The Two Mountains of Prophecy
The prophets searched and for it. The Apostles revealed it, and the angels long to look into it. Peter knows all about it, the grace of God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Peter knew from bitter-sweet experience that God’s grace has great power to sustain us through difficult times. He tells how the Holy Spirit predicted the suffering and glories of Jesus which will bring about and perfect God’s eternal plan of saving His children and restoring us to Himself.
Scripture
1 Peter 1:8-12 ESV Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory, [9] obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls. [10] 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.
Bible Study Questions
In 1 Peter 1:8-9 the Apostle Peter reminds the early Christians that they love Jesus even though they’ve never seen Him, and believe in Him even though they can’t see Him. What is the result of this faith which does not rely on sight?
The Prophets wrote about the grace of God that was to be revealed through Jesus Christ even though they could not see the person of Jesus or the time that He would appear. What did they do in spite of not being able to see Him or His time? (1 Peter 1:10)
What are the two critical events of Prophecy (Mountains of Prophecy) which the Prophets searched and enquired about? (1 Peter 1:11)
What Old Testament Prophecy examples are there of the sufferings of Jesus Christ which have been fulfilled? (Psalms 22:12-18, Psalms 22:12-18)
What Old Testament Prophecy examples are there of the glories of Jesus Christ which are yet to be fulfilled? ( Zechariah 14:4-9, Ezekiel 11:23)
1 Peter 1:12 shows that the Apostles announced the Gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit and that even the angels long to know more about this grace revealed in the Gospel. What does God make known to the angels through the Church? (Ephesians 3:8-10)
Given the way the Apostles, Prophets and angels have responded to the revelation of God, How do you think the proper study of Prophecy will influence us as we look back on Christ’s suffering and forward to His ultimate Glory? (1 Peter 1:8-12)
Prayer
Dear Father God, Thank You for Your Holy Word, the blessed Holy Spirit and the faithful testimony of the Prophets and Apostles. Please forgive us when we neglect Your Word Father, and please help us to study Your prophecies, not to gain knowledge and control, but in order to know, love and serve You better. Please keep us in Your Holy Name, protect us and provide for us as the Day of Your return grows closer and closer. In Jesus Name, Amen.
Worship
That which for long the prophets sought,
The righteous yearned to see,
Has in these last of days appeared
In its reality. And we’re now in the final stages,
’Tis the completion of all the ages.
All those who believed the promise
Are perfected now in us.
Oh, blessed are our eyes that see,
Our ears, how blessed to hear;
Things angels ne’er could look into
Are now to us made clear.
Our sense is corporate, bold and strong,
His grace, how free to take;
Encouraging the others on,
Run for the kingdom’s sake.
We’re weary not this race to run,
It makes our joy complete;
For this we know, around the bend,
The Lord we’ll surely meet.
Service
The Prophets were not serving themselves in hearing God’s Word, recording and preserving it for us to read and grow through it. How can we who are not given the Divinely inspired Word of God, serve others with what we have been shown?