Predicting, in the biblical context, often refers to the act of foretelling future events, typically through divine revelation. This concept is closely associated with prophecy, where individuals, known as prophets, are chosen by God to deliver His messages concerning future occurrences. The Bible contains numerous instances of predictions, which serve to affirm God's sovereignty, demonstrate His omniscience, and guide His people.

Old Testament Predictions

In the Old Testament, predictions are primarily delivered through prophets. One of the earliest examples is found in the account of Joseph, who interprets dreams that predict future events (Genesis 41:25-30). Joseph's ability to predict the seven years of abundance followed by seven years of famine in Egypt demonstrates God's power to reveal future events through His chosen servants.

The prophets Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel are notable for their extensive predictions. Isaiah prophesies the coming of the Messiah, stating, "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). This prediction is seen as a foretelling of the birth of Jesus Christ.

Jeremiah predicts the Babylonian exile, warning the people of Judah of their impending captivity due to their disobedience (Jeremiah 25:11-12). Daniel, through visions and interpretations, predicts the rise and fall of empires, including the Medo-Persian and Greek empires (Daniel 8:20-22).

New Testament Predictions

In the New Testament, Jesus Christ Himself makes several predictions. He foretells His own death and resurrection, saying, "The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men. They will kill Him, and on the third day He will be raised to life" (Matthew 17:22-23). This prediction is central to the Christian faith, as it underscores the purpose of Christ's mission on earth.

Jesus also predicts the destruction of the Jerusalem temple, which occurs in AD 70. He states, "Truly I tell you, not one stone here will be left on another; every one will be thrown down" (Matthew 24:2). This prediction serves as a warning and a call to spiritual readiness.

The Apostle Paul, in his letters, makes predictions concerning the end times and the return of Christ. In 1 Thessalonians 4:16-17 , he writes, "For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a loud command, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. After that, we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air."

Purpose and Significance

Predictions in the Bible serve multiple purposes. They confirm the truth of God's word, as fulfilled predictions validate the reliability of Scripture. They also provide guidance and hope to believers, offering assurance of God's ultimate plan and control over history. Furthermore, predictions call individuals to repentance and faith, urging them to align their lives with God's will in anticipation of future events.

Warnings Against False Predictions

The Bible also warns against false predictions and false prophets. In Deuteronomy 18:20-22 , God instructs the Israelites on how to discern true prophets from false ones: "But the prophet who presumes to speak a word in My name that I have not commanded him to speak, or who speaks in the name of other gods, that prophet must be put to death." The passage emphasizes the importance of accuracy in predictions and the severe consequences of misleading God's people.

In the New Testament, Jesus warns, "Beware of false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves" (Matthew 7:15). This caution highlights the need for discernment and vigilance among believers.

Conclusion

Predicting, as depicted in the Bible, is a profound demonstration of God's omniscience and His active involvement in human history. Through predictions, God communicates His plans, provides hope, and calls His people to faithfulness. The Bible's emphasis on the accuracy and divine origin of true predictions underscores the importance of discerning truth from falsehood in spiritual matters.(p. pr. & vb. n.) of Predict.

That the Cause of the Roman Empire, and of all Kingdoms, is ...
... stars are said rather to signify these things than to effect them, so that that
position of the stars is, as it were, a kind of speech predicting, not causing ...
//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/city of god/chapter 1 that the cause of.htm

Hindrances to Revivals.
... No matter what the enemies of the work may say about it, predicting that
it will all run out and come to nothing, and the like. ...
/.../finney/lectures on revivals of religion/lecture xv hindrances to revivals.htm

Jesus' Knowledge of Truth
... that many have sought to resolve the difficulty by separating the discourse into
two different ones,"one a short Jewish apocalypse predicting the destruction ...
/.../rhees/the life of jesus of nazareth/iii jesus knowledge of truth.htm

Fragment X.
... For this reason, consequently, he ordered that the scarlet should be dipped at the
same time in the water, thus predicting that the flesh should no longer ...
/.../justin/fragments from the lost writings of justin/fragment x.htm

