Matthew 26:69-75 is about Peter denied Jesus.
If one does not want to become true witness or he rejects the true testimony, someday he will become false witness for sure, even denying Jesus as Peter did.
Peter denied Jesus three times as follows.
Matthew 26:69-70
26:69. Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, "You also were with Jesus of Galilee."
26:70 But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you are saying."
Matthew 4:18-20
4:18. And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
4:19 Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."
4:20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
Jesus called Peter and his friends by the Sea of Galilee to become fishers of men.
Thus, denying Jesus of Galilee equals to denying the calling and election of God.
II Peter 1:10-11
1:10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
1:11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Therefore;
Matthew 4:21-22
4:21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them,
4:22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.
Jesus called and elected four disciples, namely Peter, Andrew, James, and John, while there were five people there, including Zebedee.
Why?
Revelation 4:6-7
4:6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.
4:7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
It happened because there are four living creatures around the throne of heaven.
The ministry of Jesus in the world is in line with the pattern of heavenly kingdom or Tabernacle).
Our ministry in the world must be in line with the pattern of Tabernacle or heavenly kingdom.
There are two things we have to heed as follows.
4:7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
4:8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!"
If we minister according to the pattern of heavenly kingdom with the four characteristics of Jesus in our life, God will trust us to have six wings as follows.
If one does not want to become true witness or he rejects the true testimony, someday he will become false witness for sure, even denying Jesus as Peter did.
Peter denied Jesus three times as follows.
- Verse 69-70: Peter denied Jesus of Galilee.
- Verse 71-72: Peter denied Jesus of Nazareth.
- Verse 73-75: Peter denied Jesus even cursed and swore.
Matthew 26:69-70
26:69. Now Peter sat outside in the courtyard. And a servant girl came to him, saying, "You also were with Jesus of Galilee."
26:70 But he denied it before them all, saying, "I do not know what you are saying."
Matthew 4:18-20
4:18. And Jesus, walking by the Sea of Galilee, saw two brothers, Simon called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen.
4:19 Then He said to them, "Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men."
4:20 They immediately left their nets and followed Him.
Jesus called Peter and his friends by the Sea of Galilee to become fishers of men.
Thus, denying Jesus of Galilee equals to denying the calling and election of God.
II Peter 1:10-11
1:10 Therefore, brethren, be even more diligent to make your call and election sure, for if you do these things you will never stumble;
1:11 for so an entrance will be supplied to you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Therefore;
- You who have not ministered yet must pray that you can receive the calling and election of God.
- You who have ministered also must pray solemnly that you will never deny or leave the calling and election.
Matthew 4:21-22
4:21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them,
4:22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.
Jesus called and elected four disciples, namely Peter, Andrew, James, and John, while there were five people there, including Zebedee.
Why?
Revelation 4:6-7
4:6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back.
4:7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
It happened because there are four living creatures around the throne of heaven.
The ministry of Jesus in the world is in line with the pattern of heavenly kingdom or Tabernacle).
Our ministry in the world must be in line with the pattern of Tabernacle or heavenly kingdom.
There are two things we have to heed as follows.
- Flesh with all its lusts, ambition, or soft heart, et cetera may not influence us.
Zebedee, who was not called and elected, was left although he was the father James and John.
The truth of heaven is more than pity. - There is separation.
It begins from a father and his son like Zebedee was separated from James and John, even two people on one bed can be separated also.
Therefore, we have to be solemn and pray much more that we can be lifted up when Jesus comes a second time someday.
- LION = Peter in the world = Lion of the tribe of Judah in heaven, namely Jesus as King.
Revelation 4:7
4:7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
Psalm 20:6, 9
20:6 Now I know that the LORD saves His anointed; He will answer him from His holy heaven With the saving strength of His right hand.
20:9 Save, LORD! May the King answer us when we call.
The character of King or the Lion of the tribe of Judah is having victory over Satan.
I Peter 5:8-9
5:8. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
5:9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
Be alert! Be careful about hearing anything!
How soft the voice of Satan is, it only causes man to sin.
On the contrary, how hard the voice of prophetic Word or the true teaching Word is, it brings sanctification to the sons of God.
How can we face Satan or the negative meaning of the lion?- We have to be shepherded well and solemnly to the one true teaching Word.
Do not intrude!
Only shepherd can defeat the lion while the sheep is not able to do anything! Therefore, the main need of a sheep is the Shepherd.
If pastor in the world receives the revelation of God’s Word, there will be Jesus, the Great Shepherd, who is present to plead us.
Wandering system is dangerous! It can happen as follows.- One is not in the sheepfold.
- One is in the sheepfold but not wholeheartedly. He doubts and hesitates the Word of God even likes to hear strange voices.
The shepherding is place to make our faith firm until it cannot be defeated by Satan. - One is not in the sheepfold.
- We humble ourselves.
I Peter 5:6
5:6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
Peter means small stone.
It is the small stone which makes one fall!
Thus, we have to confess our sin, beginning from the small ones, to God and other people. We must not do it again after being forgiven but we have to live in righteousness.
As a result, we are in the mighty hand of God. We are exalted to be successful and employed in the revival of Holy Spirit at the latter rain.
- We have to be shepherded well and solemnly to the one true teaching Word.
- MAN = James in the world = Jesus as a Man.
Revelation 4:7
4:7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
II Corinthians 4:1, 16-17
4:1. Therefore, since we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we do not lose heart.
4:16 Therefore we do not lose heart. Even though our outward man is perishing, yet the inward man is being renewed day by day.
4:17 For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory,
The character of Jesus as a man is being willing to suffer without any sin.
If we are willing, we will not lose heart facing all things such as suffering and hindrance.
Why does God let us face the suffering without any sin?
