“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.”- 1 Peter 1:12
The scripture tells that we are saved by grace through faith. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast” (Eph 2:8-9) Salvation which God so freely offers, and Christ willingly died for, is offered through faith. Of all of God’s creation, this realm of faith that we live in is only experienced by mankind. No other creation has or needs this salvation by faith. We are the only ones who will ever know God in this way.
The angels live in the presence of God. They know and see Him in the realm of the spiritual. A realm we cannot totally experience while living in this physical world. Therefore, angels are without faith and the necessity of faith for salvation. They desire to “look into” but cannot fully see. The animals, plants, trees, etc. are all physical. They have no spirit. No concept of eternity. No free will. No opportunity to serve God, love God, or be in judgment before God. It is not murder for a lion to kill. Nature exists in a purely carnal sense, with no concept of sin and righteousness. Therefore, they have no need or experience of salvation through faith. Of all the created beings that God made, humanity is the only creation that lives in the realm of faith. What a thing this is. That we can know God in this way and speak to him in this language. Experience Him in this manner. The Bible says that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Heb 11:1) Which means we have a hope that is unique to us. A hope that has been prepared for us, by the Christ who died for us and gave us access to the Father through faith. This faith cannot be commercialized or monetized. It is not subject to our adulteration or censorship. It is a gift from God and rooted in love and devotion. It is both our ultimate hope and our only hope. Simple faith, faith in the risen Christ Jesus. Faith that cleanses, redeems, and restores us into the right relationship of holiness with God. Faith that, through the Holy Ghost, binds us to the one true Savior Jesus Christ. Giving us the earnest of the Spirit, our confidence of eternal life. If we keep the faith. It calls and unites us into a body of believers and brings to us a profound sense of belonging. Regardless of race, color, or social status. Without it, it is impossible to see God. With it is it possible. When we believe that God is and is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, we can see Him through the eyes of faith; and one day see Him face to face. We are the only ones who are afforded the opportunity to do so. It is a shame that so many squander this opportunity to live for the carnal. For the temporary. Devoted to the natural instead of embracing the spiritual. Do you not know that this natural realm will soon pass away? We are here for such a short time, and then we are soon gone. Furthermore, we will only pass this way but once, and to live our lives fixed on the world while rejecting Christ is criminally shortsighted. How pitiful is this? Especially when you consider that we are so privileged to know and experience God through this precious gift of faith.
The angels desire to look in. I am reminded of photos of a crowded Fenway Stadium in the early 1900’s. The sold-out stadium was so packed that it showed some climbing the grandstand and perched on the water tower to get a glimpse of baseball’s best. The angels, the angels desire to look in. They would like to see and know God as we do. We will never pass this way again. Our opportunity is swiftly passing by. It would be a shame to waste it.