Seeing What’s Ahead

People have always been curious about the future. After all, doesn’t it help to know what’s coming before it happens?

We can be so thankful that the merciful, loving God of heaven says, “Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets” (Amos 3:7). We see here that important secrets are revealed to the servants of God—His prophets must be people who serve Him. That means they obey Him and live for Him, not for selfishness.

For example, the Bible tells us about Joseph, the faithful young man who served God from his childhood. The Lord gave him a special gift that most of us do not have. Joseph had dreams that showed the future, and he was also able to interpret the prophetic dreams of others. (The details of these true stories are found in Genesis 37:1-11; 42:3-20; 40:1-22; 41:1-36.)

The Bible also speaks of the history of Daniel, another youth who was also given this gift. In Daniel chapters 2 and 7, we read of this young man foreseeing the future of the world in an amazing way.

Knowing the blessing that such a gift can offer, there are many other people who try to claim this kind of ability. But they are coveting it for their own pride and glory—not really in genuine service to God. Sometimes the ability they brag about even comes from Satan. Today these people might go by names such as “fortune tellers,” “psychics,” or many other titles.

God knew all this would happen, so that’s why in Deuteronomy 13:1-5 and 18:19-22 He warns us that we need to be able to recognize false prophets. Also, in Deuteronomy 18:10-12 and Isaiah 47:8-15, serious warning is given against sorcerers, wizards, witches, astrologers, magicians, and all who think they can speak with the dead. Only people who are far away from God would seek such counterfeit guidance. We are told, “To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word [the Bible], it is because there is no light in them” (Isaiah 8:20).

Instead, we should learn about the future only from the real prophets who pass all the biblical tests of being true prophets. “Believe in the Lord your God, so shall ye be established; believe his prophets, so shall ye prosper [that is, do well!]” (2 Chronicles 20:20). May God help us to be faithful in our choices, and we will be blessed!