How close is the future? How much do you really want to know about the year AD 2007? If a poll were taken among Bible believing Christians, I wonder how many would admit to: a) knowing their Zodiac sign, b) checking the paper or internet daily to see what’s in store for them that day, and c) put more allegiance in what they discover from these sources than the content of the Word of God? I have no idea what my sign is and for those who do know, please don’t bother to tell me. As I have expressed in this space on other occasions, the primary need for a child of God is to live in the present tense. Yet, how many still ponder, crystal-ball like, about what is in store for them beyond today? Several years ago, for several years running, the most “admired woman” in the world was not a president’s wife, a female Supreme Court justice or humanitarian. No, the most admired woman was Jeanne Dixon, a self-touted and leading astrologer and “voice of prophecy.” How could such a thing happen in a “civilized” world, I wonder? Our obsession with the “unknown” or future events has driven us to unusual measures and unusual people. Have Christians bothered to consult Scriptures on this matter? There is quite a bit to be said about the subject from God’s point of view. Early on, in the context of giving the law to Israel, it appears that the Lord knew that mankind would have such futuristic longings. He had Moses write, The secret things belong the LORD your God, but the revealed things belong to us and our descendants forever, so that we may obey the words of the law. In other words, we have enough trouble keeping up with and obeying written revelation to be concerned about “secret things.” Then there was Isaiah’s admonition, I will write down all these things as a testimony of what the Lord will do…So why are you trying to find out the future by consulting with mediums and psychics? Can the living find out the future from the dead? Why not ask your God? And in case NT saints have forgotten OT principles, James has this to say: How do you know what will happen tomorrow? For your life is like a fog—it’s here a little while and then it’s gone. What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this and that. Otherwise you will be boasting about your own plans, and all such boasting is evil. As the ancient Hebrews used to say, ‘Nuff said!’