Does 1 Peter 1 Teach that Angels are in Awe Humans?

Angels watch us from day to day. That's just one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity will hi this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. You can call us right now with your question.

At 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 also post your question on our Facebook or Instagram account and you can email us anytime at questions at core, Christianity.com burst up today. Here's an email from one of our listeners. This is from John and April. He says I'm curious what you think the gospel is I hear the word used a lot without a definition and I'm not sure if everyone who uses it is on the same page. Appreciate this question and it's so important for us in the church to define those words that we use over and over again that we can just sort of take for granted and certainly there's no word that's more important than the word gospel. What is the gospel is the first thing I would want to say to you is that it's good news it's the announcement of good news. In fact, you see this in places like Isaiah chapter 52 were actually that word gospel in the Greek translation of the Old Testament is easy used it. Was it a proclamation you think of when somebody brings good news to you that that leads to rejoicing to singing. In particular, the good news that were thinking about is the good news of salvation for the people of God. The announcement of deliverance of the reign of God in the rescue of God's people. It has to do with what God did in time in history. For us it's not something that we do or live event.

We are not the gospel you are not the gospel you don't live the gospel if you will, our lives are in implication of what God accomplished in the gospel for his people.

A great passage of Scripture for you to go to as you think about the gospel and understanding it correctly is first Corinthians chapter 15 there the apostle Paul makes it absolutely clear. He says I would remind you, brothers of the gospel I preached to you, which you received in which you stand and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to you, unless you believed in vain. Right there for the gospel message has to do with salvation fact in Romans chapter 1 pulses.

I'm not ashamed of the gospel. I know it's the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek thoughts is announcement of good news that relates to your personal salvation your your faith in Jesus Christ and he goes on there in verse three of first Corinthians 15 for I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas and then to the 12. In other words, the gospel message centers around Jesus's redemptive work that he lived and then he died for your sins for our sins in accordance with the holy Scriptures, and that he didn't just stay dead, but that he conquered death, he rose again from the dead. Just as the Scriptures said on the third day and then he appeared to the disciples and ascended into heaven. This happened. This is a historical reality to demand something from each and every one of us.

God calls all people everywhere to repent.

In light of the fact that he has conquered death and he commands all people everywhere to embrace this good news.

The good news that your sins can be washed away that you can have a personal relationship with God in the hope of eternal life, the resurrection of the body through not what you do but what God has done. That is the gospel and that really is core Christianity as well. What a great explanation. Thank you so much for that, or enroll at something that all of us need to really have prepared when were talking to a nonbeliever. Maybe somebody in our family or a friend or in the workplace that Astros will what's this whole Christianity thing about we point them back to the gospel. So thanks for that. This is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez. Our phone lines are open. If you have a question about the Bible, the Christian life doctrine or theology. Feel free to give us a call will be taken calls for the next 20 minutes or so 833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673 and today would like to invite you to join a special group of people we call our inner core and also tell you about a special event for inner core members that's coming up next month.

Yet if you benefit from the answers we give on the show we'd like to invite you to become a member of the inner core is an inner core member you'll receive a signed copy of the book core Christianity find yourself in God's story by our founder Michael Horton exclusive updates and bonus content from the team. When you join the inner core the month of March will send you an invitation to join us on a live virtual meeting with me some of the members of the core team and other inner core members on Wednesday, April 13 at 8 PM Eastern time, 5 PM Pacific. This meeting will be an opportunity for you to ask me questions about the Bible in the Christian life as well as ask any questions about the core Christianity mission and organization.

If you're near core member already, please be on the lookout for an invitation in your email to be so cool that virtual meeting with a drill set for April 13 8 PM Eastern time, 5 PM Pacific and just a reminder, you can become an inner core member by signing up with a recurring donation of $25 or more a month or more, and your support allows us to continue sharing the gospel and answering those tough questions about the Christian faith for people all around the world through our live radio broadcast for web articles or Bible studies to join in that video call had over the core, Christianity.com/inner core and sign up as core, Christianity.com/inner core. Let's go to a voicemail from one of our listeners. This one is from Nicholas my question is with regard to, and how it is that they perceive humanity. I cannot remember the life where I heard this idea from what was on the radio or read in a book, not necessarily the Bible but I come across as idea that angels look at humans in wonder and they find us to be amusing degree and I was discussing this with somebody and they asked what my source was wanted on it and I could not find of the light right on hoping that you might feel said some light on that after a drill either refuted or commended, and shall have potentially show me where I can probably find research thank you so much and they Nicholas thank you for that question.

