1Pe 1:10-12  Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully,  (11)  inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories.  (12)  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.

I look at this passage and think, “Well if we believers now are nuts, we’re in good company!”

Have you ever read the Prophets?  If you haven’t, I suggest you get something like the ESV Bible Atlas.  It can get pretty hard to understand the material without a guide.  This will help you understand what’s going on – and there’s a lot going on!

But the point of this passage is to show us that we are not alone in our faith (like Hebrews 11).  There was faith in Christ on the other side of the cross.  The Prophets searched as diligently concerning Christ as you and I can re-search about Him.

They wanted to know the who and when concerning His first coming as we do about His second coming.  They “looked forward” to Him just as we do. 

That’s one of the uses we can make of the Prophets.  We can see their journey and the events and circumstances they passed through as they looked for Him.  We can also draw comfort from their struggles and perseverance.

Peter tells us that they knew, “they were serving not themselves,” but rather they were serving you and me.  How?  Through their words we see the promises, the identifiers of Jesus.  The greatest thing we see is the consistent hope in God’s plan for redeeming His people – those who had faith in God’s promises – especially redemption.

We also see their struggle with the world around them and how God’s providence was always working for their care.  We see His protection and provision through some of the strangest people and means we could imagine (or not imagine).  So, we can take strength and comfort and encouragement from their testimony.  From God’s actions through them and for them, we can be strengthened and secured.

The line of revelation flows from the Prophets to the Apostles:

Eph 2:19-20  So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God,  (20)  built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,

Heb 1:1-2  God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways,  (2)  in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world.

2Pe 3:1-2  This is now the second letter that I am writing to you, beloved. In both of them I am stirring up your sincere mind by way of reminder,  (2)  that you should remember the predictions of the holy prophets and the commandment of the Lord and Savior through your apostles,

Ending this passage Peter tells us that we have access to, “things into which angels long to look.”  That is quite an encouragement for you and me.