The term "instantly" refers to something occurring immediately or without delay. In the context of the Bible, this concept is often associated with the immediacy of God's actions, the urgency of obedience, and the suddenness of divine intervention or judgment.

Divine Intervention and Miracles

Throughout the Scriptures, God's power is frequently demonstrated through instantaneous acts. For example, in the New Testament, Jesus performs miracles that occur instantly, showcasing His divine authority. In the healing of the leper, "Jesus reached out His hand and touched the man. 'I am willing,' He said, 'be clean!' And immediately the leprosy was cleansed" (Matthew 8:3). This immediate healing underscores the power and compassion of Christ.

Similarly, in the account of the healing of the paralytic, Jesus commands, "Get up, pick up your mat, and go home." The man "got up and went home" (Matthew 9:6-7), illustrating the instant nature of Jesus' miraculous works.

Urgency of Obedience

The Bible also emphasizes the importance of immediate obedience to God's commands. In the Old Testament, when God called Abraham to sacrifice his son Isaac, Abraham responded without delay. "Early the next morning, Abraham got up and loaded his donkey" (Genesis 22:3). This prompt obedience reflects a heart fully surrendered to God's will.

In the New Testament, the call to follow Christ is often met with immediate response. When Jesus called Peter and Andrew, "At once they left their nets and followed Him" (Matthew 4:20). This immediate action signifies the disciples' recognition of Jesus' authority and their willingness to prioritize Him above all else.

Suddenness of Judgment

The Bible also speaks of the suddenness of divine judgment. In the account of Ananias and Sapphira, their deceit is met with immediate consequences. "As soon as Ananias heard these words, he fell down and died" (Acts 5:5). This instant judgment serves as a sobering reminder of God's holiness and the seriousness of sin.

In the Old Testament, the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah is another example of swift judgment. "Then the LORD rained down sulfur and fire on Sodom and Gomorrah—from the LORD out of the heavens" (Genesis 19:24). The immediacy of this event highlights the urgency of repentance and the reality of divine justice.

The Return of Christ

The concept of "instantly" is also relevant to eschatological themes, particularly the return of Christ. The New Testament describes the Second Coming as an event that will occur suddenly and without warning. "For the Son of Man will come at an hour you do not expect" (Matthew 24:44). Believers are therefore called to live in a state of readiness, anticipating the instant return of their Savior.

In summary, the concept of "instantly" in the Bible underscores the immediacy of God's actions, the urgency of obedience, and the suddenness of divine intervention and judgment. It serves as a reminder of the power and authority of God, the importance of prompt obedience, and the need for readiness in anticipation of Christ's return.1. (adv.) Without the least delay or interval; at once; immediately.

2. (adv.) With urgency or importunity; earnestly; pressingly.

INSTANT; INSTANTLY

in'-stant, in'-stant-li: Derivative from Latin instare. Found in English with various meanings from the 15th century to the present time.

Instant is used once in Isaiah 29:5 in the sense of immediate time; elsewhere in the sense of urgent, pressing; Luke 23:23, where "were instant" is the King James Version translation of the verb epekeinto; Romans 12:12, where it is involved in the verb proskartereo; compare Acts 6:4. In 2 Timothy 4:2 it stands for the expressive verb epistethi, "stand to."

Instantly (urgently, steadfastly) is the King James Version rendering of two different Greek phrases, spoudaios, found in Luke 7:4; and en ekteneia, in Acts 26:7. In both cases the American Standard Revised Version renders "earnestly."

Russell Benjamin Miller

3916. parachrema -- instantly
... instantly. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: parachrema Phonetic Spelling:
(par-akh-ray'-mah) Short Definition: instantly, immediately Definition ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3916.htm - 6k

1824. exautes -- at once, forthwith
... forthwith. Part of Speech: Adverb Transliteration: exautes Phonetic Spelling:
(ex-ow'-tace) Short Definition: immediately, instantly Definition: immediately ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1824.htm - 6k

4709. spoudaios -- with haste, diligently
... diligently, instantly. Adverb from spoudaios; earnestly, promptly -- diligently,
instantly. see GREEK spoudaios. (spoudaios) -- 3 Occurrences. 4708, 4709. ...
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/4709.htm - 6k

1616. ekteneia -- zeal, intentness
... earnestness, intentness. From ektenes; intentness -- X instantly. see GREEK ektenes.
(ekteneia) -- 1 Occurrence. 1615, 1616. ekteneia. 1617 . Strong's Numbers
//strongsnumbers.com/greek2/1616.htm - 6k

6621. petha -- suddenness
... Word Origin of uncertain derivation Definition suddenness NASB Word Usage instant
(1), instantly (2), suddenly (3), very (1). at an instant, suddenly, very. ...
/hebrew/6621.htm - 6k

