Attention

1 Peter 1:6-12

In this you rejoice, though now for a little while, if necessary, you have been grieved by various trials, so that the tested genuineness of your faith—more precious than gold that perishes though it is tested by fire—may be found to result in praise and glory and honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ. Though you have not seen him, you love him. Though you do not now see him, you believe in him and rejoice with joy that is inexpressible and filled with glory,  obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours 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. 

The patience of the prophets is what has always struck me here. They knew a Messiah was coming and they knew it was coming out in the future. I suppose it isn't that different from Christians waiting for Jesus' return. But I feel that we have the salvation they looked for while we wait. They didn't have that. Also, to add wonder to the salvation we have you get the perspective of the angels. As humans we tend to revere angels for their beauty, power, closeness to God, and the like. But what we have outshines even them. They long to look into the mystery that is the gospel. If this gospel is so anticipated throughout history and so fascinating to the heavenly beings, shouldn't it garner my attention as well? Who am I to so casually take it for granted? These are convicting things.