1Peter 1:12 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.
In the previous verses we read that the prophets carefully and diligently searched to understand the message foretold of the coming Messiah. In verse 12, we read that the information disclosed to them was not only for their own benefit but for the benefit of others. They had been entrusted with information in order to serve others.
Read Paul’s words in Ephesians. To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God, who created all things; in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly [places.] Ephesians 8-10.
Those things which had been revealed to the prophets in earlier times through the working of the Spirit were to be shared. It is probable they did not understand all the meaning and specifics of exactly what would take place, they had studied, and many were convinced of the truth of the coming Messiah. The New Testament Saints were encouraged by what had been written and foretold. They in turn were able to share information they had learned and were able to add what they had witnessed. There was an understanding that the value of what they had been given was not to be kept to themselves but a tool to be used in sharing the gospel.
Again, we have a picture painted of an intent interest in examining the Truths in God’s word. There is a phrase we use which says we ‘pour over something’ when we are seeking to learn, usually something we have great interest in. Each of us can relate to this search of information. As you gain more information, the desire to learn more usually grows. As you contemplate what you are learning, the light bulb of understanding clicks, and things become clearer.
The Spirit of Christ gave understanding to the Jewish prophets and that same Spirit continues to give understanding even today. We are saved only through the working of the Spirit in our lives testifying of God. The thought that jumps in my mind as I study this is the great privilege with which we have been entrusted.
Read Jesus’ words to the disciples in John 14:16-17; 26, "And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever; [that is] the Spirit of truth, whom the world cannot receive, because it does not behold Him or know Him, [but] you know Him because He abides with you, and will be in you. "But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you.
We will never understand all things, in fact, I surmise that what I understand is about the size of the smallest dot placed in the center of the great universe. However, God has revealed to each of us exactly what we need in order to bring honor to His name. I will never be able to comprehend how I can be declared righteous even while I am a sinner, yet I know because of God’s great grace, He has pardoned me. Not only am I forgiven but I will live in heaven for eternity, not because of who I am, not because I deserve anything, but because of who God is and what He chose to do for me. This truth needs to be shared!
Read Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 1:20-22, For as many as may be the promises of God, in Him they are yes; wherefore also by Him is our Amen to the glory of God through us. Now He who establishes us with you in Christ and anointed us is God, who also sealed us and gave [us] the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge.
What legacy will you leave? Will it be one of faithfulness? Do others know for certain that you love and follow Christ through your words and actions?
Matthew Poole’s Commentary explains 1 Peter 1:12 this way, “The prophets under the Old Testament did, by the Spirit, foresee and foretell Christ's passion, resurrection, ascension, the effusion of the Spirit, the enlargement of the church by the calling of the Gentiles, &c.; but did not live to see their own prophecies, and God's promises, fulfilled,
Hebrews 11:13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth.
, as you now do. They did spread the table that you might feed at it; they had but a taste by faith, and at a distance, of those things you feast upon in their accomplishment; yet they did not grudge to declare these things, being instructed by the Spirit, that what they spake of should not be fulfilled in their time, but in the generations to come; that so ye, by comparing what they said should come to pass with what you have now been assured is come to pass, may be confirmed and established in the belief of the truth, being the same held forth by the prophets formerly, and gospel ministers at present.”
Read the words of Philip Doddridge in his N.T. commentary, “To the memorable testimony of these prophets it becomes us to pay a sincere and profound regard, to whom such extraordinary discoveries were made, as no attentive reader can view without conviction and astonishment; and it was revealed to them among other things, that {it was} not to themselves, but to us that they ministered these things; they knew that we, when the events arose, should have a more complete understanding of these oracles, than any who declared them had. Consider, then, how happy you are in that dispensation under which you now live, when those divine mysteries, which were only in a more obscure manner hinted at by the prophets, are most clearly and expressly declared to you, by those who have published the glad tidings of the gospel among you, by the evident authority and attestation, as well as by the assistances, of the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven with such visible glory, and testifying his continued residence amongst us by such wonderful effects. And indeed the doctrines which they preach are things of so great excellence and importance, as to be well worthy the regard of angels, as well as men; and, accordingly, (as the images of the cherubim on the mercy-seat seemed to bow down, to look upon the tables of the law laid upon in the ark,) so those celestial spirits do, from their heavenly abode, desire to bend down, to {contemplate} such glorious displays of divine wisdom and goodness, and attentively to survey those important scenes that are opening upon us here on earth; which is become so much more considerable than it would otherwise be, as it is honoured with being the theatre of such glorious events.”
The believers Peter spoke to had some advantages over the prophets before them. Things revealed had yet to be fulfilled. There was increased understanding as the promised Messiah fulfilled prophecies. Yet, the Christians Peter spoke to had less advantage than even we do. We have the written word of God from beginning to end. I pray each of us grows in our desire to look into the truths we have in God’s word, that we would be compelled to speak that truth, guided by the Holy Spirit, to the glory of God.
James 1:25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the [law] of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man shall be blessed in what he does.
I will end this study with Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 6:1-11 And working together [with Him,] we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain-- or He says, "AT THE ACCEPTABLE TIME I LISTENED TO YOU, AND ON THE DAY OF SALVATION I HELPED YOU"; behold, now is "THE ACCEPTABLE TIME," behold, now is "THE DAY OF SALVATION"-- giving no cause for offense in anything, in order that the ministry be not discredited, but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, n beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, n the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; [regarded] as deceivers and yet true; as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death, as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things. Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide.
We are His servants for His glory!
