When we have heard and understood the truth of Christ’s promised return, we cannot just keep living our lives in the same old way. Future events have present implications that we cannot ignore. When we know that Christ is coming again to this earth, we cannot go on being the same people. From the New Testament epistles, I have gleaned ten ways in which we should be different as a result of our prophetic knowledge.

1. Refrain from judging others: “Therefore judge nothing before the time, ‘until the Lord comes,’ who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one’s praise will come from God.” (1 Corinthians 4:5)

2. Remember the Lord’s table: “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death ‘till He comes.’” (1 Corinthians 11:26)

3. Respond to life spiritually: “If then you were raised with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ is, sitting at the right hand of God. Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. ‘When Christ who is your life appears,’ then you also will appear with Him in glory.” (Colossians 3:1-4)

4. Relate to one another in love: “And may the Lord make you increase and abound in love to one another and to all, just as we do to you, so that He may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at ‘the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ’ with all His saints.” (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13)

5. Recommit ourselves to the ministry: “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at ‘His appearing’ and His Kingdom: Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.” (2 Timothy 4:1-2)

6. Refuse to neglect church: “And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more ‘as you see the Day approaching.’” (Hebrews 10:24-25)

7. Remain steadfast: “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives early and latter rain. You also be patient. Establish your hearts, for ‘the coming of the Lord is at hand.’” (James 5:7-8)

8. Renounce sin in our lives: “And now, little children, abide in Him, that ‘when He appears,’ we may have confidence and not be ashamed before Him ‘at His coming.’ If you know that He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him.” (1 John 2:28-29)

9. Reach the lost: “Keep yourselves in the love of God, ‘looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ’ unto eternal life. And on some have compassion, making a distinction; but others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire, hating even the garment defiled by the flesh.” (Jude 21-23).

10. Study the whole book of Revelation for more on this.

Adapted from Dr. David Jeremiah’s book “What In The World Is Going On” p. 232-234.