"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"
The message of salvation has come to us. What a blessed reality! Today, I invite you to look with me at the four agents God has used to bring this salvation to us: The OT prophets, Holy Spirit, Apostles, and the Angels.
The prophets were God's spokesmen that prophesied "of the grace that would come". These men spoke wonders they didn't understand, and spent their lives searching the truth of their words! They died, not knowing the fulfillment of their promises - the Messiah that was to come. These "all died in faith, not having recieved the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them" (Heb 11:15). The words of the prophets paved the way for the Messiah, keeping the nation of Israel in anticipation of their Savior and delineating the circumstances surrounding His life.
The Holy Spirit was the agent behind the prophet's words. His inspiration revealed that this Savior would suffer, but that the glory He would reveal would far surpass the pain involved. In the New Testament period, the apostles wrote by the "Spirit that was within them" (Rom 8:9). It was this gospel that the apostles took to the ends of the earth. The men that had cowered and betrayed Jesus were transformed by the Spirit to endure all kinds of persecution for the gospel's sake! Paul came to the Corinthians "in demonstration of the Spirit and power" (1 Cor 2:5). The Spirit testified of the Messiah to come, and He is the one who gives us the power to understand.
Yet it is not man alone who is curious of this salvation. The angels also desire and "long to look" into this plan of salvation. I can only imagine what wonder they must experience, as they see the perfect Son of God slain upon a cross for sinful man. They are employed in the word of divine service, and live to glorify God by perfectly serving Him. It was angels who announced Christ's birth, ministered to Him in the desert, and stood by His grave when He arose - testifying of the time to come when He ascended. At the end of all days, they will sing "Worthy is the Lamb.. for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation, You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God...Worthy are You to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing!!" (Rev 5:7-12).
Are you humbled and blessed by these truths? For centuries the prophets inquired, the angels longed to see, and the apostles testified of this truth - that grace and salvation has come to the sons of men! How blessed are we among the peoples of this earth to know and understand?
By His Spirit, this "God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ" (2 Cor 4:6)
Praise to our King for this grace in which we now stand!
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