Summary of Bible references on the Rapture

The outer darkness where there is weeping and gnashing of teeth

54 Then took they him, and led him, and brought him into the high priest's house. And Peter followed afar off.

This is a strange part of the story because it is about Peter, not the Lord. Do not follow the Lord afar off, either be all in or all out.

55 And when they had kindled a fire in the midst of the hall, and were set down together, Peter sat down among them.

Don't be something you are not. Peter is not a spy and yet he is hoping to be close enough to spy out what is going on. We call these Christians "secret agent Christians".

56 But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him.

How terrifying, a maid! No doubt Peter saw himself as a leader among the apostles, he is the one with the keys to the kingdom, a great spiritual warrior and we discover without the Spirit filling him he is like a flat tire.

57 And he denied him, saying, Woman, I know him not. 58 And after a little while another saw him, and said, Thou art also of them. And Peter said, Man, I am not. 59 And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilaean. 60 And Peter said, Man, I know not what thou sayest. And immediately, while he yet spake, the cock crew. 61 And the Lord turned, and looked upon Peter. And Peter remembered the word of the Lord, how he had said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice.

We need an honest appraisal. The Lord told Peter he would deny Him and He did. You might think that Jesus was mean, or harsh, or insulting. That is a mistake. He is simply giving Peter an accurate and timely warning. We need to be very careful about how we receive a word from other brothers and sisters. Our first response may be to get offended, but we need to take it to the Lord. Is this word from the Lord? Is this the Lord warning us? Is it a true and fair assessment?

62 And Peter went out, and wept bitterly.

He went out into the "outer darkness" where there is "weeping and gnashing of teeth".

They are judging themselves and that judgment will convict them

63 And the men that held Jesus mocked him, and smote him. 64 And when they had blindfolded him, they struck him on the face, and asked him, saying, Prophesy, who is it that smote thee? 65 And many other things blasphemously spake they against him.

We have been told that things will grow worse and worse that is why we are compelled to contend for the faith. This chapter began with the Passover drawing near, we see Jesus shining a light on the kingdom of darkness. We see that even Peter cannot stand on his own and is cast into outer darkness where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. Now we can understand this question "where wilt thou that we should prepare for the Lord's coming". In this chapter we are told to behold the hand of him that is betraying the Lord. There is so much to learn in this chapter. The goal is that when we get to this type of persecution we could stand because it will be a great and terrible day.

66 And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying, 67 Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: 68 And if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go.

God is not going to violate our free will. He knows if they have decided to not believe, He knows if they will refuse to answer Him.

69 Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.

He has everything He needs to judge them. They think they are sitting in judgment but in reality what is happening is the testimony that will convict them when they appear before His judgment seat.

70 Then said they all, Art thou then the Son of God? And he said unto them, Ye say that I am.

This is the charge against Jesus, hence they have said that He is.

71 And they said, What need we any further witness? for we ourselves have heard of his own mouth.

Do you see? When the Lord said you won't believe and you won't answer and you won't let Him go He is saying "I have not further need of any witness". With what judgment you judge you shall be judged. They aren't judging Jesus, they are judging themselves and that judgment will convict them.