Today, on the verdict with Pastor John Monroe.
So, here are Peter saying, here are these Old Testament prophets, they're probing, they're inquiring, and no doubt they would hope that that great messianic age would dawn during their own lifetime. They would be longing for the Messiah to come when they are alive, just as we who are followers of Jesus Christ trust and look for the actual coming of Christ during our own lifetime. Welcome to The Verdict, featuring the Bible teaching of Pastor John Monroe. Today, we're continuing our series in the book of 1 Peter, exploring how the Old Testament prophets searched for understanding about the coming Messiah. John's message deals with not only fulfilled prophecies, but also those yet to come.
including events related to Israel and the return of Christ.
Now, let's join Pastor John Monroe as he continues with prophets, angels, and Christians. In our study of the first letter of Peter, we have seen that Peter is encouraging first century Christians who have been scattered because of their faith. Life for them is difficult. Perhaps surprising to us. They rejoice.
With joy that is inexpressible. and filled with glory. Their joy was not derived from their difficult circumstances. But it was sourced in our Lord Jesus Christ and in the assurance of their salvation. Peter reminds them and us.
of the added privilege they have as followers of Jesus Christ. Even the Old Testament prophets didn't know the details surrounding the Messiah as we do.
So rejoice in your salvation. as we continue to look at prophets, angels and Christians. First Peter One verse ten. 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 not serving themselves, but you. In the things that have now been announced to you. Through those who preach the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Things into which angels long to look. That's not a very Thought-provoking passage.
I want to remind us this. That in the drama of redemption, Christ's followers are uniquely privileged. Think of the Old Testament prophets. Peter is telling us They didn't understand all of the details surrounding the Messiah. Or they knew that the Messiah, the long-promised Messiah of the Son of David, that he would bring salvation.
But they didn't know when he would come. And they didn't know the circumstances of his coming. We today understand and experience Things that the Old Testament prophets didn't fully understand. I recently preached some messages on Jeremiah. What a tremendous prophet.
Think of Isaiah, think of Daniel, think of Ezekiel, think of these outstanding prophets. But we today... Understand. and experience truths in a unique way. And so Peter is reminding his leaders.
who are experiencing Difficult times. Ostracized by society, perhaps losing their job, perhaps thrown out of their homes. They stand uniquely. as followers of Jesus Christ. Didn't our Lord teach this?
Don't know if you've ever noticed this verse, Matthew chapter 13. Matthew 13, verse 16, Jesus says to his disciples, Blessed are your eyes. For they see And your ears For the here. Are you seeing? Are you with me today?
Your spiritual eyes open, your spiritual ears open, you're ready to receive God's truth. For truly I say to you, Many prophets and righteous people longed to see what you see and did not see it. and to hear what you hear and didn't hear it. These Old Testament prophets, as they wrote the scriptures, as they read it, they longed, they inquired. About the coming of the Messiah and the events, the future events, how is all this going to work out?
And now we. as followers of Christ. who've received a full revelation of God, we see what they did not see. And we understand what they only partially understood. And we rejoice.
Then in the blessings of salvation. That we realize what the Old Testament prophets could only Anticipate. What a great salvation. We have. You know, the world may despise it.
And that allies sometimes is tough being a Christian. And sometimes you make it weary. And sometimes you may look at unbelievers and think, well, their life isn't so bad, and you become a little envious of them. I'm saying to you, stand firm. Be strong.
Don't go back. Look up. Look to Christ. Look to the eternal inheritance that is yours. Don't be discouraged when the trials come, they will come.
First the suffering. And then the glory. And isn't this fascinating? Do you know this? Peter's almost a throwy line at the end of verse 12.
He says, Things into which Angels long. To look. You ever think of this? We have greater blessings than the angels. Everything isn't revealed or experienced by the angels.
Peter is saying they long to look into our salvation. The angels have never personally experienced The mercy of God. Jesus Christ didn't atone on the cross for the sins of angels. Angels are not heirs with God and joint heirs with Christ. No, the holy angels who serve God with veiled face must marvel and rejoice at the magnificent salvation.
that sinful people like you and myself are. Remember Jesus said in John in Luke 15, There is joy before the angels of God. Over one sinner who repents. And so here are The Old Testament writers peering and then searching into these scriptures. Down through the centuries.
Here are things which the angels long to see and long to hear. than we as followers of Christ. Experience. Praise His name. It's wonderful to be a Christian, isn't it?
The greatest privilege On earth to be a follower of Jesus Christ.
Now I have three points as I conclude. My first point is this. The New Testament message of salvation in Jesus Christ is not a new one. but it's a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. I want you to understand that.
The New Testament message of salvation in Jesus Christ is not a new message. but it's a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. That is. There is a unity between the Old Testament and the New Testament. Centering on the Messiah, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the salvation which He brings.
When the Old Testament prophets wrote in the scriptures, What was, Peter says, now preached to these first century Christians is consistent. with what the Old Testament Talks. That is, what was partially hidden in the Old Testament now in the progress of salvation is revealed in the New Testament. The Old Testament is pointing forward. The New Testament.
