The O.T. prophets searched for the first appearance of Christ.
And now faithful believers watch for the glorious return of Jesus Christ and the glory that will follow.
The Apostle Peter was a changed and humble man. When he first met Jesus, he was a proud and accomplished fisherman. He wasn’t afraid to speak his mind. And he often did. Sometimes the Lord rebuked him for his unthinking comments. Once his words were so offensive, Jesus referred to him as Satan. “Get behind me Satan,” is what Jesus said when Peter was way out of line.
But a lot had changed by the time Peter wrote this epistle. He had been through many humbling experiences. His most heartbreaking offense was the time he denied knowing Jesus. But still, he had finally met the Christ he had waited for. There were so many Jewish believers who longed for a glimpse of the Messiah.
The changes in Peter came slowly after he met Jesus Christ. That’s how it is with most of us. Peter grudgingly let go of his sinful and prideful ways. It was many years later when the Lord had prepared him to write the beautiful words that follow. To him, Jesus Christ was his living hope. He watched him die on the cross. And then he ran to the empty tomb three days later. The world changed that day. And the changes in Peter accelerated too. Until he was finally ready for what the Lord had called him to do. The letter that follows is part of the fruit from that call.
Set your mind on the hope of Christ as Peter did.
Greetings from Peter, A Christ-follower
Also compare this passage to 2 Peter 1:1-2
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the strangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia.
2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ. Grace unto you and peace be multiplied.
Jesus Christ is our Living Hope
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead.
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you.
5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time?
6 Wherein ye greatly rejoice, though now for a season, if need be, ye are in heaviness through manifold temptations.
7 That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it is tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honor and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.
8 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.
9 Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
10 Of which salvation the prophets have inquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come unto you.
11 Searching what, or what manner of time the Spirit of Christ which was in them did signify when it testified beforehand the sufferings of Christ and the glory that should follow.
12 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.
A Call to Be Holy
Also, compare this passage to Hebrews 12:14-17
13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
14 As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance.
15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.
16 Because it is written, Be ye holy, for I am holy.
17 And if ye call on the Father, who without respect of person judgeth according to every man’s work, pass the time of your sojourning here in fear.
18 Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers.
19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.
20 Who verily was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you.
21 Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory. that your faith and hope might be in God.
The Word of the Lord Stands Forever
Also compare this passage to Isaiah 40:6-8
22 Seeing ye have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit unto unfeigned love of the brethren, see that ye love one another with a pure heart fervently.
23 Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.
24 For all flesh is as grass and all the glory of man as the flower of grass. The grass withereth and the flower thereof falleth away.
25 But the word of the Lord endureth forever. And this is the word which by the gospel is preached unto you.
https://thewritelife.tech/2019/09/25/habakkuks-strong-faith-is-a-model-for-christians-in-these-final-days/
Let me know what you think.