To make us experience the renewal of life from carnal man to spiritual one as Jesus is.
Ministering in order to seek something that is pleasant for the flesh is not the system of heavenly kingdom!
The signs of spiritual man are as follows.- James 1:26
1:26 If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.
Being able to bridle the tongue.
The tongue is used only to confess sin, to say righteous words, to bear witness and worship God.
Do not say vain words or gossips none may account for! All of them must be accounted for when Jesus comes a second time.
If one cannot bridle his tongue, all his service and ministry are meaningless! - James 1:27
1:27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
Remember other people who suffer physically and spiritually.
Suffering spiritually means one is in sin or he does not serve God anymore.
- James 1:26
- CALF = Andrew in the world = Jesus as Servant.
Revelation 4:7
4:7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf,the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
The characteristic of a servant that is needed is 'obedience'= only to do the duty, without insisting right.
Matthew 4:21-22
4:21 Going on from there, He saw two other brothers, James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother, in the boat with Zebedee their father, mending their nets. He called them,
4:22 and immediately they left the boat and their father, and followed Him.
The fishermen make activities to fulfill their self-interest.
The fishers of men make activities to the interest of heavenly kingdom.
Andrew sacrificed his self-interest or all his rights until he could be obedient to become the fishers of men.
Andrew had to leave his nets, referring to his job, parents, et cetera.
If a servant of God keeps the self-interest or right, he will never obey God but become rebel!
The widow Zarephath is another example.
Isaiah 49:1-4
49:1. "Listen, O coastlands, to Me, And take heed, you peoples from afar! The LORD has called Me from the womb; From the matrix of My mother He has made mention of My name.
49:2 And He has made My mouth like a sharp sword; In the shadow of His hand He has hidden Me, And made Me a polished shaft; In His quiver He has hidden Me."
49:3 "And He said to me, ‘You are My servant, O Israel, In whom I will be glorified.’
49:4 Then I said, ‘I have labored in vain, I have spent my strength for nothing and in vain; Yet surely my just reward is with the LORD, And my work with my God.’"
The ministry with obedience is ministry which can please or glorify God.
It is especially for us in Bride Tidings that we are insisted to have the obedience.
It is only obedience that we need to minister in short distance or far distance ministry!
Although our ability is only little, we MUST be able to glorify God if we are obedient!
If we are disobedient, the trust of God will be moved to other person! He never forces us.
The result will be real as follows.
" Yet surely my just reward is with the LORD, And my work with my God. "
Our reward and work are in in the hand of God and none may snatch them, both for our present life in the world up to the eternal one in heavenly kingdom.
God never fools us. - EAGLE = John in the world = Jesus as the Son of God.
Revelation 4:7
4:7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
The character of the Son of God is holiness, referring to white color.
We have to live in holiness.
How can we live in holiness?
I Peter 1:22
1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit in sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,
We must be obedient to the true teaching Word, so we can have the sanctification and live in holiness.
Afterwards, there must be sincere love of the brethren that we can love one another fervently with a pure heart.
In addition, we can love God more than anything.
We have to live in holiness, beginning from things other people often belittle!
John experienced the sanctification through the work of sanctification Word and Holy Communion, so he could love God more than anything. On the contrary, Judas Iscariot rejected the sanctification.
John 13:21-23, 26-27
13:21 When Jesus had said these things, He was troubled in spirit, and testified and said, "Most assuredly, I say to you, one of you will betray Me."
13:22 Then the disciples looked at one another, perplexed about whom He spoke.
13:23 Now there was leaning on Jesus’ bosom one of His disciples, whom Jesus loved.
13:26 Jesus answered, "It is he to whom I shall give a piece of bread when I have dipped it." And having dipped the bread, He gave it to Judas Iscariot, the son of Simon.
13:27 Now after the piece of bread, Satan entered him. Then Jesus said to him, "What you do, do quickly."- We get chance to experience double sanctification through Bible Study Service with Holy Communion until we can love God more than anything and we can lean on Jesus’ bosom.
- On the contrary, Judas Iscariot, who rejected the sanctification, almost became Satan that Satan entered him or being one with Satan.
- We get chance to experience double sanctification through Bible Study Service with Holy Communion until we can love God more than anything and we can lean on Jesus’ bosom.
4:7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle.
4:8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!"
If we minister according to the pattern of heavenly kingdom with the four characteristics of Jesus in our life, God will trust us to have six wings as follows.
- Luke 13:34
13:34 "O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!
Two wings of a henare given to us, weak chicks. The two wings refer to the two hands of God’s mercy which are able to do the things as follows.- To preserve and protect us, who are powerless, in the midst of difficulties and impossibilities in the world.
- To make us warm and joyful in the midst of suffering.
- To preserve and protect us, who are powerless, in the midst of difficulties and impossibilities in the world.
- Psalm 55:6
55:6 So I said, "Oh, that I had wings like a dove! I would fly away and be at rest.
Two wings of doveequal to the two hand of God’s mercy to fly away passing the wind and storm in the world.- To give us peace and rest. We have no doubt or anxiety.
- To solve all problems even the impossible one, seeing that wind and storm can be made still.
- To give us beautiful future life. The ship can sail again after the wind and storm are still.
- To give us peace and rest. We have no doubt or anxiety.
- Revelation 12:14
12:14 But the woman was given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness to her place, where she is nourished for a time and times and half a time, from the presence of the serpent.
Two wings of a great eagleequal to the two hands of God’s mercy as follows.- To flee us to the wilderness, far away from the presence of antichrist.
We are protected and preserved directly by God there. - To exalt us on glorious clouds to meet and become one with Him forever.
- To flee us to the wilderness, far away from the presence of antichrist.