What is Biblical Foreshadowing?

 

Foreshadow [ fôrˈSHadō ] (VERB) = be a warning or indication of (a future event). Synonyms: signal · indicate · signify · be a sign of · herald · be a harbinger of · warn of · portend · prefigure · point to · anticipate · forebode · foretoken · adumbrate · foreshow (Oxford University Press)

Throughout history, there have been events that resembled the end times prophesies of the Holy Bible. While those historical events have been very significant, they primarily represent a foreshadowing of things to come.

10 I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ (Isaiah 46: 10)

The Holy Bible’s recording of history and its revelations of prophesies are intertwined: the historical events recorded in the Bible work together with the Bible’s prophesies to provide a foreshadowing of end times events.

Several of the end times prophesies in the Holy Bible are presented as occurring in a specific order. For example: the 7 Seals, the 7 Trumpets, and the 7 Golden Bowls. Each set of prophesies will be fulfilled in a chronological order. Any historical event that appears to have fulfilled a prophesy out of order is still only a harbinger of the upcoming end times prophesy.

For example, the Holocaust of World War II was a foreshadowing of the Great Tribulation that will take place in the end times. Although the WWII Holocaust was a time of great distress, it was not the distress described in the 6th Trumpet. This is evident by the fact that the 6th Trumpet describes a war that kills a third of mankind and that war is followed by the Great Tribulation. Since there has not yet been a war that has killed a third of mankind, the Great Tribulation has not yet happened.

The foreshadowing events are intended to prepare mankind for the coming end times events. The actual end times events will be more severe than the foreshadowing events. But it is not God’s desire that anyone should perish. That is why God is warning people about what will eventually take place.

⁹ The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. ¹⁰ But the day of the Lord will come like a thief. The heavens will disappear with a roar; the elements will be destroyed by fire, and the earth and everything done in it will be laid bare. (2 Peter 3: 9-10)