Bible In One Year-Day 56 (Tuesday, February 25, 2014)

Our commentary is Matt16-18. It is true that many are called, but equally true that not all are chosen. To be called is different from being chosen. What singled Peter out was the revelation of Jesus he received. From the conversation, we could see that the flesh could reveal (drawing knowledge from physical observation) and God could give revelation. Jesus said “… for flesh and blood has not revealed …” The revelation of the flesh are the teachings we receive from man’s knowledge, especially from the bible schools and colleges. And one could be very brilliant in it to the extent of getting a PhD. That was the type of revelation the Pharisees and the Sadducees had, which Jesus told His disciples to be very careful about. Classes upon classes we attend are not bad; at least they impact knowledge of the word of God into you. It edifies us, i.e. it builds and improves our moral and religious knowledge. In terms of revelation, this is another level of the truth. In revelation, a veil is removed to see what is at the other side of it (light and understanding might not go with it to give interpretation). That is, human element or natural element is removed by divine means for you to have a glimpse of the other side (outside of the natural). The benefits of this are that it changes your status, thinking, stand and orientation. It is an evidence of God giving you attention. This, in most cases, comes after serious prayers. With revelation you fight spiritual warfare. And that is why Jesus said “… the gates of hell shall not prevail ….. and whatsoever you bind on earth …” Having revelation does not mean that one has the fullness of the understanding of it. This is why some have revelation after prayers and still confused, however, they could narrate it just as Joseph did to his brothers. This is the need to pry vision. The power of vision is unfathomable. You will get a better understanding of these two things by comparing Matt16:17 and Matt17:9.

Matthew 16:17 “And Jesus answered and said to him, Blessed art thou, Simon-Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father who is in heaven.”

Matthew 17:9 “And as they were descending the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.”

In the former, Jesus referred to what Peter said as being revealed but in the latter, He called what happened as vision. On the mount of transfiguration, the disciples saw Moses and Elijah with Jesus. That was revelation, but without understanding. Peter then said they need to build tabernacles. But a cloud covered them and they heard a voice which humbled them and they were afraid. That word from heaven gave light and understanding to them. The light and understanding made the difference between revelation and vision and this is what God said we should run with; VISION. You will notice that immediately after that, the question of the disciples was to challenge the knowledge they got from the scribes and also gave better understanding of who John the Baptist and Jesus were, Matt17:13. Vision swallows all doubts, becomes fire in the bones and propels you with an unusual force. I would have shed more light into this but the scope of this writing is a limitation. Meanwhile, in summary, only the Holy Spirit could give the light and understanding. By the time Joseph stood before Pharaoh, the Spirit of God was already working in Him; he had moved from receiving revelations to seeing and interpreting visions. You need the Holy Spirit. He is the God in us. Unfortunately, He is the most ignored by Christians. Prayer: Holy Spirit, rest on me, in the name of Jesus. Next mile on the trip is Matt19-21. Keep the fire burning and alive. IT’S ALL ABOUT JESUS.