One of the last things Jesus asked, “Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me (John 21:17)?” Peter was grieved because he had been asked 3 separate times. Just like when Jesus was standing in the Sanhedrin, or palace of the High Priest, being mocked throughout his trial, He had warned Simon Peter of what was coming, but Peter couldn’t imagine such a thing. Then as Simon Peter stood amongst the people and warmed himself by a fire he was asked, “art not thou one of this man’s disciples? He saith, ‘I am not (John 18:17).’” And just like that the three admissions of denial became three admissions of love and affirmation.
I see that as a restoration of faith for Peter, yet there was still more to this equation.
After Peter looked upon the Lord and assured Him that he indeed loved him, the Lord
took opportunity once more to warn him of what was to come his way… “Verily, verily, I say unto thee, ‘When thou wast young, thou girdedest thyself, and walkedst whither
thou wouldest: but when thou shalt be old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and
another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not (John 21:18).’” So we can see the Lord prophesying that Peter will live to be of old age and, until then, have a freedom to go about where he would choose. But a time would come when it would be curtailed and he would be led to his cross.
Tradition teaches that Peter was indeed older when he was killed in Rome. In fact, he
asked to be nailed upside down because he thought himself unworthy of sharing in the exact same death Jesus had suffered, who had been cursed for our sake being hung from a tree (Galatians 3:13). Yes, the years for Peter’s final days were somewhere in the range of 63 to 68 A.D. to my recollection. Which would be 30 some years after Jesus’ ascension to heaven and Pentecost.
When Peter was in Rome his second epistle told us that he was close to the end of his
days… “Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our Lord Jesus
Christ hath shewed me (2 Peter 1:14).” At this time, I can see Jesus’ words flashing
through Peter’s mind, ‘Peter, when you are old, others will lead you where you don’t
want to go.’ And Simon Peter would pray and begin to lift up those that he’d be leaving behind.
But Peter had another near death experience several years prior. One that was a
precursor of events foretold. It happened about 15 years after Jesus ascended to the
Father somewhere around the 45th year A.D. At that time King Herod was seeking to
persecute the church because he found it favorable in the Jewish leaders eyes. As such
he grabbed 2 of Jesus’ inner circle of disciples, James and Peter. In Acts, chapter 2, we
find what he did with them, “‘and he killed James the brother of John with the sword
(v2)’.. and then waiting for Passover and Easter to finish, ‘Peter was kept in prison
(v4)…”
This brings me to our next point with our journal entry. Even though things look bleak and very much fit end time scenarios, it is not the final end times. We are at a precursor. One which is trying to cause similar situations, but it is out of order. See, Peter was destined to live to an old age and then be led against his will to a hill not of his choosing and crucified. Herod was jumping the gun.
Make no mistake, Christ’s church played a huge part in Peter’s release. Acts tells us
this… “but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have brought him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the Angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands (Acts 2:5-7).” Yes, the Church prayed Peter through his perilous time and he was led out by the Angel of the Lord in the light and free from bondage!
Today, let the Church arise once more and pray fervently to be released from the
darkness that is seeking to hold the nations hostage. The veil was torn 2000 years ago
with Christ’s sacrifice, but the clouds of gray have settled in to attempt to block the rays of Light from heaven. If we join together and offer continuous prayer for the darkness to be lifted and the light of the Lord to shine brightly once again, we too, can be delivered from this oppressive state and overreaching lords.
Let us not falter nor waiver in doing good but be fervent in prayer and good deeds,
because then we will bring in a bountiful harvest (Galatians 6:9).
Godspeed, The Journeyman
Ps. Today let us take time for our christian brethren throughout the world. Let us stand in the gap for those who need it. Armor up, Ephesians 6! Lord bring your light of revival! May rainbows light up the earthly skies in a praise to You! Pray church PRAY! Use Matthew 6:9 as a starter if needed. And remember, the kingdom of heaven is within you!
John 14: 27 KJV “Peace I leave with you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let
not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.”
John 18: 17 KJV “Then saith the damsel that kept the door unto Peter, Art not thou also
one of this man’s disciples? He saith, I am not.”
John 21: 17-19 KJV “ He saith unto him the third time, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me? Peter was grieved because he said unto him the third time, Lovest thou me? And he said unto him, Lord, thou knows all things; thou knows that I love thee. Jesus saith unto him, Feed my sheep. Verily, verily, I say unto thee, When thou wast young, thou girdedst thyself, and walkedst whither thou wouldest: but when thou are old, thou shalt stretch forth thy hands, and another shall gird thee, and carry thee whither thou wouldest not. This spake he, signifying by what death he should glorify God. And when he had spoken this, he saith unto him, Follow me.”
Acts 2: 5-7 KJV “Peter therefore was kept in prison: but prayer was made without ceasing of the church unto God for him. And when Herod would have Brough him forth, the same night Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains: and the keepers before the door kept the prison. And, behold, the Angel of the Lord came upon him, and a light shined in the prison: and he smote Peter on the side, and raised him up, saying, Arise up quickly. And his chains fell off from his hands.”
Galatians 3: 13 KJV “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a
curse for us: for it is written, ‘cursed is every one that hangers on a tree.’”
Galatians 6: 9 KJV “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall
reap, if we faint not.”
2 Peter 1: 14 KJV “Knowing that shortly I must put off this my tabernacle, even as our
Lord Jesus Christ hath shewed me.”
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