A Book Of Prophecy

The Roman statesman Cato (234-149 B.C.E.) reportedly said: "I wonder that a soothsayer doesn't laugh when he sees another soothsayer." Indeed, to this day many people are skeptical of fortunetellers, astrologers and other soothsayers. Often their predictions are couched in vague terms and are subject to a wide variety of interpretations.

What, though, about the Bible's prophecies? Is there a reason for skepticism? Or is there a basis for confidence?


Not Just Educated Guesses

Knowledgeable people may try to use observable trends to make accurate speculations regarding the future, but they are never right all the time. The book Future Shock notes: "Every society faces not merely a succession of probable futures, but an array of possible futures." It adds: "Of course, not one can 'know' the future in any absolute sense. We can only systematize and deepen our assumptions to assign probabilities to them."

But the Bible writers did not simply "assign probabilities" to "assumptions" about the future. Nor can their predictions be dismissed as obscure statements open to a wide variety of interpretations. On the contrary, many of their prophecies were uttered with extraordinary clarity and were usually specific, oftentimes predicting just the opposite of what might be expected. Take as an example what the Bible said in advance about the ancient city of Babylon.

Next time: To Be 'Swept With The Broom Of Annihilation'

A Book For All People, 1997