There is a massive wall of rock that lines the walls of the city of Caesarea Phillipi. This type of rock was what the entire city was built upon. So, when Jesus was standing in this city, upon rock proclaiming, “I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock, I will build my church, (Ekklesia), and the gates of Hades, will not overcome it.” Matthew 16: 18; He was making a declaration.
Don’t you love it when we see Jesus making these prophetic declarations?
Jesus was calling Simon Peter “a rock,” declaring that he would be the rock of the church that Jesus Christ was going to build. He didn’t stop there, but then told Peter of his strength, only through Christ, that would overcome Hades. He is renaming Simon to Peter, whose name means rock, and declaring the strength of God in Simon, now named Peter. It’s all in a name, isn’t it? He knows our name. Yes, He calls us by our name.
When Jesus renamed Simon, was He giving us another prophetic picture?
I’ll let you decide! In heaven we are promised this: “And I will give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name written which no one knows except him who receives it.” (Revelation 2:17)
Making prophetic declarations while bringing forth revelation makes the declaration so much more powerful.
What do I mean?
Jesus was standing on rock while calling forth “the rock.”
Remember, as I mentioned earlier, the entire city of Casarea Phillipi, rock was the foundation the city was built upon.
I have heard it said, “When God speaks, His revelation is true at every level.”
Prior to Jesus calling forth Peter’s destiny, by naming him “the rock,” Simon was asked a very important question by Jesus. That question was, “Who do you say I am, Simon?” Matthew 16: 15
Take note of what’s happening here. See the progression:
- Peter had to answer correctly before He walked into his destiny.
- He had to know that Jesus is “The Rock,” the foundation of which we stand on.
- Jesus, “The Rock,” is now one with Peter, “the rock.”
- Big Rock and little rock are one in “The One.”
Diving deeper I learned:
- The word Petros in Greek means small or single stone.
- Peter was the Petros.
- The word Petra in Greek means boulder or foundation.
- Jesus was the Petra and never was identified as Petros.
- Yes, Jesus is our Rock and so much more.
“The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.” Psalm 18: 2
Confession of who Jesus is will begin the process of launching us into our destiny as His Ekklesia.
Peter didn’t just confess who Jesus was; He revealed who He was. That’s deep I know!
Revelation knowledge follows confession.
After Jesus asked Peter who He was, Peter answered Jesus, saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.” Matthew 16: 16-17
This divine revelation that Peter received and now revealed set him up for the supernatural ability to receive and release truth.
There’s a pattern I want us to see that we are to walk in as we carry out what we are called to. Peter’s call and destiny followed this pattern.
That pattern is:
- Confessing Jesus.
- Receiving Jesus.
- Revealing Jesus.
- Releasing Jesus.
This pattern makes up Ekklesia, the called-out ones. This is the DNA, the nucleus of this interesting word.
Our destiny in Christ, as His church, (Ekklesia), consists of confessing Jesus, receiving Jesus (the Truth), revealing Him, then releasing Him.
The Greek word for revealed is “apokalupto”, which is uncovering what is hidden (veiled, obstructed).
We call that revelation knowledge.
The Truth was revealed when Jesus asked the question. Why?
When God speaks, His revelation is true at every level, even entry-level. Peter is at the entry-level of walking into His purpose.
This is why our confession of faith is so important! This is why reading scripture out loud sometimes is important, too.
Confession is defined as a statement, a declaration, or an announcement.
Peter was announcing the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, and didn’t even know it.
Oftentimes, revelation is given without full understanding from the one who receives it.
What happens next in this progression?
After confession, Truth is released and revealed when we speak His name, Jesus, the Christ, our Messiah!
Folks, confession of who Jesus is opens the doorway for divine revelation and more truth.
There is so much more in God, He wants us to learn and yield to. It’s not just knowing, it’s for knowing and growing. He has promised to take us from glory, to glory.
I see that as an upward movement. Look at the two types of glory by recalling how Moses absorbed and reflected God’s glory for a time after being in His presence. He went up to be with God on the mountain.
I propose to you that:
The Ekklesia are the called-out and called-up ones. Every time we encounter God in prayer and worship we are called up.
Let’s consider and accept that:
God has always intended us to walk in this divine revelation and understand what was once hidden but now revealed. (apokalupto).
KINGDOM ASSURANCE
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