Old Testament Scripture Reading: Daniel 12:8 – 10 (KJV)
Dan 12:8 And I heard, but I understood not: then said I, O my Lord, what shall be the end of these things?
Dan 12:9 And he said, Go thy way, Daniel: for the words are closed up and sealed till the time of the end.
Dan 12:10 Many shall be purified, and made white, and tried; but the wicked shall do wickedly: and none of the wicked shall understand; but the wise shall understand.
New Testament Scripture Reading: 1Peter 1:3 – 12 (KJV)
1Pe 1:3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
1Pe 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1Pe 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.
1Pe 1:6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
1Pe 1:7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ:
1Pe 1:8 Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see him not, yet believing, ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:
1Pe 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
1Pe 1:10 Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
1Pe 1:11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify, when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ, and the glory that should follow.
1Pe 1:12 Unto whom it was revealed, that not unto themselves, but unto us they did minister the things, which are now reported unto you by them that have preached the gospel unto you with the Holy Ghost sent down from heaven; which things the angels desire to look into.
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Transforming Power Statements:
1) The Old Testament Prophets being led by the Holy Spirit operated in a more distant relationship with God than New Testament believers do, because of the reality of the effectiveness of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, which was not a mere foreshadowing of what was required to satisfy God; but in fact was the actual and complete payment made for the redemption of the entire family of God, both Old & New Testament saints.
2) It was God’s choice to conceal full blown revelation of His plan to offer His own Son, Jesus the Messiah as a sacrificial Lamb by crucifixion to Old Testament Prophets and the covenant people, but at the first appearing of Jesus, He has chosen that believers in the Church age would possess the high honor and privilege to not only understand clearly His plan; but also to preach it to the ends of the Earth!
3) Even the Holy angels are amazed by the extreme privilege which God has bestowed upon the Church to bear the name and the glory of His Son Jesus to all the world, both Jews and Gentiles, who are being granted a period known as the Church Age / Times of the Gentiles to spread the best news ever of SALVATION BY GRACE ALONE! (The Five Solas)