Today we will be looking at some fascinating end times prophecies and how we are called to live out the reality of those prophecies practically. Gospel centered living is the goal of all last days or end times teaching, regardless of what one’s particular position is on the timing of the Rapture and Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

Let me be very clear that the timing of the Rapture is not a matter of one’s salvation. However, while the goal of all end times teaching should be on gospel centered living and biblical stewardship of the gifts and talents that God has entrusted unto us, that does not mean that specific last days details of events as taught by Jesus in Matthew 24 and laid out before us this morning by the apostle Paul are unimportant or insignificant.

My devotional today will be directed towards how belief in those prophetic realities are meant to be lived out practically. Paul, under the inspiration The Holy Spirit writes, "Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace, Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work." ( 2 Thess 2:16,17).

The practical application of this chapter on prophecy is found in Paul’s prayer for them. And what did he pray for them? That their hearts would be comforted, and that they would be established or fixed in every good word and work. God’s love and grace for us through faith in Jesus Christ is the basis of our comfort and hope.

Note once again that our comfort is an everlasting one, and our hope in Christ is good and is through the grace of God. As we throughout Scripture, every aspect of our salvation comes from the grace of God, through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, Who is Himself the Author and Finisher of our faith.

Our loving heavenly Father, in His grace, gives us through Christ what we do not deserve; likewise, God in His mercy does not give us what we do deserve! This grace and mercy of God is meant to encourage our hearts and strengthen us in every good action and word. Do you see what God is telling us?

The “correct interpretation” of end time prophetic teaching will be gospel centered, fruit bearing living for the glory of God. If our walk contradicts what the Scriptures teach about how we are called to live lives of holiness and purity in light of Christ imminent return, then it simply means that we have not understood the point to begin with!

One way that we contend for the faith once delivered unto the saints is by putting it into practice. We are called to be both defenders and demonstrators of the faith. One commentator put it this way: Lazarus did not have to give lectures on the reality of the resurrection, his life proved that to be true.

May both our words and our works be gospel centered manifestations of the reality of The Lordship of Jesus Christ in our lives and fellowship. SELAH