Topical Encyclopedia
The term "precede" refers to the act of going before or coming before something or someone in time, order, or position. In the context of the Bible, the concept of preceding is often associated with events, people, or actions that set the stage for subsequent occurrences, fulfilling divine purposes or prophetic sequences.
Biblical Usage and Context1.
Prophetic Fulfillment: The idea of preceding is significant in the prophetic literature of the Bible. Many prophecies outline events that must precede the coming of the Messiah or the establishment of God's kingdom. For instance, the prophet Isaiah speaks of a voice calling in the wilderness to prepare the way for the Lord (
Isaiah 40:3), which is later identified in the New Testament as John the Baptist's ministry preceding Jesus Christ (
Matthew 3:3).
2.
John the Baptist: John the Baptist is a prominent biblical figure who precedes Jesus Christ, preparing the way for His ministry. In the Gospel of Mark, it is written, "As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: 'Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your way'" (
Mark 1:2). John's role was to call people to repentance and baptize them, setting the stage for the redemptive work of Christ.
3.
The Second Coming: In eschatological teachings, certain events are described as preceding the Second Coming of Christ. Jesus Himself speaks of signs and tribulations that will occur before His return. In
Matthew 24:29-30, He states, "Immediately after the tribulation of those days: ‘The sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light; the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken.’ At that time the sign of the Son of Man will appear in heaven" .
4.
Order of Resurrection: The Apostle Paul addresses the concept of precedence in the resurrection order in
1 Thessalonians 4:15-17. He writes, "By the word of the Lord, we declare to you that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who have fallen asleep. 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 rise first" . Here, Paul emphasizes that those who have died in Christ will rise before those who are alive at His coming.
5.
Moral and Spiritual Precedence: The Bible also speaks to the precedence of spiritual and moral values. Jesus teaches that seeking the kingdom of God should precede all other pursuits. In
Matthew 6:33, He instructs, "But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things will be added unto you" . This establishes a priority for believers to place spiritual matters above worldly concerns.
Theological ImplicationsThe concept of preceding in the Bible underscores the divine order and timing in God's plan. It highlights the importance of preparation, both in the historical unfolding of God's redemptive work and in the personal spiritual lives of believers. Understanding what precedes significant biblical events can provide insight into God's purposes and the fulfillment of His promises.
Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary
1. (
v. t.) To go before in order of time; to occur first with relation to anything.
2. (v. t.) To go before in place, rank, or importance.
3. (v. t.) To cause to be preceded; to preface; to introduce; -- used with by or with before the instrumental object.
Greek
5348. phthano -- to come before (another), anticipate, arrive... anticipate, arrive. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: phthano Phonetic Spelling:
(fthan'-o) Short Definition: I anticipate,
precede, arrive Definition: (a
...4281. proerchomai -- to go forward, go on
... go forward, go on. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: proerchomai Phonetic Spelling:
(pro-er'-khom-ahee) Short Definition: I go before,precede Definition: I...
4313. proporeuomai -- to make to go before, to cause to go before
... before, to cause to go before. Part of Speech: Verb Transliteration: proporeuomai
Phonetic Spelling: (prop-or-yoo'-om-ahee) Short Definition: Iprecede, pass on...
4254. proago -- to lead forth, to go before
... judicial sense, into court, (b) intrans. and trans: Iprecede, go before,
(c) intrans: I go too far. Word Origin from pro and ago...
4390. protrecho -- to run forward, ie run in advance
... outrun, run before. From pro and trecho (including its alternate); to run forward,
ie Outstrip,precede -- outrun, run before. see GREEK pro. see GREEK trecho....
Strong's Hebrew
6923. qadam -- to come or be in front, meet... A primitive root; to project (one self), ie
Precede; hence, to anticipate, hasten,
meet (usually for help) -- come (go, (flee)) before, + disappoint, meet
...Library
Of the Signs that WillPrecede the Judgment (Three Articles)
... OF THE SIGNS THAT WILLPRECEDE THE JUDGMENT (THREE ARTICLES). We... inquiry: (1)
Whether any signs willprecede the Lord's coming to judgment?...
