Sermon Central
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Then Comes Glory
Contributed by Clyde Paige on Feb 17, 2007 (message contributor)
Summary: Intense look at the subject of salvation from a Biblical Standpoint
Then Comes Glory
Of which salvation the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you: 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. 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.
Salvation ties together the entire gospel, in verse 11 you need to underline two words: Sufferings and Glory . This is what the Salvation message is all about. The New Testament Is in the Old Testament concealed and the Old Testament is in the New Testament revealed.
I.Salvation is the Subject of Ancient Comtemplation.
1. Inspiration: 2 Peter 1:21 For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy men of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.
(There are 330 Old Testament prophecies concerning Christ first coming. Turn to Isaiah 53 and Psalm 22.
He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed.
(Isa 53:3-5)
They gaped upon me with their mouths, as a ravening and a roaring lion. I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels. My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death. For dogs have compassed me: the assembly of the wicked have inclosed me: they pierced my hands and my feet.
(Psa 22:13-16)
The crimson cord of Calvary surrounds all the windows of the scripture. Cut the old Black Back Book where you will and it will bleed the redemption blood of Calvary. The wail of the cross and the Hallelujah of glory.
2. Investigation: The searching mind of man and the revealing way of God. Matthew 13:17
For verily I say unto you, That many prophets and righteous men have desired to see those things which ye see, and have not seen them; and to hear those things which ye hear, and have not heard them.
3. Revelation: The Old Testament created an aire of expectancy in Christ first Coming.
II.Salvation in the Subject of Apostolic Proclamation.
Preachers today preach or should preach the death, burial and resurrection, the same as the apostles, the same as the prophets predicted that would happen. Sufferings and glories always go together look how the Apostle Peter puts it in I Peter 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.
And again in I Peter 4:13 But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.
And once more in I Peter 5:1 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:
And once more in I Peter 5:10 But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.
It seems that Peter is always the opposite from the Apostle Paul. But note Peter saw the sufferings then the glory. Paul saw the glory on the Road to Dasmascus and then the sufferings. We today are like Peter, we see the sufferings then the glory. John 17:22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
The Glory in the margins of the KJV is actually “glories” (Tell the story concerning the runner who wants to run the fastest mile.) Romans 8:18 For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
I. Salvation is the subject of Angelic Fascination.
