He was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last times for your sake. (I Peter 1:20)
God made provision for the cross before creation was ordered. He was not surprised when man fell, but already had a remedy prepared for what He foreknew would happen. Actually, all of history is based on the cross and Christ's sacrifice at Calvary. God uniquely gave us history in reverse as the Old Testament retrogresses from the cross. The New Testament progresses from the cross. But in both the Old and New Testaments the theme is redemption by blood.
Proof that Christ preexisted comes from the fact that He was revealed. He will be revealed again soon. "These last days" refers to the period beginning with the first revelation of Christ, the incarnation, and extends to His second coming, or revelation. In Peter's time people thought the second coming of Christ was near at hand. When Peter said Christ was revealed "for your sake", he was giving his readers confidence that they were personally cared for by God.
Through him you believe in God, who raised him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in God. (I Peter 1:21)
Peter gives two grounds for coming to God. First of all we can count on God, have confidence in Him. What God had done for Jesus by raising Him from the dead, He will also do for His obedient children. And secondly, we can expect to share in Christ's glory, which gives us hope. Glory is all that God has done to exalt Christ and give Him great honor. The same will be ours.
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