And I tell you, you are Peter [Greek, Petros—a large piece of rock], and on this rock [Greek, petra—a huge rock like Gibraltar] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the infernal region) shall not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or hold out against it]. Matthew 16:17-19
In perhaps one of the most interesting finds this week, I viewed a video where this gentleman was listing then calculating numerical totals of three wars: WW1; WW2, and the Ukraine War.
Below are his calculations:
- WW1 started: 7-28-1914: add 7+28+19+14=68
- WW2 started: 9-1-1939: add 9+1+19+39=68
- Ukraine War started: 2-24-2022: add 2+24+20+22=68
Biblical perspective of War
War is a terrible yet necessary thing. Truth be told, the only benefactors of war are only those who finance them. Nevertheless, there are more just wars than others, but war is and always is the horrible result of human sin. Romans 3:10-18
The Book of Wisdom, Ecclesiastes 3:8 declares, “There is …, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
The unique calculation of 68 of these three wars caused me to investigate further to discover if there was any sign that I may find beneficial or educational. In researching the number 68 in the Hebrew Dictionary (Lexicon-Concordance), below is the essence of my findings that encouraged this week’s blog post.
To Build A Stone
According to my search on the number 68, the Hebrew Dictionary list, the term ‘eben (eh’-ben) by definition means to build; a stone, a common stone. The words rock and stone in the Holy Scriptures refer to the prime elements in ancient foundation used as metaphors signifying:
- Strength
- Steadiness
- Durability
And I tell you, you are Peter [Greek, Petros—a large piece of rock], and on this rock [Greek, petra—a huge rock like Gibraltar] I will build My church, and the gates of Hades (the powers of the infernal region) shall not overpower it [or be strong to its detriment or hold out against it]. Matthew 16:17-19
Bible students and theologians over the years vary in who after Peter’s divine disclosure of Jesus’ identity as the Messiah, was the “Rock” in question Peter and or Jesus?
The above Matthew 16:17-19 use two different meanings of Jesus’s wordplay of Peter. It reveals Peter as [Petros means a small stone, John 1:42] with the term, “petra” [on this rock] which means a foundation boulder. This is noted in Matthew 7:24, 25 when He described the rock on which the wise man builds his house.
Peter himself uses the same imagery in his first epistle: the church is built of numerous “small Petros” [living stones] 1 Peter 2:5, who like Peter, faithfully confess that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God.
Such universal confession of faith in Christ is the very bedrock of the Church.
Foundation and Head
The New Covenant makes it very clear that Christ is both the foundation [Acts 4:11,12; 1 Corinthians 3:11] and the head [Ephesians 5:23] of the church. Christ is called the “chief cornerstone” [1 Peter 2:6,7]. The chief cornerstone of any building was that upon which the building is anchored.
It is upon this Rock-I will build my Church, was the very initial occurrence of this term church [ecclesia] used in the New Covenant. The ecclesia was the “house of God” [1 Timothy 3:15], being built together into a dwelling of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.
The ecclesia was a “holy temple” in whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom each believer also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirt. Ephesians 2:21
All gifts were bestowed for the work of ‘edifying or building the ecclesia up [1 Cor. 14:3-4; Eph. 4:12]. Those faithful believers who labored in such labor of love were “wise architects or master builders.”
The Word states that each man/woman be careful how they build upon it. “Let no man/woman can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid by Christ. 1 Corinthians 3:10-11
As the head and foundation, Christ Jesus claims the work of building as His own. Whatever others may do, He is the Master-builder. He is the Founder and the Foundation of His very own and unique spiritual society of the “Called Out Ones.”
The Gates of Hell
In Ancient cities, most were surrounded by walls. The gates by which people would enter were the principal places for holding courts, transacting business, and deliberating on public matters. The term “gates” therefore is used for counsel, designs, places of plotting, evil purposes.
The idea of gates also indicated a source of power. Jesus’ reference to the gates of hell shall not prevail against it is the Greek word “katischyo” which means “to be superior to or to overcome”.
His proclamation that all the power of hell and death could not overcome His supreme power as the Rock in His very own birthing, building, nurturing, and delivering the Body of Christ as His called-out assembly of peoples of all nations.
Closing Sentiments
As the head and foundation, Christ Jesus is our faithful Petra—our very own huge rock of Gibraltar. He is so because of His faithful capacity to withstand great force or pressure from the opposition against His divine ecclesia.
Secondly, He as the chief cornerstone of His Body is not shaking but is continuous in the supernatural development, frequency, or intensity of building up His church until she is mature.
Lastly, nothing in heaven nor earth can overthrow His ecclesia because He is endowed with the supernatural divine ability and authority to withstand pressure or damage to His foundation which is being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirt and is the very pillar and support of the truth for now and all eternity. Amen
