Page 496 - Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible Christianity. Based on the King James Bible

PRE-TRIBULATION - PRIVATE

up” (Ps. 75:5), “lofty” (Ps. 131:1; Pr. 30:13), “exalt” (Ps. 1:5-6). In the church there is to be no special group of
140:8), “proud” (Pr. 6:17). [See Capital Punishment, priests. The O.T. priesthood was fulfilled in Christ. Jesus
Humble, Impenitence, Impudent, Pride, Repentance, Christ is our High Priest, and every believer is a priest to
Stiffhearted, Stubborn.] offer the sacrifice of praise to God through Jesus Christ.
PRE-TRIBULATION RAPTURE. The Bible doctrine [See Aaron, Advocate, High Priest, Jesus Christ,
that the N.T. saints will be resurrected and caught away Melchizedek, Mercy Seat, Nicolaitan, Offerings,
before the Great Tribulation. [See Great Tribulation, Propitiation, Strange Fire, Tabernacle.]
Prophecy, Rapture.] PRINCIPALITIES. Rulers. This usually refers to the
PREVENT. To be; to put before; to anticipate (Ps. order of fallen angels under Satan (Ro. 8:38; Ep. 1:21;
28:5; 21:3; 59:10; 79:8; Mt. 17:25; 1 Th. 4:15). 6:12). Sometimes it refers to human government (Tit.
PREY. Spoil; booty; plunder (Nu. 31:12, 26). 3:1). [See Devils, Power, Satan.]
PRICE. Value; worth (Pr. 31:10; Mt. 13:46). PRISCA. [See Priscilla.]
PRICK. A slender pointed instrument or substance, PRISCILLA (ancient). The wife of Aquila (Ac. 18:2;
which is hard enough to pierce the skin; a goad; a spur; Ac. 24-26; Ro. 16:3; 1 Co. 16:19). [See Aquila.]
to urge, spur (Ps. 73:21; Eze. 28:24; Ac. 2:37; 9:5; PRISED. Appraised; valued (Ze. 11:13).
26:14). The pricks possibly referred to sharp sticks or PRISON. Place of confinement, usually for
instruments used in guiding oxen. The same Greek word lawbreakers (Ge. 39:20; Jud. 16:21; 1 Ki. 22:27; 2 Ki.
is translated “sting” in 1 Corinthians 15:55,56, referring 17:4; 25:27; Ne. 3:25; 12:39; Ec. 4:14; Je. 29:26;
to the sting of death. In Acts 9:5 Christ is speaking of 37:21; Mt. 4:12; Ac. 5:18-25; 8:3; 12:4-7; 16:17-27; ).
the conviction of the Holy Spirit in Paul’s life before he The term is also used to describe spiritual bondage (Is.
was saved. Paul’s conscience was pricking him, but he 42:7; 61:1). The first mention of a prison in Scripture is
had heretofore resisted the Spirit’s prompting. [See in the Egyptian kingdom during the days of Joseph (Ge.
Conscience.] 39:20-23; 40:3; 42:16). Other nations used
PRIDE. Inordinate self-esteem; an unreasonable imprisonment as a punishment, including the Philistines
conceit of one’s own superiority in talents, beauty, (Jud. 16:21), the Assyrians (2 Ki. 17:4), the Babylonians
wealth, accomplishments, rank or elevation in office, (2 Ki. 25:27), and the Romans (Mt. 14:3; Lk. 23:19; Ac.
which manifests itself in lofty airs, distance, reserve, and 16:23-24).. The conditions of imprisonment were
often in contempt of others; insolence; rude treatment usually very severe. Joseph, for example, was hurt with
of others; loftiness; ostentation (Webster). Pride comes iron shackles (Ps. 105:18). Samson was blinded,
from the fallen heart of man (Mk. 7:22). God hates shackled in brass, and forced to perform heavy labor
pride and judges it (Ps. 10:4; Pr. 8:13; Is. 16:6; 23:9; (Jud. 16:21). In Israel under the law of Moses,
28:1, 3; Je. 13:9; Eze. 30:6; Da. 4:37; Zep. 2:10; Ze. imprisonment was not used as a punishment, but only
9:6; 10:11; 11:3). Pride will bring a man low (Pr. 11:2; for custody until judgment could be passed (Le. 24:12;
16:18; 29:23). The wicked are proud (Ps. 10:2; 73:6). Nu. 15:34). Punishment under the Mosaic law involved
Pride was one of the chief sins of Sodom (Eze. 16:49). restitution (Ex. 21:18-36; 22:1-15; Le. 6:2-7; De. 22:29;
Pride produces contention (Pr. 13:10). Pride causes man Pr. 6:30, 31) and retribution, such as beatings and
to be deceived (Ob. 3). Pride hardens the mind (Da. stoning (Le. 20:2, 27; 24:10-23; De. 13:10; 17:5;
5:20). God will hide His saints from the pride of the 21:21-23; 22:21-24; 25:1-3). The apostate northern
wicked (Ps. 31:20). One of the chief traits of the world kingdom of Israel used harsh imprisonment as
which the Christian is to refuse to love is “the pride of punishment (1 Ki. 22:27). The southern kingdom of
life” (1 Jn. 2:15-17). Judah also used prisons as punishment in some
Examples of Pride: the devil (Is. 14:12-15; 1 Ti. 3:6), instances (2 Ch. 16:9; Je. 29:26; 37:15). It appears from
Cain (Ge. 4), Pharaoh (Ex. 5-14), Nebuchadnezzar Christ’s Sermon on the Mount that imprisonment will be
(Daniel 4), Haman (Esther), Herod (Ac. 12:21-23), used in His kingdom as part of the rule under “a rod of
Diotrephes (3 Jn. 9-10), Antichrist (2 Th. 2:4). [See iron” (Mt. 5:25-26). [See Dungeon, Ward.]
Humble, Haughty, Impenitence, Impudent, Pomp, PRIVATE OWNERSHIP OF PROPERTY. The Bible
Presumptuous, Puffed Up, Rebellion, Repentance, Scorn, does not teach any form of communism or
Stiffhearted, Stubborn, Vainglory.] communialism or socialism which discourages the
PRIEST. One who mediates between God and man; private ownership of property. God made the world and
one who serves and worships God. There are three placed man in a stewardship over it. The world is God’s
priesthoods spoken of in the Bible. (1) Melchizedek (Ge. (1 Co. 10:26) but man is in charge of it during his
14:18-10). (2) Aaron (Ex. 28-29). (3) Priesthood of the earthly pilgrimage. In the Old Testament times before the
believers in the N.T. dispensation (1 Pe. 2:5, 9; Re. Law, man was allowed by God to own property and to

496 Way of Life Encyclopedia of the Bible & Christianity