1 Peter 1:10-12—Longing, careful search
As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 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. 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. 1 Peter 1:10-12
As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you…
During Old Testament times prophets—like the rest of their fellow Hebrews—lived under the Law. But a theme was forming by the Spirit of God in their hearts—revelation of the grace to come which would usher in true salvation for “whosoever will”. This was a new thing—a thing never before known on the earth.
… the prophets…made careful searches and inquiries…
The prophets of Old Testament times were among the few godly people (only three categories: themselves, the prophets, and kings, and priests) who could expect to receive from the Spirit of God with any consistency. And yet it is evident that they were not hasty in declaring what they were sensing from Him. Before they uttered a syllable, they carefully searched the sacred Hebrew writings, checking what they were hearing from the Spirit with Holy Scripture.
Many voices abound in our time along with the promptings of the Holy Spirit. He resides within all believers and does not remain silent. Because of that, we in whom the Spirit dwells are to make careful search and inquiry into the written Word just like the holy men of old. You can never be too cautious to place the Word of God above every voice you hear—whether from without or within—and to test it all by the full counsel of God’s Word. This is an eternal safeguard for all who seek to follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit.
… 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.
The prophets all bore witness to this: The Messiah would suffer untold agonies, and that by His suffering, magnificent glories would follow for Israel and all mankind.
What was not clearly revealed to them was this: Who would be the One for whom they should look? When would He appear on the scene? Would He arrive during a time of peace and prosperity or in a season of chaos and calamity? Would they even recognize Him?
It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you…
Surely hope was being stirred deep inside of these holy men as the Spirit of Christ within them revealed snippets of a great salvation to come with the advent of Messiah.
And yet, as they prayed, sought the Scriptures, and probed the Spirit of God for clarity, every one of those prophets discerned a common thread: The revelations they received weren’t for themselves or their generation…the prophecies were for a generation yet to be born—and all those to follow. The revelations about the Messiah were for…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…
The prophecies of Messiah and the glorious salvation He would bring are now being proclaimed as the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The promise of salvation has arrived; good tidings of great joy has come and is graciously being proclaimed. The Holy Spirit from Heaven moves upon the preaching of the gospel; He attends both the listeners and the proclaimers.
…things into which angels long to look.
In our time, believers are intrigued by both the prophetic and the angelic. Yet strangely enough, the very thing which so many of us tend to take for granted—our salvation through Jesus Christ—is the one singular thing that both prophets and angels ached to see and understand.
More extraordinary than the prophetic move of our time is your eternal salvation in Christ. More glorious than the angelic realm surrounding us is your right standing with God through the death and resurrection of His Son.
Prophetic utterances and angelic visitations are indeed wonderful; yet the crown of all that God has accomplished is this: The salvation of men and women, boys and girls through personal, living faith in Christ who bore their sins…and yours.
Priorities. Joyful, glorious priorities.
Dorothy
© 2015, Dorothy Frick