Monday, January 7, 2013

1 Peter 1:10-12

10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you, 11 searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into.

 
Vs. 10 "Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,"

Throughout the ages God's prophets carefully inquired, searched, and sought out the salvation that God promised was to come; that would restore and bring His grace to believing humanity. Pictures of this salvation and grace are seen in person's such as Abraham, and passages such as Genesis 15:6 where God says of Abraham, because Abraham believed God's Word and Promise spoken to him, God counted that to him as righteousness before Him. Now that same principal is at the heart of the Gospel's Message. That it is what one believes, and thus receives about the Lord Jesus Christ (or does not believe) that will either justify or condemn them (consider John 3:16-21, 35-36).

Vs 11-12 "searching what, or what manner of time, the Spirit of Christ who was in them was indicating when He testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into."

Throughout the Old Testament God gave clear prophecies and imagery to His prophets by the Spirit of Christ to reveal both Jesus Christ's Crucifixion and death (consider Psalm 22; Isaiah 53), as well His Resurrection from the dead (Psalm 16:10) and the glories that would follow. That is the glories that now come to us all who believe in Jesus, and so we may become partakers of the Divine Nature by God's Spirit because of Jesus' Christ's Crucifixion death first atoning for all our sins, then His Resurrection from the dead by which He not only brings us to life, but also He frees us from enslavement to our old sin natures and desires (Rom 6:3-6), and then His Ascension back to God the Father by which He now reigns and is undoing (and or redoing) in our lives all that sin, Satan or we ourselves (or others) have ruined.
And so beginning at Pentecost Jesus poured out His Spirit on all those who believe so as to make them partakers with Himself of all of His glories. Some of which will be clearly seen in this life, and some of which are to follow; which will not be fully revealed until the Kingdom of heaven. Therefore Jesus continues to work mightily to effect the salvation of everyone who believes in Him through the the Gospel. Bringing to life and transforming (i.e. regenerating) the persons and lives as new creations in Christ (2 Cor 5:17) all who repent and believe (Mark 1:15). Thus we who believe are now washed and sanctified and justified in the Name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of God (1 Cor 6:11). 
Cleansed from and forgiven all our sins, we are given new natures and new desires, being both empowered, as well as united by His Holy Spirit, who is making us all fit for the Kingdom of heaven, as well manifesting Jesus Christ through us to all as His chosen and elect people here on earth, of both Jews and Gentiles. Spiritually equipping and qualifying us all for His witness and work now on earth. And so the Old Testament prophets though they foresaw saw some of these things; of both Christ's and our own resurrection (Isaiah 26:19; Daniel 12:2). They did not know the timeline, nor exactly how all these things would unfold. All they knew is that God would visit His people in their time of need and bring them, and all who believe, to Himself in one nation with His Anointed One (i.e. the Christ or Messiah) having provided atonement for them in answer to their prayers (Psalm 65:1-3; 78:8-13) but also in fulfillment of His Word (Deut 32:43). So that He might lead and rule us forever (Isaiah 2:1-4; 25:6-8). So all of creation both in the heavens and the earth will be recreated into a new order in which God's reign in Christ will be universal. And so it was revealed to the prophets that what they were ministering then were not things to be fulfilled in their day, (though many of their words had an application then) but that there would be a Day when the glorious grace of God would be extended to all because of the Jesus Christ's Crucifixion at Calvary. And thus "To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which angels desire to look into."
And so it is the same Holy Spirit who spoke through the prophets also speaks to us through the Biblical Apostle's writings. Speaking of things which angels desire to look into. For though they are God's servants and eye witnesses of God's work, there are many things that are kept from them, yet are revealed to us, His children, who bear His image and have His Spirit within us. It is then the greatest of privileges to both know God through His Son, but also to be taught and instructed by Him who speaks to us by His Spirit through the Apostles and prophets. But it all begins with a heartfelt decision to believe what God has said about His Son the Lord Jesus Christ and receive Him and His Words into ones heart and life (John 1:12; Rev 3:20). Putting all of ones trust in what He has done to save us all from our sins and the judgment to come, which will fall on all who do not repent and believe; who did not receive the love of the truth, which is fully found by faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and obedience towards His gospel.
If you have not yet done that then please open your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ and receive His Words, salvation, and life into your own by simply believing that God's loves you and has sent Jesus to die on the cross for you, then He rose from the dead so that you could have remission of all your sins and eternal life the moment you believe in Him. For truly the prophets tell us that "the just shall live by faith" Hab 2:4, that is faith in what God has done for us all, not what we have done for ourselves or anyone else.


Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982

 






















 

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