Topical Encyclopedia The term "sudden" in the Bible often conveys the idea of an unexpected or swift occurrence, typically associated with divine intervention or judgment. The concept of suddenness underscores the sovereignty and omnipotence of God, who acts according to His will and timing, often beyond human anticipation or understanding.Old Testament References In the Old Testament, the suddenness of God's actions is frequently highlighted in the context of judgment or deliverance. For instance, in Isaiah 29:5-6, the prophet speaks of the sudden judgment that will come upon the enemies of Israel: "But the multitude of your foes will be like fine dust, the multitude of the ruthless like blowing chaff. Then suddenly, in an instant, you will be visited by the LORD of Hosts with thunder and earthquake and loud noise, with whirlwind and tempest and flames of consuming fire." The sudden nature of God's deliverance is also evident in the Exodus narrative. The plagues upon Egypt, culminating in the sudden death of the firstborn (Exodus 12:29-30), demonstrate God's power to act swiftly and decisively in favor of His people. New Testament References In the New Testament, the suddenness of divine action is often associated with the return of Christ and the establishment of God's kingdom. Jesus Himself warns of the unexpected nature of His second coming, likening it to the days of Noah when people were unaware until the flood came suddenly (Matthew 24:37-39). In 1 Thessalonians 5:2-3, Paul echoes this theme: "For you are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night. While people are saying, 'Peace and security,' destruction will come upon them suddenly, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape." The suddenness of God's intervention is also seen in the events of Pentecost. Acts 2:2 describes the coming of the Holy Spirit: "Suddenly a sound like a mighty rushing wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting." This sudden outpouring marks the birth of the Church and the empowerment of believers to spread the Gospel. Theological Implications The sudden actions of God serve as a reminder of His ultimate authority and the unpredictability of His plans from a human perspective. Believers are called to live in a state of readiness, aware that God's intervention in history can occur at any moment. This awareness encourages a life of faithfulness, vigilance, and hope, trusting in God's perfect timing and sovereign will. The suddenness of divine action also serves as a warning to those who are complacent or unprepared. The Bible consistently emphasizes the need for spiritual alertness and preparedness, as seen in the parable of the ten virgins (Matthew 25:1-13), where the bridegroom's sudden arrival catches some unprepared. In summary, the concept of "sudden" in the Bible highlights the unexpected and often dramatic nature of God's interventions, whether in judgment or salvation. It calls believers to a posture of readiness and trust in the sovereign purposes of God. Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary 1. (a.) Happening without previous notice or with very brief notice; coming unexpectedly, or without the common preparation; immediate; instant; speedy.2. (a.) Hastily prepared or employed; quick; rapid. 3. (a.) Hasty; violent; rash; precipitate. 4. (adv.) Suddenly; unexpectedly. 5. (n.) An unexpected occurrence; a surprise. Greek 160. aiphnidios -- sudden ... sudden. Part of Speech: Adjective Transliteration: aiphnidios Phonetic Spelling: (aheef-nid'-ee-os) Short Definition: unexpected, sudden Definition: unexpected ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/160.htm - 6k 2978. lailaps -- a hurricane 4496. rhipto -- to throw, cast, spec. to throw off, toss 3709. orge -- impulse, wrath 1819. exapina -- suddenly 1810. exaiphnes -- suddenly Strong's Hebrew 928. behalah -- dismay, sudden terror or ruin... 927, 928. behalah. 929 . dismay, sudden terror or ruin. Transliteration: behalah Phonetic Spelling: (beh-haw-law') Short Definition: terror. ... /hebrew/928.htm - 6k 5575. sanverim -- sudden blindness 6597. pithom -- suddenness, suddenly 6343. pachad -- dread 6342. pachad -- to dread, be in dread or in awe 1091. ballahah -- terror, dreadful event, calamity, destruction Library Sudden Conversions. The World's Consternation at the Sudden and Secret Removal of the ... Whether Sudden Things are Especially Feared? Whether Fortitude Deals Chiefly with Sudden Occurrences? Sudden Death. April 19. How those are to be Admonished who Sin from Sudden Impulse and ... That no one is Dashed to the Ground by a Sudden Fall. O what Amazement Befel the Evil One, of a Sudden, My Brethren ... But the Blessed Cyprian Shows that it was no New or Sudden Thing.. ... The Project of French Empire and Evangelization --Its Wide and ... Thesaurus Sudden (33 Occurrences)...Sudden (33 Occurrences). ... Luke 1:44 For, truly, when the sound of your voice came to my ears, the baby in my body made a sudden move for joy. (BBE). ... /s/sudden.htm - 15k Flash (19 Occurrences) Panic (22 Occurrences) Start (50 Occurrences) Shock (6 Occurrences) Impulse (18 Occurrences) Fright (3 Occurrences) Alarm (26 Occurrences) Downfall (46 Occurrences) Gust (1 Occurrence) Resources How does the Cambrian Explosion fit within the framework of young-earth creationism? | GotQuestions.orgWhy did Jesus mention the tower of Siloam in Luke 13:4? | GotQuestions.org What does the Bible say about safety? | GotQuestions.org Sudden: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Sudden (33 Occurrences)Luke 1:41 Luke 1:44 Luke 8:23 John 19:34 Acts 1:18 Acts 22:6 1 Thessalonians 5:3 Leviticus 26:16 Numbers 16:21 Numbers 16:45 Deuteronomy 28:20 Deuteronomy 32:35 Joshua 10:9 Judges 20:35 Judges 20:37 Job 9:23 Job 22:10 Psalms 6:10 Psalms 64:7 Psalms 73:19 Psalms 78:33 Proverbs 1:27 Proverbs 3:25 Proverbs 6:15 Proverbs 28:18 Isaiah 5:19 Isaiah 10:3 Isaiah 17:14 Isaiah 32:4 Isaiah 51:4 Jeremiah 51:8 Amos 5:9 Zephaniah 1:18 Subtopics Related Terms |
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