Trying to anticipate the future is big business. More Americans than ever invest their life savings in the stock market because faith in the nation's economic future is so high. Confidence in the Internet as the economic medium of the future drives a booming new information industry that reshapes the prevailing economic outlook. A cautious euphoria is the economic order of the day.

Amid the euphoria we should ask, How does God want us to view the future? Does He want us to approach tomorrow with an attitude of excitement and confidence?

He certainly does—but with a considerably different focus.

Almost 2,000 year ago Jesus Christ announced some good news about the future. His message, the gospel (good news) of the Kingdom of God, instills hope and confidence.

God intends for mankind to succeed and for the destiny He plans for all of humanity to become reality. But that is looking far into the future, far beyond today's economic euphoria.

Regrettably, most people are woefully unconcerned about the outcome of their existence, their ultimate future. Their primary concern is the possessions and standard of living they hope to acquire in the next few years.

Something is terribly wrong with this view. It focuses only on temporary belongings and achievements. This is a shortsighted way of looking at things.

We need to peer considerably deeper into the future. God has given us a wonderful tool for doing just that: prophecy. Bible prophecy has a positive purpose. It proves God exists and reassures those who put their trust in Him that their efforts are not wasted.

In this issue of The Good News we focus on Bible prophecy and how it can give direction to your life. Let us first understand who will have a direct hand in bringing many of the most important Bible prophecies to pass. Someone will be directly involved in making prophecy happen. That someone is Jesus Christ.

God has made available, through Bible prophecy, the crucial details of Christ's future deeds, especially His return to earth as its king. Here is a glimpse of the wonderful future of peace, prosperity and goodwill He will bring to earth:

"Yes, all kings shall fall down before Him; all nations shall serve Him. For He will deliver the needy when he cries, the poor also, and him who has no helper. He will spare the poor and needy, and will save the souls of the needy. He shall redeem their life from oppression and violence .... and daily He shall be praised. There will be an abundance of grain in the earth, on the top of the mountains; its fruit shall wave like Lebanon; and those of the city shall flourish like grass of the earth .... All nations shall call Him blessed. Blessed be the Lord God, the God of Israel, who only does wondrous things!" (Psalm 72:11-18).

These will be some of the remarkable achievements of Jesus Christ when He transforms the world after His return. But Bible prophecy also reveals many obstacles must be overcome before that peaceful and harmonious era can begin.

At the beginning of the 1,000-year period (Revelation 20), Jesus will initiate corrective measures to alter people's attitudes—greed, arrogance and malice—that block their way to lasting peace. Persuading selfish and materialistic human beings to change their ways will be no easy task. But prophecy reveals God will accomplish it.

Are you looking beyond the difficult times? Do you have a clear vision of the wonderful future that lies beyond this era? God wants you to focus on the future with confidence and hope. A full understanding of the enormity of Bible prophecy is the key. Continue reading The Good News to discover more of the exciting, encouraging details. GN