The Bible makes many promises and offers much advice. Likely you are curious about what it teaches, but perhaps you are also cautious. Should you trust promises and advice from such an old book? Can you really believe what the Bible says about enjoying life now and in the future? Millions of people do. Let us see whether you can too.
[Image:] Ancient Bible manuscripts.
The Bible claims to be a record of “accurate words of truth.” (Ecclesiastes 12:10)
(Ecclesiastes 12.10 The congregator sought to find delightful words and to record accurate words of truth.)
It relates real events that involved real people. (Read Luke 1:3; 3:1, 2.) Many historians and archaeologists have confirmed the accuracy of important dates, people, places, and events described in the Bible.
[“Read” scriptures] Luke 1:3: I resolved also, because I have traced all things from the start with accuracy, to write them to you in logical order, most excellent Theophilus,
Luke 3:1, 2: In the 15th year of the reign of Tiberius Caesar, when Pontius Pilate was governor of Judea, Herod was district ruler of Galilee, Philip his brother was district ruler of the country of Ituraea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias was district ruler of Abilene, in the days of chief priest Annas and of Caiaphas, God’s declaration came to John the son of Zechariah in the wilderness. [End of “Read” scriptures]
In many ways, the Bible has proved to be ahead of its time. For example, it touches on scientific subjects. Much of what it says on those subjects was controversial when it was written. However, modern science confirms that what the Bible says is accurate. It is “always reliable, now and forever.”—Psalm 111:8.
(Psalm 111.8 They are always reliable, now and forever; They are made in truth and righteousness.)
The Bible contains prophecies * that foretell “the things that have not yet been done.” (Isaiah 46:10)
(Isaiah 46.10 From the beginning I foretell the outcome, And from long ago the things that have not yet been done. I say, ‘My decision will stand, And I will do whatever I please.’)
It accurately foretold numerous historical events long before they occurred. It also described today’s world conditions in striking detail. In this lesson, we will examine some of the Bible’s prophecies. Their accuracy is amazing!
[Footnote] * Prophecies include messages from God about future events. [End of footnote]
Examine how modern science agrees with the Bible, and investigate a few impressive Bible prophecies.
In ancient times, most people believed that the earth rested upon something. Play the video The Earth Hangs Upon Nothing (1:13).
Notice what was recorded in the book of Job some 3,500 years ago. Read Job 26:7, and then discuss this question:
• Why is the statement that the earth is suspended “upon nothing” surprising?
[“Read” scripture] Job 26:7: He stretches out the northern sky over empty space, Suspending the earth upon nothing; [End of “Read” scripture]
It was not until the 1800’s that the earth’s water cycle was well understood. Yet, notice what the Bible stated thousands of years ago. Read Job 36:27, 28, and then discuss these questions:
• Why is this simple description of the water cycle remarkable?
• Do the scriptures you just read strengthen your trust in the Bible?
[“Read” scripture] Job 36:27, 28: He draws up the drops of water; They condense into rain from his mist; Then the clouds pour it down; They shower down upon mankind. [End of “Read” scripture]
Page 14 [Image:] The Bible describes earth’s water cycle. Arrows point in a clockwise circle showing water movement between the earth and the atmosphere.
Caption: The Bible describes earth’s water cycle
Read Isaiah 44:27–45:2, and then discuss this question:
• What details did the Bible foretell 200 years before the fall of Babylon?
[“Read” scripture] Isaiah 44:27–45:2: The One saying to the deep waters, ‘Be evaporated, And I will dry up all your rivers’; The One saying of Cyrus, ‘He is my shepherd, And he will completely carry out all my will’; The One saying of Jerusalem, ‘She will be rebuilt,’ And of the temple, ‘Your foundation will be laid.’” This is what Jehovah says to his anointed one, to Cyrus, Whose right hand I have taken hold of To subdue nations before him, To disarm kings, To open before him the double doors, So that the gates will not be shut: “Before you I will go, And the hills I will level. The copper doors I will break in pieces, And the iron bars I will cut down. [End of “Read” scripture]
Play the video The Bible Foretold the Fall of Babylon (0:58).
History confirms that King Cyrus of Persia and his army conquered the city of Babylon in 539 B.C.E. * They diverted the river that protected the city. After entering the city through gates that had been left open, they captured it without a battle. Today, over 2,500 years later, Babylon lies in ruins. Note what the Bible foretold.
[Footnote] * B.C.E. means “Before the Common Era,” and C.E. means “Common Era.” [End of footnote]
Read Isaiah 13:19, 20, and then discuss this question:
• How does what happened to Babylon confirm the fulfillment of this prophecy?
[“Read” scripture] Isaiah 13:19, 20: And Babylon, the most glorious of kingdoms, The beauty and the pride of the Chaldeans, Will be like Sodom and Gomorrah when God overthrew them. She will never be inhabited, Nor will she be a place to reside in throughout all generations. No Arab will pitch his tent there, And no shepherds will rest their flocks there. [End of “Read” scripture]
Page 15 [Image:] Caption: Babylon’s ruins in modern-day Iraq
The Bible refers to our time as “the last days.” (2 Timothy 3:1)
(2 Timothy 3.1 But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here.)
Notice what the Bible foretold about this time period.
Read Matthew 24:6, 7, and then discuss this question:
• What significant conditions did the Bible say would exist during the last days?
[“Read” scripture] Matthew 24:6, 7: You are going to hear of wars and reports of wars. See that you are not alarmed, for these things must take place, but the end is not yet. “For nation will rise against nation and kingdom against kingdom, and there will be food shortages and earthquakes in one place after another. [End of “Read” scripture]
Read 2 Timothy 3:1-5, and then discuss these questions:
• What common attitudes of people during the last days did the Bible describe?
• Which of these attitudes have you observed?
[“Read” scripture] 2 Timothy 3:1-5: But know this, that in the last days critical times hard to deal with will be here. For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, haughty, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, disloyal, having no natural affection, not open to any agreement, slanderers, without self-control, fierce, without love of goodness, betrayers, headstrong, puffed up with pride, lovers of pleasures rather than lovers of God, having an appearance of godliness but proving false to its power; and from these turn away. [End of “Read” scripture]
[Image:] Collage: Scenes of conditions that the Bible foretold regarding ‘the last days.’ 1. Buildings on fire. 2. A soldier shoots a machine gun. 3. Civilians fight against police in riot gear. 4. Two men rob a man at a store. 5. An army tank raids a city. 6. Hungry people wear masks and stand in a food line. 7. Dry earth splits apart for miles. 8. A house crumbles in ruins after an earthquake.
• In your opinion, what is the strongest evidence that the Bible is trustworthy? [End of box]
History, science, and prophecy all indicate that you can trust the Bible.
• Is the Bible a book of fact or fiction?
• What are some areas where science agrees with the Bible?
• Do you think that the Bible foretells the future? Why, or why not?
To strengthen your trust in the Bible, read or watch one of the items in the Explore section.
Other:
Are there scientific errors in the Bible?
“Does Science Agree With the Bible?” (Web article)
What are the facts about “the last days”?
“6 Bible Prophecies You Are Seeing Fulfilled” (The Watchtower, May 1, 2011)
Learn how Bible prophecies about the Greek Empire came true.
Fortified by “the Prophetic Word” (5:22)
Discover how Bible prophecies changed one man’s view of the Bible.
“For Me, God Did Not Exist” (The Watchtower Number 5 2017)