Can we trust biblical prophecy? Does biblical prophecy really predict the future?

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE SAY?

Prophecy in the Bible is the communication of God's message to humanity, often delivered through a chosen spokesperson known as a prophet. It can involve foretelling future events or forth-telling God’s truth to call people to repentance, obedience, and faith. Biblical prophecy is not human speculation but God’s revealed truth, spoken through prophets and preserved in Scripture. The Old Testament contains hundreds of prophecies, many of which were fulfilled with astonishing accuracy in Jesus Christ, such as His virgin birth, birthplace in Bethlehem, and suffering for sin. Other prophecies, like the re-establishment of Israel in 1948, demonstrate God’s ongoing faithfulness across history. Jesus Himself gave specific predictions, including the destruction of the temple, that were later fulfilled exactly as He said. Because prophecy has proven reliable in the past, we can be confident that His future promises—the return of Christ, the final judgment, and the hope of a new heaven and earth–will also be fulfilled. Prophecy reminds us that God is sovereign over history, faithful to His Word, and certain to accomplish His promises.

FROM THE OLD TESTAMENT

• The Bible's future prophecies can be trusted because the Bible is the Word of God. In other words, it comes from God who is perfect. For example, Psalm 19:7 states, "The law of the LORD is perfect, reviving the soul; the testimony of the LORD is sure, making wise the simple."
• We can trust biblical prophecy not just because it claims to be God’s words but because of how many prophecies have already accurately been fulfilled. For example, numerous predictions about the coming Messiah were fulfilled in the life of Jesus Christ. He was born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14), born in the city of Bethlehem (Micah 5:2), and suffered and died though innocent (Isaiah 53:5).
• Many Old Testament prophecies predicted the re-establishment of Israel and people returning to the land (e.g., Isaiah 11:12; Jeremiah 29:14; 32:36-44; Ezekiel 37:11–14). Israel became a nation again in 1948 and millions of Jewish people now once again live in the land.

FROM THE NEW TESTAMENT

• 2 Timothy 3:16–17 reminds us that all Scripture—including prophecy—is “God-breathed.” Because its source is God Himself, it carries His authority, truthfulness, and reliability. Just as God does not lie (Titus 1:2), His Word cannot contain falsehood. This means the prophecies recorded in Scripture are not guesses or human predictions but divine revelation meant to instruct, correct, and prepare us to live faithfully.
• 2 Peter 1:20–21 makes clear that prophecy does not originate from human imagination or interpretation. Instead, the Holy Spirit carried the writers along, ensuring that what they recorded was exactly what God intended. This divine inspiration guards prophecy against error and shows it is rooted in God’s eternal plan, not human speculation. Because prophecy comes from God’s Spirit, it is as trustworthy as God Himself—past fulfillments prove His Word true, and future promises will unfold with the same certainty.
• Additional prophecies have been fulfilled in other areas as well. Jesus predicted the destruction of the Jewish temple 40 years before it took place (Matthew 24:1-2).
• Many other prophecies have been fulfilled, such as Agabus predicting a famine across the Roman Empire during the reign of Claudius (Acts 11:28). Jesus predicted the way Peter would die (John 21:19).

IMPLICATIONS FOR TODAY

If the Bible comes from God and has proven itself through numerous accurate fulfillments, then it can be trusted as accurate regarding future predications as well. The major prophecies yet to be fulfilled include the rapture of the church that will take place at any moment (1 Corinthians 15:51-58; 1 Thessalonians 5:13-18), the judgments of the seven-year tribulation (Revelation 6—12), the second coming of Christ at Armageddon (Revelation 19), the millennial kingdom (Revelation 20:1-6), the defeat of Satan and final judgment (Revelation 20:7-15), and the new heavens and earth (Revelation 21—22) during which all of God's people will dwell with Him for eternity.

Because God has already fulfilled so many prophecies with perfect accuracy—especially those concerning Jesus Christ—we can confidently trust Him to fulfill what is still to come. Biblical prophecy reminds us that God is sovereign over history, and His promises about the future, including Christ’s return and the hope of eternal life, are certain and trustworthy. The same God who foretold the virgin birth (Isaiah 7:14), the suffering of the Messiah (Isaiah 53:5), and the restoration of Israel (Ezekiel 37:11–14) has also promised to return for His people, judge evil, and establish a new heaven and earth. These are not vague predictions but divine declarations from a God who cannot lie. As we see prophecy fulfilled throughout history, our faith is strengthened, and we are reminded to live in readiness and obedience, trusting that God's Word will never fail (Matthew 24:35).

UNDERSTAND

• Prophecy is God’s Word, not human speculation.
• Prophecy has been fulfilled with accuracy in Jesus’ life, Israel’s restoration, and other events.
• Fulfilled prophecy assures us that God’s future promises will also be fulfilled.

REFLECT

• How does seeing a fulfilled prophecy strengthen your confidence in trusting God’s promises for your own future?
• When you read prophecies that still await fulfillment, how does that shape the way you see your relationship with God?
• In what ways do you need to remind yourself that God’s Word is certain even when circumstances seem uncertain?

ENGAGE

• How does fulfilled prophecy build a stronger case for the Bible’s reliability in conversations with others?
• What does the fulfillment of Israel’s restoration reveal about God’s sovereignty over nations and history?
• How can studying biblical prophecy together help us live with greater urgency, hope, and readiness for Christ’s return?