One of the universal realities among human beings is our confinement to the present. We can study the past and learn lessons from those who came before us. We can take an active interest in the present and observe quite a lot about what’s currently happening. But we can’t see the future. We can’t know anything for certain about what’s to come, and there’s very little we can even predict accurately based on our current knowledge.

That’s why the Bible is such an incredible gift. Yes, God’s Word offers a record of history, including key insights about God’s nature and character. Yes, Scripture offers much value in our present lives, including wise principles for living in alignment with God’s will. But the Bible also opens a window to the future. It shows us not just what can be, but what will be. It reveals what will happen during the most critical phase of human history—the phase we often refer to as the “end times.”

This is the marvelous treasure chest we call biblical prophecy. Scattered throughout the pages of God’s Word like veins in a mine are glimpses, visions, and promises of what God has planned for the end of this age—and beyond. And because these promises come from God, rather than from humanity, we can count on them. We can use them as a firm foundation as we navigate both current events and events to come.