1 Peter 3:10-12 – Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look.
The days we are living in are filled with complete uncertainty about the future. Every time there is an election poll, virus outbreak estimate, or economic prediction, it is almost certain to fail miserably. No matter how much technology we innovate, dollars we spend, and lessons we learn, the future remains a complete mystery.
This fact makes the Bible all the more astounding. Over and over, its human authors predict in detail specific future events. How is this possible? Behind the human authors of the Bible is God the Holy Spirit who is the divine Author revealing the future that God rules over.
Looking back on fulfilled biblical prophecy, Peter reminds us that all of Scripture and its prophecies was to point us to Jesus Christ. This includes His first coming in humility to live, die, and rise for our sins as our Savior. This also includes His second coming in glory to judge the living and the dead, sentence people to heaven or hell, and rule over all creation as King of Kings and Lord of Lords.
Three things are true of God’s prophets. About them, we learn:
- They are blessed by God
- They are rejected in history
- They are vindicated in eternity
What is true of the prophets is true of us. God loves you. The world rejects you. But God will vindicate you in eternity so keep putting one foot in front of the other as you walk Home to Jesus.
Unlike the Old Testament prophets, we live in a uniquely privileged time in human history as we have seen many, if not most, of their prophecies fulfilled.
Today, the Christian has the benefit of the same Holy Spirit who teaches us God’s Word so that by learning of God’s faithfulness in the past we will trust His faithfulness in the future. The point is simple – in a day when no one knows the future, God does, and He reveals it to you through His Word to increase our fear and increase your faith as you learn more and more of His Word. In this way, the Christian and non-Christian face the same hardships but only the Christian has the resource of God’s Word and resolution in God’s character to help them to look above their circumstances and beyond their life.
How have you seen God’s faithfulness in your past? How should His past faithfulness affect your view of the future?
To download the free e-book ODD LIFE: Good God which is a study in 1 Peter for individuals, groups, and families from Pastor Mark click HERE. To listen to Pastor Mark’s 9 sermons on 1 Peter preached in the summer of 2020, click HERE. These and other resources are made possible by our ministry partners who support Real Faith as a Bible teaching ministry of Mark Driscoll Ministries to whom we say THANK YOU!