The Vatican Necropolis lies under the Vatican City, at depths varying between 5–12 meters below Saint Peter's Basilica. The necropolis was not originally one of the Catacombs of Rome, but an open air cemetery with tombs and mausoleums of the Foreigner Cemetery from the time of Peter's death.
The First Vatican was improved from 325 AD until abandoned in 1309 and burned in 1377.
The first building was in the same architectural pattern of the Royal Stoa of Jerusalem's Temple.
c. 1966 the remains of Peter's house in Capernaum, Israel. Similar graffiti as Paul's tomb.
The slab that kept out moisture, thieves. Slab (a rock) helping to preserve Peter's body when the others' remains around him were already dust.
The red wall with graffiti saying this is Peter, follower of Jesus Christ. Identical art found to Peter's home in Capernaum.
Original 2nd century tomb the 4th century tomb surrounded.
The discovered bones were found in the repository wall and later returned. This is a Jew who is 62 years of age. His feet follow the Church History about Peter's feet being cut to take him down from the cross Peter died upon.
Darker bones are the remaining bones of Peter.
Photos of Peter's bones.
Peter's tomb today, located under the altar in St. Peter's Basilica, Vatican City, Italy
John 13:36-38
Simon Peter said to him, “Lord, where are you going?”
Jesus answered him, “Where I am going you cannot follow me now, but you will follow afterward.”
37 Peter said to him, “Lord, why can I not follow you now? I will lay down my life for you.”
38 Jesus answered, “Will you lay down your life for me? Truly, truly, I say to you, the rooster will not crow till you have denied me three times.
Patmos Island, Apostle John who stayed with Jesus on Good Friday, came to Patmos, exiled by the Roman Emperor Titus Flavius Domitianus in 95 A.D.
Josephus spoke of the mature Olive Trees surviving the Destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem
in 70 AD. The rings of the trees would show these could be one and the same.
The Disciple John was with Jesus on Good Friday.
John 21:20-24
20 Peter turned and saw the disciple whom Jesus loved following them, the one who also had leaned back against him during the supper and had said, “Lord, who is it that is going to betray you?”
21 When Peter saw him, he said to Jesus, “Lord, what about this man?”
22 Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!”
23 So the saying spread abroad among the brothers that this disciple was not to die; yet Jesus did not say to him that he was not to die, but,
“If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you?”
24 This is the disciple who is bearing witness about these things,
and who has written these things, and we know that his testimony is true.
We live in the New Covenant. Just as we see the Disciples have glimpses of understanding and Heaven, we are the Easter People who know Jesus. We who innately Love Jesus - want to hear more and more and more about God's Love. We want to stand and be strengthened by God who says His Mission is to save the world in Jesus Christ.
We fully understand life has costs. And there are hard choices to make, but each day don't we long for Father God to pat us. I know I do.
And I want to think of John - the Loyal Disciple having the incredible view from Patmos. Having done the hard work - to hear of Tertullian's testimony (De praescript., xxxvi), John had been thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil before the Porta Latina at Rome without suffering injury. John was fortunate to be banished. Even if he was just utterly ruined. Yet... Instead, history records him as alive and vital. Fighting Gnostics in the 2nd Century. Explaining Jesus to unruly Jews. Irenaeus, bishop of Lyon c. 180 writes of John's very long life into the 2nd Century.
We fully understand life has costs. And there are hard choices to make, but each day don't we long for Father God to pat us. I know I do.
And I want to think of John - the Loyal Disciple having the incredible view from Patmos. Having done the hard work - to hear of Tertullian's testimony (De praescript., xxxvi), John had been thrown into a cauldron of boiling oil before the Porta Latina at Rome without suffering injury. John was fortunate to be banished. Even if he was just utterly ruined. Yet... Instead, history records him as alive and vital. Fighting Gnostics in the 2nd Century. Explaining Jesus to unruly Jews. Irenaeus, bishop of Lyon c. 180 writes of John's very long life into the 2nd Century.
Revelation 1:9 states:
"I, John, both your brother and companion in tribulation... was on the island that is called Patmos for the word of God and for the testimony of Jesus Christ."
The choices made on Good Friday by Peter and John live in Heaven in God's Amazing Grace.
The Book of Hebrews says this:
Hebrews 3:14-15
14 For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold
our original confidence firm to the end.
15 As it is said,
“Today, if you hear his voice,
do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion.”
Ephesians 2:8-9
8
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith
—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God
— 9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
The rooftop Vatican Apostle Statues look out over an obelisk...
Caligula captured the obelisk standing in St. Peter’s Square.
Roman Emperor Caligula built a small circus in his mother’s gardens at the base of Vatican Hill where charioteers trained and where Nero is thought to have martyred the Christians. To crown the center of the amphitheater, Caligula had his forces transport from Egypt a pylon from the original position, standing in Heliopolis, "City of the 'Sun'". Out of Egypt, I called My Son. Matthew 2:15 The obelisk, made of a single piece of red granite weighing more than 350 tons, was erected for an Egyptian pharaoh more than 3,000 years ago. In 1586, it arrived in the present location in St. Peter’s Square, where this does multiple duties as a giant sundial.
God, The Almighty, precisely knows the purpose of us all. God sees hearts. Our Father knew Peter was married. And Jesus knew not to tap His own brothers on the shoulder for His Grace upon Grace Ministry. And yet...
1 Corinthians 9:5
Don't we have the right to take a believing wife along with us, as do the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Cephas?
Moses was a has-been Prince of Egypt. Peter was married and made massive mistakes. Peter was cut down from a cross, in a poverty section of Roman foreigners. The ministry ended. John might have been the first Pope and was not. John fell off the Ministry map to care for Jesus' Mother, Mary. Titus retired to Crete, and lived to have Joy for a long, good life. The rural, backwater, Nazareth family of Mary and Joseph is recorded for generations by Historians known for millenniums - having seen the world and being loving, loyal and brave.
Ephesians 2:8-9
For by grace you have been saved through faith.
And this is not your own doing;
it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Jeremiah 29:11
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord,
plans for welfare and not for evil,
to give you a future and a hope.
Abba, Father,
The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God
and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
May Jesus Christ dwell in your hearts through faith—that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
I can do all things through Christ who gives me strength.
Nevertheless, you have done well to share in my present difficulties.
In Jesus, we can Trust Your Plans.
1 Corinthians 15:52
In a flash, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet.
For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable,
and we will be changed.
And in that day,
We will know All of God's Promises.
We are not dust.
Children of God's, not flowers in the field.
Children of God, Heirs in Jesus Christ for His Purpose.
Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow
we belong to Jesus Christ
Sealed with His Highest Name.
The Lord Jesus hold us this Easter.
We ask His Willing Blessings on this Nation.
And upon the earth, His fullness and Good Creation.
Help our Families this Easter,
Father God. In Jesus Christ!
Blessings on Elliott and his family, for Healing.
I've had a lot of sleeplessness in this Season
of moving my mom and doing this job
to the best of my abilities. May God Strengthen us
and Help us to finding Him First. Amen.
Thank You Jesus,
Help us to Seek You First
and Bless those we Love
with Your
Perfect Willingness.
Always Alleluia in Jesus Christ.
All Things Work Together for Good
for those who Love the Lord
and Work according to His Purpose.
Amen in Jesus Christ!
We ask in the Highest Name of Jesus
and in His Righteousness
and Favor. Amen.