Topical Encyclopedia
In the context of the Bible, the concept of "returns" can be understood in various dimensions, including spiritual, physical, and eschatological aspects. The term often signifies a restoration, a coming back to a previous state, or the fulfillment of a promise.
1. Spiritual Returns:The theme of returning to God is prevalent throughout the Scriptures. The prophets frequently called the people of Israel to return to the Lord, emphasizing repentance and restoration. In the book of Joel, the prophet urges, "Return to the LORD your God, for He is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, abounding in loving devotion" (
Joel 2:13). This call to return is not merely a physical act but a heartfelt repentance and turning back to God’s ways.
2. Physical Returns:The Bible also records numerous instances of physical returns, often involving the Israelites returning to their homeland. After the Babylonian exile, the return to Jerusalem is a significant event, symbolizing both physical and spiritual restoration.
Ezra 1:3 states, "Whoever among you belongs to His people, may his God be with him, and let him go up to Jerusalem in Judah and build the house of the LORD, the God of Israel."
3. Eschatological Returns:The return of Jesus Christ is a central tenet of Christian eschatology. The New Testament speaks of Christ's second coming as a future event when He will return in glory to judge the living and the dead. In
Acts 1:11 , the angels declare to the disciples, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven."
4. Returns in Parables:Jesus often used parables to illustrate the concept of return, particularly in the context of repentance and forgiveness. The Parable of the Prodigal Son (
Luke 15:11-32) is a profound example, where the wayward son returns to his father, symbolizing the sinner's return to God and the joy it brings in heaven.
5. Returns and Rewards:The Bible also speaks of returns in terms of rewards for faithfulness. In the Parable of the Talents (
Matthew 25:14-30), the servants who wisely invest their master's money are rewarded upon his return. This parable underscores the principle that God rewards those who are faithful and diligent in their service to Him.
6. Returns and Restoration:The theme of return is closely linked with restoration. In the prophetic books, God promises to restore Israel after a period of judgment and exile.
Jeremiah 30:3 proclaims, "For behold, the days are coming, declares the LORD, when I will restore from captivity My people Israel and Judah, declares the LORD. I will restore them to the land that I gave to their fathers, and they will possess it."
In summary, the concept of returns in the Bible encompasses a wide range of meanings, from personal repentance and spiritual renewal to the physical return of exiles and the anticipated return of Christ. Each aspect highlights the faithfulness of God in fulfilling His promises and the hope of restoration for His people.
Greek
1994. epistrepho -- to turn, to return... Word Origin from epi and strepho Definition to turn, to return NASB Word Usage back
(2), back* (3), return (6), returned (3),
returns (2), take back (1), turn
...360. analuo -- to unloose for departure
... return. Word Origin from ana and luo Definition to unloose for departure
NASB Word Usage depart (1),returns (1). depart, return....
Strong's Hebrew
7725. shub -- to turn back, return... 2), retire (1), retreat (1), return (261), return and take back (1), return* (1),
returned (151), returned* (1), returning (2),
returns (9), reverse (1
...Library
Li the Law of IncreasingReturns
... LI THE LAW OF INCREASINGRETURNS. Matthew xxv.14-30.... To the faithful in the few things
the many things are revealed. That is the law of increasingreturns....
Backslidings andReturns; Or, the Inconstancy of Our Love.
... Hymn 2:20. Backslidings andreturns; or, The inconstancy of our love. 1
Why is my heart so far from thee, My God, my chief delight?...
The PrinceReturns
... Chapter XII THE PRINCERETURNS. Joseph, the shepherd, son of Thomas of Pella,
moved out of the green marsh before sunset, as he had...
St. AmbroseReturns Again to the Subject of Christ...
... Chapter X. St. Ambrosereturns again to the subject of Christ? St. Ambrosereturns
again to the subject of Christ, speaking of His goodness in all misery....
St. AmbroseReturns to the Story of the Widow of Sarepta...
... Concerning Widows. Chapter III. St. Ambrosereturns to the story of the
widow of Sarepta? St. Ambrosereturns to the story of...
St. AmbroseReturns to the Main Question, and Shows that Whenever...
... Book III. Chapter XI. St. Ambrosereturns to the main question, and shows
that whenever Christ is said to? St. Ambrosereturns...
HeReturns to the Prophecy of Isaiah.
... Book IV. Chapter XI. Hereturns to the prophecy of Isaiah. "The labour,"
says he, "of Egypt, and the merchandize of Ethiopia, and...
HeReturns to the Conversion of the Gentiles, and Shows that it...
... Chapter CXXX."Hereturns to the conversion of the Gentiles, and shows that
it was foretold. And when all had given assent, I:said...
AugustinReturns to the Question, Whether Each Person of the...
... Book VII. Chapter 1."AugustinReturns to the Question, Whether Each Person
of the Trinity by Itself is Wisdom. With What Difficulty...
Backslidings andReturns; Or, the Inconstancy of Our Love.
... Hymns, Book II HYMN 20 Backslidings andreturns; or, The inconstancy of our love.
CM Backslidings andreturns; or, The inconstancy of our love....
Thesaurus
Returns (27 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance
Returns (27 Occurrences).
... (See NIV). Luke 11:25
When he
returns, he finds it swept and put in order. (WEB).
...Return (499 Occurrences)
... 23. (n.) An account, or formal report, of an action performed, of a duty discharged,
of facts or statistics, and the like; as, electionreturns; a return of...
Deluge (17 Occurrences)
... Dove again sent out seven days afterwards; and in the evening shereturns
with an olive leaf in her mouth (Genesis 8:10, 11). Dove...
Turns (80 Occurrences)
... Luke 17:4 If he sins against you seven times in the day, and seven timesreturns,
saying,'I repent,' you shall forgive him." (Root in WEB WEY NAS RSV)....
Returning (37 Occurrences)
Vomited (5 Occurrences)
... 2 Peter 2:22 Their case is that described in the true proverb, "A dogreturns to
what he has vomited," and also in the other proverb, "The sow has washed...
Vomit (12 Occurrences)
... (WEB KJV JPS ASV DBY WBS YLT NAS RSV NIV). Proverbs 26:11 As a dog that
returns to his vomit, so is a fool who repeats his folly....
Vigor (11 Occurrences)
... (See NAS RSV NIV). Job 33:25 His flesh shall be fresher than a child's.
Hereturns to the days of his youth. (See NAS RSV). Psalms...
Knocks (5 Occurrences)
... Luke 12:36 Be like men watching for their lord, when hereturns from the marriage
feast; that, when he comes and knocks, they may immediately open to him....
Nathan (42 Occurrences)
... Nathan at first blesses the project, but that same night is given a Divine message,
andreturns to tell the king that instead of David building a house for...
Resources
What will happen when Jesus returns / comes back? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is glorification? | GotQuestions.orgWhat is seed faith? What is a seed faith offering? | GotQuestions.orgReturns: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
Bible Dictionary •
Bible Encyclopedia •
Topical Bible •
Bible Thesuarus
