In a story titled “A Scientist Correctly Predicted the First Sub-2 Marathon—8 Years Ago. This Is His Next Prediction,” published by Runner’s World Wednesday, it was reported that “In 2018, a researcher said that an East African around 27 years old would break the two-hour barrier in 2026. Sabastian Sawe proved him right.”
Caio Victor Sousa could make a great living as a psychic if he wanted. The good news for the rest of us is that he decided to go into science instead.
In 2018, Sousa and a group of researchers sat down to attempt to predict the answer to a question that felt almost absurd at the time: when would a human run a marathon in under two hours? Working with historical race data stretching back to 1920, they built a mathematical model and came up with an answer. The year, they said, would be 2026. The runner would most likely be East African, around 27 years old.
On April 26, 2026, Sabastian Sawe crossed the finish line at the London Marathon in 1:59:30. Sawe is Kenyan. He’s 31. So in the world of predictive science, this is just about as spot on as it gets.
And, you know, while predictive science might be able to “just about” be “spot on,” Biblical prophecy is exactly spot on.
Stoner and his students calculated the conservative probability of any one man throughout human history randomly fulfilling just eight specific Messianic prophecies. They concluded the odds are 1 in (10^{17}) (1 in 100 quadrillion).
To visualize this staggering probability, Stoner used this famous illustration:
So, remember that we are in the “days of Noah” Jesus spoke of my friend. And, therefore, since prophecy is “spot on,” we must be ready at all times.
You see, while the general purpose of prophecy and prediction are the same—to tell what will happen in the future—their source of authority for this information is very different. Prophecy relies on the authority of God-given information. True prophecy is, therefore, never wrong because “prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.”
On the other hand, prediction is based on man's ability to determine what may happen in the future. Prediction, therefore, is sometimes right but often wrong because it depends on man.
To further illustrate the inerrancy of prophecy, consider that the Bible contains approximately 2,500 prophecies, roughly 2,000 of which have already been fulfilled. Christian apologists, historians, and mathematicians point to these fulfilled prophecies as compelling evidence of the Bible's divine inspiration.
Furthermore, scholars estimate that the Old Testament contains between 300 and 400 messianic prophecies detailing the lineage, birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of the promised Savior. Every one of the prophecies of His first coming was perfectly fulfilled by Jesus Christ.
On the other hand, prediction is based on man's ability to determine what may happen in the future. Prediction, therefore, is sometimes right but often wrong because it depends on man.
To further illustrate the inerrancy of prophecy, consider that the Bible contains approximately 2,500 prophecies, roughly 2,000 of which have already been fulfilled. Christian apologists, historians, and mathematicians point to these fulfilled prophecies as compelling evidence of the Bible's divine inspiration.
Furthermore, scholars estimate that the Old Testament contains between 300 and 400 messianic prophecies detailing the lineage, birth, ministry, death, and resurrection of the promised Savior. Every one of the prophecies of His first coming was perfectly fulfilled by Jesus Christ.
To understand if these fulfillments could happen by mere coincidence, mathematician Peter Stones republished a landmark statistical analysis in his book Science Speaks.
Stoner and his students calculated the conservative probability of any one man throughout human history randomly fulfilling just eight specific Messianic prophecies. They concluded the odds are 1 in (10^{17}) (1 in 100 quadrillion).
To visualize this staggering probability, Stoner used this famous illustration:
1. Imagine covering the entire state of Texas with silver dollars until they are two feet deep.
2. Mark one single silver dollar with a red cross, then mix it thoroughly into the pile across the state.
3. Blindfold a man and tell him he can travel anywhere in Texas, but he must pick up the correct marked coin on his very first attempt.
The chances of that man picking the right coin are exactly the same as one man randomly fulfilling those eight prophecies.
When Stoner expanded the mathematical formula to just 48 prophecies, the probability dropped to 1 in (10^{157}).
This number is so massive that it is completely beyond human comprehension—for context, scientists estimate there are only about (10^{80}) total atoms in the entire observable universe. Fulfilling 48 prophecies by chance is equivalent to randomly finding one specific atom out of all the atoms in trillions of universes. Because Jesus fulfilled all of them, theologians and researchers argue that the mathematical impossibility rules out random chance entirely.
This number is so massive that it is completely beyond human comprehension—for context, scientists estimate there are only about (10^{80}) total atoms in the entire observable universe. Fulfilling 48 prophecies by chance is equivalent to randomly finding one specific atom out of all the atoms in trillions of universes. Because Jesus fulfilled all of them, theologians and researchers argue that the mathematical impossibility rules out random chance entirely.
“‘And behold, I am coming quickly, and My reward is with Me, to give to every one according to his work.” Revelation 22:12
“‘But of that day and hour no one knows, not even the angels of heaven, but My Father only. But as the days of Noah were, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For as in the days before the flood, they were eating and drinking, marrying and giving in marriage, until the day that Noah entered the ark, and did not know until the flood came and took them all away, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be.” Matthew 24:37-39
“Therefore you also be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect.” Matthew 24:44
What does all this mean? It means God’s Word is true and His promises are absolutely factual and flawless. Which further means Jesus will return, just as He prophesied. And since no one knows the day or the time, we must be found busy and working to further the Kingdom.
So, remember that we are in the “days of Noah” Jesus spoke of my friend. And, therefore, since prophecy is “spot on,” we must be ready at all times.
Heavenly Father, thank You for giving us Your Word which we can place our absolute trust in. Lord, help us to live on fire for you every moment of every day, knowing that You could return at any time. Help us to lead others to You Lord while we await Your glorious appearing. It’s in your precious name we pray Jesus. Amen.
Happy Running!
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