The Greatness of Our Salvation (B)

John MacArthur: They have seen it as observers and they want to see it as observers, and they want to look into it so that they might join in the redemption song and give God glory. What a beautiful thought. What a salvation.
Phil Johnson: Welcome to Grace to You Weekend with the Bible teaching of John MacArthur. I'm your host, Phil Johnson. Today we are continuing John's study called "Our Great Salvation." It's a series designed to reinvigorate your joy that comes from God's amazing redemption. In the course of this study, John has encouraged you to focus your attention on the many blessings of being saved by Christ. So some questions to ask yourself at this point might be: How does your salvation affect the way you're running the race of faith? The way you're living your daily life? In light of God's grace to you, is worship a high priority or an afterthought? And how should being eternally rescued from sin and death affect the way you pray, the way you talk to others, the way you raise your family, even the way you spend your time and money? Consider those questions as John begins today's message.
John MacArthur: Salvation was so marvelous a reality that even the Old Testament prophets spent their time trying to understand its wonders. That's how great it is. That's how wonderful it is. Of all the things they might have searched out, this was what they chose to search out. Peter's heart is revealed here to see the greatness of salvation. Just note how the prophets wanted to understand it. The reality of salvation, history in Christ, consumed their hearts. They made careful search. That's a very intense word, `ekzeteo`. A preposition always intensifies the verb. They sought it out diligently. They made inquiry, another compound term, `exaeraunao`, to search out diligently, intensely. Because they didn't fully understand. They couldn't understand. How could they understand? Christ hadn't come. He hadn't lived. He hadn't taught. He hadn't died. He hadn't risen. The prophets didn't understand. They didn't understand a lot of things. In Isaiah 6, verse 11, Isaiah says, "Then I said, 'Lord, how long?'" And in a sense, he's admitting, "I wish I understood this." Habakkuk, in chapter 1, says, "Lord, how long are you going to allow this abuse of your people to go on?" There were a lot of things they didn't understand. A lot of things they could have studied. A lot of things they could have looked into. A lot of things that must have been of tremendous interest to them. Daniel chapter 7, verse 15, "As for me, Daniel, my spirit was distressed within me, and the visions in my mind kept alarming me." And so I approached one of those who was standing by, an angel, and asked him the exact meaning of all this. He didn't understand it. The angel unfolded some of it to him. So you see, those prophets had an interesting dilemma. They were living so far on the other side of the cross and the work of Christ, there was no way they could understand it all. There was no way they could absorb it all. No way they could see it clearly. Listen to Matthew 13:17, the words of Jesus, "For truly I say to you," he said this to his disciples, "that many prophets and righteous men desired to see what you see and did not see it, and to hear what you hear and did not hear it." They were limited. They were limited. And so they studied their own writings, and what did they study? The Messiah and the salvation that he would bring. It was not just scholarly investigation. It was a passionate, driving compulsion to understand the greatness of salvation. Second point: The second one is that the great salvation, of which Peter writes, is the theme of the Holy Spirit's inspiration. Not only were the prophets committed to this, but so is the Holy Spirit. And Peter gives us a crucial insight into the fact that all revelation was divinely revealed by the Holy Spirit. And the greatness of our salvation is seen in the fact that it was the theme of the Holy Spirit's revelation. Listen, everything the prophets received, they received from whom? The Holy Spirit. Everything the New Testament writers received, they received from the Holy Spirit. Everything we read, we read what the Spirit said. Back to verse 11. They sought to know what person or time—here's the key—the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as he predicted the suffering of Christ and the glories to follow. Peter introduces to us then the idea that these prophets were really wanting to understand the person and the time that the Spirit of Christ within them was indicating as he predicted through them the sufferings of Christ and the glories to follow. Now the prophecies that they wrote had those two elements: the sufferings of Christ and the glory to follow. You go into the Old Testament, read Psalm 22, it's all about the suffering of Christ. Read Psalm 69, verses 1 to 21, it's about the suffering of Christ. Read Isaiah 52:13 to 53:10 or so, all about the sufferings of Christ. Read Daniel 9:24 to 26, the sufferings of Christ, the Messiah will be cut off. Read Zechariah 12:10, he'll be pierced. Zechariah 13:7, more about the sufferings of Christ. They wrote about the sufferings of