Revelation

“When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" So they said, "Some [say] John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed [this] to you, but My Father who is in heaven. "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it. "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." Then He commanded His disciples that they should tell no one that He was Jesus the Christ. From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!" But He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men."” (Mt 16:13-23 NKJV)


Men certainly had their opinions about Jesus. Some were convinced John the Baptist had risen from the dead, others thought Jesus was a great prophet, perhaps Elijah. They were correct in a sense, but mostly wrong. Anyone can have an opinion, but to get it right, one must have REVELATION about Jesus. Peter said, by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, "You are the annointed one, the Son of the Living God". Yes, Peter, this is right. And you know what else? You did NOT think of this, but you were inspired by the Holy Spirit. Based on this confession wrought in revelation, Jesus builds His Church.

Nothing has changed. Men still have opinions about Jesus. They are all partly wrong. None of them threaten the devil's territory. If we are to be transformed, it will be by the daily Word proceeding from the mouth of God. We consider the testimony of the old saints. Isaiah might well have thought himself a decent chap. But then he is given admission to the Throne of God, and he is undone. He knows that no one sees the LORD and lives. Yet when the angel took the coal, and touched his lips, Isaiah was ready to go back to the people to boldly proclaim what he had seen. "Here am I, send me!".

The LORD has shown me that Revelation is the key to transformation. The Spirit led me to a UCC congregation in town, and the preacher said, "What you believe about Jesus will affect how you live today, and where you live in the future". True enough, but based on WHAT is our belief? Some preacher told you? You studied the life of Christ and came to a conclusion? Not good enough. Not even close. Only Holy Spirit revelation builds the church, the gates of Hell never prevailing.

Revelation about Jesus is given as a gift. One does not decide to get a revelation. One does not suudy until it comes. True revelation is by the Holy Spirit, not "flesh and blood". One can, though, ask.

“that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what [is] the width and length and depth and height— to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” (Eph 3:16-19 NKJV)