Truth is Realize truth is fulfilled. This is why. We study the Old Testament as well as the New Testament. I realize there's out there this new trend that you kind of discard the Old Testament. It's kind of a bit irrelevant, it's kind of harsh anyhow.
And let's just focus on Jesus.
Well, if you focus on Jesus, you've got to focus on the Old Testament as well, because all of Scripture testifies to Christ. Did you also notice in verse 12 something very important? That these Old Testament writers Including Moses, the Torah. It was revealed to them That they were serving not themselves but you. And did you notice in verse 10 concerning the salvation?
The prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be. Yours.
So, these Old Testament prophets, although they didn't understand the when and the how, and the circumstances and the timing, they knew that they were writing. For those coming after them like us. And says Peter. The things that have now, verse 12, now been announced to you through those who preach the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from Heaven. And today, as a preacher of the gospel, I am preaching.
By the Holy Spirit sent from heaven the good news of Jesus Christ. That he is in all of the scriptures. and that there is salvation found only in him. The Old Testament prophesied of his sinlessness. of his death, of his burial, and of his resurrection, and historically that was fulfilled.
And in the New Testament, we have the theological explanation of all of that so that we understand. But my only hope. It's fine. In Jesus Christ. The New Testament of salvation in Jesus Christ then is not a new one, but it's a fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy.
Secondly, Not all of the Old Testament prophecies have been fulfilled. But They will be fulfilled. Did you get that? Many of the Old Testament prophecies in the Torah and the other Old Testament scriptures are fulfilled. Christ has come.
But all of the prophecies have not yet been fulfilled. Let me refer you. Genesis 17. Verse eight. Part of what we call the Abrahamic covenant.
Here's the promise. Genesis seventeen, verse seven, here's part of the Torah. And these very scriptures here. I will establish, verse 7, my covenant between me and you, and your offspring after you, throughout their generations. for an everlasting covenant.
To be God to you and to your offspring after you. And I will give to you and to your offspring after you the land of your sojournings. All the land of Canaan. for an everlasting possession and I will be their God. Just do it today.
Who should be in the Holy Land? Here is the promise. to Abraham and his offspring. that God is giving them all the land. of Canaan.
This is particularly relevant today, isn't it? with the attack by Hamas on innocent Israelis slaughtering their babies. The pregnant woman, the elderly, kidnapping men and women and children. It was a. It was.
Not so much an act of war, it was an act of terrorism, of Absolutely barbaric slaughter. This Torah is open to Genesis 6. Part of the Torah. Genesis 6. Where's And God said to Noah, I have determined to make an end of all flesh.
For the earth is filled with violence through them. Behold, I will destroy them with the earth. Why would God judge people that He had made? For the earth is filled with violence. through them.
You know the Hebrew word for violence there? Hamas. The earth is filled with Violence. Hamas. And Hamas has its goal.
are violent and evil. goal, a demonic goal. to exterminate the Jewish nation. And we who understand Scripture And we who value the Old Testament scripture as well as the new, as well as respecting history, understand. that we must, and I'm so glad that the United States will stand firm on the side of Israel against these acts of barbarism.
that a country like Israel has The right to defend itself against the slaughter of its innocent citizens. But turn on your Bible. To Zachariah.
Now notice this. Here is scripture. which has not yet been fulfilled. Prophecies. Zechariah 14, verse 1: Behold, the day is coming for the Lord when the spoil taken from you will be divided in your midst.
For I will gather all the nations. Notice this. Against Jerusalem to battle. And the city shall be taken. And the house has plundered.
And the woman raped. Half of the city shall go out into exile. but the rest of the people shall not be cut off from the city. Then the Lord will go out and fight against those nations as when he fights on the day of battle. On that day, his feet shall stand on the Mount of Olives that lies before Jerusalem on the east, and the Mount of Olives shall be split in two from east to west by a very wide valley, so that one half of the mount shall move northward and the other half north.
southward. Interesting. Notice. All of the nations gathered against Jerusalem. to battle.
Turn over to Revelation. The last book. Again, unfulfilled prophecy. Revelation 16. Verse fourteen.
You can all find the last book. Revelation 16, verse 14: For there are demonic spirits performing signs who go abroad to the kings of the whole world. Notice that. The kings of the whole world to assemble them for battle on the great day of God the Almighty. Parenthesis, bold, I'm coming like a thief.
Blessed is the one who stays awake, keeps his garments on, that he may not go about naked and be seen exposed. Keep yourself close to Christ. Verse 16: And they assembled them at the place that in Hebrew is called. Harme Gaiden. A future day When the nations and the armies of the world Are going to assemble there and they're going to go do battle against Israel.
Does Israel have any enemies? Think of a mass. Islamic jihad. Espola. Syria, Iran.
the Yemenite Houthis and many others. Yes, there has been. That Slaughter. But that is but a foretaste of what's going to happen. Because all of the armies of the world Zachariah is saying John is prophesying in Revelation 16 are going to assemble against Israel.
