What is to come
"I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose...’" (Isaiah 46:9-10)
August 31, 2025
Dear friends,
I'm spending time hiking on the heights of the book of Isaiah. I love especially what's called "the book of comfort" (chapters 40-66), where Christ is portrayed so beautifully in the Servant Songs. As well, the nature and character of the sovereign God of Israel is shown in breathtaking splendor. This is a comforting section because it assures Israel that God is in control of history and the future, and that God's people will return from exile in Babylon in due time. These words were written by the prophet Isaiah over a hundred years before the Babylonian exile even began. The Bible is filled with many such prophecies, some short-term and others long-term.
One theme that repeats in this section of Isaiah is the contrast between the God of Israel and the idols of the nations. Idols must be carried since they can't walk. And they can't talk, or answer prayer, or respond in any way. (46:1-7) In contrast, the Lord carries his people and bears their burdens. He is living and self-sufficient. He responds to his people's cries and saves them. In contrast, the gods of the nations are like the Veggietale characters, "The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything."
THERE IS NO OTHER. God says, "...besides me there is no savior..." (43:10-11); "...besides me there is no god..." (44:6); "Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock, I know not any..." (44:8); and "I am the Lord, and there is no other..." (45:5-6, 14, 18, 21-22). Some in the ancient world held to a kind of monotheism, which is called henotheism, namely, that there was a supreme god over the gods. For example, Zeus was supreme in the Greek pantheon. But that's not really monotheism. Through Isaiah, God makes it clear that he is not simply the best among the gods, or the supreme being among other beings, but rather, he is in a category all of his own. He is God and there is no other in his class, period. There are many created beings, but there is one uncreated, self-existent Being over all of creation and history.
DECLARING THINGS TO COME. In addition, the God of the Bible is unique in that he reveals his mind and will to humanity. Unlike the idols, he communicates in words -- commands, promises, truths about himself, truths about us, and truths about the future. He proclaims what is to come, because he ordains what is to come. He is the beginning of history (the Alpha, the first) and the end of history (the Omega, the last). He ordains, creates, guides, and consummates all human affairs. People can predict the future, but God declares the future. He alone declares "the end from the beginning" (v. 9) He says, "I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it." (v. 11)
BIBLICAL PROPHECY had a vital role in my conversion and early Christian growth. In 1971 I heard Andre Kole present the prophetic signs for Christ's return, given in the Bible. Not long after that, Josh McDowell spoke on campus about the Old Testament prophecies Jesus fulfilled in his life, death, and resurrection. (This material was published afterwards in Evidence That Demands a Verdict.) In my seminary we studied biblical prophecy, and though some may have gone overboard trying to chart future events, we sought to pay careful attention to the text, trying to understand the author's intent, as well as the whole context of Scripture.
PROPHECIES MAY BE DIFFICULT to interpret -- which passages are symbolic or figurative, and which are literal and historical? Which have been fulfilled, and which are yet future? Also, we want to avoid speculation and controversy with other people. For those reasons, we may not be studying biblical prophecy very seriously. Yet, in doing so we are neglecting an important component of God's revelation. Evangelist and author Leighton Ford wrote, "Prophecy takes up approximately one-fourth of all Scripture. And yet we have soft-pedalled what the Bible says about future history. A tremendously relevant and gripping part of the Christian hope has been left out."
SO WHAT? Every day we are assailed with a flood of data in our news feeds. What information should we investigate more deeply? What predictions regarding the future do we believe, whether it's the stock market, health advice, or world affairs? We should marvel that the Lord has spoken much about what will come to pass. The Bible does not tell us everything we want to know about the future, but it does tell us everything we need to know about the future. God's word is more up-to-date and relevant — eternally relevant — than our news feed. Don't neglect to study biblical prophecy! God tells us all the truth we need to know -- truth about what has been, truth about what is, and yes, truth about what is to come.
READING FURTHER.
-- Hugh Ross lists fulfilled prophecies in support of the Bible's reliability.
-- Only Jesus can claim to fulfill ALL Old Testament prophecy about the coming Messiah, from the Josh McDowell Ministry.
-- Gerald McDermott, Jonathan Edwards' scholar, on "How I changed my mind on Israel".
FINAL QUOTES.
"No Bible subject holds more practical implications than the matter of prophecy." (Vance Havner)
That’s all for this week!
Sandy
Afterwords is an occasional newsletter on topics of interest to me (Sandy Young) since my retirement from full-time pastoral ministry. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are from The ESV Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version), copyright 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.