Christ under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. They wouldn't have known that apart from the Spirit, would they? They couldn't read the future. They couldn't even understand what they did write, let alone try to figure out to write something on their own. And then he says, they wrote about the glories to follow. What does that mean? The resurrection of Christ, the ascension of Christ, the enthronement of Christ. They wrote about the child who would become the king and the government would be upon his shoulder, Isaiah 9. They wrote in Daniel 2 about the one who would be the ultimate king. In Daniel 7, and Zechariah 2, and Zechariah 14. The prophets wrote about the glory, and they wrote about the suffering. But all of it was inspired by the Holy Spirit. By the way, the sufferings of Christ and the glories of Christ are the major themes of Old Testament prophecy. Revelation 19:10 says, "The testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy." So all prophecy is really geared to testify to Christ. And in testifying to Christ, it focused primarily on his suffering and his glory which allowed him to become the Savior. In Luke 24, Jesus said on the road to Emmaus to those disciples, "O foolish men and slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have spoken." And what did the prophets speak? "Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into his glory?" Suffering, glory, suffering, glory, always the theme, always the theme. That theme was the theme of the prophets' study because it was the theme of the Spirit's inspiration. And so he says, "The Spirit of Christ." By the way, that shows that Christ pre-existed before his incarnation in a spirit form. Notice the little phrase "in them" or "within them." The Spirit took up residence within the writers of the Old Testament. The word "indicating," do you see it there? "Spirit of Christ was in them indicating" or some Bibles may say "witnessing." `promarturamenon` means to witness beforehand, to forewitness. Verse 12, by the way, notice it also affirms this. Down toward the end of the verse it says that the New Testament apostles preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. So the Holy Spirit inspired not only the Old Testament writers but the New Testament apostles as well. So both Old Testament and New Testament are the breath of the Spirit of God. Divine origin. So the Holy Spirit revealed this great salvation to that generation. Verse 12 says, "It was revealed to them." It was revealed to them, that is, to the Old Testament prophets. Follow this: "That they were not serving themselves," that this whole message was not for their generation, not for their time. That's so important. Can I just take a moment and remind you of a verse you probably never read or thought about? You may have read by it, but not thought about it. Numbers 24:17. Listen, just listen to it. "I see him but not now. I behold him but not near. A star shall come forth from Jacob, and a scepter shall rise from Israel, but not now and not near." Way back in the Pentateuch. Already the Spirit of God beginning to testify about the coming Messiah. And they weren't speaking about their age and their time. In Hebrews 11, we get a little more insight. Hebrews 11:13 says, "All these died in faith," all the patriarchs, "without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance." That's right. They could only see it from a distance. And then at the end of that eleventh chapter, those final two marvelous verses, 39 and 40, "And all these," all these Old Testament heroes that have been named in this chapter, "having gained approval through their faith," listen, "did not receive what was promised." They didn't. It wasn't for their age, "because God had provided something better for us so that apart from us, they should not be made perfect." It wasn't for their time. It was for us. Now the point here is not that the prophecies had no value. They had immense value, but only that the fulfillment of the prophecies was not for that generation but a future generation, which would come to pass, and that ultimately there would come a time and a generation where salvation would be accomplished and Gentiles would be involved in covenant blessing from the work of Messiah. Third point, a brief one. It is the theme of the apostles' proclamation. Verse 12 again. It says, "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." And that statement simply brings in the New Testament apostles. These things, that is, the salvation grace which is to come, the suffering and glory of Messiah, everything the Spirit inspired in the Old Testament writers, "now have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel to you." Those are the New Testament preachers. "In these things" refers directly to the "who" and the "when." "In these things," the "who," what person, and the "when," what time, are now preached to you. And isn't that what the New Testament preachers did? Didn't they come along and say, "The Messiah is Jesus Christ," and "The time is what? Now." Doesn't Paul say, "Behold, now is the acceptable time. Today is the what? Day of salvation." It has come. It is here. It is here. "In these things, who and when." The details of the Old Testament prophecies of Christ are fulfilled. "They have been announced to you through those who preached the gospel." Who's that? Luke, Paul, Barnabas, Philip, John, the apostles. They preached it. In fact, Paul said, "I am determined to know nothing among you except Christ and him what? Crucified." And why did he preach only that? Only Christ, and Christ crucified, and salvation in Christ. Why was he ready to preach the gospel at every turn? Why was he not ashamed of the gospel of Christ? Why? Because it was the preaching of the cross that was to them that perish foolishness, but unto us that believe, eternal life. That was their message. The apostolic preaching of the cross was the message. