Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
Spiritual Structure: Sharing the Word
Today’s Audio Devotion:
Spiritual Structure: Sharing the Word
When the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus, he was writing to people living in a pagan culture. Even things like speech needed to be refined in the light of Kingdom values. Thus Paul wrote that there should be no “obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving” (Ephesians 5:4, NIV).
We live in a similarly crude and coarse culture—it is easy to become immune to the spiritual effects of such language and even to participate in it. Paul suggested an alternative later in the same chapter when he exhorted the Ephesians to use spiritual language: psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. He was referring to the meeting of the church, of course, not that we should sing our conversations to each other. But his point was to let biblical values influence and motivate our conversations while living in a culture that does not appreciate the same.
Be aware of your conversation. Is it edifying and reflective of biblical truths and values? Make every effort to distinguish yourself from the world, even by your speech.
The church is a community of the works and words of Jesus.
Donald English
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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).