Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Scope: Predictions in the biblical context refer to the foretelling of future events, often delivered through prophets or divine revelation. These predictions are not mere guesses or speculations but are considered authoritative declarations of God's will and plan for humanity and the world. They encompass a wide range of topics, including the rise and fall of nations, the coming of the Messiah, and eschatological events. Old Testament Predictions: The Old Testament is replete with predictions, primarily delivered by prophets. These predictions often served as warnings, calls to repentance, or assurances of God's faithfulness. For instance, the prophet Isaiah predicted the coming of a suffering servant, a prophecy Christians believe is fulfilled in Jesus Christ: "But He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed" (Isaiah 53:5). Jeremiah predicted the Babylonian exile, warning the people of Judah of impending judgment due to their disobedience: "This whole land will become a desolate wasteland, and these nations will serve the king of Babylon for seventy years" (Jeremiah 25:11). This prediction was fulfilled when the Babylonians conquered Jerusalem and exiled its inhabitants. New Testament Predictions: The New Testament contains predictions primarily concerning the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, as well as the end times. Jesus Himself made several predictions, including His own death and resurrection: "From that time on Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life" (Matthew 16:21). The New Testament also includes predictions about the end times, as seen in the Book of Revelation. These predictions describe the ultimate victory of Christ, the final judgment, and the establishment of a new heaven and a new earth: "Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and earth had passed away, and the sea was no more" (Revelation 21:1). Role of Prophets: Prophets were the primary vehicles for delivering predictions in the Bible. They were chosen by God to communicate His messages to the people. The role of a prophet was not only to predict future events but also to call people back to faithfulness and obedience to God. Prophets like Isaiah, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel played significant roles in delivering God's predictions to Israel and the surrounding nations. Fulfillment of Predictions: The fulfillment of biblical predictions is a central theme in Scripture, serving as evidence of God's sovereignty and faithfulness. The fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies in the New Testament, particularly those concerning the Messiah, is a cornerstone of Christian belief. For example, the prediction of the virgin birth in Isaiah 7:14 is seen as fulfilled in Matthew 1:22-23: "All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: 'Behold, the virgin will be with child and will give birth to a son, and they will call Him Immanuel' (which means, 'God with us')" . Eschatological Predictions: Eschatology, the study of end times, is a significant aspect of biblical predictions. These predictions provide hope and assurance to believers, affirming that despite present sufferings, God's ultimate plan will prevail. Key eschatological predictions include the second coming of Christ, the resurrection of the dead, and the final judgment. Jesus spoke of these events in passages such as Matthew 24 and 25, emphasizing the need for readiness and faithfulness: "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day on which your Lord will come" (Matthew 24:42). Conclusion: While predictions in the Bible serve various purposes, they consistently point to the sovereignty of God and His unfolding plan for redemption and restoration. They call believers to trust in God's promises and to live in anticipation of their fulfillment. Library Messianic Predictions in the Prophets. The Predictions of Christ. Scriptural Predictions of an Apostasy. Direct Predictions by the Spirit. Other Predictions of the Cross of Christ. Predictions of Christ in Ps. xxii. System of the Arithmeticians; Predictions through Calculations ... Of the Predictions Concerning the Salvation of the World in Christ ... Of Divine Testimonies, and of the Sibyls and their Predictions. Concerning the Passion of Christ, and Its Old Testament ... Thesaurus Predictions (8 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Predictions (8 Occurrences). ... and what will be the sign when all these predictions are on the point of being fulfilled?" (WEY). ... /p/predictions.htm - 8k Pronounced (63 Occurrences) Pethor (2 Occurrences) Contained (11 Occurrences) Actually (35 Occurrences) Ignorance (27 Occurrences) Judgement (68 Occurrences) Prophecy (37 Occurrences) Daniel (74 Occurrences) King (25505 Occurrences) Resources How should a Christian react to all the doomsday predictions out there? | GotQuestions.orgIs Harold Camping and Family Radio a cult? | GotQuestions.org Surviving the end times - what do I need to know? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Predictions (8 Occurrences)Mark 13:4 Acts 13:27 2 Peter 3:2 Jude 1:17 Revelation 22:7 Revelation 22:10 Isaiah 44:26 Isaiah 47:13 Subtopics Related Terms |