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2, "I didn't come to you with human wisdom, I didn't come to you with philosophy. I came to you with the cross, determined to know nothing except Christ and him crucified." So that which occupied the constant study of the prophets, that which occupied the constant inspiration of the Spirit, also became the constant theme of the New Testament preachers. And how much were they devoted to it? Listen, beloved, they died for it, didn't they? They died for it. They gave their life for it. That's how great salvation is. The theme of prophet study, the theme of Spirit inspiration, the theme of apostolic testimony. And finally, the theme of the angels' interest. I love this. He just throws this in in verse 12. "Things into which angels long to look." Have you ever wished you were an angel? When I was a little kid, I used to think, boy, would it be neat to be an angel, just fly, you know, and be good all the time. Be an angel, sneak up on people and do good things, be in the presence of God. Oh, have you ever wondered what it would be like to be an angel? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to see what angels see in that dimension that we can't perceive, that spiritual dimension that is not visible to us? Have you ever wondered what it's like for angels to battle demons in that sphere that's a mystery to us, that invisible world that's just as real as ours, only not able to be seen with a physical eye? Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be a part of that angelic world and to experience that eternal holiness that holy angels have? I got news for you. The angels are saying the same thing: "I wonder what it's like to be saved. I wonder what it's like to receive grace. I wonder what it's like to be forgiven." Fascinating. Back to verse 12 at the end: "things." What do you mean "things"? Matters of salvation into which angels "long to look." Those two words: "long to look," loaded with meaning. You know what the word "long" is? Get this one: `epithumeto`. You know what that word means? To lust in a negative sense. It's describing a strong desire, an overpowering impulse. This isn't whimsical. The angels aren't saying, "Oh, by the way, wouldn't it be interesting to see what salvation's like?" This is a passion with them. This is a strong impulse. The term in the form `epithumousin` here, the term basically means an impulse that's not satisfied, a desire that's not fulfilled. And the angels have this unsatisfied desire to look into the things of salvation, to look. Wonderful word. Do you know what it literally means? To stretch forward your head, or to bend down. It's used to describe what Peter and John did at the tomb. You remember, when they ran and stooped down and looked in, same verb. The angels want to stoop down, get down here, and look into this thing. They have a driving passion to understand it. Why? Because they'll never experience it. The holy angels never need to be saved. The fallen angels can't be saved. The holy angels are stooping down to peer into the reality of salvation in the human world. And I might add to you that may be, too, that there are some fallen angels who are wanting to look into salvation in the hope that they might receive it, but they never will. They never will. Angels have been involved. The holy angels have been involved in salvation. The holy angels announced Christ's birth. The holy angels ministered him in his temptation. They served there at the resurrection. They attended to his ascension. They are now doing his bidding on behalf of the saints. The fallen angels were around. They were attacking him in his temptation. They were besieging him in his life. They were trying to kill him and keep him dead on the cross. They were trying to keep him in the grave. They have assaulted his work and his church. The angels, holy and fallen, have been around the work of salvation. None of them will ever experience it. The holy angels don't need it. The fallen angels can't have it. But they have a powerful desire to look more deeply into the immense, miraculous, gracious salvation which they will never experience. I think the holy angels are most in mind here. I just offer that other option as a possible thought. And I think the holy angels want to look into it for the reason that they might understand it better, for the reason that they might glorify God more because that's what they exist to do. It's not just sheer