In biblical literature, a "sign" often serves as a divine indicator or token of future events, revealing God's intentions or affirming His promises. Signs are employed by God to communicate with His people, providing assurance, guidance, or warning. They are not merely natural phenomena but are imbued with spiritual significance, often pointing to a deeper reality or forthcoming occurrence.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, signs frequently accompany covenants and divine promises. For instance, the rainbow is given as a sign of God's covenant with Noah, symbolizing His promise never to flood the earth again (Genesis 9:12-17). Similarly, the sign of circumcision is established as a token of the covenant between God and Abraham (Genesis 17:11).

Signs also serve as indicators of God's power and presence. In Exodus, God provides Moses with signs to convince the Israelites of his divine mission, such as the transformation of his staff into a serpent (Exodus 4:1-5). The plagues in Egypt are further examples of signs, demonstrating God's supremacy over the Egyptian gods and His commitment to liberating His people (Exodus 7:3).

Prophets often use signs to authenticate their messages. Isaiah offers King Ahaz a sign from God, the birth of a child named Immanuel, as a token of God's presence and future deliverance (Isaiah 7:14). Similarly, the prophet Ezekiel performs symbolic acts as signs to the house of Israel, illustrating impending judgment and restoration (Ezekiel 4:3).

New Testament Context

In the New Testament, signs continue to play a crucial role, particularly in the ministry of Jesus Christ. The miracles performed by Jesus are often referred to as "signs," serving to reveal His divine identity and authority. The Gospel of John emphasizes this aspect, stating, "Jesus performed many other signs in the presence of His disciples, which are not written in this book" (John 20:30). These signs are intended to lead people to faith in Christ as the Son of God.

The birth of Jesus itself is heralded by signs, such as the star that guides the Magi to Bethlehem (Matthew 2:2) and the angelic announcement to the shepherds, accompanied by a heavenly host (Luke 2:12-14). These signs underscore the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies and the inauguration of a new covenant.

In eschatological contexts, signs are associated with the end times and the return of Christ. Jesus speaks of signs in the heavens and on earth that will precede His second coming, urging His followers to remain vigilant (Matthew 24:30, Luke 21:25-28). The Book of Revelation is replete with apocalyptic signs, symbolizing the unfolding of God's final plan for humanity (Revelation 12:1-3).

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, signs are not merely miraculous events but are deeply intertwined with God's redemptive history. They serve as tangible expressions of His will and purpose, inviting believers to discern His activity in the world. Signs call for a response of faith, urging individuals to trust in God's promises and align their lives with His divine plan.

In summary, signs in the Bible function as tokens of coming events, bridging the gap between the present and the future. They reveal God's ongoing interaction with His creation, offering assurance and hope to those who seek to understand His ways.Matthew 16:3,4
And in the morning, It will be foul weather to day: for the sky is red and lowering. O you hypocrites, you can discern the face of the sky; but can you not discern the signs of the times?
Nave's Topical Index

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?
Nave's Topical Index

On the Mount of Olives
... They will declare that these signs are the token of the advent of ... Those who watched
for the sign of the coming ruin, and ... Coming events cast their shadows before ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 69 on the mount.htm

With the Entry of Angela's Great Picture "The Coming of Christ" ...
... The Cardinal wore no outward sign of his ecclesiastical dignity ... husband's trust in
me, and a token of his ... Donna Angela Sovrani and entitled 'The Coming of Christ ...
/.../corelli/the master-christian/xxxviii with the entry of.htm

And Antony Also was Exceeding Prudent, and the Wonder was that ...
... For that which is chosen by us is a sign of courage and a sure token of the ... For our
faith declares that the coming of Christ was for the salvation of ...
/.../athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/life of antony section 72.htm

Devout Customs and Usages
... even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the ... after used in all their actions,"
as a sign that "they ... beginning nor end, is not only a "token and pledge ...
/.../regester/the worship of the church/devout customs and usages.htm

Matt. xxvii. 45-48.
... no sign be given to it, but the sign of the ... moved to compunction, for that darkness
was a token of His ... took place was a prophecy of the coming desolation, and ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of saint matthew/homily lxxxviii matt xxvii 45-48.htm

The Baptism
... seek baptism at his hands, and that a sign of His ... He was the Prince of Peace, His
coming must be as ... from heaven was heard, John recognized the token which God ...
//christianbookshelf.org/white/the desire of ages/chapter 11 the baptism.htm

The Saviour's Last Hours.
... a token to us, a more glorious token than the ... says to us, Let this be a sign between
Me ... this continually renewed struggle divine voices were ever coming to aid ...
/.../selected sermons of schleiermacher/xxv the saviours last hours.htm

"Thou Shall Keep Him in Perfect Peace, Whose Mind is Stayed on ...
... to execute the pain contained in the covenant, and in sign and token of this ...
satisfaction, either his tears, or sorrow, or amendment in time coming, or all ...
/.../binning/the works of the rev hugh binning/sermon xii thou shall keep.htm

Good News
... has sprinkled it with the blood of his dear Son"the surest sign and token of his ...
If from my Master's door I saw a stream of sinners coming back with sad ...
//christianbookshelf.org/spurgeon/sermons on proverbs/good news.htm

1 Cor. Ii. 1, 2
... all of them I-out-stripped: which is a sign such as ... this, it will be allowed, is
the clearest token of its ... spread around Him, and rivers of fire coming on, and ...
/.../homilies on the epistles of paul to the corinthians/homily vi 1 cor ii.htm

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