“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.” (1 Peter 1:10–12, NASB95)
What an amazing thing it is to know that Jesus Christ in the
person of the Holy Spirit moved in the prophets to prophesy (or speak) the
words given to them for times to come, and that even these prophets searched those
words themselves for their own understanding. There was much that they penned
in faith, not knowing what it meant for the future. God called them to trust
Him for things that He has assured them would come to pass, though they didn’t
have a clear picture of how it would come to pass or what it will look like
when it did.
We read that what was shown to these prophets is that which
was revealed to them through the Spirit. What they recorded was not for them to
clearly see and know, but for those who would later come and understand. What
was incumbent on them was to trust God for what they did know, and believe that
He would make all the rest clear in His right time and proper way. Though they
did not know about Christ, they knew that their salvation came from God and that
He was faithful to save them. He indeed was going to send a Savior for not only
His people Israel, but also that in Him all the nations would be blessed. They
understood the sacrificial system, but they did not fully grasp the reality of
a once and for all perfect sacrifice accomplished by the very Son of God. They
knew that the One coming would have to suffer to accomplish this, though they
did not yet know the nature or extent of that suffering.
By faith they listened and they wrote, knowing that one day
we all would be blessed to hear and understand, and that the glory shown then
would be incredible. This was the role of the prophets as they continually
called the people back to God and were regularly rejected in the process. What
an amazing thing it is to know that God used these men over hundreds of years
to record His incredible plan which was revealed in person of His Son. Then, at
the right time, when Jesus spoke to the Pharisees and those who listened He
repeatedly pointing back to the prophets as He affirmed their words and unfolded
Himself in fulfilling what they were moved to write.
““Truly, truly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he
will never see death.” The Jews said to Him, “Now we know that You have a
demon. Abraham died, and the prophets also; and You say, ‘If anyone keeps My
word, he will never taste of death.’ “Surely You are not greater than our
father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out
to be?” Jesus answered, “If I glorify Myself, My glory is nothing; it is My
Father who glorifies Me, of whom you say, ‘He is our God’; and you have not
come to know Him, but I know Him; and if I say that I do not know Him, I will
be a liar like you, but I do know Him and keep His word. “Your father Abraham
rejoiced to see My day, and he saw it and was glad.”” (John 8:51–56, NASB95)
“Then He [Jesus] took the twelve aside and said to them,
“Behold, we are going up to Jerusalem, and all things which are written through
the prophets about the Son of Man will be accomplished. “For He will be handed
over to the Gentiles, and will be mocked and mistreated and spit upon, and
after they have scourged Him, they will kill Him; and the third day He will
rise again.” But the disciples understood none of these things, and the meaning
of this statement was hidden from them, and they did not comprehend the things
that were said.” (Luke 18:31–34, NASB95)
Peter wrote of the inspiration of the entirety of the Word
of God saying, “So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do
well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns
and the morning star arises in your hearts. But know this first of all, that no
prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy
was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke
from God.” (2 Peter 1:19–21, NASB95)
Peter’s audience heard these truths and responded, and now we
have them recorded for us in God’s Word so the we might likewise respond. We
have the incredible privilege of seeing much of God’s plan from the historical
vantage point of what has already happened. Sure, there is much we look forward
to which remains a mystery, as it did for the prophets, but we know the
truthful track record of our God. The Savior has been sent in the Son and the message
of our salvation has been revealed. Now, we are privileged to know it as true.
The reason we have come to know this truth is because just as God had spoken to
His prophets through the power of the Spirit, so the Spirit works today in the
lives of men to bring that same good news to people such as us, so that even we
by the power of that same Spirit might hear, understand, believe, and be saved.
This is the progression of the great gift of salvation given to us, as it was
faithfully recorded, accurately fulfilled, and continually shared. Paul wrote,
“How then will they call on Him in whom they have not believed? How will they
believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how will they hear without a
preacher? How will they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news of good things!” However,
they did not all heed the good news; for Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed
our report?” So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of
Christ.” (Romans 10:14–17, NASB95)
The foundation has been laid and us who are saved are now
part of the continued building as the good news of salvation in Christ is
spread to those who so desperately need to know of God’s great love for them.
“So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens
with the saints, and are of God’s household, having been built on the
foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner
stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a
holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a
dwelling of God in the Spirit.” (Ephesians 2:19–22, NASB95)
It is because our God is trustworthy that we can
in full confidence abide in Him and trust Him to bring our salvation to its
ultimate fulfillment as we step into His presence to His glory forever.
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