1449 signs, purposes of
Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes  »  1000 God  »  1400 God, knowledge of  »  1448 signs  »  1449 signs, purposes of

Signs are given to confirm God's word. They may warn the rebellious or encourage the faithful. People may seek signs as a result of a genuine desire to serve God.

Signs are given to demonstrate God's power

Deuteronomy 34:10-12 See also Deuteronomy 4:34; Deuteronomy 6:21-22; Deuteronomy 7:19; Deuteronomy 26:8; 1 Chronicles 16:11-12 pp Psalm 105:4-5; Jeremiah 32:21

Signs demonstrate the authority of God's servants

Moses and Aaron

Exodus 4:1-9 See also Exodus 4:30-31; Exodus 7:8-12; Numbers 17:1-9; Acts 7:36

Elijah

1 Kings 18:36-38

Elisha

2 Kings 2:13-14

Jesus Christ

Acts 2:22 See also John 2:23; John 3:2; John 7:21; John 20:30

The apostles

2 Corinthians 12:12 See also Acts 2:43; Acts 5:12; Acts 15:12

Signs may accompany the preaching of the gospel

Hebrews 2:3-4 See also Mark 16:20; Acts 8:6; Acts 14:3

Signs may warn the ungodly of impending judgment

Exodus 8:22-23

The prophets often acted out their messages for greater effect:

Isaiah 20:1-4; Ezekiel 4:1-3; Ezekiel 12:3-6,11; Ezekiel 24:15-24 Jeremiah 44:29-30; Luke 2:34; Philippians 1:28

Signs may warn God's people against rebellion

Numbers 17:10 See also Numbers 16:38; Numbers 26:10; Deuteronomy 28:45-46; 1 Samuel 2:34; Samuel 12:16-18

Signs may encourage faith

By giving guidance

1 Samuel 14:8-10 See also Genesis 24:10-14; Exodus 13:21-22; 2 Samuel 5:23-24 pp 1 Chronicles 14:14-15; Matthew 2:9-10

By giving assurance of God's presence

Judges 6:17-22 See also Genesis 28:10-17; Exodus 3:1-5

By encouraging the fearful and doubting

Isaiah 38:7-8 pp 2 Kings 20:8-11 pp 2 Chronicles 32:24 See also Deuteronomy 7:17-19; Judges 6:36-40; 2 Kings 6:15-17

Signs need hold no terror for the godly

Jeremiah 10:2 See also Matthew 24:6 pp Mark 13:7 pp Luke 21:9

Seeking signs

When seeking signs is acceptable to God

Isaiah 7:11 See also Judges 6:17; Isaiah 38:22

When seeking signs is condemnned by God

Matthew 16:1-4 pp Mark 8:11-12 See also Matthew 12:38-39 pp Luke 11:29; Luke 11:16; Luke 12:54-56; Luke 23:8; John 2:18; John 4:48; John 6:30; 1 Corinthians 1:22

See also

1105  God, power of
1265  hand of God
1415  miracles
1454  theophany
1690  word of God
2012  Christ, authority
5978  warning
7709  apostles, authority
8128  guidance, receiving
8414  encouragement
8425  evangelism
9210  judgment, God's



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