Our paragraph topic is: (Peter's confession) Part 8.
Through the revelation of the Holy Spirit from God, Simon Peter became the first member of the church here on earth. Christ gave him the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Christ gave him the authority to close or open doors here on earth that would be closed or opened in heaven. And he, with the other disciples, would become witnesses to the Son of the Living God. However, that time had not come and the sacrifice had not been given. So their ministry had not begun until the time was fulfilled.
They heard the truth. They now knew without a doubt that Christ was the Messiah. There was no turning back. Fear was at their door. Death was following in their footsteps close behind. And the time was almost at hand when the mission of Christ would be fulfilled here on earth. But the time for the disciples was just beginning. Their time would start at the sacrifice. Their ministry would be anointed at the Pentacost. Their voices would be heard after the ascension. But not today. Not tomorrow. Not until after the sacrifice. So Christ warned them not to speak. Christ admonished them not to reveal. Christ protected them against the evil that wanted to kill them before their ministry would begin, but not today. Then he strictly charged his disciples to tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ.,
Evil was upon them and scandal wanted them to talk. For they held a great secret that the people should know. But the time had not been fulfilled for the truth to be revealed. So they were admonished to keep silent. How often we are filled with the spirit of the truth and want to tell the world. We are evangelist. We are compelled to speak to everyone that we meet. We are driven to convert all. We are youth in our wisdom of the love of God and unknowing of the trickery of evil. For evil would have us turn souls away from Christ rather than bring them to him. Evil would have us fill our brothers with hatred rather than love. Evil would have us be examples that would keep people in the world rather than bring them from it. We know not the trickery of evil.
Through the revelation of the Holy Spirit from God, Simon Peter became the first member of the church here on earth. Christ gave him the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Christ gave him the authority to close or open doors here on earth that would be closed or opened in heaven. And he, with the other disciples, would become witnesses to the Son of the Living God. However, that time had not come and the sacrifice had not been given. So their ministry had not begun until the time was fulfilled.
They heard the truth. They now knew without a doubt that Christ was the Messiah. There was no turning back. Fear was at their door. Death was following in their footsteps close behind. And the time was almost at hand when the mission of Christ would be fulfilled here on earth. But the time for the disciples was just beginning. Their time would start at the sacrifice. Their ministry would be anointed at the Pentacost. Their voices would be heard after the ascension. But not today. Not tomorrow. Not until after the sacrifice. So Christ warned them not to speak. Christ admonished them not to reveal. Christ protected them against the evil that wanted to kill them before their ministry would begin, but not today. Then he strictly charged his disciples to tell no one that he was Jesus the Christ.,
Evil was upon them and scandal wanted them to talk. For they held a great secret that the people should know. But the time had not been fulfilled for the truth to be revealed. So they were admonished to keep silent. How often we are filled with the spirit of the truth and want to tell the world. We are evangelist. We are compelled to speak to everyone that we meet. We are driven to convert all. We are youth in our wisdom of the love of God and unknowing of the trickery of evil. For evil would have us turn souls away from Christ rather than bring them to him. Evil would have us fill our brothers with hatred rather than love. Evil would have us be examples that would keep people in the world rather than bring them from it. We know not the trickery of evil.
As I look around the world that I live in, I am conscious of one thing, there is evil in the world. One might make the reasoning that there is good and evil in man thereby excusing the fact that evil exists in the world. I recently watched a program on national TV where a well known journalist completed a documentary on finding the truths of the Bible. The documentary took a look at the origins of sin in mankind and acknowledged that Adam and Eve were tempted by Satan. Yet from that point Satan and his evil was not mentioned again in the documentary, as if to say he does not exist.
We live in a world influenced by evil and the results of what evil brings. All the sins of mankind come from and originate from the evil of Satan and his agents, whose sole purpose is to influence mankind against the commandments of God. Our heavenly father says to us, do these things and you will avoid the wiles of Satan. And yet our society is filled with all manner of influences that we accept as commonplace, influences that originate from Satan and are against the will of God.
We are on the battlefield and yet we are asleep. Guard what you see and guard what you hear that your heart may be protected against the influences of evil. Desire to seek the truth of who you are and your heart will be opened to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. God's love will come and protect you, guide you, feed you, and give to you the wisdom to see and know the truth of who you are in Christ. Follow the path!
Read the sign of the times! Read the Highlighted New Testament Bible and lift the scales from your eyes that you may see, that you may know, that you may find the truth of who you are in Christ. Read it as though you would read a good book, from cover to cover, and see for yourself. Do not study it in parts reading one passage and then skipping to another, but read it for understanding. Read it for knowledge. Read it for faith. Read it that your eyes may be opened, that your ears may hear, that your heart may be filled with the light of Christ. The Holy Spirit awaits you. Christ seeks to know you. Open the door and let him in!
