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Bertrand Russell was an agnostic. He said it is impossible to know the truth—such as God or about life after death. He said agnostics don’t accept any authority the way religious people do. People who believe as Russell did deny statements such as those in Isaiah chapter 45. In that text, God declares His existence and authority. Isaiah the prophet identifies Cyrus by name even though the man did not live until 150 years after Isaiah died. God said of this coming king, “I am the LORD; there is no other God. I have equipped you for battle, though you don’t even know me, so all the world from east to west will know there is no other God. I am the LORD, and there is no other. I create the light and make the darkness. I send good times and bad times. I, the LORD, am the one who does these things. … What sorrow awaits those who argue with their Creator? … Do you give me orders about the work of my hands? I am the one who made the earth and created people to live on it. With my hands I stretched out the heavens. All the stars are at my command.” These assertions by God concerning Cyrus 150 years before he was born are for our benefit. They alert us to the reality of God’s existence, His power, and His compassion. Not only do we acknowledge God’s existence, we should gladly bow before Him in humble submission. Because He is worthy, we strive each day to please Him.