I think the passage of Scripture that you are alluding to is found in the book of first Peter, to begin reading in verse 10 down to verse 12 and and will see what it says.

Peter says concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be your searched and inquired carefully, inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories it was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Things into which angels long to look, these he's talking about the prophets in the Old Testament filled with the spirit of Christ prophesying about the suffering of Jesus which which his audience.

Peter's audience have need of the bar they've heard about this if heard the gospel Dave they receded, they received it, they received the testimony of the prophets nieces looked out those prophets the spirit of God revealed to them that they weren't serving themselves. They were serving you and you said that. That's us brothers and sisters. Those of us who believe in Jesus Christ and received his grace under what the Bible calls the new covenant. Those prophets in the Old Testament were serving us with those prophecies that they gave and then Peter adds this line there in verse 12 things into which angels long to look now that word look there is is actually a really strong word in the original language. It means to stoop down and look to stoop sideways even you think of sort of rubbernecking right you see something that just catches your attention may be something amazing, maybe something beautiful and you just can't help but take your eyes off of it and here it seems like Peter is saying that's that's what the Angels do when it comes to the experience that we have of God's grace and mercy. Think of what Jesus himself said when when one sinner repents, one centered turns to God. It's as if there is a celebration in heaven, rejoicing the angels of God throwing a party, and so we could say I think, according to the teaching of Scripture. The yes angels are observing, watching and even serving the people of God is what the author the Hebrew says in Hebrews chapter 1 verse 14. Referring to angels, are they not all ministering spirits sent out to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation. Let me just say this to to top it all off.

It isn't so much that they're interested in us. Particularly, I think what they're marveling at what they're looking at is the grace of God that we get to experience the mercy of God towards sinners. The goodness of God things into which angels long to look that there just captivated by not you know how limited do my hair today or whatever there captivated by the glory of God in the goodness of God in his kindness towards humanity.

Thank you for the question that is beautiful by the way, I went to a Hallmark card store the other day and there were lots of pictures of old cherubs. And that's not really what angels look like you just don't know.

Bill maybe who knows know you are probably right. Those little baby angels, no that's not I gingerly made in this article may have flaming swords.

I think that's what I like to think of it, well certainly that's the angel I want watching out for me. Don't send me the baby Angel you know with the tiny wings, whatever it means the warrior angel with a flaming sword and you know Eagle wings will think that Deborah this is Kurt Christianity with best heard Earl Sanchez. If you have a call question about the Bible of the Christian life. You're welcome to call us right now.

833 the core that's 1-833-843-2673. By the way, some of the radio stations.

The error program aired on a tape delayed basis.

So if you're not listening. At 11:30 AM Pacific time. 1230 Mountain 130 Central or 230 Eastern. That means your hearing a recorded program, so the time to call us live in the studio is just that. 11:30 AM Pacific each day.

