Only God Knows The Future
By George Stroh
April 25, 2011
"Come now, you who say, 'Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.' Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away."
(James 4:13,14)
Only God knows the future, and yet, people continue to make confident predications about almost everything including markets, elections, even the exact day of the rapture and the second coming of Jesus Christ; "But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, nor the Son, but the Father alone." (Matthew 24:36). If Jesus doesn't know the day of His return, then how credible are the predications of others?
If you are a regular reader of my commentaries, you know that I believe that the rapture is near, but I'm not predicting the exact day, month or even the year. I, as well as many others, believe the rapture will soon happen because of so many signs of the impending tribulation period which is to follow the rapture. Jesus said that while no one can know the the exact day or hour, we can know the season; "Now learn from the parable from the fig tree: when its branch has already become tender and puts forth its leaves, you know summer is near. So, you too, when you see all these things, recognize that He is near, right at the door." (Matthew 24:32.34).
It may be entertaining and exciting to follow those who make such confident predications. But when they don't happen, these unfulfilled prophecies are used to discredit the truth of the Bible, discourage people and deny the gospel message; "Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, and saying, 'Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation.'" (2 Peter 3:3,4)
It is equally foolish and unproductive to rely on the confident predictions about other things that are not specifically revealed in the Bible. Many people, even some Christians, regularly follow astrological charts, fortune tellers, false religious teachers and others who claim to have special knowledge and insights into the future. Many become enslaved, living in fear and/or false hope because of such superstitions and umbilical predictions. Of course Satan and the demons are very adapt at seducing naive people who are first enticed and then entrapped in their sorcery; "No wonder, for even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light." (2 Corinthians 11:14)
Everything we can know and everything that we need to know about the future is revealed to us in the Bible. Prideful people who are as James describes, "Just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away", ought not to be making any predications and long term plans, because there are no promised days for any of us. As Jesus said; So do not worry about tomorrow; for tomorrow will care for itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own." (Matthew 6:34). Only God knows the future and nothing escapes His sovereign control. If you want to know the future, why not just listen to and trust the One who not only knows the future, but is in total control. Maranatha!
