THE WORDS OF JESUS
Creative, Causative, Prophetic, Instructional – Part 59
“You will fall away”
”And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Then Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away because of me this night. For it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.” Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.” Jesus said to him, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” Peter said to him, “Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you!” And all the disciples said the same.”
The Words of Jesus, Matthew 26:30-35
These verses, as typically taught, focus on Peter’s denial of Jesus. However, Jesus, by these Words, has set a series of prophetic events into motion that will forever change the world and ultimately completes the plan of the Father for all of humanity, the heavens and the earth, for all eternity.
The words of Jesus in these verses seem to put the responsibility (or blame) on the disciples for falling away from Jesus and the faith. But a closer look at the text and an inspection of the Greek language tells a different story. Clearly, Jesus says, “You will all fall away because of me”.
Jesus says that He is the cause of the disciples ‘falling away’ (Skandalízō – to set a snare, (a “stumbling-block“); (figuratively) “to hinder right conduct or thought; to cause to stumble” – literally, “to fall into a trap”; To trip up (figuratively, stumble (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure) — (make to) offend), and the falling away is not a permanent abandonment of Jesus by the disciples, but is a ‘trap’ set ahead of time in order to initiate a test to sift the disciples (see Luke 22:31) in preparation for Jesus’ return to Galilee after His Resurrection. (see John chapter 21. Also see Matthew 28:16-20.)
This event led to the Jesus giving of the Great Commission, (and your command, as a disciple of Jesus, to go and make disciples), His ascension, the imparting and the coming of the Holy Spirit, Pentecost, the first of many salvations by God’s grace through faith in Jesus, leading to the breaking of the 5th Tribulation Seal of the great apostasy and the great latter-day persecution of the saints. God is using this event, the results of this ‘falling away’, to purge, refine and cleanse Believers, current and future, perfecting them and us through these trials and tribulations into the image of Jesus.
His judgment of the earth and all people is coming, and when it is completed, He will make a new heaven and a new earth for His perfected creation. A perfect home in His perfect presence, for all eternity.
Fall Away: Skandalízō – to set a snare, (a “stumbling-block“); (figuratively) “to hinder right conduct or thought; to cause to stumble” – literally, “to fall into a trap”; To trip up (figuratively, stumble (transitively) or entice to sin, apostasy or displeasure) — (make to) offend.
Further insights on this prophetic event from:
Mark 14:26 “And when they had sung a hymn, they went out to the Mount of Olives. Verse 27And Jesus said to them, “You will all fall away, for it is written, ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep will be scattered.’ Verse 28. But after I am raised up, I will go before you to Galilee.”
Luke 22:31 “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat, verse 32, but I have prayed for you that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned again, strengthen your brothers.” Verse 33. Peter said to him, “Lord, I am ready to go with you both to prison and to death.” Verse 34. Jesus said, “I tell you, Peter, the rooster will not crow this day, until you deny three times that you know me.”
Peter, in response to Jesus, said, “I will never fall away”. But Jesus corrects Peter, saying, “Truly, I tell you, this very night, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times.” This time, perhaps to help Peter understand what He means, Jesus says Peter will DENY Him, (instead of ‘fall away’), or perhaps Jesus means Peter will both fall away (fall into a trap or be tripped up by these events) and will disown or repudiate Jesus. And, it is important to notice that all the disciples said the same.”
This is relevant as a reminder that we, too, are subject to a ‘falling away’ in the sense of being ‘tripped up’ in order that Satan may sift us in preparation for God to purge us, refine us and cleanse up in preparation for His return – this time instead of Galilee, His return to ‘earth on the clouds at the sound of the Trumpet to gather His elect from the four winds of the earth’.
God has given you a free will and the power of choice. You must choose whether to accept and engage this prophetic unfolding, or to reject it and rebel against what God has prepared for you. One way leads to eternal life and the other to a spiritual death, an outer darkness with wailing and gnashing of teeth. Either way, this is taking place, even as I write the words. Please choose, wisely.
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young
NEXT: THE WORDS OF JESUS THE WORDS OF JESUS – What Are You To Do With Them?, “Remain Here and Watch With Me”, Part 60
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