1:10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.
On the subject of salvation, verse nine stated, “that our reward for trusting Jesus is the salvation of our souls” (NLT). Verse ten then continues by referring to that salvation. But before we explore any further let’s stop and think about the word ‘salvation’. Is ‘salvage’ a good word? Perhaps if you know you’re lost. But no thing, or no one, can be salvaged on their own power, otherwise it wouldn’t be a salvage operation. But what if you don’t know you’re lost? Being the subject of a salvage operation doesn’t sound too appealing! Someone might ask, “saved from what?” This is when we realize that the person who has the message of salvation is vitally important. If someone who has a broken moral compass is attempting to bring the message of salvation to another, the person who is lost is likely to ignore the message. In this case moral compasses are just as important as a directional compass.
Understanding the impossible nature of rescuing ourselves from sin may help us understand just how special our salvation is. It is so unique that when God brought the message of Jesus, the Messiah, to the Old Testament prophets to include in their writings, those prophets were more than slightly intrigued or interested, it got their full attention. The grace that these prophets were about to write about was like nothing they had ever heard or studied. One of the clearest dialogs about this unique grace in the Bible is found in Ephesians 2:4-9. “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Here this unmerited favor is made clear that the recipient of that grace does nothing but accept what God has done for them. The story of salvation starts with God’s love for us and His generous outpouring of grace.
Peter tells us that when the prophets heard about this incredible offer of grace they diligently searched the Scriptures looking for clues as to the circumstances regarding this “Spirit of Christ” that they were compelled to write about would occur (see also Romans 8:9; 2 Peter 1:21). They understood that humanity could never save themselves but also knew that God was a just God requiring perfection. And now hearing about a Messiah that would suffer on behalf of mankind and freely offer salvation to them (as well as subsequent glories), this got their attention! Regarding His sufferings, we can explore several verses, here are just a few for examples: Psalms 22:1-31; Isaiah 50:6; 52:13-53:12; Daniel 9:24-26; Zechariah 12:10; 13:7 and of course don’t forget Jesus talking to His disciples on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:25-27. Note how Jesus, while on the cross, called out to His Father as “My God, My God!” just as Psalms 22:1 foretold. This is the only time He called His Father “My God,” as He was essentially calling out on our behalf. In addition hundreds of other prophecies can be found in the Old Testament regarding the Messiah, each offering clues to the identity and time frame (for example see Isaiah 9:2-7; 11:1-5; 45:18-25; Daniel 9:24-26, see Appendix 1 for more information regarding Messianic prophecies).
Did the disciples and His followers miss this? Did they not understand that the Messiah was to suffer? There are two basic reasons for prophecy in the Bible. The first is to prepare for specific events with a literal time period. For example, the prophet Daniel knew that Israel’s captivity in Babylon would be ending soon based on Jeremiah’s prophecy of 70 years. Here Daniel literally interpreted Jeremiah and knew the captivity would soon end (see Daniel 9:2 and Jeremiah 25:12). Daniel turned to prayer and fasting leading to some of the most amazing prophecies in the Bible. The other reason for prophecy in the Bible is actually the primary reason. Simply stated it is God’s signature! Since God, and God alone, knows the end from the beginning (in other words since He created time He is not influenced by time) so He authenticates His Word by adding information about future events, people, places, etc. that will be fulfilled precisely (since God knows exact detail, no estimates, approximates, etc., He then is always 100% on time and precise to the millisecond). When they occur with the detail given we can see that they came from God. He does not give us prophecy to foretell future events, but to give us enough detail to be ready and waiting (having faith) on Him and know after the fact that God’s Word is true. The disciples recognized Jesus as the Messiah only after connecting the prophecies and the person after His ministry all played out (remember everything occurs in God’s timing, not theirs, so be easy on them).
The Bible also contains many prophecies about future glories. Most Christians know Isaiah 9:6-7, “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this.” (See also Daniel 2:44; 7:13-14; Zechariah 2:10-11) The author of Hebrews explains that even though they were not participating in that incredible glory during their lives, they lived in hope of the coming Messiah (see Hebrews 11:13). Peter will explore this more thoroughly in his second epistle (see 2 Peter 1:19-21). The New Testament also has several prophecies that point to future glories, for example see Romans chapter eight and Revelation chapter twenty-one.
1:12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
The Old Testament prophets understood that their prophecies were not for them but for the benefit of those who came after the Messiah, so that they can be saved by hearing the gospel message. The phrase, “who preached the good news to” is actually one Greek word, ‘evangelizo’, which can be translated “bring good tidings” or “preach the gospel.”[1] Peter then personalizes the process by writing, “And now this Good News has been announced to you by those who preached in the power of the Holy Spirit sent from heaven.” (1 Peter 1:12b, NLT) He adds that even the angels learned by watching God work through the prophecies given to the prophets. Even though the holy angels do not need to be saved and fallen angels cannot be saved, they are likely curious and interested as they are directly involved with God’s plan for salvation (see Nehemiah 9:6 Isaiah 6:3; Luke 2:13-14; Philippians 2:9-11; Hebrews 1:6; Revelation 5:6-14; 7:11-12).
We also have been instructed to ‘evangelizo’ (evangelize) by telling others of the gospel. Paul explains this process in 1 Corinthians 2:1-5 in accordance with Jesus’ instruction to each of us (read Matthew 28:18-20). Peter reminds us that Christianity is not about setting back and taking our relationship with Jesus casually. The next verse begins with “therefore prepare your minds for action,” essentially a call to action, to do something, not to to sit around. So, where does one start?
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[1] Strong, J. (2001). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Bellingham, WA: Logos Bible Software. Strong’s Greek No. 2097