The Planting of the Church in New England --Pilgrim and Puritan.
... the faction of "come-outer" abolitionists, who, despairing of success within the
church and the state, seceded from both, thenceforth predicting failure for ...
/.../bacon/a history of american christianity/chapter viii the planting of.htm

Idols not to be Made, Much Less Worshipped. Idols and Idol-Makers ...
... Enoch had preceded, predicting that "the demons, and the spirits of the angelic
apostates, [180] would turn into idolatry all the elements, all the garniture ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/on idolatry/chapter iv idols not to be.htm

Artifices of the Demons.
... if coming from the idols and the statues; and when, too, a soul of itself, as being
immortal, [800] moves comformably to reason, either predicting the future ...
/.../athenagoras/a plea for the christians/chapter xxvii artifices of the demons.htm

But, that we Might Attain an Ampler and More Authoritative ...
... Christians. The preachers of whom we have spoken are called prophets, from
the office which belongs to them of predicting the future. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/tertullian/apology/chapter xviii but that we.htm

It is Strange that These Delightful Promises Affect us Coldly...
... "The name of the Lord," says Solomon, "is a strong tower; the righteous runneth
into it, and is safe." (Pr.18:10) Joel, after predicting the fearful disaster ...
/.../calvin/of prayer--a perpetual exercise of faith/chapter 14 it is strange.htm

Concluding Appeal.
... and giving heed without contentiousness to the words of the Sibyl, recognise how
great are the benefits which she will confer upon you by predicting, as she ...
/.../justins hortatory address to the greeks/chapter xxxviii concluding appeal.htm

Predicting (3 Occurrences)
... Noah Webster's Dictionary (p. pr. & vb. n.) of Predict. Multi-Version
Concordance Predicting (3 Occurrences). 1 Peter 1:11 searching ...
/p/predicting.htm - 7k

Jehoiakim (37 Occurrences)
... The main ones clearly identifiable with this reign are: 2 Kings 22:13-19, inveighing
against the king's tyrannies and predicting his ignominious death; 2 Kings ...
/j/jehoiakim.htm - 33k

Predicted (10 Occurrences)

/p/predicted.htm - 9k

Elisha (70 Occurrences)
... We next read of his predicting a fall of rain when the army of Jehoram was faint
from thirst (2 Kings 3:9-20); of the multiplying of the poor widow's cruse of ...
/e/elisha.htm - 61k

Dainty (7 Occurrences)
... dan'-tis (maT`ammoth, "things full of taste," man`ammim, ma`adhan; liparos, "fat,"
"shining"): Jacob is represented as predicting of Asher, "He shall yield ...
/d/dainty.htm - 10k

Dainties (14 Occurrences)
... dan'-tis (maT`ammoth, "things full of taste," man`ammim, ma`adhan; liparos, "fat,"
"shining"): Jacob is represented as predicting of Asher, "He shall yield ...
/d/dainties.htm - 12k

Meats (9 Occurrences)
... dan'-tis (maT`ammoth, "things full of taste," man`ammim, ma`adhan; liparos, "fat,"
"shining"): Jacob is represented as predicting of Asher, "He shall yield ...
/m/meats.htm - 11k

Moabite (13 Occurrences)
... At this time Isaiah (15:1) delivered his "burden of Moab," predicting the coming
of judgment on that land (Comp. 2 Kings 17:3; 18:9; 1 Chronicles 5:25, 26). ...
/m/moabite.htm - 23k

Prophesyings (1 Occurrence)
... Consequently, in times of moral darkness the false prophets, predicting smooth things
for the nation, independent of repentance, consecration and the pursuit ...
/p/prophesyings.htm - 8k

Prediction (4 Occurrences)

/p/prediction.htm - 7k

Was Jesus a prophet? | GotQuestions.org

When did Moab and Ammon eventually worship the Lord (Zephaniah 2:11)? | GotQuestions.org

What does it mean to gain the whole world but lose your soul? | GotQuestions.org

Predicting: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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