Topical Encyclopedia
The concept of anticipation in the Bible often relates to the expectation of God's promises, the coming of the Messiah, and the fulfillment of divine prophecy. Anticipation is a theme that runs throughout Scripture, reflecting the hope and faith of God's people as they await His intervention and fulfillment of His word.
Anticipation of the MessiahThe anticipation of the Messiah is a central theme in the Old Testament. Prophets like Isaiah and Micah foretold the coming of a Savior who would deliver Israel and establish God's kingdom.
Isaiah 9:6-7 declares, "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulders. And He will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace." This prophecy fueled the hope and expectation of the Jewish people for centuries.
Micah 5:2 also speaks of the anticipated ruler from Bethlehem: "But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come forth for Me one to be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times." These prophecies created a sense of anticipation for the coming of the Messiah, which was fulfilled in the New Testament with the birth of Jesus Christ.
Anticipation of God's PromisesThroughout the Bible, God's people are often depicted as living in anticipation of His promises. Abraham, for example, lived in anticipation of the promise that he would become the father of many nations (
Genesis 17:4-5).
Hebrews 11:8-10 highlights Abraham's faith and anticipation: "By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he dwelt in the promised land as a stranger in a foreign country, living in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who were heirs with him of the same promise. For he was looking forward to the city with foundations, whose architect and builder is God."
The anticipation of God's promises is not limited to the patriarchs. The Israelites, during their captivity in Egypt and later in Babylon, lived in anticipation of deliverance and restoration. The Exodus narrative is a powerful example of anticipation fulfilled, as God delivered His people from bondage and led them to the Promised Land.
Anticipation of the Second ComingIn the New Testament, anticipation shifts towards the return of Christ and the establishment of His eternal kingdom. Jesus Himself spoke of His return, urging His followers to be watchful and prepared. In
Matthew 24:42 , He says, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come."
The early church lived in eager anticipation of Christ's return, as seen in the writings of the apostles. Paul, in his letter to the Thessalonians, encourages believers to remain steadfast in their hope: "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will be the first to rise" (
1 Thessalonians 4:16).
The book of Revelation further fuels this anticipation with vivid imagery of Christ's return and the ultimate victory over evil.
Revelation 22:20 captures the longing of the early church: "He who testifies to these things says, 'Yes, I am coming soon.' Amen. Come, Lord Jesus!"
Anticipation in the Life of BelieversFor believers today, anticipation is an integral part of the Christian faith. It involves trusting in God's timing and His faithfulness to fulfill His promises.
Romans 8:23-25 speaks to this hope: "Not only that, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently."
Anticipation encourages believers to live in a state of readiness, with hearts and minds focused on the eternal promises of God. It is a call to live faithfully, with the assurance that God's word will be fulfilled in His perfect timing.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
(
imp. & p. p.) of Anticipate.
Greek
4051. perisseuma -- superfluity... especially as a situation (ie by its ); what is greater than expected (thought to
be the limit); what exceeds (what was measured), ie "
anticipated." See 4052
...4053. perissos -- abundant
... 4053 (an adjective, derived from 4012 , "all-around, excess") -- properly , "more
than" ("abundantly"); beyond what isanticipated, exceeding expectation...
4057. perissos -- abundantly
... from 4012 , "all-around, excess") -- "extraordinarily, exceedingly" (J. Thayer);
expectation; further than the upper limit, going past what isanticipated....
4329. prosdokia -- expectation
... expectation, looking after. From prosdokao; apprehension (of evil); by implication,
inflictionanticipated -- expectation, looking after. see GREEK prosdokao....
Library
HeavenAnticipated.
... LIFE, DEATH AND FUTURITY. 557. " HeavenAnticipated. 557. 8s. & 6s.
M. WB Tappan. HeavenAnticipated. 1 There is an hour of...
An Universal Sabbath DayAnticipated.
