The Prophets Inquire into and Testify About Salvation

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“ Of the which salvation ye Prophets have inquired and searched, which prophesied of the grace that should come unto you, Searching when or what time the Spirit which testified before of Christ which was in them, should declare the sufferings that should come unto Christ, and the glory that should follow. Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they should minister the things, which are now showed unto you by them which have preached unto you the Gospel by the holy Ghost sent down from heaven, the which things the Angels desire to behold.” (1Pe 1:10-12 GenevaBible)

Concerning which salvation do you think the prophets sought and searched diligently? Which salvation are you looking for?

Do you have any idea who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: searching what time or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ did point unto?

The key word “salvation” in the letter of Peter (1:9 and 1:10) functions as a hook word that joins two different paragraphs together (1 Peter 1:3–9 and 1:10–12). The salvation that functions as the goal, or telos, of the believer’s faith is the very same salvation that the prophets spoke of and inquired into. Indeed, those prophets served not themselves but Peter’s own generation and ours. The focus of 1:10–12, then, is on how the salvation of believers fits into ancient prophecy.

The apostle Peter tells about Jesus and the ‘Foundations of a New Community’ (1:1–2:10) and about (Practical Christian Living) even in the midst of suffering (2:11–4:11).

We must know that there is such a thing as a Heavenly Inheritance (1:3–12) for those, like us, who are in God’s great [abundant] mercy born again [anew; 1 Peter 1:3; John 3:5–8] into a living hope. We who believe in the master teacher Jeshua (Jesus Christ) are convinced he rose from the dead.
Now we hope for [or This new birth provides us with] the blessings God has for His children [L an inheritance]. We might feel happy belonging to those who are blessed [by this inheritance]. We dare to believe that inheritance laid in front of us cannot be destroyed or be spoiled [corrupted; defiled] or lose its beauty, because it is kept in heaven for us [1 Peter 1:4; Matthew 6:19–21; Luke 12:33].

We do know, for us in this day and age, there is not such danger as the Early Christians had to cope with. Peter challenged these early followers of Christ to remain faithful to Jesus who also suffered for not conforming. Therefore, the problems we may encounter today because we have chosen to follow the real Christ and not wanting to take part in the many human traditions, like the heathen festivals (Christmas, Easter, Halloween a.o.) should always be seen in the light of the suffering Jesus and his first followers had to endure. These troubles [trials; testings] for them came as they come for us to prove that our faith is pure. It would be quite easy to say you are a believer when that would or never might be tested. As we come closer to the Last days, we shall see more people shall be tested about their faith.

You should not be afraid to have such test of faith, when you are standing strong in your faith. The other way it would be more difficult to prove the authenticity of your faith.

Coming closer to the end times non-believing people shall bring tests that proves the genuineness of a valuable faith and believe in Thé Divine Creator. This purity of faith [or tested and proven authenticity] is worth more [more precious; more valuable] than gold, which can be proved to be pure [tested and proven authentic] by fire [1 Peter 1:7; Psalm 66:10; Proverbs 17:3; 27:21; Zechariah 13:9; Malachi 3:3] but can [or will] be destroyed. But the purity [tested and proven authenticity] of your faith will bring real believers in the Only One True God, Who is One, praise and glory and honour when Jesus Christ shall be shown to them and the others, at the revelation of Jesus Christ when he returns to this world to judge the living and the dead.

The greatest problem in the world is that The God can not be seen by man. Many prophets telling about God, like Isaiah, Jeremiah and Jesus, could be seen and heard by many, who could listen to their advice or ignore it. All their prophesies are written down and their life and words should be useful for all people wherever and whenever they live.

In Peter’s letter four imperatives are used: “hope,” “be holy,” “live,” and “love”, which hold his first part together and thus link ethics to theology. In light of their privileged place in salvation history, believers are expected to live a certain way.

We cannot see Jesus now, but we believe in him and accept that he is the son of God who is the light of the world (Matthew 4:16; Luke 1: 76-79; John 1:5; 8:12; 12:35). As believers in Christ Jesus (the anointed Nazarene Jeshua) we can be filled with a joy that might be difficult to be explained, a joy full of glory [an inexpressible and glorious joy]. But that makes it so interesting or exciting at the same time too.

