The future

God controls the future

God knows the future

Exodus 3:19–20 NKJV

But I am sure that the king of Egypt will not let you go, no, not even by a mighty hand. So I will stretch out My hand and strike Egypt with all My wonders which I will do in its midst; and after that he will let you go.

See also Dt 31:21; 2 Sa 7:19; Ps 139:4; Is 42:9; Is 46:10; Da 2:28; Ac 2:23; Ac 3:18

God can reveal the future

Daniel 2:45 NKJV

Inasmuch as you saw that the stone was cut out of the mountain without hands, and that it broke in pieces the iron, the bronze, the clay, the silver, and the gold—the great God has made known to the king what will come to pass after this. The dream is certain, and its interpretation is sure.”

See also Ge 15:13–16; Ge 41:25; 1 Sa 9:15–16; 2 Ki 8:10; Da 8:19; Da 10:14; Mt 2:13; Ac 18:9–10; Ac 27:22–24

The future is unknown to human beings

Ecclesiastes 8:7 NKJV

For he does not know what will happen; So who can tell him when it will occur?

See also Pr 27:1; Ec 3:22; Ec 7:14; Ec 9:12; Ec 10:14; Mt 24:42–43; Ac 20:22; Jas 4:14

There is a future hope for believers

It is based on God’s promise

Jeremiah 31:17 NKJV

There is hope in your future, says the Lord, That your children shall come back to their own border.

See also Ps 37:37; Pr 23:18; Pr 24:14; Is 60:15

Future blessings are guaranteed

Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

See also Ge 17:7; Le 26:3–5; Dt 6:2; Dt 30:9; Is 30:23; Is 65:23; Am 9:13

Future blessings are superior to present experiences

Philippians 1:21–23 NKJV

For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I cannot tell. For I am hard-pressed between the two, having a desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better.

See also Ge 22:17–18; Mt 19:29; Ro 8:18–25; 1 Pe 5:4; 1 Jn 3:2

Key aspects of future hope

Believers will go to heaven

1 Peter 1:4 NKJV

to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

See also Lk 16:22; Lk 23:43; Jn 14:2–3; 2 Co 5:1; Col 1:5; 1 Th 4:16–17

Jesus Christ will come again

Acts 1:11 NKJV

who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.”

See also Da 7:13; Mt 24:30; Php 3:20; 1 Th 4:16; 2 Th 2:1; Heb 9:28; Jas 5:8

The dead will rise

1 Corinthians 15:52 NKJV

in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed.

See also Da 12:2; Jn 5:28–29; Jn 6:39–40; Ac 24:15; 2 Co 4:14; Re 20:4–5; Re 20:12

Final judgment

2 Corinthians 5:10 NKJV

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

See also Ps 62:12; Mt 16:27; Mt 25:31–32; Heb 9:27; 2 Pe 3:7; 1 Jn 4:17; Jud 14–15; Re 20:13

The devil and evil will be destroyed

Isaiah 25:7–8 NKJV

And He will destroy on this mountain The surface of the covering cast over all people, And the veil that is spread over all nations. He will swallow up death forever, And the Lord God will wipe away tears from all faces; The rebuke of His people He will take away from all the earth; For the Lord has spoken.

See also 2 Th 2:8; Heb 2:14; Re 7:16; Re 11:18; Re 19:20–21; Re 20:10

God’s kingdom will be fully established

Revelation 11:15 NKJV

Then the seventh angel sounded: And there were loud voices in heaven, saying, “The kingdoms of this world have become the kingdoms of our Lord and of His Christ, and He shall reign forever and ever!”

See also Is 11:6–9; Zec 14:9; 1 Co 15:24; Re 21:1–5

Believers’ responsibility towards future generations

Jos 4:6–7 The twelve stones taken from the bed of the river Jordan is one of several instances where God’s people are told to preserve memorials of present blessings for the sake of future generations.

See also Ex 12:25–27; Ex 16:32–33; Dt 6:20–21; Jos 4:21–22; Jos 22:27; Ps 22:30; Ps 45:17

Proper attitudes towards the future

Looking forwards rather than backwards

Philippians 3:13–14 NKJV

Brethren, I do not count myself to have apprehended; but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead, I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

See also Ge 19:17; Is 43:18–19; Col 3:1–2; Heb 12:1–2

Having perseverance and faith

1 Corinthians 15:58 NKJV

Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.

See also Ga 6:9; Heb 11:6–8; Heb 11:17–19; 1 Pe 1:13; Re 3:11

Avoiding occult predictions and false prophecies

Jeremiah 27:9 NKJV

Therefore do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your dreamers, your soothsayers, or your sorcerers, who speak to you, saying, “You shall not serve the king of Babylon.”

See also Is 44:25–26; Je 29:8; Eze 13:3–7; Zec 10:2; Ac 16:16–18