Whether Catechism ShouldPrecede Baptism?
... OF THE PREPARATIONS THAT ACCOMPANY BAPTISM (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether catechism should
precede Baptism?... Therefore catechism should notprecede Baptism....
Whether Exorcism ShouldPrecede Baptism?
... OF THE PREPARATIONS THAT ACCOMPANY BAPTISM (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether exorcism should
precede Baptism?... Therefore exorcism should notprecede Baptism....
Whether the Irascible PassionsPrecede the Concupiscible Passions...
... OF THE ORDER OF THE PASSIONS TO ONE ANOTHER (FOUR ARTICLES) Whether the irascible
passionsprecede the concupiscible passions, or vice versa?...
Whether any Signs WillPrecede the Lord's Coming to Judgment?
... OF THE SIGNS THAT WILLPRECEDE THE JUDGMENT (THREE ARTICLES) Whether any
signs willprecede the Lord's coming to judgment? Objection...
Defence of the Truth ShouldPrecede Discussions Regarding It.
... Chapter I."Defence of the Truth ShouldPrecede Discussions Regarding It.
[835] By the side of every opinion and doctrine which...
Whether the Precept of Fraternal Correction Demands that a Private...
... OF FRATERNAL CORRECTION (EIGHT ARTICLES) Whether the precept of fraternal correction
demands that a private admonition shouldprecede denunciation?...
John and Daniel have Predicted the Dissolution and Desolation of...
... Against Heresies: Book V Chapter XXVI."John and Daniel have predicted the dissolution
and desolation of the Roman Empire, which shallprecede the end of the...
What the Apostle Paul Wrote to the Thessalonians About the...
... Book XX. Chapter 19."What the Apostle Paul Wrote to the Thessalonians About the
Manifestation of Antichrist Which ShallPrecede the Day of the Lord....
What True Grace Is, and Wherefore Given. Merits do notPrecede...
... A Treatise on the grace of christ, and on original sin, Chapter 27 [XXVI.]"What
True Grace Is, and Wherefore Given. Merits Do NotPrecede Grace....
Thesaurus
Precede (1 Occurrence)... the instrumental object. Multi-Version Concordance
Precede (1 Occurrence).
1 Thessalonians 4:15 For this we tell you by the word
...Prevent (32 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (vt) To go before; toprecede; hence, to go before
as a guide; to direct. 2. (vt) To be beforehand with; to anticipate....
Preceded (6 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (imp. & pp) ofPrecede. Multi-Version Concordance
Preceded (6 Occurrences). 2 Kings 17:2 He did that which...
Millennium
... gospel; and that Christ will only come again at the close of this dispensation to
judge the world at the "last day." The millennium will thusprecede his coming...
Premillennial
... objections and interpretations; the single point, namely, that the Millennium succeeds
the second coming of Jesus Christ, that it does notprecede it, will be...
Judith (1 Occurrence)
... Apocrypha (see APOCRYPHA). In the Septuagint and Vulgate, Tobit and Judith
(in that order) follow Nehemiah andprecede Esther. In the...
Lead (192 Occurrences)
... 12. (vt) To go or to be in advance of; toprecede; hence, to be foremost or chief
among; as, the big sloop led the fleet of yachts; the Guards led the attack...
Forego (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (vi) To go before; toprecede; -- used especially in the
present and past participles. Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia. FOREGO....
Trance (7 Occurrences)
... take the form of visual or auditory sensations or else of impressions of taste,
smell, heat or cold, and sometimes these conditionsprecede epileptic seizures...
That (103354 Occurrences)
... That, as a demonstrative, mayprecede the noun to which it refers; as, that which
he has said is true; those in the basket are good apples....
Resources
Who baptized John the Baptist? | GotQuestions.orgWhat does it mean that the love of many will grow cold (Matthew 24:12)? | GotQuestions.orgDid God sacrifice Himself to Himself to save us from Himself because of a rule He made Himself? | GotQuestions.orgPrecede: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.comBible Concordance •
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