Thematic Bible: Preparation precedes blessing, general illustrations of
Thematic Bible
Preparation » Preparation precedes blessing, general illustrations of » No entrance into heaven without cleansing
And one of the elders answered, saying to me, "These who are dressed [in] the white robes--who are [they], and from where have they come?" And I said to him, "My lord, you know." And he said to me, "These are the ones who have come out of the great tribulation, and have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.
Preparation » Preparation precedes blessing, general illustrations of » No water for the army until ditches were dug
He said, "Thus says Yahweh, 'Make this wadi {full of cisterns},' for thus says Yahweh, 'You will see neither wind nor rain, yet this wadi will be full of water; and you and all of your livestock and your animals shall drink.'
Preparation » Preparation precedes blessing, general illustrations of » No oil until the vessels were gathered
Then he said to her, "Go, ask for yourself [some] containers from the streets, from all your neighbors. {You must collect as many empty containers as you can}! You must also go and shut the door behind you and your children, and you must pour out [oil] into all of these containers and set the filled [ones] aside."
Preparation » Preparation precedes blessing, general illustrations of » No healing until the leper had dipped seven times
Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, "Go, you must wash seven times in the Jordan, then your flesh shall return to you, and you shall be clean."
Preparation » Preparation precedes blessing, general illustrations of » No reconciliation without repentance
"And even now," {declares} Yahweh, "return to me with all your heart, with fasting, and weeping, and wailing." Rend your hearts and not your garments, and return to Yahweh your God, because he [is] gracious and compassionate, {slow to anger} and great in loyal love, and relenting from harm.
Preparation » Preparation precedes blessing, general illustrations of » No harvest until the ground had been broken up
Sow for yourselves righteousness; {reap loyal love}. Break up for yourself fallow ground; [it is] time to seek Yahweh so he will come and rain righteousness upon you.
Preparation » Preparation precedes blessing, general illustrations of » No messiah until the way had been prepared
A voice [is] calling in the wilderness, "Clear the way of Yahweh! Make a highway smooth in the desert for our God!
Preparation » Preparation precedes blessing, general illustrations of » No resurrection until the stone is removed
Jesus said, "Take away the stone." Martha, the sister of the one who had died, said to him, "Lord, he is stinking already, because it has been four days."
Preparation » Preparation precedes blessing, general illustrations of » No vision without obedience
And he said to him, "Go, wash in the pool of Siloam" (which is translated "sent"). So he went and washed and came back seeing.