Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
Poorly Understood?
Today’s Audio Devotion:
Poorly Understood?
Why is it so hard to resist that temptation? Rutgers University recently received nearly four million dollars from the National Institute of Mental Health to study the issue. A Rutgers professor explained, “Improving the ability to resist temptations, urges and cravings is central to successfully managing many mental health disorders, but the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.”1
The university might do better to open the pages of the Bible. There we learn we have a fallen nature, and James 1:14-15 explains it perfectly: “Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death” (NLT).
When Joseph was tempted by Potiphar’s wife, he ran away from the temptation. He did it because he had awakened to the righteous life God expected of Him. As we grow in our awareness of the righteous life God intends for us, we’ll be better equipped to resist temptation. It doesn’t take a university study; it takes a strong dose of the Holy Spirit!
In all temptations let us consider not what he offers, but what we shall lose.
Richard Sibbes
For Your Phone or Tablet
Official Mobile App and Lock Screens
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:
-
King Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon
Daniel's words to the king are clear. "You are this head of gold" (Daniel 2:37–38).
-
Medo–Persian Empire
The Medo–Persian Empire conquered Babylon in 539 BC and remained in power for approximately two hundred years (Daniel 5:28).
-
Grecian Empire
Greece's Empire succeeded the Medo–Persians (Daniel 8:21).
-
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).
-
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).