"-- things which angels long to look."
I Peter 1:12
It makes you wonder doesn't it? Angels are up there singing "Holy, holy, holy" at the throne of God. Yet, we have been offered a clearer view, a greater revelation than the angels, things which they "long," "desire," "stoop-down "to "glimpse."
Adam Clarke likens it to "the cherubim who stood at the ends of the Ark of the Covenant, in the inner tabernacle, with their faces turned toward the mercy seat...in a bending posture, as if looking attentively, or, as we term it, poring upon it. Even the holy angels are struck with astonishment at the plan of human redemption, and justly wonder at the incarnation of that infinite object of their adoration."
But it is beyond them. Or as John Wesley wrote, "A beautiful gradation; prophets, righteous men, kings, desired to see and hear what Christ did and taught. What the Holy Ghost taught concerning Christ, the very angels long to know."
John Wesley wrote, "So searching, it was revealed that not for themselves, but for us they ministered--They did not so much by those predictions serve themselves, or that generation, as they did us, who now enjoy what they saw afar off; with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven."
"We may presume that, in a great variety of cases, the prophets did not understand the meaning of their own predictions...We learn from the above that it was the Spirit of Christ in the Jewish prophets that prophesied of Christ; it was that Spirit which revealed Him; and it is the same Spirit which takes of the things of Christ, and shows them unto us...It is He alone that bears witness with our spirits that we are the children of God..."
Romans 1:19 says, "because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them." This is a great gift from God to make Himself known to us.
We even have a place reserved for us in heaven a little above the angels in a sense. Their purpose was different from our purpose. God already had angels when he made man. Adam and Eve were created for fellowship with God, a close fellowship that they broke. Our redemption restores that fellowship made possible by Christ. The angels were not saved through His birth, death, resurrection and ascension. We were. But they are part of the radiating music of His glory that has ever been and always will be, even when they came to earth wrapped in the glory of the Lord that shone around them to say, "Behold I bring you good news of great joy...Glory to God in the highest." Even then, angels were not given a full understanding of what that means.
Adam Clarke likens it to "the cherubim who stood at the ends of the Ark of the Covenant, in the inner tabernacle, with their faces turned toward the mercy seat...in a bending posture, as if looking attentively, or, as we term it, poring upon it. Even the holy angels are struck with astonishment at the plan of human redemption, and justly wonder at the incarnation of that infinite object of their adoration."
But it is beyond them. Or as John Wesley wrote, "A beautiful gradation; prophets, righteous men, kings, desired to see and hear what Christ did and taught. What the Holy Ghost taught concerning Christ, the very angels long to know."
"As to this salvation, the prophets who prophesied of the grace that would come to you
made careful searches and inquiries seeking to know what person or time
the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as He predicted the sufferings of Christ
and the glories to follow.
It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves, but you, in these things
which now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you
by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven--things into which the angels long to look."
Have you ever heard a little child saying something profound that they indeed had not the ability to truly understand themselves, as in the phrase, "out of the mouth of babes"? In a sense, the earlier prophets and kings who were loved by God, were given a message they truly did not understand; but it was given for us as revealed by the Holy Spirit.
Adam Clarke said, "'Of which salvation the prophets have inquired." "they inquired...earnestly...and searched diligently...as after the grains of gold, hidden among sand or compacted with ore, (for such is the meaning of the original word)."
"We may presume that, in a great variety of cases, the prophets did not understand the meaning of their own predictions...We learn from the above that it was the Spirit of Christ in the Jewish prophets that prophesied of Christ; it was that Spirit which revealed Him; and it is the same Spirit which takes of the things of Christ, and shows them unto us...It is He alone that bears witness with our spirits that we are the children of God..."
Romans 1:19 says, "because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them." This is a great gift from God to make Himself known to us.
I just want to add that we might have some misunderstandings of angels. It comforts some people to think that their loved ones become angels, and if they are good enough, they get their wings. I don't believe that is taught in Scripture. True, angels have wings, but we will have white robes as the Bride of Christ.
We even have a place reserved for us in heaven a little above the angels in a sense. Their purpose was different from our purpose. God already had angels when he made man. Adam and Eve were created for fellowship with God, a close fellowship that they broke. Our redemption restores that fellowship made possible by Christ. The angels were not saved through His birth, death, resurrection and ascension. We were. But they are part of the radiating music of His glory that has ever been and always will be, even when they came to earth wrapped in the glory of the Lord that shone around them to say, "Behold I bring you good news of great joy...Glory to God in the highest." Even then, angels were not given a full understanding of what that means.
In the Trinity, the Holy Spirit is the One who reveals such things. John 14:25 gives the words of Christ when He says, "These things I have spoken to you while abiding with you. But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you."
I believe that we will sing with the angels in the heavenly choir. How could we not? But while the angels radiate His glory, it is for us that He has prepared a place. He desires us to be with Him forever in close unbroken fellowship, in intimacy with Christ, closer than the angels.
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