Christ is Arrested and Denials of Knowing Him Follows

Luke 22:54-62

Jesus has been betrayed and is now arrested and being held in the house of the one in charge over all the people. The equivalent of the FBI, Homeland Security, or Chief of Security (Chief Officer over all the guards) is there along with other influential leaders. Peter is following Jesus from a safe distance to see what is happening to Him. Peter is careful not to be caught following Jesus Christ, but he is able to see inside the place where Jesus is. When fingers start pointing at him as being a member of Christ’s group, he denies any connection to Jesus.

“Then seizing Him, they led Him away and took Him into the house of the high priest. 
Peter followed at a distance.”
Luke 22:54

Today, it is already like that, where those who want to hold to the testimony of Jesus Christ are following from a safe distance. People are very cautious about being seen as a follower of Jesus Christ. It’s easy to see how Christians are tossed aside and how rapidly laws and constitutions are changing to exclude Godly values and beliefs. That is what all the protests and shouting is about relating to changing the laws to favor everything that God’s word warns against. The FBI, Homeland Security, and every other chief law enforcement agency will have the followers of Jesus Christ on their watch-list. Even as they do today in this year 2022. Their intent is to kill the Spirit of Christ, to kill Christianity, and to keep people as far away from Jesus Christ as possible. That is how things are governed under the mark of the beast. Followers of Christ are against the “progressive” changes that come through the mark of the beast.

“And when some there had kindled a fire
in the middle of the courtyard and had sat down together,
Peter sat down with them.”
Luke 22:55

There is already a fire kindled against those who lift up the banner for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. There is an enormous push to change societies around the world and it doesn’t include followers of Christ. Populations around the world are living by the mark of the beast and they don’t intermingle with Christians. They despise the Gospel and call the followers of Christ, “Haters.” I know that from personal experience. I used to enjoy going to public events, and I would drive to Columbus, Ohio to participate in the large festivals, such as the Ohio State Fair. I would find a seat in a group of a people, make myself comfortable, and be a part of the community event. Not anymore, and I haven’t for years. The love of the world has gone cold, the friendliness of the world has gone cold, and enjoying human fellowship has gone cold. The only warm thing is the fire that is kindled against those who live for Jesus Christ.

“A servant girl saw him seated there in the firelight. She looked closely at him and said,
“This man was with Him.” But he denied it. “Woman, I don’t know him,” he said.
A little later someone else saw him and said, “You also are one of them.”
“Man, I am not!” Peter replied.
About an hour later another asserted, “Certainly this fellow was with Him, for he is a Galilean.”  Peter replied, “Man, I don’t know what you’re talking about!”
Luke 22:58-60a

The “firelight” seems to be the only light in this world today, where opponents of the mark of the beast are seen and singled out with bad intentions. The community is groomed to believe that the followers of Jesus Christ are mean-spirited and hateful people who don’t have a humanitarian bone in their body. Christians are considered to be bitterly judgmental. That comes from the one that forms thoughts, emotions, and behaviors to mold beliefs. Those universal beliefs are in all those who live by the mark of the beast. They are quick to point out the enemy, to finger them, to make them uncomfortable within their community. They consider the Gospel of Christ and Christians to be their enemy. They use fear and intimidation to cause people to deny Christ and to give up on trying to follow Him. When one makes an accusation then later on another will come along and make another accusation, then a while later another will add to the accusations. They are all on the same sheet of music to intimidate, harass, and to fill a person with fear to kill Christianity.

“Just as he was speaking, the rooster crowed. 
The Lord turned and looked straight at Peter.
Then Peter remembered the word the Lord had spoken to him: 
“Before the rooster crows today, you will disown me three times.” 
And he went outside and wept bitterly.”
Luke 22:60b-62

The pressure that comes from the masses that live by the mark of the beast can be intense. It can be so intense that it causes an angry and reluctant denial of Jesus Christ. Following Christ from a safe distance isn’t safe enough for those who want to kill the Gospel of Jesus. They want to create an uncrossable gap. Even so, Jesus Christ sees us, He looks at us, and He wants us to remember that He told us these things would take place. He knows and He is in control. There is remorse and bitter weeping to deny Christ who loves us, teaches us, guides us, and was crucified for us. Peter saw Christ surrounded by high-ranking officials, FBI agents, Homeland security, and all those who were ready to execute Him. Christ went to the Cross for Him, and it was too heartbreaking for Peter to see His Savior from a distance, ready to be crucified. After the denials, Peter would return to Jesus, follow Him as close as close can be, he would strengthen fellow Christians, and he even gave his own life for the Gospel.

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“….to you who do not hold to her teaching and have not learned Satan’s so-called deep secrets,“
‘I will not impose any other burden on you, except to hold on to what you have until I come.’”
“I am coming soon. Hold on to what you have, so that no one will take your crown.”
Revelation 2:24-25, 3:11