Why does God reveal the future? Why does He tell us what is coming? One crucial reason is so we can see the need to change.
The biblical record of prophecy is long and astoundingly accurate. No human seer could have accurately predicted the remarkable rise and fall of kingdoms, leaders and peoples that we find in the Bible.
"For I am God," He declares, "and there is no other; I am God and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things that are not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand . . .’" (Isaiah 46:9-10). God alone has the power to foretell the future—and then bring it to pass.
But why does God reveal the future? Why does He tell us what is coming?
One crucial reason is so we can see the need to change. God reveals the future so each of us, individually, can personally repent—change our way of living and begin living as He tells us to—and avoid suffering God’s judgment on the world as these prophetic events come to pass. He tells us what is coming to motivate us to make the changes we need to make in our lives, both personally and nationally.
God’s pleadings with ancient Israel and Judah are revealing. He sent His prophet Ezekiel with a heartfelt appeal: "Say to them: ‘As I live,’ says the Lord GOD, ‘I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live. Turn, turn from your evil ways! For why should you die ...?’" (Ezekiel 33:11).
God doesn’t want to punish anyone. But, like any loving parent, He knows that sometimes we need a painful lesson in discipline to prevent even greater pain and suffering further down the line.
He has also given us laws, summarized in the Ten Commandments, that bring great blessings when we obey them—because they teach us a way of life that shows love for Him and for our fellow man (Matthew 22:37-40). These laws also have consequences when we ignore or disobey them. When we break them, they inevitably bring painful results and, in turn, break us. Sadly, few are willing to humbly submit to God and allow themselves to learn this lesson.
Throughout His Word, God reveals the events and conditions that will engulf the world at the time of the end. In Mark 13 Jesus warns His followers three times that they need to be alert to the trends that will precede His return and to not be caught spiritually unprepared: "Take heed," He says, "keep on the alert; for you do not know when the appointed time is" (verse 33, New American Standard Bible; compare verses 35, 37). One of the reasons we have prepared and freely distributed this booklet is so people can recognize these events as they begin to unfold. Near the end of the book of Daniel is the warning that the period preceding Christ’s return will be "a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then" (Daniel 12:1, New International Version). The whole world will be overtaken by one unprecedented disaster after another after another.
Notice Jesus Christ’s own description of the time leading up to His return: "It will be a time of great distress, such as there has never been before since the beginning of the world, and will never be again. If that time of troubles were not cut short, no living thing could survive; but for the sake of God’s chosen it will be cut short" (Matthew 24:21-22, Revised English Bible). This time will be so perilous, He warns, that mankind will be in danger of extinction. Considering the remarkably accurate prophecies of the Bible, this should surely get our attention.
God’s prophecies are sure. He foretold the decline and fall of many nations for their sins—including many of the leading nations and peoples of our day. What about you? Will you be among them?
Notice also in Christ’s warning the good news that, "for the sake of God’s chosen," total annihilation won’t come. These are the few who truly believe God and have the faith, courage and willingness to act on that belief. They are truly willing to repent—to change their lives, to surrender to God, to give up everything, if necessary, to humbly submit to and follow a God who has promised them everything in return.
In that most remarkable book of Bible prophecy He assures them, "He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son" (Revelation 21:7). What a loving promise from the Creator of all things!
The same book closes with a glimpse of the incredible future God has in store for all who are willing to make that choice—a future that includes living forever with Him and His Son, Jesus Christ, as part of His immortal family in the Kingdom of God. He wants you to have a part in that awesome future!
We should also not forget God’s promise to protect His people during this time of mounting global turmoil and catastrophes. In Revelation 3:10 He assures us, "Because you have kept My command to persevere, I also will keep you from the hour of trial which shall come upon the whole world, to test those who dwell on the earth." God means what He says. And who are those whom He considers His people? Revelation 12:14-17 identifies them as those who faithfully "keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ."
If you believe God really exists and foretells the future in His Word—facts clearly proven in this booklet to those willing to accept them—are you willing to shape your life according to that revealed Word? Are you, as Jesus Christ said in Luke 4:4, willing to "live ... by every word of God"? If you want to learn the meaning of true repentance, receiving God’s Spirit and how to keep the commandments of God, request or download our free booklets What Is Your Destiny? , Transforming Your Life: The Process of Conversion and The Ten Commandments . Also request or download our other booklets on Bible prophecy— The Gospel of the Kingdom , Are We Living in the Time of the End? , The Book of Revelation Unveiled , You Can Understand Bible Prophecy and The United States and Britain in Bible Prophecy —to better understand what God reveals about the future and His coming Kingdom.
Be sure to also read every issue of The Good News magazine and our free newsletter, World News & Prophecy , to understand world news in the light of Bible prophecy. Also request our free Bible Study Course , with monthly lessons taking you through the major themes and teachings of the Bible.
Tensions continue to build in the Middle East, and it’s only a matter of time before these long-prophesied events explode to shock the entire world. But you can find assurance and hope in this dangerous and troubling time—if you are willing to not only believe, but take action on that belief.
As Isaiah 55:6-7 advises: "Seek the LORD while He may be found, call upon Him while He is near. Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts; let him return to the LORD, and He will have mercy on him; and to our God, for He will abundantly pardon."
