1 Peter 1:6-10
1 Pet 1:6 (KJB)
Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations:
 
Wherein - In which
Season - Little, short, or few
Heaviness - Distress, sorrow, or pain
Manifold - Many kinds or diverse
Temptations - Testing
 
Here we are being told that although we do rejoice in the fact that we are going to experience the resurrection of our bodies on the last day while we await that time, we are to realize that we live in a world which is very hostile to the Gospel and especially to the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 15:18 KJV) If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. Since Christians are followers of Christ, we will face persecution for our faith while we sojourn on this earth. We are being told that we will have times of distress and sorrow on this earth. If anyone has lost a loved one to death, we know that is only one aspect of sorrow which the believer faces
In a lifetime. We are being warned that as true believers we are going to face many different types of trials and those trials will only end when we are safe in the arms of Jesus in heaven. As we saw in verse 5, we do not need to fear these trials because we are kept by the power of God but we still must be on guard as these trials will come not may come.
 
1 Pet 1:7 (KJB)
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:
 
Trial - genuineness or sterling quality
Tried - Prove, test, or examine
Appearing - Revelation
 
The trials which come into a believer’s life is not just random. Every trial a believer faces has been specifically designed for each believer. This is how God tests our faith and when a believer comes through the trials victoriously it tends to grow us in the faith. When gold is purified, it is purified by means of fire. Being tried with fire is the term that the Bible uses when speaking of trying our faith. As fire purifies gold, trials purifies our faith. It also brings to light areas where we are lacking and then we are able to repair the breach in our faith. Once our faith becomes purified, in other words, we look to the Lord no matter what the trial and especially when we do not understand the circumstances. The more we wait upon the Lord in dire circumstances, the purer our faith becomes.
 
Remember, the word pure means unmixed so when we have a faith test and we begin to look at several different places to get out of our dilemma, we are mixing our faith between the Lord and other sources. Once we begin to look only unto the Lord, it is then we purify our faith. (Isa 26:3 KJV) Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee. Purified faith will have as a byproduct, peace in the believer’s life. Now all the trials we face in our life has the sum purpose of bringing honor, praise, and glory to the Lord Jesus Christ because He gave us the faith that we have and has kept us through His power. Our shining faith will be evident on the last day when the Lord Jesus Christ returns and it shines as a testimony to the faithfulness of the Lord.
1 Pet 1:8 (KJB)
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:
 
Unspeakable - Inexpressible
Full of glory - Having been glorified
 
Although none of the believers Peter is writing to including all those down through the ages that read this epistle has not physically seen the Lord Jesus Christ, yet with eyes of faith we do see Him. Even though we do not see Him, the believer is filled with joy at present and that joy is the inability to be able to express the completeness of that joy. We really have trouble trying to explain to people the inward joy that accompanies salvation. The joy is not only inexpressible but we are also told that the rejoicing of the believer has been glorified. It may not seem that way at present but the word “full of glory” is in the perfect tense which means a completed work. Since we have this joy, our words should manifest that glorious joy to the world. It is this glorious joy which has allowed the martyrs of past years to happily give their lives in service to the Lord.
 
1 Pet 1:9 (KJB)
Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
 
The end of faith is always sight. Here the Bible is teaching us that the end of our faith will result in the completeness of the redemption of the believer. As the believer has lived their life in faith upon the earth, now they face the consummation of the faith which is final salvation that will be completed upon the last day when the Christian receives their glorified spiritual body.
 
1 Pet 1:10 (KJB)
Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you:
 
The prophets of old who penned the Old Testament had spoken of the grace of God but really did not know the particulars because they lived under the law of God. Yet, the Bible states that they searched diligently the meaning of the prophecies they brought forth under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. The gospel of grace was a puzzle to the holy men of old and was only revealed in the New Testament. However, it must be understood that the salvation of Old Testament Saints was effected in the same manner as those who became saved in the New Testament side of the cross. Just because the prophets did not understand what they were writing did not negate the grace that was in effect saving the Old Testament Saints such as Abraham, David, and Solomon. They wanted to know more of Christ yet the timing was not yet.
 
(Dan 2:44 KJV) And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever.
 
(Hag 2:7 KJV) And I will shake all nations, and the desire of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory, saith the LORD of hosts.
 
(Zec 6:12 KJV) And speak unto him, saying, Thus speaketh the LORD of hosts, saying, Behold the man whose name is The BRANCH; and he shall grow up out of his place, and he shall build the temple of the LORD:
 
If you were one of the ancient prophets penning the above three Scriptures, according to the light you had, how would you understand them? It would be a dilemma wouldn’t it?

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