Tell the Future

QUESTION: Does the Bible tell the future?

ANSWER:

The Prophetic books of the Bible certainly tell the future. The prophets revealed God's plan for His people in the immediate and distant future. Many of the prophecies of the Bible have already been fulfilled, such as the rebellion of the children of Israel, the exile and restoration of the Jews, and the establishment of the nation of Israel. Other prophecies have yet to be manifested, such as the second coming of Christ.

In actuality, the Bible in its entirety is a compilation of books that tell the future. The Bible reveals God's plan for mankind from the beginning of time (Genesis) to the end of time (Revelation).

The accuracy of the Bible telling the future is best revealed when one considers the prophecies that have already been manifested on earth. Listed below are a few of the prophecies about the Messiah which have already been fulfilled through the person of Jesus Christ. The fulfillment of these prophecies is recorded in the four Gospels of the New Testament:

• Jesus was born of a woman (Genesis 3:15)
• Jesus was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14, Micah 5:3)
• Jesus was born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2)
• Jesus cleansed the temple (Psalm 69:9)
• Jesus entered Jerusalem on a colt (Isaiah 62:11, Zechariah 9:9)
• Jesus was betrayed by a friend (Psalm 41:9, Zechariah 11:12-13)
• Jesus was put on trial and then crucified (Psalm 16:10, Psalm 22, Psalm 34:20, Psalm 69:21, Psalm 109:25, Isaiah 53, Daniel 9:26, Zechariah 12:10)
• Jesus was buried (Psalm 16:9, Isaiah 53:9)
• Jesus was resurrected from the dead (Psalm 16:10, Hosea 6:2)
• Jesus ascended into heaven (Psalm 68:18, Psalm 110:1)

The prophecies concerning Messiah's coming were written hundreds if not thousands of years before Jesus' first incarnation on earth. The details of His earthly life and ministry were prophesied with such accuracy that Bible scholars and disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ continue to be astounded to this day. It is for this reason that believers in the Lord Jesus Christ wait with eager anticipation for His imminent return, as foretold thousands of years ago.