A masterwork on biblical prophecyA masterwork of core teaching on biblical prophecy from Dr. David Jeremiah

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Living in the Age of Signs

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Today’s Audio Devotion:
Hot Rod

Thomas Watson is one of the most quotable of all the Puritans. About divine discipline, he wrote, “Afflictions to the godly are medicinal.” Let that quote linger in your mind when you read about parental discipline in the book of Proverbs. You’ll find many verses exhorting parents to use appropriate correction to create self-discipline in the lives of their children.

Hebrews 12:5-11 says the Lord does the same to His children. Not every negative thing that befalls us is a direct chastisement, but every situation in life is an opportunity for growth. When we encounter sickness, layoffs, thwarted plans, and various other problems in life, let’s learn to ask: “What can the Lord teach me through this? How can I grow throughout this experience?”

Solomon wrote that to discipline your children is to show your love for them. In the same way, our Heavenly Father disciplines His children. When you receive discipline from God, take time to consider what He is trying to teach you, and give thanks that He loves you enough to do it.

Be chastened of the Lord … not condemned with the world.
Matthew Henry

Some 2,600 years ago, God gave King Nebuchadnezzar a dream. In this dream, the king saw a five–part statue made of five different metals (see Daniel 2). Each section represented an empire, beginning with Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon. Four of these empires have already risen and fallen in history—a clear fulfillment of Daniel's prophetic interpretation. The fifth and final empire indicates a future Europe—a ten nation coalition that will unite under the Antichrist's rule.

You can read about the King's dream and Daniel's interpretation in Daniel 2, but let's take a quick visual look at what you will find:

The Colossus
  1. King Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon

    Daniel's words to the king are clear. "You are this head of gold" (Daniel 2:37–38).

  2. Medo–Persian Empire

    The Medo–Persian Empire conquered Babylon in 539 BC and remained in power for approximately two hundred years (Daniel 5:28).

  3. Grecian Empire

    Greece's Empire succeeded the Medo–Persians (Daniel 8:21).

  4. Roman Empire

    When the Grecian empire was conquered by Rome, all the lands and peoples of the previous kingdoms were assimilated into the Roman Empire through the strengths of the "iron legions of Rome" (Daniel 2:40).

  5. Future European Coalition

    This empire has not yet risen. Daniel foretells a time when the Roman Empire—Europe—will consist of ten kingdoms or leaders. The future Roman Empire will be present on the earth when God sets up His earthly kingdom (Daniel 2:44).

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1:37 / 3:48