Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Scope:Prediction, in the biblical context, refers to the foretelling of future events, often through divine revelation. It is closely associated with prophecy, where individuals, known as prophets, are inspired by God to deliver messages concerning future occurrences. Predictions in the Bible serve various purposes, including warning, encouragement, and the demonstration of God's sovereignty and omniscience.
Biblical Examples of Prediction:1.
Old Testament Predictions:·
Messianic Prophecies: The Old Testament contains numerous predictions about the coming of the Messiah.
Isaiah 7:14 predicts the virgin birth: "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel." Similarly,
Micah 5:2 foretells the birthplace of the Messiah: "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times."
·
Judgment and Restoration: Prophets like Jeremiah and Ezekiel predicted the judgment of Israel and Judah due to their disobedience, as well as their eventual restoration.
Jeremiah 25:11-12 speaks of the Babylonian captivity: "This whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon seventy years. But when the seventy years are complete, I will punish the king of Babylon and that nation, the land of the Chaldeans, for their guilt, declares the LORD, and I will make it a perpetual desolation."
2.
New Testament Predictions:·
Jesus' Predictions: Jesus Christ made several predictions during His earthly ministry. In
Matthew 24:2, He foretold the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem: "Do you see all these things? He replied. Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down." This prediction was fulfilled in A.D. 70 when the Romans destroyed the Temple.
·
The End Times: The New Testament contains predictions about the end times, particularly in the Book of Revelation.
Revelation 1:1 introduces the prophetic nature of the book: "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass. He made it known by sending His angel to His servant John."
Purpose and Significance:Predictions in the Bible serve to affirm the authority and reliability of God's word. They demonstrate God's control over history and His ability to bring His plans to fruition. Predictions also serve as a call to faithfulness and repentance, urging believers to align their lives with God's will.
The Role of Prophets:Prophets were chosen by God to deliver His messages, including predictions. They were often met with resistance and disbelief, yet their words were validated by the fulfillment of their predictions.
Deuteronomy 18:22 provides a test for true prophecy: "If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not take place or come to pass, that is a message the LORD has not spoken. The prophet has spoken presumptuously, so do not be alarmed."
Theological Implications:The fulfillment of biblical predictions underscores the faithfulness and omniscience of God. It reassures believers of the certainty of God's promises and the ultimate triumph of His purposes. Predictions also highlight the importance of living in anticipation of God's future actions, fostering a sense of hope and urgency in the Christian life.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
n.) The act of foretelling; also, that which is foretold; prophecy.
Greek
4394. propheteia -- prophecy... and 5346 , "make clear, assert as a priority") -- properly, what is clarified hand;
which involves divinely-empowered (asserting the mind of God) or (
prediction...4137. pleroo -- to make full, to complete
... figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office),
finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with aprediction), etc....
5048. teleioo -- to bring to an end, to complete, perfect
... Definition: I complete, accomplish, make perfect Definition: (a) as a course, a
race, or the like: I complete, finish (b) as of time orprediction: I accomplish...
Strong's Hebrew
5012. naba -- to prophesy... A primitive root; to prophesy, ie Speak (or sing) by inspiration (in
prediction or simple discourse) -- prophesy(-ing), make self a prophet. 5011, 5012.
...5016. nebuah -- prophecy
... prophecy. From naba'; aprediction (spoken or written) -- prophecy. see HEBREW
naba'. 5015b, 5016. nebuah. 5017 . Strong's Numbers.
Library
Of thePrediction of the Pedagogue.
... Book III. Chapter XVIII."Of theprediction of the pedagogue. Another instance
is that of an excellent man at Antioch, entrusted...
That Curse was aPrediction of the Things which the Jews Would Do.
... Chapter XCVI."That curse was aprediction of the things which the Jews
would do. "For the statement in the law, Cursed is every...
ThePrediction of the Events which Happened to Christ when He was...
... Chapter CII."Theprediction of the events which happened to Christ when
He was born Why God permitted it. "And what follows "My...
Prediction About the Christians in Zechariah the Malignant Way...
... Chapter CXV."Prediction about the Christians in Zechariah The malignant
way which the Jews have in disputations. "But you ought...
Jesus'Prediction of his "Delivery" into the Hands of Men.
... Book XIII. 8. Jesus'Prediction of His "Delivery" Into the Hands of Men.
"And while they abode in Galilee, Jesus said unto them, The...
Christ'sPrediction of the Coming of the Kingdom of God, and of...
... SUPPER. Section 254. Christ'sPrediction of the Coming of the Kingdom of
God, and of his Second Advent. (Mark, xiii.; Matt., xxiv.)....
Distinction BetweenPrediction and Prophecy.
... Homily III. Chapter XI."Distinction BetweenPrediction and Prophecy.
"Whence it must before all things be known, that nowhere...
Slaughter of Many Persons by Valens an Account of their Names, in...
... Book IV. Chapter XIX."Slaughter of Many Persons by Valens an Account of
their Names, in Consequence of a HeathenPrediction. The...
Faustus Denies that the Prophets Predicted Christ. Augustin Proves...
... Augustin proves suchprediction from the New Testament, and expounds at
length the principal types of Christ in the Old Testament....
The Completion of Our Saviour's Prophecies Confirmed Pagans in...
... Are there any but the Christians who, according to thisprediction of our Saviour,
being brought before kings and governors for his sake, are pressed to their...
Thesaurus
Prediction (4 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Prediction (4 Occurrences).
... Matthew 21:4 This took place
in order that the Prophet's
prediction might be fulfilled: (WEY).
...Micaiah (27 Occurrences)
... He was sent for from prison, where he had been confined, probably on account of
someprediction disagreeable to Ahab; and he condemned the expedition, and...
Prophecy (37 Occurrences)
... Easton's Bible Dictionary Orprediction, was one of the functions of the
prophet. It has been defined as a "miracle of knowledge...
Prophets (270 Occurrences)
... Thus in the case of Amos it was hisprediction of a great earthquake, which did
occur two years later (1:1); in the case of Elijah, theprediction of the long...
Man (26072 Occurrences)
... (1) There is the view, favored by "moderns," that the passage contains no genuine
prediction (Paul "could not know" the future), but represents a speculation...
Sin (782 Occurrences)
... (1) There is the view, favored by "moderns," that the passage contains no genuine
prediction (Paul "could not know" the future), but represents a speculation...
Gabriel (5 Occurrences)
... a proper name to designate the angel who was sent to Daniel (8:16) to explain the
vision of the ram and the he-goat, and to communicate theprediction of the...
Apocalyptic
... While the prophet was primarily a preacher of righteousness, and usedprediction
either as a guarantee, by its fulfillment, of his Divine mission, or as an...
Literature (2 Occurrences)
... While the prophet was primarily a preacher of righteousness, and usedprediction
either as a guarantee, by its fulfillment, of his Divine mission, or as an...
Accommodation (1 Occurrence)
...Prediction and fulfillment are essential factors in any unified movement begun,
advanced and completed according to a single plan in successive periods of time...
Resources
Are there errors in the Qur'an (Koran)? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that Saul is also among the prophets? | GotQuestions.orgWere Jacob's prophecies about his sons fulfilled? | GotQuestions.orgPrediction: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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