What does the Bible say about predicting the future?

1. Introduction

Predicting the future, frequently termed “prophecy” within Scripture, appears throughout both the Old and New Testaments. From the earliest books of the Pentateuch to the final chapters of Revelation, the Bible presents examples of divinely inspired prophets who communicate God’s messages about events yet to come. At the same time, it cautions against those who falsely claim prophetic insight. This entry examines the biblical teaching on predicting the future, exploring its sources, purposes, and tests for authenticity.

2. Biblical Definition of Prophecy and Predicting the Future

The Bible frames prophecy as a direct revelation from God rather than a human conjecture. According to Deuteronomy 18:18, the Lord promises, “I will raise up for them a prophet like you from among their brothers; I will put My words in his mouth, and he will tell them everything I command him.” In this way, prophecy is grounded in divine authority.

Moreover, the Word emphasizes that a prophecy must come to pass if it is genuinely from God. Deuteronomy 18:22 reads, “If what a prophet proclaims in the name of the LORD does not come to pass or come true, that is a message the LORD has not spoken.” Thus, Scripture sets a high standard for verifying any claim to foretell the future.

3. Old Testament Prophets and Fulfilled Prophecies

Throughout the Old Testament, notable figures such as Moses, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Daniel, and others prophesied events and occurrences far beyond their natural foresight. One remarkable example is Isaiah’s detailed foretelling of the Messiah’s suffering (Isaiah 53). The discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls at Qumran, dated to before the time of Christ, contains copies of the Book of Isaiah, bolstering the case that these predictive texts existed centuries prior to Jesus’ life on earth. This archaeological evidence supports Scripture’s claim that those prophecies were divinely revealed rather than written after the events occurred.

Daniel, too, received visions of future kingdoms and rulers (Daniel 2; 7–9), many of which align with historical developments in the Persian, Greek, and Roman Empires. These examples demonstrate how God uses honest and verifiable prophecy to affirm His sovereignty and guide His people through unfolding history.

4. Role of Prophecy in the New Testament

The New Testament continues the theme of prophecy but also broadens it to include Christ’s own predictions and the Apostolic witness. Jesus foretold events such as the destruction of the Temple in Jerusalem, which took place in AD 70 (Matthew 24:2). He also predicted His death and resurrection (Mark 8:31) and spoke about end-times events in Matthew 24 and 25.

The early Church manifested gifts of prophecy (1 Corinthians 14:1–3), often for the purpose of edifying believers and spreading the gospel. While genuine prophecy persisted, the New Testament writers, like Paul and John, also warned churches to “test the spirits” (1 John 4:1) to avoid deception, referencing the possibility of false prophets who might lead believers astray.

5. Warnings Against False Prophets and Diviners

Scripture unequivocally warns that not all who claim to have knowledge of the future are trustworthy. In addition to Deuteronomy’s standards, Jesus cautioned, “For false christs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders that would deceive even the elect, if that were possible” (Matthew 24:24).

Old Testament writers condemned pagan forms of divination, fortune-telling, and any method of predicting the future outside of God’s revelation (Leviticus 19:31; Deuteronomy 18:10–14). Such practices were deemed dishonoring to God because they replaced dependence on Him with reliance on occult or idolatrous methods.

6. The Purpose and Power of True Prophecy

Prophecy in Scripture carries a divine purpose:

• Revelation of God’s Sovereignty: True prophecy highlights God’s dominion over history. As Isaiah 46:10 declares, God speaks of “the end from the beginning” to show His supreme power.

• Call to Repentance and Righteousness: Prophetic announcements often exhort people to abandon wrongdoing and to return to God (examples in Jeremiah, Ezekiel, and the Minor Prophets).

• Encouragement and Instruction: New Testament prophecy serves to encourage, comfort, and instruct believers (1 Corinthians 14:3). It builds up the Church by demonstrating God's active involvement in guiding His people.

7. Tests of Authentic Predictive Prophecy

Scripture outlines clear tests to ensure prophecy is from God:

1. Fulfillment: Predictions inspired by God will come true in every detail (Deuteronomy 18:22).

2. Consistency with God’s Character: Prophecy must align with the revealed nature of God found throughout Scripture (Deuteronomy 13:1–3).

3. Christ-Centered Focus: In fullness of revelation, authentic prophecy ultimately points to Christ, “the Author and Perfecter of our faith” (Hebrews 12:2).

8. Prophecy, Predictive Accuracy, and Historicity

Historical and archaeological studies provide evidence that the Bible accurately represents fulfilled predictions. For instance, the Cyrus Cylinder (sixth century BC) reflects details supporting Isaiah’s prophecies about Cyrus of Persia (Isaiah 44:28; 45:1). In addition, the preservation of Old Testament texts in ancient manuscripts—such as the Dead Sea Scrolls—confirms the authenticity of prophetic passages centuries prior to their fulfillment. These findings underscore the Bible’s reliability in preserving God’s messages about the future.

9. Practical Implications for Believers and Skeptics

• Discernment: Rather than embracing every claim of future knowledge, readers of Scripture learn to evaluate messages in the light of biblical revelation and historical evidence.

• Hope: Biblical prophecy is not simply about predicting calamities; it frequently offers hope, affirming that God remains sovereign over the present and future.

• Trust in Divine Authority: Because genuine prophecy originates from God, it leads to deeper faith in His plan and purposes.

10. Conclusion

In answer to the question, “What does the Bible say about predicting the future?” Scripture presents a consistent message: authentic prophecy is given by God, entirely reliable, and ultimately reveals His sovereign will. False forms of future-telling—through divination or deceptive predictions—are condemned. True prophecy serves to glorify God, guide His people, call for repentance, and provide assurance of His care and sovereignty.

By holding to the tests and purposes of prophecy outlined in Scripture, believers gain confidence in God’s unfolding plan throughout history. Whether through the archeologically confirmed prophecies of Isaiah or the detailed instruction concerning Christ’s return, the Bible affirms that God alone knows the end from the beginning—and He graciously reveals what is necessary for salvation, obedience, and hope.