Articles
Peter 11 - Christ Made Clear
Christ Made Clear
Knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. For He was foreknown before the foundation of the world, but has appeared in these last times for the sake of you 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. (1Peter 1:18-21)
God’s plan was for the Christ to be the redeemer of mankind even before the world was founded. The anointed One was, at the appropriate time for the plan, made clear—He appeared, was made manifest. He shed His precious blood, was raised from the dead, and given glory (1Peter 1:18-21). The word variously translated as “made manifest,” “appeared,” and “revealed” means to make clear, to cause to be visible. What a wonderful blessing that the Christ was made clear.
When was Christ made clear?
Peter tells us that Christ was made clear in “these last times.” The writer of Hebrews says this, too: “God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways, in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world” (Hebrews 1:1-2). The whole law of the old covenant had been given as a shadow of the good things to come (Hebrews 10:1). All of this looks downward to these last days when the Christ appeared. From the time He came and completed His work, these days have been the last days, regardless of all the speculation of the speculators who talk about a thousand-year period later. The Bible never speaks of “laster” days—only “these last days.”
How was Christ made clear?
Christ was made clear by being born of a virgin, just has had been prophesied. “Now in the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city in Galilee called Nazareth, to a virgin engaged to a man whose name was Joseph, of the descendants of David; and the virgin’s name was Mary … The angel said to her, ‘Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God. And behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name Him Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Most High; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David’ … Mary said to the angel, ‘How can this be, since I am a virgin?’ The angel answered and said to her, ‘The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God’” (Luke 1:26-35). He was later made shown to be God’s Son by public recognition from heaven (Matthew 3:16-17; 17:1-5).
Where was Christ made clear?
Bethlehem of Judea was the prophesied place: “But as for you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Too little to be among the clans of Judah, From you One will go forth for Me to be ruler in Israel. His goings forth are from long ago, From the days of eternity” (Micah 5:2). In Bethlehem, He was made known (Matthew 2:1-6; Luke 2:1-7). As noted in previous citations, the river Jordan was another place where He was made clear (Matthew 3:16-17) as was the mountain scene another place when Christ was shown (Matthew 17:1-5).
Why was Christ made clear?
Peter’s text tells us that He was made manifest to redeem man from sins (1Peter 1:20). There are other reasons given in Scripture as to why He was made clear. He appeared to redeem people from the law of Moses (Galatians 4:4). He was shown so that He would fulfill the words of the law and the prophets (Matthew 5:17). He was made manifest to save man (John 3:16). He was made known to call sinners to repentance (Matthew 9:13). He was made manifest to bring a sword (Matthew 10:34). Likewise, there are reasons for which He did not appear. He was not made clear to condemn the world (John 3:17). He was not made manifest to destroy the law and the prophets (Matthew 5:17). He was not made known to be ministered unto as are many dignitaries (Matthew 20:28).
He was made clear for you. Do you care enough to take advantage of His being made manifest?
- Peter_11_-_Made_Clear.pdf (1.85 MB)
