Trusted Tools to Understand What’s Ahead with Hope and Confidence in Christ
Bible prophecy can feel overwhelming or confusing, but it doesn’t have to be! When we approach God’s Word with a heart to understand His plan, especially for the End Times, we discover just how much hope and encouragement is found in knowing how the story ends. Friends, Jesus is coming back and He’s coming back soon!
I’ve spent years studying prophecy in Scripture, and I want to share my favorite resources that have helped me grow in understanding and anticipation for Jesus’ return. If you’re looking for solid, biblically-sound, pre-tribulation Rapture and dispensational, premillennial teaching, this list is for you!
But first, let’s define some key terms:
Dispensationalism is a way of interpreting the Bible that sees God working through distinct periods (or “dispensations”) in history, with a clear distinction between His plans for Israel and the Church.
Pre-Tribulation Rapture is the belief that Christians will be taken to Heaven before the Seven Year Tribulation begins.
Premillennialism is the belief that Jesus will physically return to earth before establishing a literal 1,000-year reign known as the Millennial Kingdom.
1. Athey Creek – Prophecy Updates by Pastor Brett Meador
Athey Creek Prophecy Updates feature Pastor Brett Meador’s weekly teachings on current events in light of Bible prophecy. With a verse-by-verse approach and a dispensational, pretribulational lens, these updates help believers stay grounded in Scripture while discerning the times.
2. Prophecy Pros Podcast – Todd Hampson & Jeff Kinley
A fantastic introduction to Bible prophecy from two engaging and biblically grounded teachers. They break down complicated concepts into simple, easy-to-understand conversations.
3. What in the Word is Going On? – Matt Brewer and Pastor Jim Galliardt (YouTube)
Located right here in Wichita, Matt Brewer and Pastor Jim of Calvary Bible Church share videos that are biblically rich, current, and very easy to understand. They approach current events through the lens of Scripture and a dispensational framework.
4. Understanding the Times – Jan Markell, Olive Tree Ministries
Jan Markell offers insightful commentary on news and trends through a biblical worldview. She regularly hosts trusted prophecy teachers and boldly speaks truth in a time of confusion.
5. Cradled in Hope Podcast – Episode 22: “Bible Prophecy for the Grieving Mother”
In Episode 22 of my Cradled in Hope podcast, I speak with guest Jessica Speas and dive into the hope we have in Bible prophecy and the promise of eternity with our babies in Heaven. Together, we share how understanding God’s plan for the future brings comfort in grief and helps us long for our forever Home with Him.
6. Cradled in Hope Podcast – Episode 26: “Why Prophecy Gives Us Hope to Be Reunited with our Babies in Heaven”
In Episode 26 of my Cradled in Hope podcast, I had the honor of talking with Bible prophecy expert Todd Hampson about how the hope of Heaven and the return of Christ brings comfort to our grieving hearts. We explored God’s prophetic promises and how they anchor us in seasons of sorrow and deep loss.
1. The Non-Prophet’s Guide™ Series by Todd Hampson
These are very approachable and theologically sound books for beginners and seasoned believers alike.
2. End Times in Chronological Order by Ron Rhodes
A clear and concise overview of prophetic events, laid out in a logical sequence. This book has been so helpful in making sense of how everything fits together.
A powerful and timely book that explores the biblical explanation for the sudden disappearance of believers at the Rapture of the Church. Written from a pretribulational, premillennial perspective, this book equips believers to understand and explain what’s coming, while offering hope to those left behind.
If you’re new to studying prophecy, start with these passages:
These chapters lay the foundation for understanding God’s prophetic timeline, Israel’s role in the End Times, the Rapture of the Church, the Second Coming, and the Millennial Kingdom.
Let’s break them down as to why they are important!
These chapters foretell the spiritual and physical restoration of Israel, which is a key sign of the End Times.
Also known as the Olivet Discourse, these chapters contain Jesus’ teachings on the end of the age, signs of His coming, and the future tribulation. Though directed to Israel and dealing with the tribulation period, it provides critical insight into the sequence of events leading up to Christ’s return.
Luke’s version of the Olivet Discourse focuses more on the destruction of Jerusalem (70 AD) and blends into End Times prophecy. It highlights signs in the heavens, nations in distress, and the coming of the Son of Man.
Clarifies misunderstandings about the timing of the Rapture and the Day of the Lord. Describes the coming of the Antichrist, and how his rise will occur after the restraining influence (likely the Holy Spirit through the Church) is removed.
A foundational passage on the Resurrection and the Rapture, teaching that in a moment, at the last trumpet, believers will be transformed with glorified bodies and death will be swallowed up in victory.
These chapters give incredible detail about Israel’s national repentance, the battle of Armageddon, and the return of Christ to the Mount of Olives. Zechariah paints a clear picture of the coming Millennial Kingdom.
If you want to go even deeper, check out these teachers and ministries that hold to a pretribulational Rapture and premillennial return of Christ:
Bible prophecy isn’t meant to scare us—it’s meant to prepare us and fill us with hope. Jesus is coming back, and studying His Word helps us live with urgency, clarity, and deep trust in His promises.
Let’s be watchful and ready! Maranatha, Lord, Jesus, come!
“For it is the Spirit of prophecy who bears testimony to Jesus.” – Revelation 19:10 NIV
A Note on Eschatology:
I understand that faithful, Bible-believing Christians hold a variety of views on End Times theology (eschatology). While I personally hold to a dispensational, pretribulational, premillennial perspective, I do not view this as a core doctrine required for salvation or fellowship.
There is room for respectful disagreement within the Body of Christ on these viewpoints, and I believe we can still walk in love even when our interpretations differ. My heart in sharing these resources is to encourage hope and anticipation for Jesus’ return!
Resources Disclaimer:
The resources shared in this post are recommendations based on my personal study and encouragement in the area of Bible prophecy. However, sharing these authors, podcasts, or ministries does not constitute a blanket endorsement of every view or piece of content they may produce. I have found value in their teachings, but I cannot personally vet or monitor all of their past, current, or future content.
If you come across something concerning or have questions about any of the material, please feel free to reach out. I deeply value discernment and welcome respectful dialogue from fellow believers as we seek truth together through the lens of God’s Word.
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Ashley Opliger is the founder and executive director of Bridget’s Cradles. After her daughter, Bridget, was stillborn at twenty-four weeks, she left her career as a speech-language pathologist to start the ministry in her daughter’s empty nursery. Under Ashley’s leadership, Bridget’s Cradles now donates thousands of knit and crocheted cradles to over 1,600 hospitals in all fifty states from their headquarters near Wichita, Kansas.
Ashley hosts the Cradled in Hope podcast and leads support groups for grieving moms. She is married to Matt, and they have three children: a daughter in Heaven and two sons on earth. She loves Jesus and desires to share the hope of Heaven with families grieving the loss of a baby.
Ministry and motherhood keep Ashley very busy, but in her spare time, she enjoys making memories with family and friends, going on long walks outside, lifting weights, and traveling. After her boys go to bed, if she’s not doing the dishes or spending time with Matt, she can be found stargazing in their hot tub, playing her electric drums, journaling, studying the Bible, or reading a Christian nonfiction book.
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Encouraging you to grieve with hope, live with purpose, and trust Jesus through every trial—while longing for your forever home in Heaven.
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