Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
What Kind of Saviour?
Today’s Audio Devotion:
What Kind of Saviour?
For five hundred years before the advent of Christ, the Jews had lived under the heel of foreign governments. Following the Jewish captivity in Babylon, the Persians controlled Judah, followed by the Greeks. After the death of Alexander the Great, his generals divided up the Middle East leading to rule by the (Greek) Ptolemies, then the Seleucids. Beginning in 166 B.C., a Jewish revolt against Greek rule resulted in a Jewish (Hasmonean) state which was crushed by Rome in 63 B.C.
Given this history, it is no wonder the Jews were looking for a deliverer—a savior—by the time Christ began His ministry. When the angels announced to the Bethlehem shepherds that “a Savior” had been born, they could have wondered, “What kind of savior?” An angel of the Lord clarified the meaning of “Savior” to Joseph: “He will save His people from their sins” (Matthew 1:21). Not save them from the Romans or others but from their sins.
The most important salvation every human needs is salvation from sin. Make sure you have received the salvation Christ offers.
Oh, happy day, that fixed my choice on Thee, my Savior and my God!
Philip Doddridge
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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).