Expectancy, in a biblical context, refers to the anticipation and hope that believers hold regarding the fulfillment of God's promises and the unfolding of His divine plan. This concept is deeply rooted in the faith and trust that God's word is true and that His promises will come to pass. Expectancy is a vital aspect of the Christian life, encouraging believers to live in a state of readiness and hope.

Old Testament Expectancy

In the Old Testament, expectancy is often linked to the promises made by God to His people. The patriarchs, prophets, and the nation of Israel lived with a sense of expectancy regarding God's covenantal promises. Abraham, for instance, demonstrated expectancy in God's promise of a son and numerous descendants. Genesis 15:5-6 states, "And the LORD took him outside and said, 'Now look to the heavens and count the stars, if you are able.' Then He told him, 'So shall your offspring be.' Abram believed the LORD, and it was credited to him as righteousness."

The Israelites also lived with expectancy for deliverance and the coming of the Messiah. The prophetic writings are filled with anticipations of a future hope and restoration. Isaiah 9:6 proclaims, "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."

New Testament Expectancy

In the New Testament, expectancy takes on a more immediate and personal dimension with the arrival of Jesus Christ, the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies. The early Christians lived with a profound sense of expectancy regarding the return of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom. This is evident in the teachings of Jesus and the writings of the apostles.

Jesus Himself taught about living in expectancy, urging His followers to be watchful and prepared for His return. In Matthew 24:42 , He instructs, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come."

The apostle Paul also emphasized expectancy in his letters, encouraging believers to live in hope and anticipation of Christ's return. In Romans 8:19 , Paul writes, "The creation waits in eager expectation for the revelation of the sons of God." This expectancy is not passive but active, motivating believers to live holy and godly lives as they await the fulfillment of God's promises.

Expectancy in the Christian Life

Expectancy is a dynamic aspect of the Christian faith, influencing how believers live and interact with the world. It is characterized by a hopeful anticipation of God's intervention and the ultimate realization of His kingdom. This expectancy is rooted in faith, as Hebrews 11:1 describes, "Now faith is the assurance of what we hope for and the certainty of what we do not see."

Believers are called to maintain a posture of expectancy, trusting in God's timing and sovereignty. This is reflected in the exhortation found in Philippians 4:6-7 , "Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."

Expectancy also involves a forward-looking perspective, as Christians anticipate the new heaven and new earth promised in Revelation 21:1-4 . This hope sustains believers through trials and challenges, providing assurance that God's purposes will ultimately prevail.Matthew 24:44
Therefore be you also ready: for in such an hour as you think not the Son of man comes.
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Matthew 24:3
And as he sat on the mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, Tell us, when shall these things be? and what shall be the sign of your coming, and of the end of the world?
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2 Peter 3:3-4
Knowing this first, that there shall come in the last days scoffers, walking after their own lusts,
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Romans 13:11
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
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Acts 1:8
But you shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come on you: and you shall be witnesses to me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and to the uttermost part of the earth.
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Galatians 1:4
Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:
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Matthew 24:22
And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect's sake those days shall be shortened.
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603. apokaradokia -- strained expectancy
... strained expectancy. Part of Speech: Noun, Feminine Transliteration: apokaradokia
Phonetic Spelling: (ap-ok-ar-ad-ok-ee'-ah) Short Definition: eager expectation ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/603.htm - 8k

3306. meno -- to stay, abide, remain
... A primary verb; to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy) -- abide,
continue, dwell, endure, be present, remain, stand, tarry (for), X thine own ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3306.htm - 8k

8615. tiqvah -- cord
... From qavah; literally, a cord (as an attachment (compare qaveh)); figuratively,
expectancy -- expectation ((-ted)), hope, live, thing that I long for. ...
/hebrew/8615.htm - 5k

Expectancy in Service.
... Deep-Sea Fishing: The Ambition of Service. (Luke v:1-11.) Expectancy in Service. ...
Expectancy is the eye of faith. Faith always has a watch-tower. ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on service/expectancy in service.htm

Watching the Horizon
... FRANCES RIDLEY HAVERGAL. The Thrill of Expectancy. ... It means wakefulness, an ideal,
a purpose, and a hopeful expectancy. Some people only look. ...
/.../quiet talks on the crowned christ of revelation/viii watching the horizon.htm

When the Oil Flows
... II. Another vessel that we have to bring is the vessel of our expectancy. ... But for
to-day, desire and expectancy determine the measure of the gift. III. ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture f/when the oil flows.htm

On the Resurrection of Christ from the Dead.
... a prediction, and took it in the literal sense - would give only more emphasis to
the opposite bearing of the disciples and their manifest non-expectancy of a ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xvi on the resurrection.htm

The Main Road --Experiences of Power and Privilege
... He was expecting something. His whole being was absorbed in the expectancy of what
had been promised.[55] And that expectancy was not disappointed. ...
/.../gordon/quiet talks on following the christ/2 the main roadexperiences of.htm

The Pathway In.
... Great events always send messengers ahead. There is a movement in the spirit currents.
A sort of tremor of expectancy affects the finer currents of air. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks about jesus/the pathway in.htm

Carmel
... Early on the morning of the day appointed, the hosts of apostate Israel,
in eager expectancy, gather near the top of the mountain. ...
/.../white/the story of prophets and kings/chapter 11 carmel.htm

Appendix xiv. The Law in Messianic Times.
... The ultimate basis of this expectancy must be sought in the Old Testament itself -
not merely in such allusions as to the intrinsic worthlessness of sacrifices ...
/.../edersheim/the life and times of jesus the messiah/appendix xiv the law in.htm

Saints, Sages, and Saviors: the Law of Service
... do, and that now he must trust to the elements, and wait patiently for the course
of time to bring about the harvest, and that no amount of expectancy on his ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/allen/the way of peace/saints sages and saviors the.htm

The First Galilean Ministry.
... It raised to the highest pitch of expectancy the interest and curiosity previously
awakened by the reports, which the Galileans had brought from Jerusalem, and ...
/.../the life and times of jesus the messiah/chapter xi the first galilean.htm

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