Matthew 16:13-20, Mark 8:27-33, Luke 9:18-20

Summary: Jesus has been active for over two years, and His disciples have been there to witness His teaching and miracles. He asks them a question that we all need to answer: “Who do men say that I am?” Your answer determines your eternal destiny.

So far, in reading about the life and ministry of the Lord Jesus, we see that He has been active for two years or more, preaching the Word, teaching the people, performing miracles of healing, deliverance from demons, feeding crowds, stilling storms, and showing His mastery over the elements by walking on the water. The teaching they and the people had heard centered on repentance and belief in the Gospel and the use of parables to verbally illustrate major issues dealing with commitment, discipleship, faith, truth, and spiritual growth and maturity.

At this point in the Gospel, Jesus and His followers were near Caesarea Philippi, a city located north of Galilee inhabited by Gentiles and named in honor of Augustus Caesar by the tetrarch Philip, a son of Herod the Great. The town was Roman in decorum and paganism. Few Jews dared to venture there.

It is here where Jesus stops and asks a two-part question – “Who do men say that I am?” The disciples gave Him the answers that were heard around the region.

Some said that He was a resurrected John the Baptist, the last of the Old Testament prophets who preached repentance and renewal. Herod Antipas believed that Jesus was John raised from the dead. The Baptizer had denounced the sins of Antipas and had been imprisoned and executed for it.

Still others claimed that Jesus was Elijah, who had been predicted to return to Earth and herald the arrival of God’s Messiah (Malachi 4:5-6). Elijah had been known in the Scriptures as a fiery prophet who condemned the idolatry and murders of King Ahab and his evil consort Jezebel, who were the worst of the rulers of Israel. He had warned them and the nation of impending judgment, calling fire down from heaven to show the reality and power of God. He then ordered the false prophets of the pagan gods to be killed for their acts of barbarity and leading the people astray (1 Kings 18:20-40). He was later taken to heaven by a flaming chariot sent by God (2 Kings 2:1-12).

Still others claimed that Jesus was one of the prophets of old like Isaiah, who had predicted the arrival of a King who would suffer for the sins of His people (Isaiah 52:13-53:12), or Jeremiah, who had predicted the downfall of the kingdom of Judah for its numerous sins. There was also Ezekiel, who saw the dry bones representing the nation of Israel come to life (Ezekiel 37). This was ultimately fulfilled with the return of the Jews to their homeland in 1948 and establishing the state of Israel.

All of these answers were good and acceptable, for they all described the lives and works of mighty men of God and the heroes of the people, but Jesus asked the disciples a similar question, for they had witnessed great things, and now it was their turn to face Him and be honest. The question was, “But, who do you say that I am?”

It is brash and bold Peter who comes forth with the answer, “You are the Christ [Messiah]” (8:29). Matthew had included the phrase, “the Son of the living God” (Matt. 16:16). Upon that confession of faith, the Lord Jesus said that HE would build His church (ekklesia – “called out ones”) (1 Cor.11:3; Ephesians 1:22, 4:15, 5:23; Colossians. 1:18, 2:19). This is wonderful news, and who would not want to share it? Jesus is talking about a people from throughout the world who would be entrusted to spread the Gospel, live by the Gospel, and be assured that the world, the flesh, and the devil would never prevail against its power and purpose that was founded on the Rock of Christ Himself, whom no man or devil can ever defeat or destroy. Yet, Jesus told them to say nothing for now. Why?

First, He was NOT the Messiah that the people expected. He would not muster an invincible army to crush Rome and be another David. Second, the people tended to ignore the fact that the Messiah had to suffer for the sins of the people (Isaiah 53). This idea of a “suffering Messiah” was not part of the people’s plan, nor was it of the apostles, yet Jesus explained to them that this must be so (v.31).

Peter opens his mouth again and does the unthinkable – he rebukes the LORD for what He had just said. Suffer? Die? Why, Jesus could not do that, and would not if Peter had anything to say or do about it. This is the same man who just a moment ago was confessing that Jesus was the Messiah and now was reprimanding Jesus for doing the work of the Messiah! Jesus would have none of it, calling Peter “Satan” to his face.

Peter was unknowingly doing the job of the adversary, attempting to prevent Jesus from fulfilling His mission. This rebuke not only hit Peter hard, but it affected the other disciples as well. This shook them and made them realize that the time they would have with the Master was probably coming to a conclusion, or worse, they may be the victims of either Antipas’ or Rome’s wrath for allying themselves with Jesus. A Messiah was a ruler, and Rome would have none of it, seeing it as insurrection, a crime punishable by crucifixion.

Was there going to be a price for following Him as He taught? It would seem so, and the future of the apostles would be a route leading to their death for just such an accusation. It was to be an accusation that they would not recant or ever deny, for they would be the eyewitnesses to the fulfillment of Isaiah 53 and the message of salvation that Jesus not only taught but demonstrated by HIs death and resurrection.

Nothing would prevent the Lord Jesus from fulfilling His purpose, nor will anything stop Him from returning to this world one day to make all things new, rid the world and souls from evil, and rule and reign forever as the King of Kings, to whom every knee will bow (Philippians 2:9-11), both friend and enemy.

