What Difference Should Prophecy Make in My Life Today?

If prophecy is true, what difference should it make in my life today? God gave some of the most dramatic and extensive predictions of future events to the apostle John in the book of Revelation. But having described the future, John returns to the present at the end of the final chapter. His closing words focus on the impact that the future ought to have on our lives today. John first drives home the fact that everything he has described will happen just as God predicted. “And he said to me, ‘These words are faithful and true’; and the Lord, the God of the spirits of the prophets, sent His angel to show His bond-servants the things which must soon take place” (22:6). Jesus then added His testimony to that of the angel. “And behold, I am coming quickly. Blessed is the one who keeps the words of the prophecy of this book” (v. 7).

God’s predictions regarding the future will come to pass. Christ will return. Everything God has announced will take place. But how do you align with God’s program for the future? When Christ returns in the air for His church, will He take you with Him to heaven? Do you know without a doubt that heaven is your eternal destiny?

Christ reminds those who have put their trust in Him that He could come back at any time.

Help for Those Who Aren’t Sure

After describing the beauty of the New Jerusalem, John offers his audience an opportunity to respond. He first turns to those who are not sure of their eternal destiny, who don’t know if they will be with Jesus in the New Jerusalem. John offers a message of hope to these readers. “The Spirit [the Holy Spirit] and the bride [the New Jerusalem] say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who hears say, ‘Come.’ And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires, take the water of life without cost” (22:17).

Have you ever responded to God in this way? We have all done wrong and broken God’s commands. In the book of Romans Paul reminds us that “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” ( 3:23). Because everyone does wrong things, we assume God will somehow “grade on the curve” and lower His entrance requirements for heaven. But God never lowers His standards. “For the wages of sin is death” (6:23). Only someone who is absolutely perfect (like Jesus Christ) can ever be good enough to get into heaven through his own ability.

God wants us to be with Him for eternity. But we have sinned, and our sin must be punished. Thankfully, God provided a way to pay for our sin so we can spend eternity with Him. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (5:8). Jesus was the perfect God/man. He lived a perfect life, and then He died on the cross to take on Himself the punishment for our wrongdoings. God’s Son paid the penalty for our sin, and now He is standing and holding out eternal life to you as a gift. That’s why the Spirit and the bride say, “Come!” God has already paid the price to purchase eternal life for you. All you need to do is “take the free gift of the water of life.”

How can you receive eternal life today? Acknowledge to God that you have sinned and that you can’t get into heaven by your good efforts. Believe that Jesus Christ, God’s eternal Son, became a man and died on the cross to pay for your sins. The fact that He rose from the dead proves that His payment was sufficient. Then place your trust in Jesus Christ for your eternal destiny. You can do this right now by praying a simple prayer like the following:

Dear Lord, I know that I have done wrong and fallen short of Your perfect ways. I realize that my sins have separated me from You. I believe that You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to earth to die on the cross for my sins. I put my trust in Jesus Christ and what He did on the cross as payment for my sins. Please forgive me and give me eternal life. Amen.

If you just prayed that prayer in sincerity, welcome to the family of God! God has promised that all who put their trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior will receive eternal life. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). You can count on God to keep His promise!

Here are some more suggestions. Begin reading your Bible. Start in the New Testament in the gospel of John to read more about the One who died to pay for your sins. Try to find a good church in your area where they believe and teach the Bible. A church is not a gathering place for perfect people. It is more like a hospital where hurting people can go to be mended spiritually. Tell the pastor of your decision to accept Christ, and ask him for guidance to help you grow as a Christian.

Hope for Those Who Are Sure

After explaining to his readers how prophecy relates to those who have not yet put their trust in Christ, John ends the book of Revelation by sharing with those who have trusted in Christ. How should the great truths of Bible prophecy influence believers? John provides the answer in Revelation 22:20. “He who testifies to these things [and he’s referring to Jesus] says, ‘Yes, I am coming quickly.’” Believers must remember that Jesus Christ is coming back to take them to be with Him in heaven. This is the next event on God’s prophetic calendar.

Christ reminds those who have put their trust in Him that He could come back at any time. John then speaks the words that should be on the lips of everyone who has placed his or her trust in Christ. “Amen. Come, Lord Jesus.” God’s words of prophecy force us to shift our gaze away from our problems in life and look toward heaven. As difficult as life might seem right now, it will not remain so forever. At any time, Christ could sound His trumpet and come to take us from this world of trouble to spend eternity with Him.

Or, to echo along with John: Amen! Come, Lord Jesus!