Don't Lose Your Revelation
The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. John 1:29 (KJV)
God gave John the Baptist a revelation of who Jesus was. He proclaimed Jesus’ identity by the divine revelation of God.
Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples, And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them. And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me. Matthew 11:2-6 (KJV)
John the Baptist was in prison at this time and sends his disciples to talk to Jesus to make sure He was the Messiah. Jesus reassures John, telling his disciples to tell him of the miracles they have seen. And, He comments that blessed is the person who is not offended, or who does not stumble or fall away, on account of Jesus.
Persecution and hard times had come to John because of His revelation of Jesus as the Lamb of God and Savior of the world. The enemy always comes to steal the Word that we receive from God; the revelation He gives us. He was thrown into prison and he began to doubt what God had shown him. And Jesus’ words show us that John had become hurt and offended. Through offence, he had lost the revelation of who Jesus is. Jesus did not put John down for this. Instead, He reassured him that He was indeed the Messiah. However, He did point out there is blessing in not letting offense get in and steal the revelation we’ve been given. No matter what we face, we must not let it steal God’s Word from us. We cannot let go of the revelation we’ve received about who Jesus is.
When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven…..From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Matthew 16:13-17, 21-23 (KJV)
Like John the Baptist, Peter had received a divine revelation of Jesus’ identity. Yet, when Jesus began to tell of the mistreatment and death that He would face, Peter rebukes Jesus. So, Jesus had to rebuke satan who was using Peter to try to keep Jesus from fulfilling His destiny. Jesus told Peter that he did not have in mind the things of God but the things of man. And later, three times Peter denies knowing Jesus- out of fear. He allowed fear to steal the revelation of Jesus’ identity. But, after His resurrection, Jesus gave Peter three opportunities to declare his love for Him to restore Peter and to call him back into ministry.
When we confess Jesus, live for Him, and do His work, persecution will come for the Word’s sake. When the gray storm clouds come, don’t forget the Son is still there. We must hold onto God’s Word and refuse to lose the revelation God has given us.
