Matthew 16
1 The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting desired Him that He would shew them a sign from heaven.
After all they had seen and heard they still refused. This is just like most of the world today.
2 He answered and said unto them, When it is evening, ye say, It will be fair weather: for the sky is red.
"Red in the morning, sailors take warning; red at night is a sailors
delight." A sailors expression, roots from The Word of God.
3 And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O ye hypocrites, ye can discern the face of the sky; but can ye not discern the signs of the times?
They think flesh and earthly, not able to see spiritually. I pray your awake, knowing what time it is.
4 A wicked and adulterous generation seeketh after a sign; and there shall no sign be given unto it, but the sign of the prophet Jonas. And He left them, and departed.
Jona in the belly three days was the sign a what was to come to Christ. These Pharisees and Sadducees didn't really care for a sign, they had murder in them.
5 And when His disciples were come to the other side, they had forgotten to take bread.
You don't need physical bread when you have spiritual bread with you
6 Then Jesus said unto them, Take heed and beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
You add leaven to make bread bigger and these Pharisees and Sadducees are adding their own doctrines to The Truth. Take heed = beware!
7 And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have taken no bread.
Don't ever let anyone add or take away what Christ Jesus has given.
8 Which when Jesus perceived, He said unto them, O ye of little faith, why reason ye among yourselves, because ye have brought no bread?
Christ want's them to see "The Bread" is right in front of them.
9 Do ye not yet understand, neither remember the five loaves of the five thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
Couldn't they see how it fed them?
10 Neither the seven loaves of the four thousand, and how many baskets ye took up?
Why can't they see what is His and what isn't? Can you tell the difference of The Truth of God and a lie? I hope so!
11 How is it that ye do not understand that I spake it not to you concerning bread, that ye should beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees?
Don't you remember about the parable of the sower and the tares? The leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees are the lies they add to The Word.
12 Then understood they how that He bade them not beware of the leaven of bread, but of the doctrine of the Pharisees and of the Sadducees.
Then the disciples understood it wasn't literal bread, but The Word He spoke of.
13 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?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?
Those who truly follow Him, know Who He truly is.
16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.
"The Christ" = "The Anointed One"
17 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.
It was The Holy Spirit that reveled this to Him.
18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.
Christ is telling Peter it's on the Rock of Christ Jesus that His church is built on, and neither the gates or powers of hell, satan and his systems can't prevail against Christ Jesus.
19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.
The keys of the kingdom of heaven is the understanding of The Truth. That key can unlock our minds and without it we will walk in darkness.
20 Then charged He His disciples that they should tell no man that He was Jesus the Christ.
This is because Christ told the religious people of that day, the only sign they would be given was the sign of Jonah. After He had went into the grave, risen after three days and three nights, then it could be told who Christ Jesus was.
21 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.
Hebrews 2:14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, He also Himself likewise took part of the same; that through death He might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
22 Then Peter took Him, and began to rebuke Him, saying, Be it far from Thee, Lord: this shall not be unto Thee.
23 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.
Peter refused what must be, so The Lord is straightening Peter out.
24 Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.
It about following The Word, not this flesh.
25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for My sake shall find it.
What do you live for? This will determine if you have life, having it abundantly and forever.
26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?
What is your purpose? Why do you wake up each day? If your truly awake, you understand this weeding of good and evil. You understand your purpose †
27 For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and then He shall reward every man according to his works.
This day is fast approaching, and I mean FAST. We are the last generation to see ALL things come to pass. Reward or punishment, the choice is ours.
28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in His kingdom.
If you're awake to The Truth, you understand full well Christ is come HERE with His kingdom on that last trump and we all will answer for the good or bad we have done.