PREOCCUPIED WITH PREOCCUPIED WITH SALVATION, pt.2SALVATION, pt.2

1 PETER 1:10-121 PETER 1:10-12

by by

Troy Self, Troy Self,

Associate PastorAssociate Pastor

OUTLINEOUTLINE

I. Salvation was the sI. Salvation was the subjectubject of the prophets’ of the prophets’ computation [enquiry and study], vv. 10-computation [enquiry and study], vv. 10-11a 11a

II. Salvation was the cII. Salvation was the conceptoncept of the Spirit’s of the Spirit’s inspiration, vv. 11b-12a inspiration, vv. 11b-12a

III. Salvation was the pIII. Salvation was the preceptrecept of the of the Apostles’ interpretation [preaching], v.12bApostles’ interpretation [preaching], v.12b

IV. Salvation was the object of the aIV. Salvation was the object of the angelsngels’ ’ fascination, v.12cfascination, v.12c

TO UNDERSTAND…TO UNDERSTAND…

That our present salvation in Christ was the That our present salvation in Christ was the subject of the Old Testament prophets’ subject of the Old Testament prophets’ curiosity and icuriosity and interestnterest. .

That we may take our salvation for gThat we may take our salvation for grantedranted. .

That we evidence genuine faith by remaining That we evidence genuine faith by remaining ccuriousurious about the benefits of salvation. about the benefits of salvation.

That we have something substantive and That we have something substantive and important when we tell about the gimportant when we tell about the glorylory of of this Christ…this Christ…

I. Salvation was the subject of the I. Salvation was the subject of the prophets’ computationprophets’ computation

The prophetsThe prophets: the prophets Peter is : the prophets Peter is talking about are in the context of his talking about are in the context of his Jewish culture…these prophets he is Jewish culture…these prophets he is talking about are the OT prophets. talking about are the OT prophets.

The prophets The prophets enquiredenquired into what they into what they had written. They wrote down what had written. They wrote down what God the Holy Spirit told them to write God the Holy Spirit told them to write down in down in ppropheciesrophecies. .

Enquired: Enquired: to sto searchearch out, that is, investigate, out, that is, investigate, crave, scrutinizecrave, scrutinize

It suggests diligent sIt suggests diligent studytudy and a painstaking and a painstaking effort to find the answer to a reffort to find the answer to a riddleiddle. .

The strengthened form of the word that The strengthened form of the word that Peter used here conjures a picture of the Peter used here conjures a picture of the Old Testament prophets doing their Old Testament prophets doing their utmost to hutmost to huntunt down the meaning of what down the meaning of what they had written.they had written.

I. Salvation was the subject of the I. Salvation was the subject of the prophets’ computationprophets’ computation

A. what the prophets A. what the prophets ppursuedursued

Who prophesied of the grace that should come Who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you…unto you…by virtue of their name, prophets by virtue of their name, prophets prophesyprophesy..

Prophesied:Prophesied: to foretell events, divine, s to foretell events, divine, speakpeak under under inspiration, exercise the prophetic officeinspiration, exercise the prophetic office

Mac: Of all the truth the prophets received through Mac: Of all the truth the prophets received through divine revelation, the truth of salvation was their divine revelation, the truth of salvation was their greatest pgreatest passionassion. From Moses to Malachi, all of . From Moses to Malachi, all of the Old Testament prophets were fascinated by the Old Testament prophets were fascinated by the pthe promisesromises of salvation. of salvation.

I. Salvation was the subject of the I. Salvation was the subject of the prophets’ computationprophets’ computation

Though the Old Testament prophets Though the Old Testament prophets knew that their writings described a knew that their writings described a future manifestation of salvation future manifestation of salvation grace, their desire to understand grace, their desire to understand those prophecies was still so those prophecies was still so compelling and pervasive that compelling and pervasive that they enquired and searched they enquired and searched diligently into their odiligently into their ownwn writings. writings.

I. Salvation was the subject of the I. Salvation was the subject of the prophets’ computationprophets’ computation

B. what the prophets B. what the prophets pproclaimedroclaimed

Salvation truth weaves a thread Salvation truth weaves a thread throughout the Bible from Genesis to throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelation. Revelation.

The prophets in direct utterance The prophets in direct utterance ppreachedreached about it, and it was about it, and it was portrayed in many tportrayed in many typesypes and and shadows. shadows.

I. Salvation was the subject of the I. Salvation was the subject of the prophets’ computationprophets’ computation

The prophets were familiar with the The prophets were familiar with the general plan of salvation and the general plan of salvation and the underlying principles of grace. underlying principles of grace.

But they instinctively felt that very But they instinctively felt that very much mmuch moreore was as yet unrevealed. was as yet unrevealed.