So write that down and call us if you like to talk to Israel personally. Let's go to David in Albuquerque, New Mexico. David, how are you and what your question for pastor a drill hello yes I'm doing fine thank you in drill. My question about Isaiah chapter 6, I was wondering if you could tell us if I for chapter 6 is it entirely of vision that part one of the questions I get the other part of it would be if it is all a vision. What exactly is a vision or would this have been taken literally, that he actually saw the Lord. But then the other question will I was can ask you in part of this was the Lord that he saw seated on the throne would that have been necessarily Christ that he saw the second person of the Trinity, or would that have just been emblematic or personification of God father son Holy Spirit right love this question. There's a few passages of Scripture that were going to be getting into. Here the very first one is Isaiah 6 what you've brought up now. I do take Isaiah chapters 6 to be a vision specifically. And, of course. Isaiah begins by saying in the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting upon a throne, high and lifted up in the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him stood the seraphim each had six wings with two he covered his face with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called to another and said, holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of his glory. Here do this vision that Isaiah receives he's brought up into the very throne room of God that the counsel of God. If you will, and this was a prerequisite David for being a prophet, in fact, one of the things that God said about the false prophets in the book of Jeremiah in Jeremiah chapter 23 is that they never stood in his counsel, they really had not heard his word. Jeremiah chapter 23 verse 18 for who among them has stood in the counsel of the Lord to see and to hear his word or who has paid attention to his word and listened as of this is this is something that God did for the true prophets in Israel. He brought them into his counsel to receive his word so that they might be sent from the throne room of God to deliver the message of God to the people of God. And that's precisely what Isaiah does and did throughout the book of Isaiah, so I do think that this was a vision that he experienced in with regard to that the second part of your question will did Isaiah see Jesus when when the text is that he saw the Lord. I think we want to do is the best interpreter of Scripture is the Scripture itself said we have any insights from other places in the Bible to help us clear this up while the answer is yes. In the Gospel of John. In John chapter 12 John says something or record something very, very interesting. So you talking about that scene and beginning and in verse 39.

This is a this is a rebuke from Jesus quoting Isaiah's is therefore they could not believe for again. Isaiah said again. John 1239 he has blinded their eyes and harden their hearts, lest they see with their eyes and understand with their heart and turn, and I would heal them and he says this Isaiah said these things because he saw his glory and spoke of him. Nevertheless, many even of the authorities believed in him who is the him there. It's Jesus, but for fear of the Pharisees. They did not confess it so that they would not be put out of the synagogue and so here in this text. In John chapter 12.

It seems as though John is telling us that Isaiah when he sold the Lord seated on the throne this glorious vision he saw Jesus the glory of Jesus is off.

I have no problem saying that and I think that that's supported by this text in John chapter 12. God bless you, David, thanks for the question. Great answer and a challenging book for all of us. Isaiah from the Old Testament.

There's a lot of things in there that I think need some interpretations of thank you for that in drill. This is core Christianity with pastor a real Sanchez let's go to Elizabeth calling in from Illinois, Elizabeth, what's your question for atrial college Bible college education.

He I think you for that question.

Elizabeth is it biblical to practice medicine.

I'm just justifiably on. I'm assuming he's doing. Like card tricks and those kinds of things okay yeah yeah I think this can be harmless and think this is is you know, I would say that that's not biblical. If if it's all in good fun.

Now that the reality is is there are people who can use you know magic and those kinds of things to deceive others.

People are easily led astray. So I guess I would. I would just say we know what what exactly is is going on there not. I suspect it sounds to me like maybe it's more of a party trick kind of a thing and he enjoys that and people have a good laugh, but it's not something that contradicts or goes against anything in Scripture where I would have an issue is in and I've seen that seen this at times before as well.

You know someone who is practicing magic and there there making themselves out to be someone great someone with this in a supernatural power.

And in that way, leading people astray and of course there've been magicians who have done that even in Scripture there's a guy sometimes referred to Simon the sorcerer in the book of acts.

Who would do all sorts of magic tricks and and try to lead people astray and he actually you know is is confronted by the teaching of the apostles, and they call him to repentance. In particular, because he's he's making himself out to be someone great someone powerful someone who has a secret divine power and so if that's what's going on will, there's a there's a serious issue, there needs to be repentance.

But if it's just like taking a get together with friends and do card tricks and make everybody laugh in.

And of course everyone knows this is not Leo. Some some secret power that I'm using, then I don't think there's any harm in it. Elizabeth, I thank you for your question.

God bless your couple years ago actually saw a Christian magician who used his magic is party tricks. She said to really point people to Christ and his and God's creation. I thought that was really a creative way specific children to help them understand no God's incredible power and majesty and was all pointing back to our heavenly father which I thought was really well done Matt, that's great.

You know, if I'm honest I often will try to do magic tricks for my kids, you know, make a coin disappear. Kind of a thing, but I'm terrible at it.

So they find that the on the other hand are on the ground or whatever but I have not have tricked them once or twice, and that we have a good laugh about that so great.

This is core Christianity with pastor a real Sanchez just a reminder, you can email us your questions anytime questions at core, Christianity.com or you can leave us a voicemail 24 hours a day with your question 833-843-2673.

