Peter begins this letter with encouragement for those far away. Not much is known about these Christians in what is now Turkey . It appears they were facing some persecution, but the nature of that isn't known.
How comforting his words must have been to them, as they perhaps struggled with their faith. To be reminded that they are elect, chosen by God since before time began, sanctified by the Spirit, and saved by Christ's blood.
What blessed hope! not as in "I wish", but a sure knowledge of the unseen......the 'not yet'. We have been born again....to this hope.....that we have an inheritance that cannot be marred, altered, or taken away. It is a sure thing.....kept for us and us for it, by God the Father.
Because of this knowledge, we can rejoice in trials. Because of this knowledge, our faith, though tested, is revealed. We have not seen Him, but we love Him and know Him.
Surely they were encouraged, too, to think that the prophets who foretold these things by the Spirit wondered about the specifics....to whom were these things being promised? and when? They understood that their ministry was to those to come after them. Even angels long to understand these things!
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I thought of passages in the Psalms that speak of this hope we have, but more of those that speak of the lack of hope for those who do not fear the Lord or worship Him. They live their lives, they plan, they scheme, but when they die, their plans and schemes, possessions and accolades die with them.
But Christ has prepared a place for those who love Him, and the Spirit assures us of it's reality.
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