They sensed that God had something They sensed that God had something yet to reveal that would be ayet to reveal that would be awesomewesome and wonderful.and wonderful.

I. Salvation was the subject of the I. Salvation was the subject of the prophets’ computationprophets’ computation

C. What the prophets C. What the prophets pponderedondered

1. The t1. The timesimes which they pondered which they pondered

11a11aSearching what, or what manner of timeSearching what, or what manner of time… …

Henry: Henry: Daniel was a man greatly beloved and Daniel was a man greatly beloved and inspired, yet he understood by books and study inspired, yet he understood by books and study the computations of tthe computations of timeime, ,

(Daniel 9:2) (Daniel 9:2) In the first year of his reign I Daniel In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah whereof the word of the LORD came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

I. Salvation was the subject of the I. Salvation was the subject of the prophets’ computationprophets’ computation

Even their own revelation Even their own revelation required their required their study, meditation, and pstudy, meditation, and prayerrayer; for ; for many prophecies had a dmany prophecies had a doubleouble meaning: meaning:

……in their first intention they aimed at in their first intention they aimed at some person or event near at hand, some person or event near at hand, but their ultimate design was to but their ultimate design was to describe the person, sufferings, or describe the person, sufferings, or kingdom of Christ.kingdom of Christ.

I. Salvation was the subject of the I. Salvation was the subject of the prophets’ computationprophets’ computation

We live in a day and time when the average We live in a day and time when the average mmanan is apparently too busy to meditate, to is apparently too busy to meditate, to ponder, to rponder, to reflecteflect either on the course of either on the course of his own life or the Scriptures.his own life or the Scriptures.

Mac: The queries were about who and when. Mac: The queries were about who and when. (It should be noted here that today’s (It should be noted here that today’s believers regularly face the sbelievers regularly face the sameame questions regarding New Testament questions regarding New Testament prophecies of the fprophecies of the futureuture. .

I. Salvation was the subject of the I. Salvation was the subject of the prophets’ computationprophets’ computation

Mac: [cont.] They can know the events Mac: [cont.] They can know the events revealed in Scripture, but the exact revealed in Scripture, but the exact identities of key persons involved and identities of key persons involved and when precisely certain events will when precisely certain events will occur is an ongoing coccur is an ongoing courseourse of study of study for all interested in eschatology.)for all interested in eschatology.)

I. Salvation was the subject of the I. Salvation was the subject of the prophets’ computationprophets’ computation

what manner of timewhat manner of time… The word Peter uses … The word Peter uses for ‘time’ is important. for ‘time’ is important.

It is the word It is the word kairoskairos, which denotes a , which denotes a sseasoneason. .

It is not to be confused with the other word It is not to be confused with the other word for time, or season, know as for time, or season, know as chronoschronos. .

KairosKairos refers not so much to the duration of refers not so much to the duration of a period as to the da period as to the distinctivesistinctives of that of that period. period.

I. Salvation was the subject of the I. Salvation was the subject of the prophets’ computationprophets’ computation

Gill: Gill: The prophets made a very diligent The prophets made a very diligent inquiry into the einquiry into the exactxact time when Christ time when Christ should come to work out the salvation of should come to work out the salvation of his people…his people…

……and that it should be seventy weeks, or and that it should be seventy weeks, or 490 years, from a date given in Dan_9:24 490 years, from a date given in Dan_9:24 as it was revealed to the Prophet Daniel; as it was revealed to the Prophet Daniel;

……and they not only searched into the exact and they not only searched into the exact time, but into the manner and qtime, but into the manner and qualityuality of of the time when the Saviour should come…the time when the Saviour should come…

I. Salvation was the subject of the I. Salvation was the subject of the prophets’ computationprophets’ computation

II. Salvation was the concept of II. Salvation was the concept of the Spirit’s inspiration the Spirit’s inspiration

the Spirit of Christ which was in them did the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify…’signify…’

The expression ‘The expression ‘the Spirit of Christ’ the Spirit of Christ’ is is important. It refers to Cimportant. It refers to Christ’shrist’s own Spirit, own Spirit, the Holy Spirit. The expression bears the Holy Spirit. The expression bears silent witness to the dsilent witness to the deityeity of Christ and the of Christ and the pre-existence of the Lord Jesus as the Son pre-existence of the Lord Jesus as the Son of God [Romans 8:9; Galations 4:6]. of God [Romans 8:9; Galations 4:6].

The OT prophets knew that they were being The OT prophets knew that they were being lleded, controlled, informed and inspired by , controlled, informed and inspired by the Spirit of God. the Spirit of God.

Peter aPeter affirmsffirms they were under the control they were under the control and indwelt by the Spirit of Christ. and indwelt by the Spirit of Christ.