Jesus has given us many lessons showing how we best have to live and what could happen in case wrong choices are made. Many of his parables he also gave so that we would be assured to prepare ourselves for times coming. Those stories in the form of a parable should shed light in this dark world and should give us enough background to build up our life in the right way and to be ready when the days (Jesus spoke about) would arrive.

From the Hebrew books [Old Testament] we get the writings of the prophets in which we can search carefully and can try to learn diligently about the salvation which was promised several times in history. Those chosen people from God, prophesied about the grace that was coming to the world and of which we could become partakers too (1 Peter 1:10). The Spirit of the Most High Elohim was bringing them knowledge about this future way of salvation. Seeking to find out what person or what time the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He foretold the sufferings of Christ or Anointed, and the glories [destined] to follow (1 Peter 1:11). They, too, wondered about the glory that would follow those sufferings [Luke 24:25–27, 45–49].

By the Elohim Jehovah God, it was revealed to those prophets that their services [their prophecies regarding grace] were not [meant] for themselves and their time, but for you, me, and those who existed before us and shall come after us. These messages have now been announced to you through those who are willing to go in the footsteps of that anointed son of man and son of God, Jesus Christ. Many, who went before us, all over the world, like us went around and keep going around proclaiming the Good News to you by the Ruach ha-Kodesh (the Holy Spirit), sent from heaven. (1 Peter 1:12)

From the New Testament we learn how Jesus prepared his followers to be ready for what would come. The New Testament disciples were not only ready, but they were also expectant, wanting to find a release from Roman oppression but also a release from all sorrow and pain. From the moment they came to understand what Jesus meant and that he would come back in the near future, they started to live working for Christ, anticipating his return. They were not in two minds about who Jesus was and what he would mean for the coming generations and for the whole world. They did not doubt that Jesus is coming again in the air just like he departed earth in his resurrected body about 2,000 years ago. He is coming for the resurrected bodies of the disciples [Acts 1:11, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18] We call that the day of the rapture. It is near. We should be living expectantly awaiting his return soon. Praying for his return today.

Expecting Jesus to return we naturally should live according to his and his heavenly Father’s wishes.

  • Being of sound judgment to be able to reason and think properly and in a sane manner, to act practically and act sensibly. (1 Peter 4:1-3)
  • Living no more in the the flesh, no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. (1 Peter 4:1-4)
  • Being of sober spirit – free from every form of mental and spiritual loss of self-control. (1 Peter 4:1-3,6)
  • Being sensible to pray. (1 Peter 4:7)
  • Sincerely loving each other, because love wipes away many sins. (1 Peter 4:8)
  • Being hospitable, welcoming people into your home and don’t grumble about it. (1 Peter 4:9)
  • Using God’s many wonderful gifts to the service of others and usinggod’s gift well. (1 Peter 4:10-11)

At all times let us not forget to read all those ancient books so that we can recognise who the bringer of that salvation is, what his place is and what our place and future can be.

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Preceding

The “I am” statement

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Find also to read

  1. Faith and trial
  2. Searching, light, fear and deliverance
  3. A Divine Plan or God’s purpose in creation
  4. My soul longs for your salvation
  5. Isaiah prophet and messenger of God
  6. Proclaiming shalom, bringing good news of good things, announcing salvation
  7. Matthew 13:34-35 – The Nazarene’s Commentary: Manner of Teaching Foretold
  8. Assimilation of the mind to the divine ideas, principles, and affections exhibited in the Scriptures
  9. The Right One to follow and to worship
  10. Redemption # 1Biblical doctrine of salvation
  11. Thought for today (January 17): Walking not after the flesh, but after the spirit
  12. Not being saved by faith in Christ alone
  13. Memorizing wonderfully 15 Psalms 85-120 Salvation, Mercy, Truth and Righteousness
  14. Memorizing wonderfully 47 Blessedness consisting in remission of sins
  15. Today’s thought “Blessed people …” (July 27)
  16. When we think of Jesus let us strive to realise what he means to us
  17. You Need Light for Your Path