First Epistle of Peter
SALVATION AND THE HEBREW BIBLE PROPHETS
Scripture Text: 1 Peter 1:10 (KJV)
The prophets of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) wrote of this wonderful salvation, but much of what they wrote they did not understand themselves. Perhaps it is alright for us to wonder whether David fully understood Psalms 22, 23, and 24; if Isaiah fully understood his 53rd chapter, or Daniel his prophecies. In Daniel 12:8, we read, "And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?" Then in verse 9, "And he said, 'Go thy way, Daniel; for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.'" No doubt this was true of other of the prophets, too. They wrote by inspiration of the Holy Spirit, but did not know why they wrote as they did.
"the prophets have inquired and searched diligently"
Just think of them asking God, and pondering over their own writings. But they did not get an answer. They wrote for our sake, not their own.
If they inquired and searched diligently, so much the more should we. This is the best way to learn the meaning of the Word. If you come to a portion that you do not understand, take it to the Lord in prayer. Ask Him to give you light upon it. Then read it over again and again. Get all the help on it you can. Try to get an understanding of the meaning of the original language if possible. Young's or Strong's concordance will help in this. Young's Literal Translation is good. Try to get other translations that may throw light on it. Then read, if obtainable, what others have to say about it, however, suggest not making too much out of what men say about God's Holy Word, for you may find quite a wide variety of opinions on some portions of the Word of God. Therefore, we need to seek help from the Lord. A diligent search will eventually be rewarded. If it seems you just can not get it, lay it aside for a time and come back to it later.
There is an additional thing to remember. We must be ready to act on the Scripture which we have learned to understand. If it speaks to our heart or our hands or our feet, let us see that we act accordingly.
Here is a thing of which to beware. Many Scriptures are hard to understand and obscure, but some times, have not too much bearing on our practical life. Some students of the Word spend a lot of time trying to crack the hard nuts in the Bible, but pass over, with hardly any notice, some plain Scriptures that are very practical. Sometimes, some of the easiest portions to understand are the hardest to practice. We will have some of this type brought to our attention before we complete this first epistle of Peter. In fact, we will have some of both kinds.
This tenth, along with the eleventh and twelfth verses, teaches the inspiration of Scripture. David lived, according to chronologists, around 1,000 years before Christ; Isaiah about 700. The whole of the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament) was completed about 400 b.c. It was all translated from Hebrew into the Greek by 70 Greek scholars about 200 years before the advent of Christ. Yet these prophets who lived so many years before Christ, "prophesied of the grace that should came unto us." What accounts for this? Only that these "holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost" (2 Pet. 1:21).
"prophehecied of the grace that should come unto you."
Grace is a truth that is found everywhere in the Scriptures. We read in Genesis 6:8, "But Noah found grace in the eyes of the Lord." The well-known definition of "grace" is "unmerited favor." God's grace really goes far beyond that. We all deserve judgment because of our sins, but we obtain unlimited favors. No one ever deserved salvation in the Old Testament or these times either. It has always been by grace. However, there are ways in which we, in this time, receive grace in a special way. Our time is called, "the dispensation of the grace of God" (Eph. 3:2). Paul, in his epistles, takes up this subject fully. The following verses speak of this special grace to us: "Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; that the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel" (Eph. 3:5 and 6).
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1:11 (KJV)
"Searching what, or what manner of time"
The prophets knew there was a time coming when the Gentiles would receive the light of the Gospel. In Isaiah 60:3, Isaiah wrote, "And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising." But, they could not understand when or how this would come about. They also knew something of the sufferings of the Messiah, but when this was to come about or how, they could not see. Then likewise, they knew some of the glories that should follow, but, the valley that lay between these two mountains, was very obscure to them. They searched diligently to understand about the time, but they could not grasp it. What they saw most clearly was the glories of the Messiah, and the kingdom He was to usher in. This was true of the Jewish people of Christ's time at least. They expected their Messiah would come in power and great glory, to make the Jewish nation the greatest nation in the world. When He came in a lowly fashion, they despised and rejected Him, and so they had Him nailed to the cross. They did not realize that thereby they were fulfilling the Scriptures that spoke of the suffering Messiah.
"the Spirit of Christ which was in them"
It is not ordinarily stated in the Hebrew Bible (Old Testament), that the Spirit of Christ was in anyone. Now in New Testament times, every Christian is said to be indwelt by the Spirit of God (see 1 Cor. 6:19). However, usually in the Old Testament it is the Spirit coming upon one. This indwelling did not come until the Spirit was given to the saints at the time of Pentecost (Acts 2). However, the prophets of the Hebrew Bible, when they wrote, had the Spirit dwelling in them. Perhaps this was not in exactly the same way as He indwells the saints today. In one place, He is spoken of as the Spirit of Prophecy (Rev. 19:10).
It is nice to contemplate that the same Spirit who inspired the prophets to write those wonderful prophecies, indwells us. What a great honor to have such a heavenly visitor constantly with us. What a great responsibility too. When the lady of the house is expecting company, especially notable company, she gives the house a very thorough going over. We have more notable company than any earthly visitor, with us constantly. If we had a real realization of this, we would be very careful to keep ourselves clean.
"when it testified beforehand of the sufferings of Christ"
Did any of the Hebrew Bible prophets really predict beforehand concerning the sufferings of Christ? Isaiah did, and so did Jeremiah, Daniel, Micah, Zechariah, and David.
