Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of foretelling in the Bible is closely associated with prophecy, where God reveals future events to His prophets. This divine communication serves various purposes, including warning, encouragement, and the demonstration of God's sovereignty over history. The Bible contains numerous instances where God foretells events, both near and distant, through His chosen messengers.
Old Testament ForetellingIn the Old Testament, foretelling is a significant aspect of the prophetic ministry. Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel were often called to deliver messages about future events. For example, Isaiah foretold the coming of the Messiah, saying, "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" (
Isaiah 7:14). This prophecy pointed to the birth of Jesus Christ, fulfilled in the New Testament.
Jeremiah was tasked with foretelling the Babylonian exile, a period of judgment for the people of Judah due to their disobedience. In
Jeremiah 25:11-12 , it is written, "This whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years. But when 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."
Daniel's prophecies include visions of future kingdoms and the end times. In
Daniel 9:24-27 , the prophecy of the seventy weeks outlines a timeline for the coming of the Anointed One and the events leading to the end of the age.
New Testament ForetellingIn the New Testament, Jesus Christ Himself is the ultimate fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and also engages in foretelling. He predicts His own death and resurrection, as seen in
Matthew 16:21 : "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."
Jesus also foretells the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, an event that occurred in AD 70. In
Matthew 24:2 , He says, "Do you see all these things? Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down."
The apostles, inspired by the Holy Spirit, also engage in foretelling. The Book of Revelation, written by the Apostle John, is a prophetic vision of the end times, detailing events that will occur before the return of Christ.
Revelation 1:1 introduces the book as "The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass."
Purpose and SignificanceForetelling in the Bible serves to affirm God's omniscience and omnipotence. It reassures believers of His control over history and His faithfulness to His promises. Prophecies that have been fulfilled, such as those concerning the Messiah, strengthen the faith of believers and provide evidence of the divine inspiration of Scripture. Unfulfilled prophecies continue to be a source of hope and anticipation for the future, encouraging believers to live in readiness for the return of Christ.
Library
Greeks Seek Jesus. HeForetells that He Shall Draw all Men unto...
... CXII. Greeks Seek Jesus. HeForetells that He Shall Draw All Men Unto Him.
(in the Temple. Tuesday, April 4, ad30.) ^D John 12:20-50....
Do You Look for Another? but DanielForetells the Exact Time....
... On the Incarnation of the Word. Section 39. Do you look for another? But
Danielforetells the exact time. Objections to this removed....
Matt. xxiv. 1, 2
... and materials so costly, and variety of workmanship past utterance; He no longer
thenceforth talks to them of desolation merely, butforetells an entire...
It is Related that when Pilate Would Fain have Released Him all...
... that when Pilate would fain have released Him all the people cried out, "Crucify
Him, Crucify Him!" This also the Prophet Jeremiahforetells, saying, in the...
Of the Prophecies of the Birth and Achievements of Christ.
... Begin we, therefore, to prove that the Birth of Christ was announced by prophets;
as Isaiah (eg,)foretells, "Hear ye, house of David; no petty contest have ye...
So for that Reason one Should, in Fact...
... So for that reason one should, in fact, fish well and diligently, just as the Lord
foretells and teaches, saying, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men...
Free-Will in Men and Angels.
... But if the word of Godforetells that some angels and men shall be certainly punished,
it did so because it foreknew that they would be unchangeably [wicked...
Now Let us Shew Briefly, if You Will, that These Things were...
... gold and silver." But that thou mayest know more certainly Who this Lord is of Whom
these things are said, hear what the Prophet Daniel alsoforetells: "I saw...
Matt. xviii. 7
... of the moral principle, nor as placing man's life under any absolute constraint
of circumstances, that He saith these things, but Heforetells what would...
Acts xxvi. 30-32
... and could not bear up into the wind, we let her drive" (RV "were driven.")
(v.10-15.) Paul therefore advised them to remain, and heforetells what would come...
Thesaurus
Foretells (1 Occurrence)... Multi-Version Concordance
Foretells (1 Occurrence). Deuteronomy 13:1 If
there arise in the midst of you a prophet, or a dreamer of
...Foretell (4 Occurrences)
Premillennial
... It tells of Christ's going away, it describes the conduct of His servants and of
the citizens during His absence; itforetells His return and the reckoning...
Millennium
... It tells of Christ's going away, it describes the conduct of His servants and of
the citizens during His absence; itforetells His return and the reckoning...
Joel (22 Occurrences)
... (4.) Finally, the prophetforetells portents and judgments as destined to fall on
the enemies of God (ch. 3, but in the Hebrew text 4). Jehovah is his God....
Loss (90 Occurrences)
... that he (Jacob) suffered the loss of all animals of the flock torn by beasts); shekhol,
"bereavement" (Isaiah 47:8, where the prophetforetells the humiliation...
Gall (17 Occurrences)
... (3.) Gr. chole (Matthew 27:34), the LXX. translation of the Hebrew rosh
in Psalm 69; 21, whichforetells our Lord's sufferings....
Forethought (3 Occurrences)
Messenger (235 Occurrences)
... an office servant who bears messages. 2. (n.) One who, or that which,
foreshows, orforetells. 3. (n.) A hawser passed round the...
Augur (1 Occurrence)
... quadrupeds, or unusual occurrences. 3. (n.) One whoforetells events by omens;
a soothsayer; a diviner; a prophet. 4. (vi) To anticipate...
Resources
In what ways was Moses like Jesus? | GotQuestions.orgWho is the Servant of the Lord in the Bible? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Magnificat? | GotQuestions.orgBible Concordance •
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