The Greatest Rescue Ever - 1 Peter (Part 4)

Operation Thunderbolt (3-4 July, 1976) • • • • 27 June - Air France #139 (Tel Aviv / Athens / Paris) 248 passengers + 12 crew members Diverted to Libya, then to Entebbe airport, Uganda Demands to release 53 pro-Palestinian terrorists + $5,000,000 • 3 July, 4 C-130 Hercules, 100 commandos + medical team, flew 4000km (8hrs one-way). Operation Thunderbolt (3-4 July, 1976) • Landed at 11:01pm (local time) • Departed at 11:59pm Operation Thunderbolt (3-4 July, 1976) • Landed at 11:01pm (local time) • Departed at 11:59pm The Greatest Rescue Ever What kind of rescue? The Greatest Rescue Ever What kind of rescue? • the salvation of your souls (1:9) The Greatest Rescue Ever What kind of rescue? • the salvation of your souls (1:9) “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God…” (3:18) The Greatest Rescue Ever What kind of rescue? • the salvation of your souls (1:9) “He [God] has caused us to be born again to a living hope … to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1:3-4) “…who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ…” (5:10) The Greatest Rescue Ever What kind of rescue? • the salvation of your souls (1:9) “He [God] has caused us to be born again to a living hope … to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you” (1:3-4) “…who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ…” (5:10) • grace … to be yours (1:10) The Greatest Rescue Ever Who was told about this rescue? • the prophets (1:10) The Greatest Rescue Ever Who was told about this rescue? • the prophets (1:10) How did they respond? • with intense interest (1:10) The Greatest Rescue Ever Who was told about this rescue? • the prophets (1:10) How did they respond? • with intense interest (1:10) What were they told? • Messiah’s sufferings and glories to follow (1:11) “But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed.” (Isaiah 53:5 ESV) “… he [Messiah] poured out his soul to death and was numbered with the transgressors; … he bore the sin of many, and makes intercession for the transgressors.” (Isaiah 53:12 ESV) “… he shall see his offspring; he shall prolong his days; the will of the Lord shall prosper in his hand. Out of the anguish of his soul he shall see and be satisfied; by his knowledge shall the righteous one, my servant, make many to be accounted righteous…” (Isaiah 53:10-11 ESV) “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.” (Isaiah 65:17 ESV) The Greatest Rescue Ever What did the prophets want to know? • who? & when? (1:11) The Greatest Rescue Ever What did the prophets want to know? • who? & when? (1:11) What did the Holy Spirit reveal? • this is for a future generation (1:12) The Greatest Rescue Ever What has now happened? • an announcement has been made (1:12) • through those who preach the good news • by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven The Greatest Rescue Ever What has now happened? • an announcement has been made (1:12) • through those who preach the good news • by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven Who are also curious about this great rescue? • the angels (1:12) The Greatest Rescue Ever “… through [ Jesus’] death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery.” (Hebrews 2:14-15 ESV) Operation Thunderbolt The Greatest Rescue Ever “For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God…” (1 Peter 3:18) Operation Yonatan Lt. Col.Yonatan Netanyahu (13 March, 1946 - 4 July 1976)