The word AFTERWARD may not be a popular word for unbelievers, as it can signify an undesirable result of present circumstances. It is not used often in the Bible, but the few times are significant for us as children of God and disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ. AFTERWARD relates to a time when one thing has ended, and a new thing and time have begun. We, as Christians, use this word as part of our vocabulary, for it relates to what God has done in the past for and in His people, and we are blessed to trust His promises for the future. There are many processes we must go through for the promises to be fulfilled.

Old Testament H268
Strong’s defines AFTERWARD as ‘achowr ä·khōre’ meaning hereafter (of time); the same word used for time to come.

The Lord promised Moses that when He had finished with the plagues He would send on Egypt, Pharaoh would afterwards let His people go (Exodus 11:1).

What a blessed part of our Christian language is seen in the Psalmist’s words, knowing that here we are guided by the counsel of the Lord for our future life with Him.

“Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel, and afterward receive me to glory.” Psalm 73:24

“Bread of deceit is sweet to a man; but afterwards his mouth shall be filled with gravel.” Proverbs 20:17

“Prepare thy work without, and make it fit for thyself in the field; and afterwards build thine house.” Proverbs 24:27

“He that rebuketh a man afterwards shall find more favour than he that flattereth with the tongue.” Proverbs 28:23

Through Hosea, the Lord promised that the children of Israel would return from their whoredom in the latter days.

“Afterward shall the children of Israel return, and seek the Lord their God, and David their king; and shall fear the Lord and his goodness in the latter days.” Hosea 3:5

The Lord spoke through the prophet Joel of a time to come.

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:”Joel 2:28

New Testament G5305
Strongs defines AFTERWARD hysteron hü’-ste-ron more lately, i.e. eventually:

Jesus promised Simon Peter that no one could follow Him while He was still on earth, but that he would follow Him afterwards (John 13:36).

The apostle Paul, in writing to the Galatians spoke of how faith came after the law.

“But before faith came, we were kept under the law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed. Galatians 3:23

From Hebrews 12;11 we learn the effect of chastening.

“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”

Dear Heavenly Father, we praise you that you teach us what comes before and what comes after in this life and eternity. We praise you that you are sovereign over the beginning and the end of all things. Guide us with your counsel to live in light of what comes afterward as you are preparing us for eternal glory with you. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.
Fran

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