Foreknowledge: God's Perfect Knowledge of Future Events

Foreknowledge refers to God's ability to know events before they occur. As the all-knowing (omniscient) Creator, God sees the future with perfect clarity, observing things as done before they come into reality. This divine attribute assures believers that nothing is hidden from God's sight and that His sovereign purposes will ultimately prevail.

God's Perfect Understanding

"Jesus was handed over to you by God's set purpose and foreknowledge" (Act 2:23, 4:28). God is all-knowing (omniscient) and the only one who accurately sees into the future, able to observe things as done before they come into reality. Not only does God know what I am going to say before I open my mouth, but "All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be" (Ps 139:4,16).

Aren't you glad He is in control of your future

God always knows beforehand those who will become His children (Rom 8:29; 1 Pet 1:2). Foreknowledge does not determine what individuals will do; it is God simply knowing in advance what their choice will be. While we don't know what the future holds, we are confident He has it all in control and sees the intimate details of what is to come. Our responsibility is to walk obediently with Him in faith and trust.

Divine Sovereignty and Human Choice

There is a perceived tension between God's choice and our human choice. On one hand, as God is sovereign, we humans don't have a say in matters, while on the other hand we choose and God can't exercise His sovereignty over our choice. Yet both viewpoints are true – God is completely in control, and we humans make choices for which we are accountable.

Lord, help me to choose to do your will

So while we make choices, it is God's gracious will that prevails (Ps 115:3; Eph 2:8). God is not unfair when He shows mercy or hardens people's hearts (Rom 9:14-21). Nothing, including what is to happen in the future, is hidden from God's eyes (Isa 42:9, 44:6-8, 46:10; Heb 4:13). This also includes human decisions such as telling Moses that Pharaoh would not willingly let the Israelites go (Ex 3:19).

Prophecy and Fulfillment

Many Old Testament scriptures prophesied about the coming of Jesus and the formation of the church and "that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: 'All nations will be blessed through you'" (Gen 12:3, 18:18, 22:18; Gal 3:8).

God's promises never fail

Man, with limited success, can predict or anticipate future events based on past patterns. One meaning of prophecy is God revealing what is yet to happen. If this is genuinely divinely inspired, it will take place as spoken. The fulfillment of prophecy is the confirmation of God's foreknowledge, His knowing what will happen. It was said of Christ, "He was chosen before the creation of the world, but revealed in these last days for your sake" (1 Pet 1:20). Since God knows the end from the beginning, ask Him to guide you in His ways and pathway for you (Ps 25:4, 39:4).

Reflection and Application:

Trust that God knows your future and has it under control
Walk obediently with God in faith, regardless of what lies ahead
Remember that God's gracious will ultimately prevails
Seek God's guidance for the path He has prepared for you