Anticipating, in a biblical context, refers to the act of looking forward to or expecting a future event with eagerness or hope. This concept is deeply rooted in the Christian faith, as believers are often called to anticipate the fulfillment of God's promises, the return of Jesus Christ, and the ultimate establishment of God's kingdom.

Anticipation of God's Promises

Throughout the Bible, God's people are encouraged to anticipate the fulfillment of His promises. In the Old Testament, the Israelites awaited the coming of the Messiah, a promise that was fulfilled in the New Testament with the birth of Jesus Christ. The prophet Isaiah spoke of this anticipation, saying, "Therefore the Lord Himself will give you a sign: Behold, the virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call Him Immanuel" (Isaiah 7:14).

In the New Testament, believers are called to anticipate the promises of God in their lives, including the promise of eternal life. The Apostle Paul writes, "For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already sees? But if we hope for what we do not yet see, we wait for it patiently" (Romans 8:24-25). This anticipation is not passive but involves active faith and trust in God's timing and faithfulness.

Anticipation of Christ's Return

One of the central themes of anticipation in the New Testament is the return of Jesus Christ. Christians are encouraged to live in a state of readiness and expectation for this event. Jesus Himself instructed His followers to be vigilant, saying, "Therefore keep watch, because you do not know the day or the hour" (Matthew 25:13). This anticipation is meant to inspire holy living and a sense of urgency in sharing the Gospel.

The Apostle Peter also emphasizes this anticipation, urging believers to live godly lives as they look forward to the day of the Lord: "But in keeping with His promise, we are looking forward to a new heaven and a new earth, where righteousness dwells" (2 Peter 3:13). This expectation of Christ's return is a source of hope and motivation for believers to remain steadfast in their faith.

Anticipation in Worship and Prayer

Anticipation is also a vital aspect of worship and prayer. Believers are encouraged to approach God with expectancy, trusting that He hears and answers prayers. Jesus taught His disciples to pray with anticipation, saying, "Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours" (Mark 11:24). This attitude of anticipation in prayer reflects a deep trust in God's power and willingness to act on behalf of His people.

In worship, anticipation is expressed through the longing for God's presence and the fulfillment of His purposes. The psalmist captures this sentiment, writing, "I wait for the LORD; my soul does wait, and in His word I put my hope" (Psalm 130:5). This anticipation is not merely for personal blessings but for the broader realization of God's kingdom on earth.

Anticipation of Eternal Life

Finally, anticipation in the Christian life extends to the hope of eternal life with God. The Apostle John writes, "And this is the promise that He Himself made to us: eternal life" (1 John 2:25). This anticipation of eternal life is a cornerstone of Christian hope, providing comfort and assurance in the face of life's challenges and uncertainties.

The anticipation of eternal life is vividly depicted in the book of Revelation, where John describes the new heaven and new earth: "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:4). This vision of the future inspires believers to remain faithful and hopeful, knowing that God's ultimate plan will be fulfilled.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Anticipate.

Conclusion. Points Postponed all Souls are Kept in Hades Until the ...
... Chapter LVIII."Conclusion. Points Postponed All Souls are Kept in Hades Until
the Resurrection, Anticipating Their Ultimate Misery or Bliss. ...
/.../a treatise on the soul/chapter lviii conclusion points postponed all.htm

Perseverance of Saints.
... Who that knows himself does not understand that he never would have been converted,
but for the grace of God anticipating and exciting the first motions of his ...
/.../finney/systematic theology/lecture l perseverance of saints.htm

Concerning "Existence" and Also Concerning "Exemplars. "
... For God is not Existent in any ordinary sense, but in a simple and undefinable
manner embracing and anticipating all existence in Himself. ...
/.../rolt/dionysius the areopagite/chapter v concerning existence and.htm

Psalm LXXVII.
... "I have been troubled, and I spake not." Therefore when he was troubled, lest in
his babbling enemies anticipating watches should seek and find slanders, he ...
/.../augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm lxxvii.htm

Preface
... to those who take pleasure in surveying the stones of our temple, and of comparing
its present with its past condition, and of anticipating its future ...
/.../bangs/a history of the methodist episcopal church volume i/preface.htm

Paragraphs from Notable Speeches
... reconciliation. Is it not possible for us now to make a truce with time,
by anticipating and accepting its inevitable verdicts? ...
/.../paragraphs from notable speeches.htm

Our Lord's Prayer for his People's Sanctification
... right hand of the Father. Our Lord ever seemed, in the eagerness of his
love, to be anticipating his work. Before he was set apart ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 32 1886/our lords prayer for his.htm

Preface.
... Dr. Talmage did not keep a continuous diary. He did not preserve complete files
of his correspondence as if anticipating the needs of some possible biographer. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/fagg/forty years in south china/preface.htm

Trip through Europe and the Holy Land
... "Mother Ninde" and her traveling companion, Miss Baucus, from Japan, were among
the missionary party of eleven, some of whom were anticipating a trip to the ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/hoskins/clara a swain md/trip through europe and the.htm

Conclusion
... as from a harbor of safety; and while still living has a sense of that veneration
which commonly awaits only the dead; thus anticipating the pleasure of the ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/kleiser/the training of a public speaker/conclusion.htm

Anticipating (1 Occurrence)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Anticipate. Multi-Version
Concordance Anticipating (1 Occurrence). Acts 12:11 Peter ...
/a/anticipating.htm - 6k

Anticipation (2 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary 1. (n.) The act of anticipating, taking up, placing, or
considering something beforehand, or before the proper time in natural order. ...
/a/anticipation.htm - 7k

Japheth (12 Occurrences)
... account of the sons of Japheth classed together the Cymry or Celts (Gomer), the
Medes (Madai), and the Ionians or Greeks (Javan), thereby anticipating what has ...
/j/japheth.htm - 15k

Timothy (28 Occurrences)
... He was anticipating that "the time of his departure was at hand" (2 Timothy 4:6),
and he exhorts his "son Timothy" to all diligence and steadfastness, and to ...
/t/timothy.htm - 38k

Rescued (49 Occurrences)
... I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel and has rescued me from the
power of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were anticipating." (WEY NAS ...
/r/rescued.htm - 20k

Moderately (1 Occurrence)
... of the New Testament, 151): "It expresses exactly that moderation which recognizes
the impossibility cleaving to formal law, of anticipating and providing for ...
/m/moderately.htm - 10k

Pilate (60 Occurrences)
... Pilate now proposed that as he and Herod had found no fault in him, they should
release Jesus; and anticipating that they would consent to this proposal, he ...
/p/pilate.htm - 53k

Pontius (4 Occurrences)
... Pilate now proposed that as he and Herod had found no fault in him, they should
release Jesus; and anticipating that they would consent to this proposal, he ...
/p/pontius.htm - 36k

Anticipated (4 Occurrences)

/a/anticipated.htm - 7k

Secure (78 Occurrences)
... Christ. Securely is used in the sense of "trustful," "not anticipating danger"
(Proverbs 3:29 Micah 2:8; Ecclesiasticus 4:15). The ...
/s/secure.htm - 30k

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Anticipating: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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