The Old Testament Prophets longed to see Jesus Christ
In the passage I will be going over what Peter reminds his readers that this salvation that he is writing about is what the Prophets enquired and searched diligently for and they prophesied of this grace in Jesus Christ that came to them from the Old Testament. The Apostle also explained that these same people foretold that the true Messiah (Jesus Christ) would suffer but Peter added and explained the glory that would follow the Lamb of God's horrible afflictions. The main chapter to read would be Isaiah chapter 53. I would recommend this to anyone that can read on the entire planet. Peter probably went into this direction with his readers because they were going through horrible sufferings and he desired to put the subject into greater perspective.
Jesus Christ was not revealed to the Prophets because they were living in the days of the Old Testament but He was shown the Son of God with his own eyes. His audience that he was writing to heard the message of salvation through preachers of the gospel that were filled with the Holy Spirit sent from God. Peter also adds that angels desire to look into this mysterious grace of the Son of God because in laymen's terms it is very difficult for them to understand this incomprehensible love of God.
Peter challenges them to gird up the loins of their minds. He desired them to be sober which in this context has very little to do with alcohol (Unless you have a predisposition to this sin) and have hope to the end for this grace that was brought to them at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
Let me just quote the original text so you can read it and perhaps make reference to this passage if need be in this particular study of the Bible.
(10) "Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and search diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: (11) Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow. (12) Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the HOLY GHOST sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into. (13) Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; 1 Peter 1: 10 - 13.
The Apostle Peter goes straight to the Prophets and produces the authority of them to convince his listening audience that the reality of salvation by faith in Jesus Christ was not a new doctrine. These inspired writers of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament were diligent as they wrote about redemption through the Lamb of God. Peter writes the Holy Ghost revealed to them regarding the subject of salvation through the Son of God. In fact he says the grace of God which should come unto you. They foresaw or prophesied from the penned guidance of the Holy Spirit seasons of light, grace and comfort. They wrote the prophecies but deep down I believe they desired to see and hear the truths that came to pass in the days of the gospel. They of course died and had the privilege of seeing these things from heaven.
The Apostle writes they enquired and searched diligently which simple means in laymen's terms the prophets desired to look into this subject of redemption through the coming Messiah frontwards, backwards and sideways. They had an earnest desire to know and were diligent to portray this message to their audience both through writing and talking to people in their surroundings. They were both inspired and diligent in learning about the Prince of Peace to come. If they were so interested in this subject how much more should we be encouraged to not only know Jesus Christ but to keep Him at the center of our hearts.
The doctrine of the salvation / redemption of a person through Jesus Christ has been the study and admiration of the greatest and the least throughout the history of mankind. Those who received redemption through Jesus Christ should desire to search the many different aspects of our Savior and Lord everyday because that is what we are going to be doing in heaven. Remember Jesus Christ was the main subject of their studies especially His humiliation, death and the glory that would follow His resurrection.
If they desired to look into the whole gospel then so should we but I see so many people that are just content with their world. There is an end to that but when we accept Jesus Christ for our salvation this redemption in the Lamb of God lasts forever. The prophets desired to see the Son of man, their minds and hearts were set on the time of this divine accomplishment because they wanted to see the purpose of God for the sins of mankind. In like manner our life will have a time of suffering for our service to God before we receive our reward in heaven. This is the way it was for Jesus so because we are His children it is the same for us because a disciple is not above His Lord.
To sum this particular section of the article up there are three distinct groups of created creatures under the authority of heaven. There were the Prophets who longed to see Jesus Christ but were told it was not going to happen in their lifetime. There were the Apostles who looked into the past prophecies (and saw them with their own eyes) and preached everything to anyone who would listen especially the suffering church. Lastly the angels who desire to look into these truths regarding Jesus Christ and redemption. The implication of this statement at the end of verse twelve is they are having a hard time understanding how great the love of God truly is and they do struggle with this reality or good news that is taking place in many people across this world. Remember angels saw the other angels who followed Lucifer fall from heaven. They saw God bring horrible wrath on societies because of overwelming sin. Now in this salvation context they are seeing murderers, drug addicts and every other transgression but evil people are being redemned through the shed blood of Jesus Christ.
I can see why the angels would scratch their heads and keep looking into this wonderful plan of salvation through Jesus Christ. A diligent endeavor after the knowledge of Christ will certainly be answered but several of our requests before God will be denied because we as true believers in Jesus Christ are primarily called to be His servants. If we ask God for something and it is a conflict of interest with our servitude to God and other people we will hear the answer no if we are listening. Most of the times when I write an article God will not let me get anything out of the study or writing because it is for the service of God and other people. It is not about me. Does a waitress eat the food she is serving to the people on the table?
Isn't it interesting that the doctrine of the Prophets and the Apostles agree because the message was coming from the same Spirit of God. If we are Christians we have the Holy Spirit living inside of us. He is the Third Person of the Trinity. We are to be obedient in preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ but the success of the message comes from the Spirit of God. This message is glorious and the angels long to look into the mysteries of this redemptive truth through the Lamb of God that died for the sins of mankind.
In verse thirteen the Apostle Peter exhorts them to sobriety and holiness. He says wherefore gird up the loins of your mind. When we go about our service to God and other people we need to let the loins or strength of our minds be guided by the Holy Spirit. If we truly desire to be obedient to Jesus Christ we should not get involved in anything that would hinder or hurt us in an evil way because our original purpose is to engage in good for God and other people. If you are one that does not know how to be obedient to God in service then consistently praying to God for direction shows Jesus Christ that you are earnest. It is hard when a person wants to serve God but does not know how. I have been in that place and every single time Jesus Christ provided an opening to serve Him for the Kingdom of God.
In verse thirteen the Apostle Peter writes gird up the loins of your mind and be sober. This is his way of saying be vigilant against all our spiritual enemies but on the other hand be temperate in all of our behavior. A sober minded person engages in this through his or her opinions and in practice. God is the owner of our minds and hearts but we are the managers. Trust me after being under seventy different bosses (managers) there are good ones and bad ones and that is the same with us as believers in Christ. Peter writes be a sober thinker because our work just began at salvation so we should still put our hope in Jesus Christ and strive for more grace. As managers of ourselves we should work hard for Jesus Christ encouraging ourselves because we are empowered by the grace of God through our hope in Jesus Christ.
If the Prophets longed to see Jesus Christ in Old Testament times and the Apostles were excited to proclaim Him how much more should we desire the Prince of Peace to be at the center of our hearts. Now may be a good time to accept Jesus Christ into your heart as your very own Savior and Lord by repenting of all your sins and inviting the Son of God into your life. Remember the Prophets longed to see Jesus Christ in His flesh but we are looking for the immanent return of Jesus Christ called the rapture of the church. Those who go up in the Blessed Hope will see Jesus Christ in His glorified resurrected body and we will receive our resurrected bodies. This event could happen at any moment but if it does not happen today / tonight the rapture of the Church will happen soon. If you just made that all important eternal decision occupy until He comes but long to see Jesus Christ at this glorious event because it is right at the door.
God Bless you,
Bob D.
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