1 Peter 1:10-12
Scripture: 10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven-- things into which angels long to look. (NASB)
Exposition: This salvation that Peter has been discussing was prophesied by the prophets in the Old Testament. These prophets prophesied that Christ would suffer and be glorified ( e.g. Isa 61:1-3). However, they were not sure how to put the suffering and glorification together. That is why many of the Jews during Jesus' time (and today) missed the mark. They expected Messiah to be glorified, but not to suffer. That was beyond their understanding. This is evident when Peter says that the prophets "made careful searches and inquiries." The prophets searched the scriptures to understand this paradox, but were unable to obtain any understanding. Only after the resurrection of Jesus is one able to comprehend the suffering and glorification of Christ, and then not completely.
Just like many Christians today try to understand the timing of Christ's return, the Old Testament prophets sought to know the timing of Messiah's arrival. Even though the prophets had the Spirit of Christ in them, which is a reference to the Holy Spirit, they still were not privy to the exact times and events, only that these things were going to happen. Take notice, too, that here we have a distinction between the Divine author and his human writers. The Holy Spirit was doing the indicating and predicting; the prophets were writing these revelations down. This is known as "inspiration." The prophets were penning what was being revealed to them by the Holy Spirit. The prophets did not fully comprehend what they were writing, and thus sought to know the "person or time" and "sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow."
The prophets knew that what they were seeing and writing down was not only for them. The revelations they were receiving would be partly fulfilled in their time, but more importantly in the future. The same is for Peter; not all of the revelations had been fulfilled in his day. The suffering of Christ happend, but the glorification was not and is not complete. That is still a future event, one that we await with anticipation. We, however, are not the only ones awaiting the fulfillment of revelation, for we are joined by angels. They, too, are mystified by the grace of God and are waiting to see how it all plays out in the end.
Application: The grace of God is a deep mystery. The prophets of old prophesied about it, yet did not understand it. The angels, who have direct access to God, are completely mystified by His grace. How much more should we be in awe? Let us search the Scriptures to gain a better understanding of grace, but more importantly a deeper love for the One who provides that grace. Let us praise God for his grace. Let us join with the angels declaring: "Holy, holy, holy, is The Lord God, the Almighty, Who Was and Who Is and Who Is To Come" (Rev 4:8).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are abounding with grace. We don't always understand grace, but are thankful that You grant it to us through our faith in Jesus Christ. May You help us in understanding Your revelations, not that we may predict upcoming events, but so that we may fall ever more in love with You. You inspired men of old to write down Your word, and we thank you that we are able to access Your word still today. May You continue to lift us up in order that we may praise, glorify, and honor You. In the name of Jesus Christ and by the Spirit we pray. Amen.
Scripture: 10 As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 11 seeking to know what person or time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven-- things into which angels long to look. (NASB)
Exposition: This salvation that Peter has been discussing was prophesied by the prophets in the Old Testament. These prophets prophesied that Christ would suffer and be glorified ( e.g. Isa 61:1-3). However, they were not sure how to put the suffering and glorification together. That is why many of the Jews during Jesus' time (and today) missed the mark. They expected Messiah to be glorified, but not to suffer. That was beyond their understanding. This is evident when Peter says that the prophets "made careful searches and inquiries." The prophets searched the scriptures to understand this paradox, but were unable to obtain any understanding. Only after the resurrection of Jesus is one able to comprehend the suffering and glorification of Christ, and then not completely.
Just like many Christians today try to understand the timing of Christ's return, the Old Testament prophets sought to know the timing of Messiah's arrival. Even though the prophets had the Spirit of Christ in them, which is a reference to the Holy Spirit, they still were not privy to the exact times and events, only that these things were going to happen. Take notice, too, that here we have a distinction between the Divine author and his human writers. The Holy Spirit was doing the indicating and predicting; the prophets were writing these revelations down. This is known as "inspiration." The prophets were penning what was being revealed to them by the Holy Spirit. The prophets did not fully comprehend what they were writing, and thus sought to know the "person or time" and "sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow."
The prophets knew that what they were seeing and writing down was not only for them. The revelations they were receiving would be partly fulfilled in their time, but more importantly in the future. The same is for Peter; not all of the revelations had been fulfilled in his day. The suffering of Christ happend, but the glorification was not and is not complete. That is still a future event, one that we await with anticipation. We, however, are not the only ones awaiting the fulfillment of revelation, for we are joined by angels. They, too, are mystified by the grace of God and are waiting to see how it all plays out in the end.
Application: The grace of God is a deep mystery. The prophets of old prophesied about it, yet did not understand it. The angels, who have direct access to God, are completely mystified by His grace. How much more should we be in awe? Let us search the Scriptures to gain a better understanding of grace, but more importantly a deeper love for the One who provides that grace. Let us praise God for his grace. Let us join with the angels declaring: "Holy, holy, holy, is The Lord God, the Almighty, Who Was and Who Is and Who Is To Come" (Rev 4:8).
Prayer: Heavenly Father, You are abounding with grace. We don't always understand grace, but are thankful that You grant it to us through our faith in Jesus Christ. May You help us in understanding Your revelations, not that we may predict upcoming events, but so that we may fall ever more in love with You. You inspired men of old to write down Your word, and we thank you that we are able to access Your word still today. May You continue to lift us up in order that we may praise, glorify, and honor You. In the name of Jesus Christ and by the Spirit we pray. Amen.
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