‘…‘…when it testified beforehand…’when it testified beforehand…’

A twofold process was involved. They wrote A twofold process was involved. They wrote by by divine revelationdivine revelation and by and by divine divine inspirationinspiration. .

II. Salvation was the concept of II. Salvation was the concept of the Spirit’s inspirationthe Spirit’s inspiration

They were acutely aware of the fact that the They were acutely aware of the fact that the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing them Spirit of Christ in them was pointing them forward to a unique ‘time’, one that was forward to a unique ‘time’, one that was both mboth marvelousarvelous and mysterious. and mysterious.

As to the fact and features and the duration As to the fact and features and the duration and character of this coming ‘time’, they and character of this coming ‘time’, they were left very much in the dwere left very much in the darkark. .

They did know that it was to be an age of They did know that it was to be an age of grace [1:9] beyond anything in all of the grace [1:9] beyond anything in all of the aagesges past. past.

II. Salvation was the concept of II. Salvation was the concept of the Spirit’s inspirationthe Spirit’s inspiration

2. The truths which they prophesied2. The truths which they prophesied

11b…when it testified beforehand the 11b…when it testified beforehand the sufferingssufferings of Christ, and the of Christ, and the gloryglory that that should follow. should follow. 

[see handout supplement, [see handout supplement, Old Testament Old Testament Prophecies and their New Testament Prophecies and their New Testament fulfillmentfulfillment]]

II. Salvation was the concept of II. Salvation was the concept of the Spirit’s inspirationthe Spirit’s inspiration

3. The p3. The peopleeople whom they prepared whom they prepared

12Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto 12Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister themselves, but unto us they did minister the things…’the things…’

Peter wanted to remind his readers that they Peter wanted to remind his readers that they were actually the heirs of this new were actually the heirs of this new ddispensationispensation, this new and wondrous , this new and wondrous departure from God’s previous dealings departure from God’s previous dealings with mankind. with mankind.

II. Salvation was the concept of II. Salvation was the concept of the Spirit’s inspirationthe Spirit’s inspiration

They were actually living [as are we] in They were actually living [as are we] in the vthe veryery time period that had so time period that had so excited the interest of the prophets, excited the interest of the prophets, and they were experiencing, in an age and they were experiencing, in an age of gof gracerace, things of which the OT , things of which the OT prophets had never understood.prophets had never understood.

II. Salvation was the concept of II. Salvation was the concept of the Spirit’s inspirationthe Spirit’s inspiration

Of this salvation, the prophets:Of this salvation, the prophets:

EEnquirednquired

Searched dSearched diligentlyiligently

PProphesiedrophesied

SSearchedearched

II. Salvation was the concept of II. Salvation was the concept of the Spirit’s inspirationthe Spirit’s inspiration

While the Bible is a best-seller, the While the Bible is a best-seller, the people who actually people who actually read itread it are a are a mminorityinority. .

The Bible is an open book in which God The Bible is an open book in which God tells us about the rtells us about the richesiches of salvation of salvation we have in Christ Jesus. we have in Christ Jesus.

Therefore, Therefore, study the Scripturesstudy the Scriptures to be to be wise in respect to salvation.wise in respect to salvation.

II. Salvation was the concept of II. Salvation was the concept of the Spirit’s inspirationthe Spirit’s inspiration

SO WHAT???SO WHAT???

Like the prophets of old, we in this Like the prophets of old, we in this dispensation must make of this salvation:dispensation must make of this salvation:

SSearchearch the Scriptures: (John 5:39) the Scriptures: (John 5:39) Search the scriptures; for in them ye think Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me. which testify of me.

Search: through the idea of inquiry; to Search: through the idea of inquiry; to seek, to investigateseek, to investigate

RReadead the Scriptures: (Revelation 1:3) the Scriptures: (Revelation 1:3) Blessed Blessed isis he that readeth… he that readeth…

SO WHAT???SO WHAT???

SStudytudy the Scriptures: (2 Timothy 2:15) the Scriptures: (2 Timothy 2:15) Study to shew thyself approved unto God, Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.truth.

KKnownow the Scriptures: (2 Timothy 3:15) And the Scriptures: (2 Timothy 3:15) And that from a child thou hast known the holy that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.in Christ Jesus.

SO WHAT???SO WHAT???

MMeditateeditate on the Scriptures: (1 Timothy on the Scriptures: (1 Timothy 4:15) Meditate upon these things; 4:15) Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.profiting may appear to all.

Fathers: setting the exampleFathers: setting the example

Children: AWANA and Jr. Bible Children: AWANA and Jr. Bible quizzingquizzing

Youth: SH Bible QuizzingYouth: SH Bible Quizzing