It is amazing that 27% of the Bible is dedicated to end times events including the rapture of the Church Age saints, the tribulation, the 2nd Advent, and millennial kingdom of Messiah King Jesus. It is of utmost importance to gain a good understanding of what is written to us, and what is written for our learning. Remember, “Things different are not alike. Things different are not the same.”
MR DeHaan: To confuse kingdom truth and church truth is to confuse the word of God and hinder the work of God.
Matthew 16:21-28 is a pivotal moment in the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. It is the first time he clearly explains his mission in going to Jerusalem – to suffer many things, die, and resurrect from the dead. Peter, who had just had his name changed from Simon, and given the keys to the kingdom of heaven (all the information of what it will take to enter the literal, physical messianic kingdom), rebuked the Lord, rejecting any notion that there was going to be suffering and death. Jesus quickly put him in his place revealing that Peter was acting like Satan himself – Get thee behind me Satan!
Not long after this painful rebuke, just a few weeks later in Matthew 19:27-30, when Jesus was approached by the rich young ruler concerning what it takes to go there, Peter, speaking on behalf of all the apostles, wanted to know what their reward was going to be since they forsook all to follow Christ. Jesus reveals that they would all be serving in the kingdom, sitting on 12 thrones judging the 12 tribes of Israel in the regeneration of the nation in kingdom.
Peter carries the theme of this promise into the book of Acts. Acts 2:14-40 records his message at Pentecost, declaring that all should repent and be baptized for the remission of sins to receive the Holy Ghost. Acts 3:17-26 is Peter's second recorded sermon after the ascension of the Lord. He reinforces the kingdom plan concerning the refreshing / restitution of all things was soon to be accomplished. It merely required that the Jews repent, and be converted, that there sins may be blotted out. He now understood that what Jesus told him in Matthew 16 had to come to pass in order for the nation to be restored.
This message was superseded by Paul in his ministry to the Gentile world. The direct revelation given him by the Lord himself (Galatians 1:11-24) revealed a different plan of salvation for all humanity, Jew and Gentile alike.
Acts 13:38-39: 38 Be it known unto you therefore, men and brethren, that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins: 39 And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the law of Moses.
When you contrast Peter's message to Paul's message you can easily see that the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ paid the price for all trespasses, and forgiveness has been given that all who believe in the propitious death of Christ are reconciled to God and justified receiving the righteousness of Christ himself. Paul preached the forgiveness of sins. Peter preached repentance and conversion in order for sins to blotted out.
These are two very different messages from men who were both filled with the Holy Spirit. This is not contradictory when you rightly divide scripture to understand that Peter's message was to a Jewish audience seeking to restore the nation to God in order to usher in the messianic kingdom. Paul's message still resonates today to all who will call upon the name of the Lord.
Romans 10:9-13: 9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Things different are not alike! Things different are not the same!
