Matthew 16:13-20, 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 are John the Baptist: some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. 15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? 16 And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou are the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed are thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood has not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven. 18 And I say also unto thee, That thou are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. 20 Then charged He His disciples that they should tell no man that He was Jesus the Christ.
In Matthew 16:18, Jesus is referring to the thousand years of peace mentioned in the book of Revelations. This thousand years period is how God will fulfill His promise to the obedient children of Israel. Also, it is the final great kingdom mentioned in the book of Daniel, Jesus will rule it with a rod of iron. Everyone will be taught doctrine by Jesus and His appointed priests; God will make everybody worship Him alone for 1 day or 1000 years before the 2nd resurrection. In 16:18, Jesus is showing Peter where He is going to build His Church on that rock[Mountain]during the thousand years. Jesus is going to make Peter one of His priests at that time and give him authority as described in verse 16:19.
The beginning of the 1000 years of peace
Ezekiel 37:4-6, Again He said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the Lord. 5 Thus saith the Lord God unto these bones; Behold, I will cause breath to enter into you, and ye shall live: 6 And I will lay sinews upon you, and will bring up flesh upon you, and cover you with skin, and put breath in you, and ye shall live; and ye shall know that I am the Lord.
Here in Ezekiel 37:4-6, God is showing Ezekiel the first resurrection; He is going to call forth the obedient children of Israel and resurrect them [within the scope outlined in this prophecy] along with those that died for God and the word of God, everyone else will remain asleep until the 2nd resurrection and be judged accordingly. King David will be included here and Jesus will appoint him king over Israel for the thousand years, Jesus is the One Shepherd.
Proof that Jesus will fulfill this prophecy [as described]
John11:11-15, These things said He: and after that He saith unto them, Our friend Lazarus sleeps; but I go, that I may awake him out of sleep. 12 Then said His disciples, Lord, if he sleep, he shall do well. 13 Howbeit Jesus spoke of his death: but they thought that He had spoken of taking of rest in sleep. 14 Then said Jesus unto them plainly, Lazarus is dead. 15 And I am glad for your sakes that I was not there, to the intent ye may believe; nevertheless let us go unto him.Â
John11:17, Then when Jesus came, He found that he had lain in the grave four days already.
John11:23-27, Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again. 24 Martha saith unto Him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day. 25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes in Me, though he were dead, yet shall he live: 26 And whosoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Believe thou this? 27 She saith unto Him, Yea, Lord: I believe that Thou are the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
John11:39-44, Jesus said, Take ye away the stone. Martha, the sister of him that was dead, saith unto Him, Lord, by this time he stinks: for he has been dead four days. 40 Jesus saith unto her, Said I not unto thee, that, if thou would believe, thou should see the glory of God? 41 Then they took away the stone from the place where the dead was laid. And Jesus lifted up His eyes, and said, Father, I thank Thee that Thou has heard Me. 42 And I knew that Thou hear Me always: but because of the people which stand by I said it, that they may believe that Thou has sent Me. 43 And when He thus had spoken, He cried with a loud voice, Lazarus, come forth. 44 And he that was dead came forth, bound hand and foot with graveclothes: and his face was bound about with a napkin. Jesus saith unto them, Loose him, and let him go.
Caesarea Philippi [Church location on this mountain; shown to Peter in Matthew 16:18]
Ezekiel 37:22-24, And I will make them one nation in the land upon the mountains of Israel; and one king shall be king to them all: and they shall be no more two nations, neither shall they be divided into two kingdoms any more at all: 23 Neither shall they defile themselves any more with their idols, nor with their detestable things, nor with any of their transgressions: but I will save them out of all their dwelling-places, wherein they have sinned, and will cleanse them: so shall they be My people, and I will be their God. 24 And David My servant shall be king over them; and they all shall have One Shepherd: they shall also walk in My judgments, and observe My statutes, and do them.
Here in Ezekiel 37:22-24, God’s going to set up His kingdom upon the mountains of Israel, confirming David will be His appointed king, Jesus, being above all, is the One Shepherd. During this time everyone on earth will be taught doctrine and required to follow it, every knee will bow, by Jesus and His appointed priests. [Leading up to the return of Christ; His people had to suffer through the wicked rule of the devil, beast, and false prophet.]Â
Church Jesus is telling peter about
Ezekiel 37:26-28, Moreover I will make a covenant of peace with them; it shall be an everlasting covenant with them: and I will place them, and multiply them, and will set My sanctuary in the midst of them forevermore. 27 My tabernacle also shall be with them: yea, I will be their God, and they shall be My people. 28 And the heathen shall know that I the Lord do sanctify Israel, when My sanctuary shall be in the midst of them forevermore.
Here in Ezekiel 37:26-28, God is speaking of His sanctuary, tabernacle He will be setting up in the midst of them. This is the Church Jesus is referring to when He is talking to Peter in Matthew 16:18, He is showing Peter its location. [Kind of like; someone that bought a plot of land, telling a friend where their house will be placed when it’s built.]
The Roman Catholic Church leaders
Have led many astray by the misrepresentation of this scripture. They have corrupted the word of God before the people. Changing it as they see fit and telling their followers that a “man Pope” has the same authority as God; so they openly change the Gospel to suit their needs. This is a wicked thing to do!.. God and His word will not change!..
Psalms 25:14, The secret of the Lord is with them that fear Him; and He will show them His covenant.Â