But remember the principle. First the suffering. then the subsequent glory. Zechariah 14. Verse 9 And the Lord will be king over the earth.
On that day the Lord will be one and his name one. Revelation 19. The rider of this on the white horse Revelation 19, verse 11: Here is the return of our Savior with power and glory. Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. The one sitting on it is called faithful and true, and in righteousness he judges and makes War.
Verse 15, from his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron. He will tread the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh, he has a name written, King of kings and lord of lords. Yes. There's going to be a tremendous battle.
The Battle of Armageddon, when all of the nations are arrayed against political Israel in that tiny part. of real estate at the center of the world. But think of this, they're all arrayed against Israel. But it seems that Israel is going to be wiped out. The king.
Of kings and Lord of lords will return triumphantly. And we, who are his followers, we're going to reign with him, we're on the winning side. And when he returns with power and glory, the Old Testament prophets are saying. And the New Testament prophets are saying that all of his enemies will be destroyed and Israel will be saved. In that way, Romans 11, all Israel will be saved.
And the kingdom of God will be established on earth. And the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of God as the waters cover the sea. Old Testament Habakkuk says, and how wonderful. And Jesus Christ. It's gonna rain.
He's the prince of peace. And it's going to rain. With perfect peace and righteousness. My dear child of God, don't panic. Of course we're concerned.
We pray. It seems as if we could be just on the verge of a World War III. With all that is happening in our troubled world. And we pray. And we want to pray for our leaders and trust that they are wise.
But we look beyond that to this great, magnificent day when our Savior will come. Here's the third point very quickly. Our King Jesus, the Messiah. But the lamb is at the center of all scripture. The center of all human history.
And of course, the center for all eternity. Our Lord on the road to Maus interpreted to them in all of the scriptures the things concerning himself. He is the central person in all of history. I have to ask you: is he central in your life? Yeah.
Is Jesus Christ number one in your life? Is he truly? He's your Lord, He's your Saviour. You're following him in the drama of redemption. We who now follow Jesus Christ are uniquely privileged.
And with all of the redeemed. Yes, all of the redeemers. in that wonderful future day. We will sing a new song. Worthy are you to take the scroll.
And to open its seals, for you were slain, and by your blood you ransomed people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. And you have made them a kingdom and priest to our God, and they shall reign on the earth. Verse. 12, worthy is the lamb who was slain. Verse 13.
To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might. Forever and Ever. Be encouraged, child of God. This is our future. And today, as we prepare our hearts to break bread, we sing that song.
We can begin that song, Worthy is the Lamb that Was Slain. as we remember our magnificent Saviour. Who loved us? Who gave himself for us? Let's love him.
Let's serve him with all of our heart. And let's look forward to that great day which will take place. when he will return. and catch up his people to be with himself. And then, after the tribulation period, come with power and glory.
Destroy all of his enemies, including the devil himself. He'll be thrown into the lake of fire. and we shall be forever. with the Lord, our Father and our God. These are Deep deep truths to us.
We thank you that you have revealed them and that what was Partially hidden to the Old Testament prophets, we can understand. But I pray more than that, Father, that we will be authentic followers of Jesus Christ.
Some here are not following Christ. May they repent of their sins and call on the name of the Lord and be saved. Bless us, Father, and guide us, we ask. In Christ's name, amen. This is the verdict with Pastor Jean Monroe, and the conclusion of a message titled.
Prophets, angels, and Christians. John will be back in a moment with closing remarks. But first, let me share something important with you. Today's message highlighted God's fulfillment of prophecy and events yet to come. If you want to better understand God's sovereign timeline, we invite you to request your free copy of John's helpful booklet for the time is near: Lessons from Revelation.
This booklet will equip you to better understand both fulfilled and unfulfilled prophecies with biblical clarity. discover key themes such as the centrality of Jesus Christ. and what scripture teaches about heaven. To receive your free copy, simply visit us at theverdict.org. Your involvement makes these daily biblical teachings possible.
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In addition to these programs, John presents a weekly podcast called Avizandam. Where he shares his personal thoughts on relevant topics like the primacy of preaching, the uniqueness of Israel, and how to handle even the toughest moments of life with faith. You can hear it all by following or subscribing to the Verdict Podcast.
Now, here's Pastor Jean Monroe with closing remarks.
Well, what's your verdict? Isn't it wonderful to be part of the drama of redemption? The coming of the Messiah was prophesied in the Old Testament, and now it is fulfilled in our Lord Jesus Christ. Yes, he entered into sufferings. But now the glory.
Suffering precedes glory. All of the forces of our enemy and the powers of darkness cannot rob us of the joy of the Lord. We are blessed even more than the angels, and we look forward to that great unending day when Jesus the Messiah will reign for all eternity. Thanks for joining us today on The Verdict. I'm Michelle Davies.
Today's program with Pastor John Monroe was produced and sponsored by Calvary Church in Charlotte, North Carolina.
