Articles
Peter 06 - Things Into Which Angels Long to Look
Things Into Which Angels Long to Look
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 long to look. (1Peter 1:10-12)
It can be easy to forget how blessed we are. As Christians, we know we are blessed, but if we are not careful, we might take some blessings for granted. The prophets of God were blessed, too. They were great people of faith and many are remembered for laying down their life. We acknowledge their greatness. However, in one sense, we have an even greater blessing than they. We are created in God’s image and have been given the great responsibility for God’s creation, but we are still “lower than the angels” who are spiritual beings. Guess what? We also have a greater blessing than these.
We have learned that God, Christ, the Spirit, and man are all factors in man’s salvation (1Peter 1:2). In discussing this salvation, it is said that there are things into which angels long to look (1Peter 1:9-12). What are these things? They are things which the prophets prophesied about. Even the prophets did not know what they signified (1Peter 1:10-11). All they could determine was that they did not pertain to themselves but to a later people (1Peter 1:12). If prophets made careful searches and inquiries, and if angels even had a desire to look into these things, they must have been most significant blessings. Let us look into them.
Salvation is the first of these things the prophets prophesied about (1Peter 1:9-10). This salvation is the same as mentioned in verse five—the salvation that is the end result of one’s faith. There is a salvation from past sins, which is what is involved in the question: “What must I do to be
saved?” (Acts 2:37 see also Mark 16:16; 1Peter 3:21). Beyond this, there is a salvation which is reserved in heaven (1Peter 1:5,9; Revelation 21–22). Angels desired to look into this. Do you?
The grace that should come is the next of these things that angels desired to look into (1Peter 1:10). This grace had come by the time Peter wrote. This grace had come in teaching (Titus 2:11-12). All that we know about grace and salvation by grace is contained in this revealed teaching, and we need not speculate about what it will or will not do other than that which has been revealed. We are saved by grace (Ephesians 2:5-8). Yet, grace alone does not save. The angels desired to look into this. Do you?
The time embraced in these prophecies was a matter of concern to the prophets and the angels (1Peter 1:11). All they learned was that these things did not pertain to themselves but to a later people (1Peter 1:12). At the time Peter wrote, the time had come. Notice the “us” and “you.” The last days had come (Hebrews 1:1). Abraham, that great searcher for a city, was not permitted to be of that time (Hebrews 11:39-40). This was what Jesus was talking about in Luke 10:23-24. This ought to be of even more importance to us, as we are Gentiles (Ephesians 2:11-13). Is any wonder that the angels desired to look into these things? Do you?
The sufferings of Christ are the fourth thing mentioned as a thing the angels desired to look into (1Peter 1:11). Of course, that would be the death of Christ and the things which led up to His death (Matthew 27:29-50). That God would do this for us is worthy of looking into. No wonder this so impressed the angels! Those, to whom Peter wrote, had tears of suffering. What an encouragement this must have been to them. The angels desired to look into this. Do you?
The glory which should be revealed was another of those things which the angels desired to look into (1Peter 1:11). The resurrection of Jesus was one such glory that was to come (Matthew 28:1-8). The ascension of Jesus was another such glory (Acts 1:8-11). The coronation of Jesus was another (Acts 2:29-36; Revelation 17:14; Acts 17:7). The second coming of Christ was another of those glories talked about (2Thessalonians 1:7-9; Acts 1:8-11). The judgment is still another of those glories (Acts 17:30,31; John 5:29,30). The angels desired to look into these things. Do you?
What a wonderful paragraph for us! Can any afford not to become a Christian in view of the blessings which can be had? Can any Christian afford not to live a faithful life?
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