Wanting to Know

1 Peter 1:10-12 Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.
 
PETER continued to stress the wonder of salvation’s blessings. More than eternal life, salvation is life right now to live into God’s gracious blessings. Peter wanted the church to fully grasp the knowledge and privilege of living in the time of God’s salvation.
   In faith the prophets proclaimed the grace to come, Jesus Christ. Jesus’ birth, death and resurrection were spoken by many prophets. But they did not understand how God would fulfill their words. Each looked to the scriptures present in their day and examined the words the Spirit of Christ (the Holy Spirit) had given them to proclaim. They longed to learn the time and circumstances when their words would come to pass. The church then and now know more than the prophets and the angels did before Jesus.
   On the Kingdom timetable then, the prophets’ words became the apostles’ proof. Acts records Peter giving such evidence in his first sermons. The Old Testament writings are crucial Scripture proofs that Jesus is Lord and Savior, Son of God sent to save the world. Peter wanted the church to understand they lived in a special time of God’s revelation. They knew when God’s grace had come in Jesus.
   The church today remains under this gift, doesn’t it? We have all the evidence from the Bible to know what God has done through centuries of planning and promise-keeping.
   In response, we have a prophet-like role today. We must proclaim the Bible’s truths regarding Jesus’ Second Coming. God has given us some signs, but we do not know exactly how and when these circumstances will occur. As the prophets prepared the Jews for Jesus’ incarnation, the church must prepare the world for Jesus’ coming again.