The GOSPEL— The GREATEST PROPHECY

Discernment of the correct Gospel is literally a matter of life or death. This makes the Gospel the priority sign of Bible Prophecy. For example,

                1. I may know all about the prophecies of End-Time Israel, but if my faith is not in the correct Gospel, then I will enter the End-Time                     Tribulation.

                2. I may know all about the Rapture prophecies, but if my faith is not in the correct Gospel, then I will be left behind at the Rapture.

                3. I may know all about the Resurrection prophecies, but if my faith is not in the correct Gospel, then I will be in the Resurrection of                     Judgment.

                4. I may know all about the prophecies of the Coming Kingdom of Christ, but if my faith is not in the correct Gospel, then I will be                     excluded from that Kingdom.

Serious indeed! Why? Because there is more than one gospel in Christianity. But there is only one true Gospel. The distinguishing mark of the true Gospel is that it's saving-work was "finished" at the cross by Jesus Christ. The distinguishing mark of a "contrary" gospel (Gal. 1:6-9) is that it is "unfinished", requiring the additional work of man.

Perhaps the most personal prophecy —and the greatest prophecy—is the one that God promises to fulfill in us if we receive Jesus as our Savior. God promises, and thus prophesies, that,

“whoever believes in [Jesus Christ] should not perish, but have eternal life. “ John 3:16

This prophecy of eternal life to anyone who believes (trusts) in Jesus for their salvation is the stumbling block of every religion in the world outside of Biblical Christianity (which is in the truest since not a religion at all, but a living relationship). Every religion outside of Biblical Christianity (there are many forms of unbiblical, or false, “christianity”) insists that God requires some form of works, or performance, or good-deeds payment from each of us in order to earn our own salvation— or at least to add to the work of Jesus on the cross.

The debate is never ending. How much “work” is enough to become self-righteousness in God’s eyes and earn one’s salvation. The “works-salvation” debate goes on, but it is totally an anti-Gospel debate. The Bible is crystal clear. Salvation is a gift. The Apostles declare it in the New Testament. But first and foremost, Jesus declared that the prophecy of eternal life to you and I is a free gift. Listen to the words of Jesus to the Samaritan woman who was about to give Him a drink of water:

                Jesus answered and said to her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is who says to you, 'Give Me a drink,' you would have                 asked Him, and He would have given you living water."John 4:10

Notice that:

                1. Jesus paints a picture of salvation metaphorically as “living water” (water of life).

                2. He calls salvation a “gift.”

                3. He says to receive this gift we must know “who it is” who gives it—that is Jesus Christ.

                4. He says we can simply “ask” Him for it.

                5. He says that He will “give” it to anyone who ask Him.

Jesus made this offer of the free gift of salvation while He was on the earth. Yet 60 years later, speaking from heaven this time, His description and offer of salvation was exactly the same.

Hear the words of Jesus repeated twice from heaven in the last two chapters of Revelation:

                “I will give to the one who thirsts from the spring of the water of life without cost.”  Revelation 21:6

                “... let the one who wishes take the water of life without cost.”  Revelation 22:17

There is no debate. Whoever wishes may simply ask Jesus for the water of life, and Jesus will give it without cost!

There is no greater prophecy than this, for it touches you and I personally forevermore.

Note HERE: Jesus’ guarantee of Peter’s place in Heaven (Mat 19:28) came BEFORE his darkest sin. (Mat 26:74)

Jesus gives you and I the same guaranteed security. This does not magnify sin—it magnifies Grace ! (Rom 5:20)