Dictionary of Bible Themes: 9130 future, the

9130 future, the

Dictionary of Bible Themes

Dictionary of Bible Themes » 9000 Last things » 9100 Aspects of the last things » 9130 future, the

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 pp 1 Chronicles 17:17; Psalm 139:4; Isaiah 42:9; Isaiah 46:10; Daniel 2:28; Acts 2:23; Acts 3:18

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

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

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

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

Future blessings are superior to present experiences

Philippians 1:21-23 See also Genesis 22:17-18; Matthew 19:29 pp Mark 10:29-30 pp Luke 18:29-30; Romans 8:18-25; 1 Peter 5:4; 1 John 3:2

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

Jesus Christ will come again

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 20:4-5,12

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 14-15; Revelation 20:13

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

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

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

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

Having perseverance and faith

1 Corinthians 15:58 See also Galatians 6:9; Hebrews 11:6-8,17-19; 1 Peter 1:13; Revelation 3:11

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