1 Peter 1:10-12

1 Peter 1:10–12 KJV (WS)

10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. 12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.

Introduction

We’ve seen the inheritance and the certainty of our salvation.

Second we see the purpose of the trials we face.

First certainty; next exultation; now the the divine means of bestowing both on the reader.

The gospel!

The Gospel and the OT Prophets.

Last week’s passage ended with an encouragement for those that suffer based on the current and future salvation of our souls.

This week’s passage builds on that as Peter starts by sharing some thoughts on this salvation that we have received.

I believe his purpose is to give us a greater appreciation for the magnificence of the gospel.

In verse 10, we see that the gospel is not some new idea that God came up with.

The trinity was laying the foundation for the gospel long before Jesus was born in a stable.

We can see it in the garden when God cursed the serpent.

We are told about it in Revelation 13:8 “8 And all that dwell upon the earth shall worship him, whose names are not written in the book of life of the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.”

The gospel was always God’s plan.

God used the Old Testament to begin revealing or unwrapping his plan for the gospel to man.

The gospel of the NT rests on the testimony of the OT.

Remove the testimony; remove the basis for the gospel.

Peter identifies three different ways that the OT prophets related to the Gospel.

They prophesied about it.

Prophets prophesied.

This is their character and function.

We expect these men to know what they are saying.

Sometimes these men prophesied things that they didn’t fully understand.

We’ll see how that was possible in a moment.

This led the prophets to do what many Bible students have done since.

They had to study their own prophecies to see what they meant.

They enquired and searched diligently about what they wrote.

In greek the word “diligently” is applied to both the enquiring and the searching,

These prophets asked questions of the word of God.

They searched and researched the scripture that they had access to.

What they found and what they understood can be seen in v. 11

It’s actually pretty impressive.

God gave them enough to piece together a pretty clear picture.

The Gospel and the full story of the Messiah.

We should be careful not to fall into the trap of thinking that ancient civilizations were basically cavemen.

In many ways they were smarter and more capable than we may be today.

Though the OT prophets did not have the full revelation of God as we do today, they understood some important things about the gospel message.

Especially when it came to the Messiah.

They understood and testified that the Messiah would go through many sufferings.

It is interesting that on this side of the cross Peter has done what the OT prophets did.

He searched and enquired at the OT passages to learn of the Messiah that he lived and walked with.

You see now, he can see the need for the suffering that he witnessed.

When before the cross, he was like so many Jews of his day.

He could not see the inevitability of Christ’s suffering.

All that he and the others seemed capable of doing was hounding Jesus about setting up his kingdom.

Now, though, Peter knows.

The OT prophets understood that His glory would necessarily follow the sufferings.

Just as suffering is plural in the previous phrase, so is glory.

The glory of Christ is something that we can only begin to fathom.

We do know that one of His glories is when sinners are saved.

The prophets learned these things through the Spirit of Christ which was in them.

The one about whom they spoke and wrote had inspired what they were to say about Him.

We typically think about the Spirit of God resting upon OT saints.

Peter says that it was possible for them to have the Spirit in them.

There was one piece of the puzzle that it seems they were not able or not allowed to uncover.

The time or the manner of time when the Messiah would come.

Each of them longed to witness the ministry of the Messiah.

God has an interesting way of relating to time.

He exists outside of time

He withholds information about His schedule.

We know what those ancient saints went through because we feel the same way with the next event on God’s calendar.

When will Jesus return?

What will things be like when he returns.

Though we can empathize with them, we must also realize that we are in a different scenario than they were.

The Gospel and privilege of the modern age.

Jesus had this to say to the people of his time.

Matthew 13:17 KJV (WS)

17 For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.

The OT prophets were producing material that wouldn’t reach full benefit for many years.

Just because a return on an investment is a long time in coming, it doesn’t mean it isn’t coming.

Peter says that they knew any of the details of what they wrote would only make sense once they had actually happened.

Through this feature of the OT prophecy, OT prophets saw their impact extend to the followers of God in a future age, ours.

We are still in the age of believers that Peter is writing to.

Their writing is for us.

Be careful of anyone that tells you Christians have no use for the OT.

Peter is telling us the opposite.

In fact, in the next phrase, he says that the message of the OT prophets is the message of all true preachers in the church age.

This message is, of course, the gospel.

The suffering and glory of Jesus the Messiah.

Through his suffering we are redeemed.

In his glory we hope to share.

Both the prophecies and the preaching are given through the power of the Spirit.

These preachers that are referenced go beyond the apostles.

Many of the regions that Peter is writing to were evangelized by unknown preachers.

And yet, they were no less empowered by the Holy Spirit.

The preachers of the church age get to participate with the prophets of the OT by studying and declaring the message of the gospel.

It is a privilege and an honor to get to participate in this tradition.

It is a privilege and an honor to be a recipient of the gospel.

This message is something that angels look into.

One author says that the phrase “look into” suggests that even when they do look into the matter of salvation, they can’t full comprehend all that God has done for us through the gospel.

Think about that.

Angels live in the presence of God in heaven.

They are surrounded by the beauty that dream about.

They have been with God since before humans were created.

What kind of conversations have they heard.

What is it that interests them???

The gospel that we have received.

Christians are the most blessed people.

Even those that are facing trouble and trials.

Why? Because we know and believe and benefit from the gospel.

The message that the prophets prophesied, that preachers preach, and angels look into.

But most importantly, the message that the Messiah authored.

Application

All of us can fall victim to the human propensity of adopting a victim mentality.

As believers, we must see ourselves as highly privileged.

Generations of humans would gladly trade places with us.

When facing trials all we can see is the trial.

We need to allow Peter in the word of God to redirect our eyes to the message of the gospel.

Prophets diligently sought to figure out what our children know.

Preachers devoted their lives to spread the message until it covered the earth.

Even the angels are curious about what we have.

We have the gospel.

We are so blessed.

Conclusion