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What does the Bible say about knowing the future?

Bible Topic · WEB

The Bible teaches that God alone perfectly knows and sovereignly directs the future, while we are called to trust him and walk humbly in the present. Isaiah 46:10 declares that he knows the end from the beginning, and Jeremiah 29:11 assures God’s people of his faithful purposes. Our plans are real but subject to the Lord’s will, as Proverbs 19:21 and James 4:13-17 remind us. God’s thoughts exceed ours (Isaiah 55:8), yet he works all things for the good of those who love him (Romans 8:28). Believers should not seek forbidden predictions or heed false prophets (Deuteronomy 18:20-22), but rest in God’s wisdom, trusting Christ and obeying his revealed Word.

Top passages, ranked by readers

Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible

  • Jeremiah 29:11

    For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says Yahweh, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you hope in your latter end.

  • Proverbs 19:21

    There are many plans in a man's heart, But Yahweh's counsel will prevail.

  • Psalms 139:4

    For there is not a word on my tongue, But, behold, Yahweh, you know it altogether.

  • Romans 8:28

    We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, to those who are called according to his purpose.

  • James 4:13-17

    [13] Come now, you who say, "Today or tomorrow let's go into this city, and spend a year there, trade, and make a profit." [14] Whereas you don't know what your life will be like tomorrow. For what is your life? For you are a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away. [15] For you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will both live, and do this or that." [16] But now you glory in your boasting. All such boasting is evil. [17] To him therefore who knows to do good, and doesn't do it, to him it is sin.

  • Isaiah 55:8

    For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, says Yahweh.

  • 1 John 3:20

    because if our heart condemns us, God is greater than our heart, and knows all things.

  • John 16:13

    However when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming.

  • Isaiah 46:10

    declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not [yet] done; saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure;

  • Deuteronomy 18:20-22

    [20] But the prophet, who shall speak a word presumptuously in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or who shall speak in the name of other gods, that same prophet shall die. [21] If you say in your heart, How shall we know the word which Yahweh has not spoken? [22] when a prophet speaks in the name of Yahweh, if the thing doesn't follow, nor happen, that is the thing which Yahweh has not spoken: the prophet has spoken it presumptuously, you shall not be afraid of him.

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