Following them, Herod Agrippa II (the great-grandson of Herod the Great) became king.

One of many antichrists

Herod Agrippa can be seen as one of the many antichrists. John writes, “Children, it is the last hour; and just as you heard that antichrist is coming, even now many antichrists have appeared; from this we know that it is the last hour” (1 John 2:18). (1) The “last hour” refers to the final phase of God’s plan for the salvation of humanity. It is important to distinguish between the future Antichrist and the antichrists who already exist. (2) An antichrist is someone who spreads false teachings and refuses to give glory to God. The presence of many antichrists is evidence that we are in the last hour. Let’s examine the six steps leading to Herod’s death: (1) He arrested James and had him beheaded. (2) He arrested Peter and planned to execute him at the end of the Feast of Unleavened Bread. (3) But God miraculously rescued Peter. (4) Herod turned his back on this revelation and refused to give glory to God. He took the lives of 16 of his soldiers. (5) In Caesarea, he acted like a god, in stark contrast to Peter’s humility in Acts 10:25-26. (6) Herod Agrippa met the most tragic end. Failing to give glory to God is the greatest sin. The purpose of the Bible’s message is “the glory of God. Let’s pray that our lives would reflect God’s glory.