Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
Run to Win
Today’s Audio Devotion:
Run to Win
The 34th Summer Olympic Games will be held in Los Angeles, California, in July 2028. For two weeks, the eyes of the world will be focused on the athletes who gather to compete for an Olympic medal. What the eyes of the world are not focused on at present is the athletes’ preparation and training—the behind-the-scenes work that is necessary to allow them to succeed in their event.
The modern Olympics have their roots in the games held in ancient Greece. Athletic competition was known in the Mediterranean world of the first century A.D. Thus, the apostle Paul could use the metaphor of a “race” in describing the Christian life (Acts 20:24; 1 Corinthians 9:24). And like athletes, the hard work of the Christian life is done behind the scenes—the disciplines of prayer, Bible study, service, and spiritual obedience. Running the race requires endurance and laying aside the sin “which so easily ensnares us” (Hebrews 12:1).
Just as athletes begin every day with the finish line in mind, cultivate that same perspective in your daily walk. Keep the faith! Finish the race!
Yesterday’s hits won’t win today’s game.
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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).