How Did the Prophets Predict the Future with Such Clarity?

Therefore the Lord himself shall give you a sign; Behold, a virgin shall conceive, and bear a son, and shall call his name Immanuel. (Isaiah 7:14)

In God We Trust takes a deeper look at living a truly God-focused life. You’ll learn not only to defend your faith according to the authority of God’s Word, but also to live it out in every part of life.

Today’s big question: how did the prophets predict the future with such clarity?

One of the most remarkable characteristics of the Bible has to do with prophecies about the future. Have you ever taken time to examine some of the things that were prophesied in the Old Testament and then fulfilled hundreds of years later?

For instance, Jesus fulfilled a total of 48 prophecies that detailed when and how He came to earth over 2,000 years ago. It was predicted that he would be born of a virgi (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18–25), descended from the lineage of David (Jeremiah 23:5; Matthew 1; Luke 3), born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:1–2; Matthew 2:1), sold for 30 pieces of silver (Zechariah 11:12; Matthew 26:14–16), that no bones would be broken at His death (Psalm 34:20; John 19:33–36), and that He would arise the third day (Hosea 6:2; Acts 10:38–40)—to name just a few!

Some have alleged that Jesus merely orchestrated the events of His life around the prophecies He knew needed to be fulfilled. But how could an ordinary man decide the city of his birth or the details of his death? There was clearly a supernatural “hand” involved in the writings of the prophecies in the Scriptures.

Fulfilled prophecies such as these help to confirm the Bible—along with biblical doctrine—is, in fact, the Word of God. You can bet your life on it. As a matter of fact, you can bet your soul on it!

Today’s big idea: you can study the Bible with confidence, knowing it is the confirmed Word of God.

What to pray: ask God to guide you through His Word and help you to understand His plans for your life.