No, they did not. The prophecies gave them hope that one day God would make all things right, but the prophecies were written in picture language they didn’t understand. For example, God gave Abraham this prophecy of hope, “Also your descendants shall be as the dust of the earth; you shall spread abroad to the west and the east, to the north and the south; and in you and in your seed all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” Genesis 28:14 (NKJV). But Abraham did not know this was a prophecy about Jesus.
1 Peter 1:12-15 (NIV), 12 “It was revealed to them (the prophets of old) that they were not serving themselves but you (us Christians), when they spoke of the things that have now been told you by those who have preached the gospel (our heavenly calling to be part of the Bride of Christ) to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. (Even the angels did not know God’s plan. They longed to understand God’s prophecies.) 13 Therefore, with minds that are alert and fully sober, set your hope on the grace to be brought to you when Jesus Christ is revealed at his coming. (At Jesus’s second advent, the saints will be resurrected and reign with Christ. See Revelation 20.) 14 As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do;”
Our resurrection hope energizes us to fight against the world, the flesh, and the devil. We have a very difficult path. But as the Apostle John wrote, 2 “Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. 3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.” 1 John 3:2-3 (NKJV)