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CCLXVIII. An universal Sabbath Dayanticipated. 8.8.8.8 James
Montgomery. An universal Sabbath Dayanticipated. PART I. PART II....
An ArgumentAnticipated.
... Book II. Chapter 40."An ArgumentAnticipated. And let no one contend
that the descendants of Abraham might fairly enough have...
Mercies Remembered andAnticipated. --Ps. xxiii. 4-6.
... ORIGINAL HYMNS HYMN CCXXXI. Mercies remembered andanticipated."Ps. xxiii....
8.8.8.8.8.8 James Montgomery. Mercies remembered andanticipated."Psalm 23:4-6....
An ObjectionAnticipated Before the Discussion Above Promised is...
... Chapter III."An ObjectionAnticipated Before the Discussion Above Promised
is Commenced. But before doing this, I will make short...
Further ObjectionsAnticipated. He did not Choose his Manner of...
... On the Incarnation of the Word. Section 24. Further objectionsanticipated.
He did not choose His manner of death; for He was to...
The Withered Hand Healed on the Sabbath. --The Objections of the...
... SECOND COURSE OF EXTENDED LABOURS IN GALILEE. Section 169. The Withered Hand healed
on the Sabbath."The Objections of the Phariseesanticipated and refuted....
Argument: Moreover, what Will Happen to the Christians Themselves...
... Chapter XII."Argument: Moreover, What Will Happen to the Christians Themselves After
Death, May BeAnticipated from the Fact that Even Now They are Destitute...
Objection to the Number of Extracts from Philosophical Writings in...
... The Stromata, or Miscellanies: Book I Chapter II."Objection to the Number of Extracts
from Philosophical Writings in These BooksAnticipated and Answered....
A Third Passage with which He Finds Fault is that in which I Gave...
... If I hadanticipated that you would adopt measures of this kind I might have
done this, and so have avoided your calumnious speeches....
Thesaurus
Anticipated (4 Occurrences)...Anticipated (4 Occurrences). Matthew 17:25 He said, "Yes." When he came into the
house, Jesus
anticipated him, saying, "What do you think, Simon?
...Anticipate (5 Occurrences)
... vt) To take up or introduce beforehand, or before the proper or normal time; to
cause to occur earlier or prematurely; as, the advocate hasanticipated a part...
Eschatology
... keenly alive to its affinity to the content of the highest eternal hope, and
consequently tends to identify the two, to find the age to comeanticipated in the...
Tabeel (2 Occurrences)
... keenly alive to its affinity to the content of the highest eternal hope, and
consequently tends to identify the two, to find the age to comeanticipated in the...
Mouth (534 Occurrences)
... keenly alive to its affinity to the content of the highest eternal hope, and
consequently tends to identify the two, to find the age to comeanticipated in the...
Home (270 Occurrences)
... feet. (See NIV). Matthew 17:25 And when he came into the house, Jesus
anticipated him, saying, 'What thinkest thou, Simon? the kings...
Yes (511 Occurrences)
... YLT). Matthew 17:25 He said, "Yes." When he came into the house, Jesus
anticipated him, saying, "What do you think, Simon? From whom...
Home (270 Occurrences)
... feet. (See NIV). Matthew 17:25 And when he came into the house, Jesus
anticipated him, saying, 'What thinkest thou, Simon? the kings...
Night-watches (4 Occurrences)
... (See JPS ASV DBY). Psalms 119:148 Mine eyesanticipated the night-watches, That
I might meditate on thy word. (See JPS ASV DBY). Lamentations 2:19 Up!...
Forgo (1 Occurrence)
... up the enjoyment or advantage of; to renounce; as, to forgo the use of a discount; --
said of a thing already enjoyed, or of one within reach, oranticipated....
Resources
Why is Queen Mary I of England known as Bloody Mary? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is the Pentecostal Church and what do Pentecostals believe? | GotQuestions.orgWhat should we learn from the golden calf incident in Exodus 32? | GotQuestions.orgAnticipated: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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