7281. rega -- a moment
... Word Origin from raga Definition a moment NASB Word Usage instant (1), instantly
(2), moment (14), momentary* (1), suddenly (3), while (1). ...
/hebrew/7281.htm - 6k

6597. pithom -- suddenness, suddenly
... straightway, suddenly. Or pith.om {pith-ome'}; from petha'; instantly -- straightway,
sudden(-ly). see HEBREW petha'. 6596, 6597. pithom. 6598 . ...
/hebrew/6597.htm - 6k

Whether the Angel Obtained Beatitude Immediately after one Act of ...
... Objection 1: It would seem that the angel did not possess beatitude instantly after
one act of merit. ... Hence instantly after merit the angel secured beatitude. ...
/.../aquinas/summa theologica/whether the angel obtained beatitude.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... She instantly commenced reading it with a loud voice, and continued so for at least
ten minutes, occasionally exclaiming, 'Que lectura tan bonita, que lectura ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 56.htm

In Sanctuary
... Something portentous must have happened, and without even guessing what it was,
the youth's shrewd and practical intellect instantly took in the importance of ...
/.../chapter xxvii in sanctuary.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... barley to us. I instantly enquired of the latter what the man had said
to him, but only obtained an evasive answer. It appeared ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 31.htm

A Glance at the Disciples of Jesus on Holy Saturday.
... themselves called to it by a special grace, or who follow a rule given by God and
his Church), they heard a knock at the door, which was instantly opened, and ...
/.../the dolorous passion of our lord jesus christ/chapter lviii a glance at.htm

The Second Continental Journey.
... the head. He never spoke more, but died instantly. He ... the whole concern.
We sprang instantly out, and set the quiet animals free. ...
/.../chapter viii the second continental.htm

Narrow Escapes. Is Thrown from a Horse. Has Pneumonia. Nearly ...
... Instantly he came at me with a large cheese knife, swearing vengeance and his eyes
flashing fire. ... I decided instantly on the only possible way of escape. ...
/.../chapter x narrow escapes is.htm

Giving God a Clear Road for Action.
... for some months. Instantly he thought of his peculiar unwelcome Washington
experience, and became intensely interested. But not ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/gordon/quiet talks on prayer/giving god a clear road.htm

To the Rev. A. Brandram
... They instantly made Vitoriano prisoner, and, after seizing the books and laying
an embargo on the pony, proceeded amidst much abuse to drag their captive to ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev a brandram 57.htm

To the Rev. J. Jowett
... captain of the vessel, perceiving that the squall was increasing, ordered the topsails
to be taken in, whereupon this man with several others instantly ran up ...
/.../borrow/letters of george borrow/to the rev j jowett 17.htm

Instantly (39 Occurrences)
... Standard Bible Encyclopedia. INSTANT; INSTANTLY. in'-stant, in'-stant-li: Derivative
from Latin instare. ... Multi-Version Concordance Instantly (39 Occurrences). ...
/i/instantly.htm - 18k

Instant (19 Occurrences)
... 4. (a.) Present; current. 5. (adv.) Instantly. ... Int. Standard Bible Encyclopedia.
INSTANT; INSTANTLY. in'-stant, in'-stant-li: Derivative from Latin instare. ...
/i/instant.htm - 13k

Willing (152 Occurrences)
... Matthew 8:3 So Jesus put out His hand and touched him, and said, "I am willing:
be cleansed." Instantly he was cleansed from his leprosy; (WEY NAS NIV). ...
/w/willing.htm - 35k

Regained (6 Occurrences)
... (WEY NAS). Mark 10:52 "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has cured you." Instantly he
regained his sight, and followed Him along the road. (WEY NAS). ...
/r/regained.htm - 8k

Dropped (52 Occurrences)
... (BBE). Acts 9:18 Instantly there dropped from his eyes what seemed to be scales,
and he could see once more. Upon this he rose and received baptism; (WEY). ...
/d/dropped.htm - 22k

Cured (62 Occurrences)
... (WEY). Mark 10:52 "Go," said Jesus, "your faith has cured you." Instantly he
regained his sight, and followed Him along the road. (WEY). ...
/c/cured.htm - 23k

Stood (491 Occurrences)
... Luke 5:25 Instantly he stood up in their presence, took up the mattress on which
he had been lying, and went away to his home, giving glory to God. (WEY NIV). ...
/s/stood.htm - 36k

Notice (44 Occurrences)
... came trembling, and throwing herself down at His feet she stated before all the
people the reason why she had touched Him and how she was instantly cured. ...
/n/notice.htm - 19k

Now (15352 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (adv.) At the present time; at this moment;
at the time of speaking; instantly; as, I will write now. ...
/n/now.htm - 7k

Usurers (1 Occurrence)
... Usurers (1 Occurrence). Habakkuk 2:7 Do not thy usurers instantly rise up, And those
shaking thee awake up, And thou hast been for a spoil to them? (YLT). ...
/u/usurers.htm - 6k

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