Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
Be a Friend
Today’s Audio Devotion:
Be a Friend
Far too many churches and denominations have been founded for reasons that were less than loving. Yet Jesus told His disciples that love among Christians would be the hallmark of those who follow Him. He gave His disciples a new name—He called them friends rather than servants. And a new command: As friends, they were to love one another.
If all followers of Jesus are His friends, that makes all followers of Jesus friends with one another. As mutual friends, love for one another is to be what separates Christians from the world. So serious was Jesus about love for one other that He said it would require laying down one’s life for one’s friends—which is what He did for His friends (John 15:13). Do you have a friend who would lay down his or her life for you? Are you the kind of friend who would lay down your life? “Friend” is a covenant term in Scripture (James 2:23). Under the old covenant, a true friend was closer than a blood brother (Proverbs 18:24).
Be the kind of friend you would like to have and show the world that you are a friend of Jesus.
In necessary things, unity; in doubtful things, liberty; in all things, [love].
Richard Baxter
For Your Phone or Tablet
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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:
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King Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon
Daniel's words to the king are clear. "You are this head of gold" (Daniel 2:37–38).
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Medo–Persian Empire
The Medo–Persian Empire conquered Babylon in 539 BC and remained in power for approximately two hundred years (Daniel 5:28).
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Grecian Empire
Greece's Empire succeeded the Medo–Persians (Daniel 8:21).
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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).
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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).