1 Peter 1: 10-12

A. Introduction 1 Peter 1:1-9

1. Background of the text (who, what, when and why)

a. The who is: Jewish Christians, of the dispersion, from Israel.

b. What is: they are being persecuted by unconverted Jew and Rome.

c. The when: is mid 60s A.D. before the temple in Jerusalem was prophesied to be destroy by Jesus, it happened in 70 A.D

d. The why: is to encourage Jewish Christians being displaced and persecuted that God is in control and is working this out for their good and His glory.

(In verses 1-9 Peter names his audience Verse 1 (the chosen or elect people who have been dispersed throughout Asia Minor) Verse 2 How they were chosen (By God’s foreknowledge and the Spirits sanctifying work) Verse 3-5 is a historical record of the salvation work of God for His people. (who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again) Verse 6a is a calling to mind of the audiences response to this saving work of God verses 6b-9 describes the purpose of the letter. (Through trials we prove or testify to the saving work of God.)

B. Body:

1. Verses 10-12 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.

a. Verse 10-11 Peter does three things.

1. Peter links the term salvation to grace.

i. What is salvation? What are we saved from? Salvation is entering the ark to avoid the flood (Noah), escaping Sodom’s destruction (Lot and his daughters), being passed over (the Exodus generation), salvation is not experiencing the wrath of God!

ii. What is grace? Grace is God choosing you out of all the other evil people to enter the ark, escape Sodom’s destruction, and being passed over.

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace you have been saved through faith: and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast,

2. Peter emphasizes how the prophets search and inquired into what they are experiencing.

i. Daniel 7:15-16 “As for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed within me, and the visions in my mind kept alarming me. 16. “I approached one of those who were standing by and began asking him the exact meaning of all this. So he told me and made known to me the interpretation of these things:

ii. Heb 11:13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.

iii. Heb 11:39-40 And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, 40. because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect.

iv. Luke 24:13–27 (NASB95) 13 And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. 16 But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. 17 And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?” 19 And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people, 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death, and crucified Him. 21 “But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. 22 “But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. 24 “Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.” 25 And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 “Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures.

3. Peter reminds them of Christ suffering and the glories that followed Christ suffering.

b. Verse 12 As to this grace, Peter uses contrast between the prophets, angels and his audience as motivation, explaining how this generation was unique/blessed.

1. The prophets received the gospel message in types and shadows, piecemeal/or gradually. The prophets understood the message was prophetic and would not be fulfilled in their time and thus was serving a future generation.

The angels (messengers) also learned of the gospel in types and shadows but from a heavenly perspective. The text indicates they also made careful searches and inquiries attempting to understand what God was doing.

Fallen angles will not be saved.

2. Peter’s uniquely blessed audience received the gospel as fulfilled.