"A Lively Hope"

Yesterday in our Sunday night Bible study we began looking at The First Epistle of Peter. We read and discussed some of the rich themes in verses 1-5. Peter opens this letter with these words:

"PETER, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to the stangers scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia,
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.
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,
To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time."

What must these opening words have meant to the recipients of this letter? When I consider that they were Jewish Christians who were scattered among pagan Gentiles and also experiencing rejection from their own families I know these truths had to be a tremendous encouragement.

How wonderful to be reminded, as you endure rejection and persecution, that you are Elect, foreknown of God, sanctified, spinkled with the blood of Christ. That unto you grace and peace is multiplied. That you have been begotten again and therefore are the possessors of a living hope because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
To know that you have an inheritance that is incorruptible and undefiled waiting for you in heaven and that you are being kept by the power of God till the day when your salvation is complete!

Is there any doubt that these opening lines reinvigorated these persecuted believers?