Topical Encyclopedia
Definition and Scope:Predictions in the biblical context refer to the foretelling of future events, often delivered through prophets or divine revelation. These predictions are not mere guesses or speculations but are considered authoritative declarations of God's will and plan for humanity and the world. They encompass a wide range of topics, including the rise and fall of nations, the coming of the Messiah, and eschatological events.
Old Testament Predictions:The Old Testament is replete with predictions, primarily delivered by prophets. These predictions often served as warnings, calls to repentance, or assurances of God's faithfulness. For instance, the prophet Isaiah predicted the coming of a suffering servant, a prophecy Christians believe is fulfilled in Jesus Christ: "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed" (
Isaiah 53:5).
Jeremiah predicted the Babylonian exile, warning the people of Judah of impending judgment due to their disobedience: "This whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years" (
Jeremiah 25:11). This prediction was fulfilled when the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem and exiled its inhabitants.
New Testament Predictions:The New Testament contains predictions primarily concerning the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as the end times. Jesus Himself made several predictions, including His own death and resurrection: "From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life" (
Matthew 16:21).
The New Testament also includes predictions about the end times, as seen in the Book of Revelation. These predictions describe the ultimate victory of Christ, the final judgment, and the establishment of a new heaven and a new earth: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more" (
Revelation 21:1).
Role of Prophets:Prophets were the primary vehicles for delivering predictions in the Bible. They were chosen by God to communicate His messages to the people. The role of a prophet was not only to predict future events but also to call people back to faithfulness and obedience to God. Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel played significant roles in delivering God's predictions to Israel and the surrounding nations.
Fulfillment of Predictions:The fulfillment of biblical predictions is a central theme in Scripture, serving as evidence of God's sovereignty and faithfulness. The fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in the New Testament, particularly those concerning the Messiah, is a cornerstone of Christian belief. For example, the prediction of the virgin birth in
Isaiah 7:14 is seen as fulfilled in
Matthew 1:22-23: "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel' (which means, 'God with us')" .
Eschatological Predictions:Eschatology, the study of end times, is a significant aspect of biblical predictions. These predictions provide hope and assurance to believers, affirming that despite present sufferings, God's ultimate plan will prevail. Key eschatological predictions include the second coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the final judgment. Jesus spoke of these events in passages such as
Matthew 24 and 25, emphasizing the need for readiness and faithfulness: "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come" (
Matthew 24:42).
Conclusion:While predictions in the Bible serve various purposes, they consistently point to the sovereignty of God and His unfolding plan for redemption and restoration. They call believers to trust in God's promises and to live in anticipation of their fulfillment.
Library
MessianicPredictions in the Prophets.
... MESSIANICPREDICTIONS IN THE PROPHETS. After... destined. A central position,
as regards the Messianicpredictions, is occupied by Isaiah....
ThePredictions of Christ.
... Book III. Chapter VII."ThePredictions of Christ. 1. It is fitting to
add to these accounts the true prediction of our Saviour...
ScripturalPredictions of an Apostasy.
... Chapter II. ScripturalPredictions Of An Apostasy. Who has not wondered,
as they read of the Savior's and the apostles' warnings...
DirectPredictions by the Spirit.
... Chapter XXXIX."Directpredictions by the Spirit. And when the Spirit
of prophecy speaks as predicting things that are to come...
OtherPredictions of the Cross of Christ.
... Chapter XCVII."Otherpredictions of the cross of Christ. "For it was not
without design that the prophet Moses, when Hur and Aaron...
Predictions of Christ in Ps. xxii.
... Chapter XCVIII."Predictions of Christ in Ps. xxii. "I shall repeat the
whole Psalm, in order that you may hear His reverence to...
System of the Arithmeticians;Predictions through Calculations...
... Chapter XIV."System of the Arithmeticians;Predictions Through Calculations; Numerical
Roots; Transference of These Doctrines to Letters; Examples in...
Of thePredictions Concerning the Salvation of the World in Christ...
... Book XVIII. Chapter 31."Of thePredictions Concerning the Salvation of
the World in Christ, in Obadiah, Nahum, and Habakkuk. The...
Of Divine Testimonies, and of the Sibyls and theirPredictions.
... the divine institutes book i. of the false worship of the gods. Chap. VI."Of
divine testimonies, and of the sibyls and theirpredictions....
Concerning the Passion of Christ, and Its Old Testament...
... Chapter X."Concerning the Passion of Christ, and Its Old TestamentPredictions
and Adumbrations. Concerning the last step, plainly...
Thesaurus
Predictions (8 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Predictions (8 Occurrences).
... and what will be the sign
when all these
predictions are on the point of being fulfilled?" (WEY).
...Pronounced (63 Occurrences)
... Acts 13:27 For the people of Jerusalem and their rulers, by the judgement they
pronounced on Jesus, have actually fulfilled thepredictions of the Prophets...
Pethor (2 Occurrences)
... a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth are passed away; and the sea
is no more." The accomplishment of these sublimepredictions will involve a...
Contained (11 Occurrences)
... Revelation 22:7 'I am coming quickly.' Blessed is he who is mindful of
thepredictions contained in this book." (WEY). Revelation...
Actually (35 Occurrences)
... Acts 13:27 For the people of Jerusalem and their rulers, by the judgement they
pronounced on Jesus, have actually fulfilled thepredictions of the Prophets...
Ignorance (27 Occurrences)
... Acts 13:27 For the people of Jerusalem and their rulers, by the judgement they
pronounced on Jesus, have actually fulfilled thepredictions of the Prophets...
Judgement (68 Occurrences)
... Acts 13:27 For the people of Jerusalem and their rulers, by the judgement they
pronounced on Jesus, have actually fulfilled thepredictions of the Prophets...
Prophecy (37 Occurrences)
... The twenty-eighth chapter of Deuteronomy contains a series ofpredictions
which are even now in the present day being fulfilled....
Daniel (74 Occurrences)
... taken up with revelations concerning the future history of the great world empires,
especially in their relation to the people of God, andpredictions of the...
King (25505 Occurrences)
... applied. 1. The Old Testament Foreshadowings: We may briefly note some of
the Old Testamentpredictions of Christ as king. The first...
Resources
How should a Christian react to all the doomsday predictions out there? | GotQuestions.orgIs Harold Camping and Family Radio a cult? | GotQuestions.orgSurviving the end times - what do I need to know? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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