Prophecy

What is Time? This mysterious phenomenon has puzzled humanity for as long as we have existed. The equations of physics tell us that time is a dimension, just like space. Could we travel in time? Could we see the future? Is it predetermined? Could there be beings or technologies that exist outside of time as we know it?

Strangely enough, the Bible contributes interesting data to these questions. Within its pages lie numerous references to future events made by various authors hundreds of years before their predicted fulfillment. This creates an interesting argument that these authors were guided or at least influenced by someone or something with the power to transcent time.

The Book of Daniel

The book of Daniel in the Old Testament is one of the best examples of the power of Biblical prophecy. With amazing accuracy the prophet Daniel describes the rise and fall of empires and rulers, and even specific events and timelines. These were to occur over hundreds of years after his own time. He described the rise and fall of the Baylonian Empire, the Medo-Persian Empire, Alexander the Great and subsequent rulers of the Greek Empire, and then the Roman Empire.

Other Prophets

The prophet Ezekiel predicted the destruction of the city of Tyre, which was fulfilled in 332 BC. The prophet Isaiah predicted the fall of the city of Babylon to the Medes and Persians, which was fulfilled in 539 BC. He predicted the coming reign of the Persian King Cyrus two hundred years before his birth. The prophet Jeremiah predicted the fall of the city of Jerusalem to the Babylonians, which was fulfilled in 586 BC. The prophet Micah predicted the fall of the city of Samaria to the Assyrians, which was fulfilled in 722 BC. Other prophecies in the Bible include the coming of the Messiah around 30 AD, the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem in 70 AD, the scattering of the Jewish people around 135 AD, and the regathering of the Jewish people to their land in 1948 AD.

Jesus

Jesus himself made many prophecies about the future. He predicted his own death and resurrection, the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, the scattering of the Jewish people, and the regathering of the Jewish people to their land. He also predicted the end times, including the signs of his return and the final judgment.

Future Events

There are still many prophecies in the Bible that are yet to be fulfilled. These include the second coming of Jesus, the final judgment, the resurrection of the dead, the restoration of the earth, and the physical establishment of the Kingdom of God. The prophecies already fulfilled give significant weight that these future events will also come to pass, and given the gravity of the events predicted it is sobering to consider the implications.