642 - Les Feldick Bible Study - Lesson 2 Part 2 Book 54 - Peter Continues the Kingdom Message - 2

https://lesfeldickbiblestudy.com Through the Bible with Les Feldick LESSON 2 * PART 2 * BOOK 54 Peter Continues the Kingdom Message - Part 2 I Peter 1:1 - 2:14 I have to remind you that these little epistles are addressed primarily, not exclusively, but primarily, to Jewish believers who were facing the horrors of the Tribulation, which at that time they thought were just over the horizon. So all the language in these little epistles is preparation for testing, pressure and suffering that will be coming upon these Jewish believers in that 7-year period of Tribulation. I Peter 1:6 Again, I think we have to understand that these Jewish believers who had embraced Jesus as the Messiah for their salvation were so relatively small in number. The vast majority of Israel had not accepted Jesus as the Messiah, so even within the Jewish community these believers were a small, small percentage. Verse 7: I Peter 1:7 "That the trial (or the testing) of your faith, (They were trusting that the King, the Messiah would shortly be coming and setting up His Kingdom. Jesus Christ:" Now let’s compare some Scriptures again. Go back first to Jeremiah chapter 30 and begin with verse 4, because the Jews are resting as much on the Old Testament as was possible. Jeremiah 30:4-7 "And these are the words that the LORD spake concerning Israel and concerning Judah (in other words the whole nation) 5. 6. Ask ye now, and see whether a man doth travail with child? Let’s go to Zechariah chapter 13 on your way back to the New Testament, and let’s begin with verse 8. Now this is all prophecy, but yet these Jewish believers now in 50-60 AD thought it was about to be fulfilled in their lifetime. Zechariah 13:8-9 Now in that same light, come back to Acts chapter 3 verses 18 through 21, and here Peter is appealing to the Nation of Israel to still recognize that the One that was crucified was their Messiah. 20. And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: (but Peter knows prophecy, so the next verse) 21. Psalms 110:1 "The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou at my right hand, until I make thine enemies thy footstool." That if Israel would repent of having crucified their Messiah, and they could experience the remission of sins, God would send Jesus Christ to fulfill the prophecies and the Kingdom would come in - but verse 21 would have to happen first. I’m always emphasizing time words in Scripture. Until is a time word. "…the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began." This earth has to be cleansed of all the defilement before God can bring in that glorious Kingdom and that’s what the Tribulation is going to accomplish. Can God set up a Heaven on earth with bars on every corner? Bingo places and gambling casinos? Now, with the persecution that’s settling on them, they really think it’s close; and Peter is encouraging that line of thinking. All right, so verse 7 again. I Peter 1:7-8a Evidently none of these dispersed Jews now living somewhere in that area of 50 to 65 AD, had witnessed Christ’s earthly ministry. I Peter 1:8 ye rejoice with joy unspeakable and full of glory:’ I Peter 1:9 I Peter 1:10a "Of which salvation the prophets…" Now, the prophets, where were they? I Peter 1:10b The Old Testament prophets had an idea of something that they could not take hold of. Every once in a while somebody will write or call and ask, "Les, how were the Old Testament people saved?" Well, it was by faith. All right, here it is; Daniel 12:8: Daniel 12:8 Daniel 12:9 It was never talked about - never discussed. It was never talked about. And I don’t think God expected them to because it wasn’t the time. The Nation of Israel stayed empty. Israel remained dispersed because God kept the land, for the most part, empty. Technology. All right, so Daniel’s the same way. He said, "Close the book, Daniel. There’s no need for everybody understanding end-time events, they’re not ready for it." All right, and so the prophets all through the Old Testament could not comprehend this whole idea of a suffering Savior and yet a ruling King. Speaking of the prophets not knowing completely about a suffering Saviour and yet a ruling king. All the way through the Old Testament; first they would be talking about a suffering Messiah and on the other hand here were these promises of a glorious King and His Kingdom. Here Jacob and his family are back in the land of Palestine, Israel. Genesis 35:16-18 18. And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: (which in the Hebrew meant, the son of my suffering) but his father (Jacob overruled and) called him Benjamin." Benoni was the son of suffering, but Benjamin meant the son of my strength. The Messiah! Well, indeed He will be; but you see, he wasn’t looking for a Messiah as we understand the Messiah. #LesFeldick #BibleStudy #Bible