For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you.
Peter continues with our salvation: Jesus. This time, Peter goes back to before the beginning. Peter tells us that Jesus was foreknown before the earth. This means that God was aware of Adam and Eve sinning before they did it. God planned for our salvation before time began. Then Jesus appeared in these last times. The last days are the time after Jesus’ ascension, and before His return. Peter already used this phrase in verse 5. Why did Jesus come, and why at that time? He came to save us. He came to save those in His church. But why 2000 years ago? Paul tells us in Galatians 4:4, it was for the fullness of time. For more on the fullness of time: www.gotquestions.org/fullness-of-time.
Verse 21
Who through Him are believers in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.
Peter then tells us in verse 21 how we believe God because of what Jesus did. We did not become believers in God because of what we did; it was solely because of Jesus. When Peter says believers, he is not talking about the knowledge all humans have of God (Romans 1:18-19). But the belief in what Jesus did for us. That’s why Peter continues by talking about Jesus’ death, and ascension. Why did Jesus do it? It was for our faith, and hope. We know that we have a future in Heaven because our hope is in God.
Now what?
Keeping our focus on the purpose of the study, how does this help us in times of persecution? In this first chapter, Peter is reassuring us of the certainty of our salvation. Peter tells us it was not some backup plan of God to send Jesus. God was not surprised when Adam and Eve sinned. He did not send Jesus as a plan B. This was always God’s plan. So we can have hope during times that are hard because our faith and hope is in God. When the authorities come and seize us, throw us in prison, and beat us we can persevere because we know our hope is in God. If our family gets separated, if we lose property, or even our lives, we know the truth of God’s salvation.
Next post we shall (finally) finish the first chapter of 1 Peter. Stay tuned for the imperishability of our salvation in the next study.