1 Peter 1:12

Verse 12 Unto whom it was revealed.

The prophets were taught that the things of which they spake concerning the coming One were to be in the future, therefore they, in so predicting, were not ministering unto themselves, but for future generations.

But unto us they did minister.

Now, we in this age have the benefits of the labors, predictions and ministry of the prophets in the things they predicted. How?

Which are now reported to you.

The coming of the Savior, his earth-life, his teachings, his wondrous works, his tragic death, his resurrection and ascension, the descent of the Holy Spirit, the establishment of his kingdom in the world, his invitation to all to become the subjects of his rule, the conditions upon which this relationship may be established and the blessed promises assured by a loving Father all these are reported to you. By whom?

By them that have preached the gospel unto you.

Peter evidently refers to the labors of the apostle Paul and his colaborers, and it is within the range of judicious inference to say that Peter himself also is here included in the "them" of this verse; but whoever did the preaching had the assistance of the Holy Spirit sent down from heaven. It is certain, therefore, that the report of these preachers made to the world in the proclamation of the gospel was attested by miracles and wonders, and in the exercise of spiritual powers and gifts. These miracles were the attestations of Heaven to the truthfulness and reliability of the divine message, and all were but the realization of the prophetic word.

Which things the angels desired to look into.

The declaration is plain. The predicted coming and suffering of the Christ, the setting up of his kingdom and the nature of the salvation to be offered to man were mysteries too profound for the angels even to comprehend. These remained mysteries until God, in his infinite wisdom, saw fit to make a full revelation of his divine purpose. There is another thought I have at this point which is better expressed by Dr. Macknight, thus: "If our salvation and the means by which it is accomplished are of such importance as to merit the attention of angels, how much more do they merit our attention who are so much interested in them!"