Let us stop and consider just a few words about David's 22nd Psalm. The first verse gives one of the cries of Christ on the cross, "My God, My God, why hast thou forsaken me?" Hebrew students say that the last expression in Psalm 22nd, verse 31 is the same as 12th and 13th, picture wicked men standing around the cross hooting and taunting Him. The 14th and 15th give an accurate picture of the bodily sufferings of Christ on the cross. In the 15th verse we have, "My tongue cleaveth to my jaws."
He cried out, "I thirst." Then in verse 16, "They pierced my hands and my feet." In verse 17, "I may tell all my bones," and we remember that at the cross they broke the legs of the two thieves, but they did not do this with the Lord Jesus. Then in verse 18 we read, "They part my garments among them, and cast lots upon my vesture." We know this is exactly what happened at the cross. These statements are all the more wonderful when we remember that crucifixion was a form of death never known by the Jews, and never practiced at all even by the Romans, until long after David wrote. This is all most convincing that David wrote by the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The writings of the other prophets are equally convincing.
"and the glory that should follow."
In the original, "glory" is written in the plural, "glories." The prophets wrote more of this than of the sufferings of Christ. Psalm 72 is nearly all about those glories; "He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and. from the river unto the ends of the earth" (Ps. 72:8). Isaiah writes of it a great deal. (See chapter 11). Daniel writes much of that glory too. "And there was given Him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom that all people, nations, and languages should serve him; his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed" (Dan. l 7:14).
And we, who are His, shall share that glory with Him. We read in Zechariah 14:5, "And the Lord my God shall come and all the saints with thee." We almost have to turn to the New Testament to fully realize how we are identified with Him, and how we will be glorified with Him. This again is an inexhaustible subject, which we cannot fully treat. In Christ's prayer of intercession, John 17, He says many things about His glory and ours. Notice verse 22, "And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them." Then in verse 24, "Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am, that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovest me before the foundation of the world." Praise His holy name.
Scripture Reading: 1 Peter 1:12 (KJV)
We have already quoted the verse in Daniel where he was told that his prophecies were not for him, but for those of a later date. No doubt, others were told similar things, though they may not be recorded. That which we now know as the Gospel is that which they particularly wanted to understand.
"the gospel"
The word "gospel" is an untranslated Greek word meaning "good news." They could not understand why the good news of salvation should go out to Gentiles as well as to the Jews. They had no knowledge of how the cross was to break down that, middle wall of partition between Jew and Gentile (Eph. 2:14).
Now, that gospel is freely preached from thousands of pulpits. It is preached on street corners, over the air, by printed page, by personal conversation. No one need go long without hearing it. One would think that people would just swarm to accept the blessed invitation, but it is not so. One can get a crowd together for almost any purpose, but how hard it is to get. a few together to listen to the good news. Satan sure has the hearts and minds of people blinded by his lies.
"the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven"
Peter could not easily forget that blessed event called "Pentecost." Before that, he had been cowardly and denied his Lord three times. With the advent of the Spirit, he was greatly changed. Without fear and with much power, he preached that wonderful sermon on that day, and 3,000 souls were baptized into Christ (Acts 2:41). From that day forth all the apostles preached with great power, and the work of God went forward by leaps and bounds.
Have you ever wondered why it appears there is so little power in preaching today? One recently said, "Peter preached one sermon and 3,000 were baptized into Christ, now we have to preach 3,000 sermons to see one baptized." That may not be too far from the truth! Has the Spirit gone back to heaven? No, not at all. He is still here. Yet, much seems to be attempted without His help. We are convinced that without the Spirit, preaching sermons and teaching Bible classes are merely examples of spreading a report. He alone can make it real to the heart. He alone can produce conviction of sin, and a desire for salvation. He alone can show Christ to the needy soul. So we need to depend upon Him. Let us never attempt anything without His guidance.
"which things the angels desire to look into."
We naturally think of angels as being perfect in understanding, but this is apparently not so. Many of these things they desire to look into. They evidently are greatly interested in the salvation of the lost. They showed great interest at the time of the birth of Christ. The angel in announcing His birth to the shepherds, said, "Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David, a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord" (Luke 2:10,11). Then we read of that great company of angels praising God and saying, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14). With what enthusiasm and ecstasy, and no doubt great wonder, they viewed this extraordinary event. God, the Son, taking upon Himself human flesh, in order to be the Savior of man. Here is the nearest on record that the angels ever came to preaching the Gospel. From then on the great work was left to man. First, to the Son of man, and then to the redeemed of the Lord. How we should appreciate this great privilege of being ambassadors for the Lord Himself. Angels would be more than happy to take up this work, but it is left to us. May we, with greater zeal than ever before, be busy in this most wonderful work.
The angels were very much interested in the whole life of Christ. We find them ministering to Him after His temptation by Satan, and again in Gethsemane. They announced His resurrection from the empty tomb, and also declared the truth of His future return at the time of His ascension.
Angels did not profit at all by the cross-work of the Lord Jesus. Angels who sinned, and there were such, Satan among them, were condemned for their disobedience, with no hope of redemption. How they wonder at the mercy shown to men who have also sinned, and yet are given an opportunity to be redeemed. How they marvel at every redeemed one on earth.
As they ministered to Christ; so they minister to the redeemed now on earth. Speaking of angels in Hebrews 1:14, we read, "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister (serve) for them who shall be heirs of salvation?" When a Christian friend leaves this earth to meet God, it is natural for us to assume, or at least hope, that he/she is in heaven. We can imagine the angels gathering around wondering, but glad to welcome another to the home of the redeemed.
