Is there a word or expression in the Bible that confirms that God can predict the future?

The concept of divine foreknowledge, or the idea that God possesses the ability to foresee and predict future events, is a topic that has been the subject of theological inquiry and debate throughout history. In the Bible, there are several words, expressions, and passages that are often cited as evidence of God's omniscience and his capacity to foresee and predict the future. These biblical references offer insight into the understanding of divine foreknowledge within the Judeo-Christian tradition and provide a framework for contemplating the nature of God's relationship to time and human history.

One of the key expressions in the Bible that is often associated with God's capacity to predict the future is the concept of prophecy. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, the phenomenon of prophecy is depicted as a means through which God communicates his intentions and foreknowledge of future events to his chosen messengers, the prophets. The prophetic utterances recorded in the Bible are seen as evidence of God's ability to reveal future outcomes and to guide the course of human history in accordance with his divine purpose.

Moreover, specific passages in the Bible are often interpreted as affirmations of God's omniscience and his knowledge of future events. For example, in the book of Isaiah, God declares, "I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done" (Isaiah 46:9-10). This passage is understood as a testimony to God's timeless perspective and his ability to perceive and declare the outcomes of events before they come to pass, affirming his sovereignty over the course of history.

Additionally, the Psalms contain expressions that convey the idea of God's comprehensive knowledge and foresight. Psalm 139, for instance, reflects on the omnipresence and omniscience of God, stating, "Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether" (Psalm 139:4). This verse encapsulates the idea that God's knowledge extends beyond the present moment and encompasses all aspects of human experience, including thoughts, words, and actions, past, present, and future.

Furthermore, the New Testament contains passages that are often interpreted as affirmations of God's foreknowledge and his sovereign control over the unfolding of history. In the book of Acts, the apostle Peter, speaking of Jesus, proclaims, "This Jesus, delivered up according to the definite plan and foreknowledge of God, you crucified and killed by the hands of lawless men" (Acts 2:23). This verse is seen as highlighting the intersection of divine foreknowledge and human agency, illustrating God's overarching purpose within the events of human history.