Matthew 16:16-17 NKJV
16 Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because My Father in Heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being.”
Jesus said Peter was blessed BECAUSE this revelation came from His Father in Heaven. After Jesus announced the blessing, He prophesied to Peter about his future:Matthew 16:18 NKJV
“And I also say to you that you are Peter, (a piece of rock) and on this rock (large mass of rock) I will build My Church, (Ekklesia – the entire congregation of all who are called by and to Christ, who are called out to represent Him in all of His ways, the anointed children of God) and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it.”
In verse 17, Jesus refers to Simon Peter as Simon the son of the man named John. But in this prophetic word being released, He calls him Peter, the Peter that would help lead the New Testament Church that would be able to overcome the gates of hell. I want you to know that the Church Jesus prophesied to Peter about is still going strong through those who get a revelation that Jesus is the Christ – the Messiah, the Anointed One, our Risen Savior! Peter had been walking with Jesus at a certain level up to this time. He knew that everything changed when He was around. Miracles were normal. No demon from hell could overtake him or anyone else when Jesus was on the scene. He didn’t realize that Jesus was living in Kingdom Realities – that His Father’s will in Heaven was the same as His will was on earth. Jesus was just producing the results to show this reality to those that followed Him. How would Peter live in the Kingdom of Heaven while on earth? The same as we are to live.Matthew 16:19 NKJV
“And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in Heaven.”
He would have keys to the reign of the abode of God. And from that place whatever he petitioned for on earth would be petitioned in the heavenly realm, and whatever he broke up and destroyed on earth would be broken up and destroyed in Heaven. He would have the power to see God move as he interacted with God’s will being done on earth as it was in Heaven. From this moment forward, Peter began transforming more and more. Through the experiences he had as Jesus led him into walking on the sea, healing the sick, and casting out demons, he partnered with Jesus as he engaged in Kingdom business. Jesus was well aware that Peter’s declaration of that revelation that came to Peter from the Father would be essential for him to become the Peter that would rise out of those ashes from denying Him. Instead Peter would operate by the fire of the Third Person of the Trinity that would ignite within him. The biggest transformation would come AFTER Jesus ascended to Heaven and the promise of the Spirit coming to live within became a Kingdom Reality, as promised.John 14:16-17 NIV
16 And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Counselor to be with you forever 17 the Spirit of Truth. The world cannot accept Him, because it neither sees Him nor knows Him. But you know Him, for He lives with you and will be in you.
Then on the day of Pentecost, this was that!Acts 2:1-4 NIV
1 When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from Heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that separated and came to rest on each of them. 4 All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.
Then, further revelation came as people tried to figure out in their human minds what was happening.Acts 2:5-6 NIV
5 Now there were staying in Jerusalem God-fearing Jews from every nation under Heaven. 6 When they heard this sound, a crowd came together in bewilderment, because each one heard them speaking in his own language.
Acts 2:13 NIV
Some, however, made fun of them and said, “They have had too much wine.”
When the Kingdom of God is in operation, the things that the Spirit will accomplish will not be able to be comprehended by our natural senses, because the Kingdom of God operates through our spiritual senses. We are in the year where we are going to be more and more aware of this. I want you to get your expectations up that what happened on this wonderful day of the birthing of the New Testament Church is going to continue through YOU, through US, this year. In the midst of this supernatural event, Peter received another revelation by the Spirit of God that would change the trajectory of his life. It would put in order the Kingdom truths for the New Testament Church realities that needed to be the foundation for the future of the Church until Jesus returns!Acts 2:14-17 KJV
14 But Peter, standing up with the eleven, lifted up his voice, and said unto them, “Ye men of Judaea, and all ye that dwell at Jerusalem, be this known unto you, and hearken to my words: 15 For these are not drunken, as ye suppose, seeing it is but the third hour of the day. 16 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel. 17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of My Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.”
From this moment forward, Peter began to preach with the ability to penetrate hearts with the truth as the Holy Spirit moved through him as never before. When the Spirit of God is bringing revelation through you, it opens up even the most difficult mindsets to new truth to change lives. It is a blessing for us to move forward with God with the help of the Third Person of the Trinity. And you will have results as never before!Acts 2:37 NIV
When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
Spirit revelation cut through their hearts and they desired immediate change! Those that are in darkness all around us now will begin to receive and cry out for the real change needed. We get to be a part of that. Hallelujah! While thousands were there that day, the Holy Spirit had His way.Acts 2:41 NIV
Those who accepted his message were baptized, and about three thousand were added to their number that day.
ACTIVATION: Grab your Bible and pray. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you a revelation that you have not realized before. I suggest you read something out of the book of Acts – your choice – but beyond Chapters One and Two. It can be wherever you choose. Just read each word and expect something to be highlighted to you that will bring a deeper meaning than you have ever seen before. The Word is alive! Enjoy! PRAYER: We are so grateful to pray “OUR FATHER” knowing that You hear us and Your will is for Your Kingdom to come through us as You always intended. You sent Holy Spirit to dwell within us, and we are asking Holy Spirit to make us aware and lead us to more divine opportunities to live out Your Kingdom daily. We want to see souls saved individually and by multitudes. Please allow us to be bold as we receive Holy Spirit revelation. Lord, we want to take You at Your word, and partner with Your heart to continue Your mission to disciple, empower and transform individuals, cities, and nations. We are grateful for the opportunity, Lord. May we move together with one heart, one soul, and one mind! Amen.
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