1 Peter 1:10-13 The gospel empowers us to overcome suffering and injustice, not escape them

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. Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Background

With respect to salvation, the prophets have a role of predicting the timing of believer’s trials, and the future glories that await. In the early church, the preaching of the gospel was often accompanied by such prophecies. These prophecies are essential for they encourage the believer to remain single-minded while anticipating the victory and glories that await. The true strength of the gospel is revealed in one’s ability not to escape tribulation, but to fulfill their mission even in the face of adversity. Today’s devotion reminds us: The gospel empowers us to overcome suffering and injustice, not escape them.

Observation

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.

With respect to salvation, the role of the prophets is to carefully inquire, to predict the timing of the believer’s trials, and the future glories that await. Through personal prophecies, believers gain insight into the nature and timing of their trials, enabling them to mentally prepare for action and maintain a sober mindset to overcome these challenges. The “sufferings of Christ” mentioned here refer not to Christ’s own sufferings but the trials believers face while following Christ. Knowing the glories that await encourages the believer to remain single-minded while anticipating the subsequent victory and 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. Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.

Personal prophecies like these must be delivered to individual believers following the preaching of the gospel. So that they may come to see the gospel not as an escape from trials but as a means to overcome them. The provision of prophecies to individual believers is crucial, as it constitutes the prophets’ core service to the church. If the prophets fail in this duty, they are in fact serving their own interests. In addition, angels take a keen interest in these prophecies, as they are sent to aid believers overcome their trials to receive salvation (refer to Hebrews 1:14). Therefore, personal prophecies appeal not only to believers but also to angels who are sent to help them.

Truth

The gospel empowers us to overcome suffering and injustice, not escape them.

Many Christians think that the gospel will help them escape from all of life’s challenges. During Jesus’s final meal with His disciples, He knew that trouble was at the door. So He said to His disciples,

“Behold, an hour is coming, and has already come, for you to be scattered, each to his own home, and to leave Me alone; and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with Me. These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:32-33

Jesus, the author of the gospel did not seek to escape tribulation, instead He chose to embrace it. Jesus courageously faced tribulation by surrendering Himself to the Jews. Consequently, Jesus was crucified, resurrected and glorified at God’s righthand. By accepting the tribulation ordained by God, Jesus triumphed over the realm of darkness and established His dominion over it.

Personal prophecies predict the nature and timing of the individual’s trials and the subsequent glories. In the era of Jesus and the early church, personal prophecies were a commonplace. As Jesus had foreknowledge of what was to come, He was able to prepare Himself and His disciples for His departure, during which He consulted with Elijah and Moses.

In the early history of the church, personal prophecies frequently accompanied the preaching of the gospel. These prophecies enabled believers to evaluate their sacrifices in relation to the future glories that lie ahead. During Paul’s journey to Damascus, he had an encounter with the resurrected Christ, which resulted in his temporary blindness. After Ananias visited him, Paul received the gospel message and was made aware of the extent of his future sufferings for Christ. Furthermore, the Holy Spirit cautioned Paul about the bonds and tribulations that he would face in every city. Through these prophetic revelations, Paul understood that his sufferings were divinely ordained, which led him to seek divine direction on how to face his persecutors. Additionally, Paul was taken up by the Spirit to the third heaven, where he witnessed the glories that awaited him.

While the gospel calls for believers to partake in Christ’s sufferings in order to partake in His glory (Romans 8:17b), many prefer to focus on the glories while disregarding the sufferings. They wish and pray that through Christ’s mercies, they might avoid suffering and gain entry into the kingdom of God. They endeavour to align their lives with God’s will, hoping that their paths will be free of difficulties. However, the road to glory is inherently filled with challenges.

That said, Paul, despite his anguish, implored God to alleviate his suffering; however, Jesus responded, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Through Jesus’ words, Paul realized that the genuine strength of the gospel is revealed in one’s ability to fulfill their mission even in the face of adversity.

Application

With the help of a prophet, search and carefully inquire the timing and nature of the trials that God have ordained for you. Then, search and carefully inquire the timing and the nature of the glories (promotion, rapture e.g.) that await.

Prayer

Dear Lord, I thank you for predestining me for glory, and to rule alongside you over creation. Show me how I can walk with you through mountains and valleys. So that I may be found worthy to attain salvation at the highest level. In Jesus’s name I pray. Amen.