What Will the Future Hold?

The Book of Daniel has been painting a picture of the future for us.  And these days, with Coronavirus uncertainty, volatile financial markets, and political angst of all kinds, everyone’s wondering about the future:  When the dust settles, what will tomorrow be like?

There’s an old saying:  We may not know what the future holds, but we know Who holds the future. And with the knowledge that our good-wise-powerful Heavenly Father has tomorrow in his hands, we can rest.

But still, that old saying isn’t quite right.  We actually DO know some grand facts about the future—because biblical prophets like Daniel tell us what to expect.  No, we’re not given all the details; that’s not how God operates.  But we are informed of the major happenings that are yet to unfold this side of heaven.

For example, in the near-term future, believers will endure suffer­ing and loss:  “As I looked, this horn made war with the saints and prevailed over them” (Dan 7:21). The ultimate anti-Christ powers of this world “shall devour the whole earth, and trample it down, and break it to pieces” (7:23) and “shall speak words against the Most High, and shall wear out the saints of the Most High” (7:25).  As Jesus said, “In this world you will have tribula­tion…” (John 16:33).  Trials should come as no surprise (1 Pet 4:12).

But we’re also taught, through the example of Daniel and his three friends, that we can thrive while dwelling in Babylon:  we can live out our faith and honor our King and “seek the good of the city” (Jer 29:7).  God has us here in this exile for good reason:  we’re on mission together to spread his truth-and-love to the ends of the earth.

When it comes to long-term prospects, we’re told over and over that, for all who trust in the Lord, the future is exceedingly bright!  The glorious reign of the Most High “is an everlasting domin­ion, and his king­dom endures from generation to generation” (Dan 4:34).  Daniel’s God “is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end.  He deliv­ers and rescues; he works signs and won­ders in heaven and on earth…” (6:26-27).  “The saints of the Most High shall receive the kingdom and possess the kingdom forever, forever and ever” (7:18).  “And so we shall be with the Lord forever” (1 Thess 4:17).