curiosity. It is to enable them to give God greater glory. God has displayed his church to them. You remember in Luke 15, when the sinner comes back, it says that the angels of heaven do what? Rejoice. The angels rejoice and praise God for saving a sinner. In 1 Corinthians, I think it's in chapter 4, verse 9, Paul says, "God has exhibited us apostles last of all as men condemned to death, because we have become a spectacle to the world both to angels and to men." The angels are watching Paul, they're watching the Apostle Paul. They're seeing the power of God in his life. In Ephesians chapter 3, verse 10, it says that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavenlies. God is putting his grace in the church on display before the angels. They're watching his ministries, they're watching his church. They're taking it all in. They'll never participate. But there's an interesting, interesting thing. In Revelation chapter 5, listen to this. It says, "The Lamb took the book," that's the title deed to the earth, the Lord Christ, the Lamb. "And the four living creatures," those are angels, "and the 24 elders," representing the saints, "fell down before the Lamb, everybody has a harp, golden bowls of incense, the praises of the saints, and they sang a new song." Now watch this, here's the song. "Worthy art thou to take the book and break its seals, for thou was slain and did purchase for God with thy blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation." Isn't that a wonderful song? Can you sing that song? Can you sing the song of redemption? Sure, you've been redeemed. But look at this, verse 11, "I looked, I heard the voice of many angels around the throne, and the living creatures, and the elders, and myriads and myriads and thousands of thousands, and they all said, 'Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power.'" The angels are chiming in on redemption song even though they haven't experienced it. They have seen it as observers, and they want to see it as observers, and they want to look into it so that they might join in the redemption song and give God glory. What a beautiful thought. What a salvation. Can I ask you a question? Is your salvation that precious to you? Or have you left your first love? It's a fair question. It was precious to you at first, wasn't it? Your first love, when you first were saved, oh it was great. How is it now? Have you lost sight of it? Let that be rekindled in your heart.
Phil Johnson: You're listening to Grace to You Weekend, the Bible teaching ministry of John MacArthur. John's current study is called "Our Great Salvation." In today's lesson, John mentioned that the angels have an unsatisfied desire and a driving passion to understand salvation. That's just another stunning facet of what Christ has reserved uniquely for believers. There's so much to learn about our salvation, and so much blessing in the discovery process. Here's what John had to say about that.
John MacArthur: Let's just take it down to the bottom line. We are saved because the Father seeks true worshipers, who worship him in spirit and in truth. That's the reason he saved us. That's the reason he chose us, regenerated us, justified us, is sanctifying us, and will one day glorify us. Our great salvation is to make us true worshipers. So, the more you know about the greatness of our salvation, the greater will be your worship, the very purpose for which God saved you. Listen, that's why we've been going through the series "Our Great Salvation." Not only is there encouragement in that salvation, but out of the knowledge of that salvation comes true worship.
Phil Johnson: I know this series has been a blessing to you, and I want to encourage you to get a copy of the series that you can have for yourself. You can download it free of charge off our website gty.org. There are five MP3 downloads. That's right, friend, this series is designed to help you find joy in your salvation. And it's a study that you can share with other believers to be encouraged as well. Download your copy when you go online today. Our website is gty.org. This is a study you can turn to again and again, no matter the trials you might face. You can download every message from "Our Great Salvation" in MP3 and transcript format, free of charge, at gty.org. And thanks for remembering that Grace to You is listener funded. Our ministry to believers around the world, from the radio broadcasts to the books or booklets we mail out free of charge every month, it's all possible because of the support of friends like you. If you'd like to partner with us, mail your tax-deductible gift to Grace to You Weekend, Box 4000, Panorama City, California, 91412. Or you can call us at 800-55-GRACE, or donate online at gty.org. Our phone number one more time, 800-55-GRACE, and our website, gty.org. Now for our entire staff, I'm Phil Johnson. Keep in mind Grace to You Television airs Sundays on Direct TV channel 378. You can catch any episode you may have missed at gty.org. And then be here next week as we kick off John MacArthur's practical study titled "Wisdom for the Workplace." It's another 30 minutes of unleashing God's truth, one verse at a time, on Grace to You Weekend.