Who Really Knows the Future?
Why Do People Try to Predict the Future?
Since the dawn of civilization, humanity has always been fascinated by the unknown especially the future. From ancient temples to modern talk shows, people have sought ways to glimpse what lies ahead. The desire to predict the future stems from a deeply human need: the need for certainty in a world full of uncertainty.
Ancient Roots of Future Prediction
In ancient history, the practice of foretelling future events was already widespread. The Babylonians were among the earliest civilizations to study celestial bodies to predict natural events and human fortunes, what we now call astrology. In Ancient Greece, oracles such as the Oracle of Delphi were revered for delivering prophecies inspired by the gods. Meanwhile, in Ancient Egypt, priests interpreted dreams and signs as messages from the divine. Even in China, early rulers relied on “oracle bones”, animal bones inscribed with symbols, to divine the will of heaven.
Clearly, humanity’s fascination with knowing the future is nothing new. Across cultures and eras, people have believed that certain individuals possess the gift of foresight.
The Question of Accuracy
But how accurate are these predictions? In modern times, this question remains as relevant as ever. Recently, Philippine media has highlighted a personality claiming to predict future calamities, earthquakes, typhoons, and fires of massive scale. These pronouncements have understandably caused alarm among citizens. Yet, it raises the question: are these “prophets” truly gifted, or are they exploiting the fears and superstitions deeply rooted in Filipino culture?
The Philippines, like many nations with strong spiritual traditions, has a people naturally attuned to faith and the unseen. However, this openness also makes them vulnerable to manipulation by those who pretend to have divine insight. Some individuals prey on this curiosity, making vague forecasts that align with normal yearly occurrences, typhoons during the rainy months, fires during the dry season, or earthquakes in a country sitting on the Pacific Ring of Fire. These are not predictions; they are probabilities disguised as prophecies.
The Christian Perspective
From the lens of Christian faith, only God knows the future. Scripture affirms that “no one knows the day or the hour” except the Father (Matthew 24:36). True prophets in the Bible, like Isaiah, Jeremiah, or Daniel, spoke not from their own understanding, but through divine revelation. They were guided by the Holy Spirit, not by human intuition or calculation.
Therefore, if anyone is ever given a glimpse of what is to come, it is not by personal power but through God’s grace. Conversely, those who claim such power apart from God may be influenced by darker spiritual forces or deceptive spirit guides that distort the truth for their own ends.
The Influence of the Spirit World
As human beings, we are limited by our senses and the physical laws that govern our world, such as, space, time, and mortality. Yet, religion teaches that there exists a higher realm: the spirit world, where such limitations do not apply. This spiritual dimension is eternal, unbounded by time or space, with God as the ultimate being.
In that realm, past, present, and future are not distinct moments but parts of a single, eternal reality or the so-called continuous “now.” Philosophers and theologians alike have described this as the divine perspective, where all events coexist in one infinite tapestry. Those rare souls who are granted even a fleeting connection to that realm might perceive what appears to us as “the future.” What they are actually seeing, however, is a truth that already exists in God’s timeless vision.
The Danger of False Prophets
While it is possible for genuine spiritual insight to exist, not all who claim it possess it. Many self-proclaimed prophets simply exploit people’s fear of the unknown. They make broad or easily predictable statements, which often turn out to be coincidences rather than revelations. These individuals prey on human vulnerability and the longing for reassurance in uncertain times.
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.” – 1 John 4:1
Authentic prophecy uplifts, corrects, and aligns with God’s truth. It does not spread panic or confusion.
The Truth Beyond Predictions
At the end of the day, whether or not disasters or trials come, they remind us of our temporary existence and our journey toward something greater. The natural calamities we experience, like earthquakes, typhoons, fires, that may bring destruction, they also teach us resilience, faith, and compassion. Perhaps these events are permitted not as punishments, but as lessons that prepare our souls for the perfection of heaven, where no pain or negativity exists.
How could we possibly appreciate the joy and peace of eternal life without first understanding the hardships of earthly living? Through contrast, we learn value; through suffering, we learn hope. In the grand design of God, even uncertainty has a purpose.
Final Reflection
The desire to know the future is part of our search for meaning and control. Yet the truth remains: only God holds the keys to tomorrow. Instead of fearing the unknown, we are called to trust, that is, to live wisely, to act with love, and to keep our faith firm in the One who sees the end from the beginning.