Now here is where you need to take your stand and answer the question Jesus asked His disciples. Who is He to you? I implore you not to ignore or put off this question, as you have no guarantee of tomorrow (Proverbs 27:1; Luke 12:13-21: Acts 24:25; 2 Corinthians 6:2; James 4:13-17). Repent of your sins and turn to Jesus Christ for everlasting life, mercy, and peace. That was HIs purpose for coming to this world. Why would you want to throw away the opportunity to receive the salvation He freely offers you? Settle this today.

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Join me for “The Reality City Daily Review” weekday mornings at 10:00 CST on YouTube (USA). It will then be posted on Facebook and on my website. My main area of discussion will be on the basics of the Christian faith but will also deal with prophetic issues and other topics as the Lord impresses upon me to handle.

From 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18; “But we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope. For since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep. For this we declare to you by a word from the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from Heaven with a cry of command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the sound of the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then, we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore, encourage one another with these words” (any emphasis mine)

Then, 1 Corinthians 15:50-53; “I tell you this, brothers; flesh and blood cannot inherit the Kingdom of God, nor does the perishable inherit the imperishable. Behold! I tell you a mystery. We shall not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead shall be raised imperishable, and we shall be changed. For this perishable body must put on the imperishable, and this mortal body must put on immortality.”

Paul wrote these epistles to Christians of his day, giving them assurance that Jesus had not yet returned to call His believers Home, and that any who had fallen asleep – died – would not be left out. In 2 Thessalonians 2, he stated that the day would not come until just before the evil man of lawlessness would be revealed, and then the “rebellion,” or tribulation, would take place (vv.1–4).

Paul explains in verses 6–7 that what was “restraining” the antichrist had to be removed before he could be revealed. This would be the Holy Spirit who indwells all true believers while we are alive; and if the Holy Spirit is taken out of the way, then all believers would have to be removed as well. Then, the Rapture, as described in 1 Thessalonians and 1 Corinthians, would take place. It would also keep God’s promise to prevent believers from entering the wrath.

The assurance that all who perished and were in Christ would be raised first is evident in both epistles. Then, those who will be alive at the shout and trumpet sound would be taken up next. It seems like a very detailed, lengthy operation, but we’re told it will be in the “twinkling of an eye.”

When Jesus comes to call us up to meet Him in the clouds, He will “bring with Him those who have fallen asleep.” When a believer perishes on earth, that person’s soul goes to be with Jesus right then (Philippians 1:23). At the Rapture, the body and soul are reunited and converted to immortal, imperishable bodies. By the way, God knows where everybody that has ever perished is located, even if it’s only a very small particle that’s left. Those who are alive will be converted on the way up to meet with Jesus. This will practically be instantaneous. “Twinkling of an eye” is considerably less than one second, and God is very capable of doing this.

To even be a part of all this, one must have received and accepted Jesus as their Savior, Redeemer, and King. That process is described in Romans 10:9-13 and bears repeating once more. “Because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. For the scripture says, everyone who believes in Him will not be put to shame. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing His riches on all who call on Him. For everyone who calls on the Lord will be saved.”

It should be noted that when the Father repeats something, we should take special note. Three times in the above scripture, we’re told that all who follow this will be saved. That should leave no doubt, for anyone that has Jesus in their hearts will have an eternal Home with Him.

Another super benefit: Christians never say a permanent goodbye to fellow believers. At some point, known only to God, we will forever be with all who are saved. A very touching poem by Christian poet Pearl Leona Sturgis is “I’ll Be Looking for You.”

“I’ll be looking for you when the Trumpet shall sound, and I rise from the ground.

As the Heavens depart like a scroll, when I sail through the air, I’ll remember this prayer, for I’m paying today for your soul.

I’ll be looking for you when life’s journey is through and all burdens have vanished away! Now I’m asking the Lord, and my whole heart is poured in this prayer I am praying today.

Will you meet me someday in that Home far away, with no heartache nor sorrow to bear? In those Mansions sublime, may yours be next to mine; if we never meet here, meet me There!”

What a wonderful feeling to know that we will be with loved ones forever. That is, those who have followed the ABCs of Salvation. Admit (confess) we’re sinners, as all of us are (Romans 3:23; Romans 6:23). Believe Jesus is our Lord and that He was raised from the dead by the Father to cover our sins (John 3:16; John 14:6). And finally, Call on the name of the Lord and be saved (Romans 10:13).

There may be some who refuse to believe, or those who will choose to follow the false prophets’ teachings that there are many ways to Heaven, or that all religions worship the same god, or as long as you’re a good person, you don’t need Jesus. Their fate is clearly stated in Revelation 20:11-15. There can be no repentance after a person takes their last breath here, and for those who have not received and accepted Jesus as their Savior. Heaven or Hell is established at that instant.

Time is definitely getting short, as all the end-time prophecies are here right now. It’s only a matter of which moment that God has decided it will be. Just witnessing how evil, corrupt, and sinful this world has become is only a preview of the tribulation. It will get even worse, and those who remain for it will have chosen to do so.

Call on Jesus today – right now – and secure your place in Heaven with Him forever. Hopefully, I’ll See You There!

Maranatha!

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