What if’s?  Dunkirk May 26 - June 4^th.  The rescuing of 339,000 mostly British soldiers at the cost of 35,000 French soldiers.  What if this failed?  What if the French 12^th Motorized Infantry Division and the 150^th ID had not stood their ground for the sake of the others?  Could America have stood alone from the West?  What if Hitler wins Europe?  What would the world look like?  Would there be an Israel today?

History is riddled with single sacrificial acts of heroism that spared many.  Those “many” go on to affect history.

What if you were given insider information to write the storyline of something yet to happen that will affect the entire world but without the specifics?  What would it do to you?

Salvation’s story foretold.  1 Peter 1:10-12

• The prophets predicted a “grace” will be coming. (10a)
• They sought understanding with intentionality and care as to what this will mean for us. (10b)
• They wanted to know when it might happen. (11a)
  • Not only the time but the circumstances surrounding the event. 

• Through the Holy Spirit they were able to discern that a suffering messiah would be the cause. (11b)
  • As a baby he will be plotted against, but hope will prevail. Jeremiah 31:15-31
  • He will be betrayed. Zechariah 11:12-13
  • He will be pierced and acknowledged as the source for grace. Zechariah 12:10
  • He will suffer for others.

Isaiah 53:4-6, 11-12 “Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted.
⁵ But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. ⁶ We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all…After he has suffered, he will see the light of life^[d] and be satisfied^[; by his knowledge^[f] my righteous servant will justify many, and he will bear their iniquities. ¹² Therefore I will give him a portion among the great, and he will divide the spoils with the strong, because he poured out his life unto death, and was numbered with the transgressors. For he bore the sin of many and made intercession for the transgressors.”

• He will be abandoned by his flock. Psalm 22
• He will die, resurrect and glory will come. Psalm 16:8-11
• The prophets also spoke of the “glories” that would follow. (11b)
  • They did not know the glories to follow.
  • The glories that would follow Christ at his transfiguration, his resurrection, and his return.
  • The glories of Christ manifested through the church.

• It was revealed to them by the Holy Spirit that their work was not just for the present reader, but also those to come. (12a)
  • Now, it is gospel that carries on this message with greater clarity post the cross.

• Even the angels wanted to understand the glories to follow—parakryptw which speaks to an intense continuous look. An edge of the seat waiting for what happens next.
  • The angels cheer and celebrate when another soul is saved by grace giving glory to God.Luke 15:10
  • They dutifully serve the believer to bring glory to God. Hebrews 1:14
  • They will stand in audience of the great moment of the multitude of the saved ones worshiping glorifying God praising him for their salvation. They will join together in song.  Revelation 7:9-17.   

The glories to follow the “suffering messiah”. 

• The powerful presence of God will no longer be relegated to a single room in the temple, but to walking temples.
• The blood of the suffering messiah will enable the “saved ones” to enter with confidence into his presence. Hebrews 10:19-20
• Glory goes to the lamb who was slain, as his glory is on display through us.
• The glory of Jesus Christ upon his return to receive his own.

Take Aways

1. Suffering can lead to glory.
2. Because Christ suffered, salvation comes to the many. The angels say, “Glory to God!”
3. By faith, we experience this grace of God even in our suffering. We say, “Glory to God!”
4. Because of this grace, the glory of Christ is on display through us! Both angels and saints say, “Glory to God!”

Benediction: Hebrews 10:19-25  ¹⁹ Therefore, brothers and sisters, since we have confidence to enter the Most Holy Place by the blood of Jesus, ²⁰ by a new and living way opened for us through the curtain, that is, his body, ²¹ and since we have a great priest over the house of God, ²² let us draw near to Godwith a sincere heart and with the full assurance that faith brings, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. ²³ Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. ²⁴ And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, ²⁵ not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.