Peter continues to unpack the beauty of the salvation that we have received in Christ. Not only is it a salvation that we have presently received new birth into and a future salvation that is waiting to be revealed - but it is also a salvation that has been preached and proclaimed and prophesied in the past. The audience to which Peter is writing is living in the fulfillment of salvation history. The prophets have longed for and looked into the things that they now have the privilege of being the recipients and firsthand witnesses of! The Spirit of Christ testified to them about the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow, and these Christians have now received the preaching of the gospel of Christ that has so long been anticipated.
It is a privilege to receive and anticipate the revelation and salvation of God. The prophets testified about this from a distance. Angels themselves long to catch a glimpse. Peter's readers - despite their temporary trials - actually get to experience. Do we cherish and appreciate the testified, announced, and preached Word of God? Or do we take it for granted? Do we say things like, "If only I could have lived back then and witnessed God's miraculous activity in the lives of his people firsthand, then I would believe. Then I would have confidence." Do we lament the days that we are living in - complaining that it is harder now than ever to follow and believe? Peter asserts quite the opposite. You occupy a very privileged seat in redemptive history - to sit on this side of the cross and experience the long-awaited salvation of Christ. Will you take this for granted?
