“As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you made careful searches and inquiries, 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. 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 longed to look.”
1 Peter 1:10-12 NASB
This is an awesome concept! The prophets of long ago, (Old Testament), prophesied of the grace we are now enjoying in our Lord Jesus, and they sought diligently to know timing. They wanted to know when the Christ would come, suffer and then bring the glories we enjoy. Our present “end-time” folk remind me of them. I think it is good, always, to search His Word. We discover what we have missed, and then the Spirit of the Lord begins to unveil Scripture to us in ways that we have not understood. I think it interesting that then and now, it was timing that they wanted to know. There is much to know, but I am not certain timing is one of them. What the prophets of old were shown is that they were not prophesing for themselves, but for generations that would follow. Us.
I am reminded of this passage in Hebrews 11. After sharing the “Faith’s Hall of Fame” with us, the author then says this:
“And all these, having gained approval through their faith, did not receive what was promised, because God had provided something better for us, so that apart from us they would not be made perfect. Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfector of faith….” Hebrews 11:39-12:2b NASB
Heaven is very concerned with us. This cloud of witnesses (what a marvelous way to describe a group of spirits) does not just look down and observe, they are surrounding us, right now. That causes my spirit to jump inside. The old prophets were told that they were serving a people yet to be, and now we know that those who choose Christ are that group of people. So we do not walk alone. The Trinity embraces us and the cloud surrounds us. That is awesome! Thank you, Lord Jesus!
We are one with them, through Jesus. He lives in our bodies in the Spirit and we live in His Spirit in His body at the right hand of the Majesty on High. We co-dwell with our Lord just like we are co-inheritors. So the purpose of the prophecies of old was for you and for me. Be blessed today!
“For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” Romans 15:4 NASB
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