“It was revealed to them that they were not serving themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things.”

As Peter writes to encourage persecuted people, the plan of salvation itself is the privilege to behold. The fact that we are saved is a wonder. How God came to each of us is reason to change our moping to praise.

Angels marvel at God's plan. Even the heavenly beings became observers, but not participants in the great Salvation that is ours. How God marvelously calls us, planned our salvation, prepared us, purchased us through the works of the Son and purifies us through the works of the Holy Spirit, leaves the angels longing to look into the wondrous works of God that is for our rejoicing. 

Dr. W. A. Criswell has an interesting illustration regarding the angels. “If I were to say to you, ‘Here is door that opens into heaven, let us look in that door.’ Would we not all eagerly gather around it to look at the vista of glory? Just imagine what you would see. Look and see those gates made out of a solid pearl. Look at those foundations - all those pure gems. Look at that jasper wall. Would you not like to see something like that and would you not be amazed as you look at the golden streets? Gold, highly valued here, will be so plentiful in heaven that it will be used for road material. That is the implication of trying to compare our world to Heaven.   And look at that throne! Look at the water of life! Look at the tree of life and look at God's redeemed!  When I think of standing there, I can hardly take it in.”

  

Peter says the angels crowd around the windows of heaven and look down at us. They are amazed and filled with a desire to understand as they see Christ dying for our sins, raised for our justification, and the Spirit of God wooing and convicting the human heart. They are looking down on us and they are filled with wonder and amazement at what they see.  The Bible tells us that there is joy in the presence of the angels of God because of one sinner who repents. They look down and are overwhelmed by the grace they see flowing from the wounds of Christ, the salvation that pours from His heart, the blessedness of the cross and the winning of a soul. It is ours for the taking.   

What do you say to persecuted people?

When I had the privilege of teaching pastors in Russia, I was told stories of how believers were denied higher education, professional jobs and benefits from the communist regime. They showed pictures to me of their parents and grandparents who were arrested and killed for their faith. The families saw the purpose behind the many who died for their faith - their perseverance lit the nation with the truth of Christ. Now the stories were coming out. Now the lies of atheistic communism were   

Peter tried to convince the followers of Jesus of the privilege of suffering for their faith. He wanted them to: Think of Jesus. Your life here is temporary. You are being changed and tested, but think of the joy of your reward. Think of the love of Christ, the strength of faith, and be filled with the joy of being heaven bound. Many have gone on before you so you might know this wonderful God. Now play your part that others might know too. 

Prayer:  in light of these truths, oh Lord, let us also play our part for Your glory and our reward.