Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
Sword of the Spirit
Today’s Audio Devotion:
Sword of the Spirit
In the New Testament, there are two primary Greek words behind the English word for “word”: logos and rhema. While both can be translated “word,” there are underlying differences in the two. In general terms, think of logos as a book or concept and rhema as a sentence or saying. Biblically, think of logos as the Bible and rhema as a saying or verse within the Bible.
When the apostle Paul referred to “the word of God” as “the sword of the Spirit,” he used the word rhema for “word of God.” He seems to be saying that we should take up a portion, a verse, or a promise in Scripture when defending ourselves in spiritual warfare. That’s what Jesus did when He defended Himself against the temptations of Satan in the wilderness. Three times He quoted verses from Deuteronomy to refute Satan’s carnal attempts (Matthew 4:1-11).
Just as Jesus quoted the Old Testament from memory in the wilderness, so must we commit Scripture to memory so it is always at hand when Satan attacks. Satan has no defense against the power of the truth of God. Take a few moments today to begin memorizing Ephesians 6:17.
The Bible is a rock of diamonds, a chain of pearls, the sword of the Spirit.
Thomas Watson
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).