What the Bible tells us about God
The Bible gives us a picture of God which is remarkably like the deductions one can make from nature, but is much more detailed and complete. For example, in the book of Isaiah, written about 700 years before the birth of Jesus, there are many passages which present the same picture of God.
"A voice says, 'Cry!' And I said, 'What shall I cry?' All flesh is grass, and all its beauty is like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades when the breath of the LORD blows on it; surely the people are grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever." (Isaiah 40:6-8)
This passage describes the transient nature of the creation and contrasts this with the eternal nature of God. This fits the picture of God as the necessary entity who is required for the universe to exist.
"Thus says the LORD, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the LORD of hosts: 'I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god. Who is like me? Let him proclaim it. Let him declare and set it before me, since I appointed an ancient people. Let them declare what is to come, and what will happen. Fear not, nor be afraid; have I not told you from of old and declared it? And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any.'” (Isaiah 44:6-8)
Here we read that God is eternal. He is outside time and hence knows what will happen in the future - and he can tell us about it. There is only one God, who is contrasted with the gods of the pagan nations. The pagan gods are without power or existence; God challenges the pagans to produce a prediction of the future so that the distinction can be seen.
"For thus says the LORD, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): 'I am the LORD, and there is no other.'" (Isaiah 45:18)
This passage tells us that the one God who created the universe has a purpose which involves the earth having inhabitants. This is what one would conclude from the evidence of design within the universe.
"remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, ‘My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose,’ calling a bird of prey from the east, the man of my counsel from a far country. I have spoken, and I will bring it to pass; I have purposed, and I will do it." (Isaiah 46:9-11)
Again, the passage tells us that God has a purpose which goes from ancient times to the far future. God has formed his purpose and now he will achieve what he has decided to do. And again, God reveals what he will do in the future.
The ability of God to predict the future is exhibited fully in the prophecy of Isaiah. In chapters 7 to 23 there are predictions of the futures of many ancient nations, including Israel, Judah, Syria, Assyria, Babylon, Moab, Ethiopia, Egypt and Tyre. In chapters 44 and 45 there is a prediction of the name of the Persian emperor who will deliver Judah from the Babylonians and there are many predictions of the Messiah which are fulfilled in the life of Jesus Christ.