24. Concerning the kinds of predictions which have been given in Grace.

D. Because we have spoken of the kinds of predictions which are in the Law, give those which are read to have been uttered in Grace. M. The kinds of predictions which have been made in Grace are discovered to be thirty-two. For either (1) the begetting and life of John the Baptizer is foretold, as is that whole speech by the angel to his father Zechariah, and the prophecy of Zechariah himself (Lk 1:13-17,68-79). Or (2) the extraordinary conception and birth of the Savior, as is the prediction which the angel spoke to holy Mary (Lk 1:28-37) and the revelation of the magi (Mt 2:1-12), or (3) the unbelief of the Jews and their conversion, as for example it is said, "See, he has been destined for the downfall and the rise of many in Israel, i.e., a sign for contradicting" (Lk 2:34). Or (4) the reward of the heavenly kingdom, as for example, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand" (Mt 3:2), and the rest. [1b] Or (5) the calling of the nations, as for instance it is said, "Many will come from the east and from the west, and will feast with Abraham and Isaac and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven" (Mt 8:11). Or (6) the exclusion of the Hebrews, for example as follows, "But the children of this kingdom will be put forth into the darkness outside" (Mt 8:12). Or (7) salvation through the preaching of the apostles, as when it is said, "Come, follow me; I will make you fishers of men" (Mt 4:19). Or (8) the glory of wonderful deeds, as it is said, "He who believes in me, the works that I do he also will do, and greater than these he will do" (Jn 14:12). Or (9) the trial and persecutions of the righteous, as it is said, "For they will deliver you up to councils, and scourge you in their synagogues" (Mt 10:17), etc. Or (10) the bearing up of the faithful against adversity, as when it is said about the Church, "And the gates of hell shall not prevail against it" (Mt 16:18). And again, "The kingdom of heaven endures violence, and the violent seize it by force" (Mt 11:12). [1c] Or (11) the contemplation of the heavenly kingdom and of the second coming, which even in this life the souls of the saints thoroughly enjoy, for instance, "For the Son of man will come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will render to each one according to his works. And I say to you that there are some of those standing here who will not taste death, till they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom" (Mt 16:27,28). Or (12) the retribution of the good or the bad, as when it is said, "And these will go into everlasting punishment, but the just into everlasting life" (Mt 25:46). Or (13) the assistance of the Holy Spirit given to the apostles, such as, "I will ask my Father, and he will send you another Helper, to dwell with you forever, the Spirit of truth" (Jn 14:16,17). [1d] Or (14) the authority of the Church is foretold, as for example it is said, "And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth will be bound also in heaven" (Mt 16:19). Or (15) the death, passion, and resurrection of the Savior, as for instance it is said, "From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and to suffer many things at the hands of the elders and chief priests, and to die, and on the third day to rise again" (Mt 16:21). Or (16) the general resurrection, as when the Apostle says, "Just as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made to live" (1 Cor 15:22). Or (17) Christ's and our resurrection together, as for instance it is said, "When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all to myself" (Jn 12:32). Or (18) the betrayal of Judas, as for instance it is said, "Did I not choose you twelve, and one of you is a devil?!" (Jn 6:71). [1e] Or (19) the manner of trial and death of some disciples, as for example the Lord foretold to Peter both his future denial and form of suffering, saying, "Before the cock crows, three times you will deny me" (Mt 26:34), and, "When you are old you will stretch forth your hands, and another will bind you, and lead you to where you do not wish" (Jn 21:18). Or (20) the presence of the arresters of Christ, when he says, "Rise, let us go; see, he who betrays me is at hand" (Mt 26:46). Or (21) the scattering of the apostles, as for example, "I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered" (Mt 26:31; Zec 13:7). Or (22) the finding of the ass's foal, which the Lord predicted in the Gospel was to be brought by his disciples (Mt 21:1-3). Or (23) the presence of the Antichrist, as when it is said, "Let no one deceive you in any way, since <that day="" will="" not="" come="">unless the schism comes first, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, who opposes" (2 Thes 2:3,4). [1f] Or (24) the presence of Elijah, when it is said, "Elijah will come first" (Mt 17:11). Or (25) the awareness of the elect, as concerning Paul, "this man is a chosen vessel to me" (Acts 9:15). Or (26) some are foretold as not going to be changed, but to be going to taste death, as for example the Apostle, "See, I tell you a mystery: we will all indeed rise, but we will not all be changed" (1 Cor 15:51). Or (27) a famine to come, as for instance the prophecy of Agabus (Acts 11:28). Or (28) the contrariety of heresies, as for instance it is said, "But know this, that in the last days terrible times will come" (2 Tm 3:1). And again, "There will be a time when they will not be satisfied with sound doctrine, but according to their own desires they will seek teachers for themselves" (2 Tm 4:3). Or (29) the grace of baptism, such as, "He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire" (Mt 3:11). [1g] Or (30) the destruction of Jerusalem and the Jewish temple, as for example, "Pray that your flight not be in winter or on the Sabbath" (Mt 24:20), and, "See, your house shall be left to you desolate" (Mt 23:38). Or (31) the preaching of the Gospel, as for instance it is said, "And the Gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world for a witness to all the nations; and thus will be the end" (Mt 24:14). Or (32) the evils of the very end together with the very end, as when it is said, "Immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will darkened" (Mt 24:29). D. In what way do we say that these predictions pertain to the future world? M. Just as we have spoken about acceptances: that the intention of those things which were foretold before the Law was toward the times of the Law and of Grace; and again, the things which were foretold in the Law were depicting Grace, and the things which in Grace had the reason and reward of the heavenly kingdom. Thus the whole intention of predictions is concluded to look to the good things of the future world.

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