That's 833 the core there's a voicemail from one of our listeners named Brian to realize she is real is low heart. The level of land on the earth like 1200 feet below sea level and I don't think a lot of people realize that the salt content of the and water Street 8% question, and is, is it true that where the density is located at 300 so Bill was solved that so much because of the foregoing tributary that it once had before, because when God passed judgment on Simon DeBoer and rained fire and brimstone destroy the city. That's for the remains of Sodom and Gomorrah located yeah very very thoughtful question and there's there's much to say so. The text of Scripture is Genesis chapter 19 were God destroys Sodom and Gomorrah. Verse 23 the Senate risen on the earth when Lot came to so are then the Lord rained on Sodom and Gomorrah sulfur and fire from the Lord out of heaven, and he overthrew those cities and all the valley in all the inhabitants of the cities and what grew on the ground but lots wife behind him looked back and she became a pillar of salt. And Abraham went early in the morning to the place where he had stood before the Lord, and he looked down toward Sodom and Gomorrah, and toward all the land of the Valley and he looked, and behold, the smoke of the land went up like the smoke of the furnace so it was that when the Lord destroyed the cities of the Valley, got remembered Abraham and sent Lot out of the midst of the overthrow when he overthrew the cities in which lot had lived that I there've been a number of people who have said what we think we've discovered the location of Sodom and Gomorrah. I don't know. I don't know if the dead CMM sure that's been suggested for just last year a number of of agencies came out simple, that there was a new archaeological discovery. Smithsonian magazine reported on it was called the destruction of tell L how mom a bronze age city in the Jordan Valley that was just decimated by by some sort of explosion and if so, there are some he was and what it looks like there's big at this historical evidence for the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, not one of things I love about this is we find these things over and over again.

You oftentimes if you have see these stories in in the Bible in the Old Testament and the New Testament was that we don't really know if there's anything historical to the corroborative evidence for for this and will will make these discoveries, which really is wonderful. In fact, that one came out the day after. I think I preached on the story of Sodom and Gomorrah, which at that was a big bummer because it would've been just an awesome sermon illustration, but all that to say, were not entirely sure we don't know with 100% certainty where, exactly, that was what is interesting in the text as you have the situation where lots wife looks back and she becomes a pillar of salt. Always wondered about that meat maybe you have as well. Why a pillar of salt.

What one of the things it's interesting is salt is often in Scripture in the Old Testament a picture of barrenness. When the land would be destroyed would be salted you see this it throughout the Old Testament places like Deuteronomy chapter 29 verse 23 Judges chapter 9 verse 45 it you know salt keeping things from growing and so here you have lots wife is this picture of perpetual barrenness contrast that we see in the previous chapter of the book of Genesis in Genesis chapter 18, where God had made this wonderful promise to Sarah of the promise of offspring and it was not being barren and so you have sort of meat of the these two images here in Nocera that the one who is no longer barren with the promise of God and lots wife who is perpetually barren.

If you will, under the judgment of God for her unwillingness to to flee to to fix your eyes on the Lord and to flee from from the city so I think there's something there for the thematic thing there. And with the language of salt and Sodom and Gomorrah, and I know that this really happened with this is this is a history that were were reading whether or not it's the Dead Sea or this other site was more recently discovered what were not sure but we trust what the word of God says, and we will receive what it says for us today, and ultimately you know that picture that the picture of Sodom and Gomorrah is a reminder of the fact that God takes sin seriously. That's how it's referred to in in the New Testament as well and in second Peter and elsewhere in Jude where it talks about the judgment that came upon Sodom and Gomorrah in God takes sin seriously and what an important reminder for each and every one of us the sins that we can oftentimes minimize or I just think that that's not a big deal know God brothers and sisters will judge sin. But the good news is there's forgiveness with him through Jesus Christ, the hope of the gospel as I was talking about earlier in and I pray that you have that that you know that. Thanks for listening to core Christianity to request your copy of today's special offer. Visit us at core, Christianity.com and click on offers in the menu bar or call us at 1-833-843-2673. That's 833 when you contact us. Please let us know how you been encouraged by this program and be sure to join us next time.

As we explore the truth of God's word together