God's promises about the future are certain because it is under God's control. Christians should live on the basis that these promises, which focus on the return of Jesus Christ, will be fulfilled.
God controls the future
God knows the future
Exodus 3:19–20 See also Deuteronomy 31:21; 2 Samuel 7:19 parallel 1 Chronicles 17:17; Psalm 139:4; Isaiah 42:9, Isaiah 46:10; Daniel 2:28; Acts 2:23, Acts 3:18
But I know that the king of Egypt will not allow you to go unless a mighty hand compels him. So I will stretch out My hand and strike the Egyptians with all the wonders I will perform among them. And after that, he will release you.
God can reveal the future
Daniel 2:45 See also Genesis 15:13–16, Genesis 41:25; 1 Samuel 9:15–16; 2 Kings 8:10; Daniel 8:19, Daniel 10:14; Matthew 2:13; Acts 18:9–10, Acts 27:22–24
And just as you saw a stone being cut out of the mountain without human hands, and it shattered the iron, bronze, clay, silver, and gold, so the great God has told the king what will happen in the future. The dream is true, and its interpretation is trustworthy.”
The future is unknown to human beings
Ecclesiastes 8:7 See also Proverbs 27:1; Ecclesiastes 3:22, Ecclesiastes 7:14, Ecclesiastes 9:12, Ecclesiastes 10:14; Matthew 24:42–43; Acts 20:22; James 4:14
Since no one knows what will happen, who can tell him what is to come?
There is a future hope for believers
It is based on God's promise
Jeremiah 31:17 See also Psalm 37:37; Proverbs 23:18, Proverbs 24:14; Isaiah 60:15
So there is hope for your future, declares the LORD, and your children will return to their own land.
Future blessings are guaranteed
Jeremiah 29:11 See also Genesis 17:7; Leviticus 26:3–5; Deuteronomy 6:2, Deuteronomy 30:9; Isaiah 30:23, Isaiah 65:23; Amos 9:13
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the LORD, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, to give you a future and a hope.
Future blessings are superior to present experiences
Philippians 1:21–23 See also Genesis 22:17–18; Matthew 19:29 parallels Mark 10:29–30, Luke 18:29–30; Romans 8:18–25; 1 Peter 5:4; 1 John 3:2
For to me, to live is Christ, and to die is gain. But if I go on living in the body, this will mean fruitful labor for me. So what shall I choose? I do not know. I am torn between the two. I desire to depart and be with Christ, which is far better indeed.
Key aspects of future hope
Believers will go to heaven
1 Peter 1:4 See also Luke 16:22, Luke 23:43; John 14:2–3; 2 Corinthians 5:1; Colossians 1:5; 1 Thessalonians 4:16–17
and into an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, reserved in heaven for you,
Jesus Christ will come again
Acts 1:11 See also Daniel 7:13; Matthew 24:30 parallels Mark 13:26, Luke 21:27; Philippians 3:20; 1 Thessalonians 4:16; 2 Thessalonians 2:1; Hebrews 9:28; James 5:8
“Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen Him go into heaven.”
The dead will rise
1 Corinthians 15:52 See also Daniel 12:2; John 5:28–29, John 6:39–40; Acts 24:15; 2 Corinthians 4:14; Revelation 20:4–5, Revelation 20:12
in an instant, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, the dead will be raised imperishable, and we will be changed.
Final judgment
2 Corinthians 5:10 See also Psalm 62:12; Matthew 16:27, Matthew 25:31–32; Hebrews 9:27; 2 Peter 3:7; 1 John 4:17; Jude 1:14–15; Revelation 20:13
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive his due for the things done in the body, whether good or bad.
The devil and evil will be destroyed
Isaiah 25:7–8 See also 2 Thessalonians 2:8; Hebrews 2:14; Revelation 7:16, Revelation 11:18, Revelation 19:20–21, Revelation 20:10
On this mountain He will swallow up the shroud that enfolds all peoples, the sheet that covers all nations; He will swallow up death forever. The Lord GOD will wipe away the tears from every face and remove the disgrace of His people from the whole earth. For the LORD has spoken.
God's kingdom will be fully established
Revelation 11:15 See also Isaiah 11:6–9; Zechariah 14:9; 1 Corinthians 15:24; Revelation 21:1–5
Then the seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and loud voices called out in heaven: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Christ, and He will reign forever and ever.”
Believers' responsibility towards future generations
Joshua 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 Exodus 12:25–27, Exodus 16:32–33; Deuteronomy 6:20–21; Joshua 4:21–22, Joshua 22:27; Psalm 22:30, Psalm 45:17
to serve as a sign among you. In the future, when your children ask, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ you are to tell them, ‘The waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the LORD. When it crossed the Jordan, the waters were cut off.’ Therefore these stones will be a memorial to the Israelites forever.”
Proper attitudes towards the future
Looking forwards rather than backwards
Philippians 3:13–14 See also Genesis 19:17; Isaiah 43:18–19; Colossians 3:1–2; Hebrews 12:1–2
Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus.
Having perseverance and faith
1 Corinthians 15:58 See also Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 11:6–8, Hebrews 11:17–19; 1 Peter 1:13; Revelation 3:11
Therefore, my beloved brothers, be steadfast and immovable. Always excel in the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
Avoiding occult predictions and false prophecies
Jeremiah 27:9 See also Isaiah 44:25–26; Jeremiah 29:8; Ezekiel 13:3–7; Zechariah 10:2; Acts 16:16–18
But as for you, do not listen to your prophets, your diviners, your interpreters of dreams, your mediums, or your sorcerers who declare, ‘You will not serve the king of Babylon.’
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.