Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
Great Reunions: The Prodigal Son
Today’s Audio Devotion:
Great Reunions: The Prodigal Son
John Newton’s hymn “Amazing Grace” contains these familiar words: “I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see.” The reference to seeing is taken from the story of the blind man Jesus healed (John 9:25), whereas the reference to being found is taken from the parable of the prodigal son (Luke 15:24).
Jesus’ parable of the prodigal son is one of the most poignant in the four Gospels. It is a story of mercy, a story of an undeserving son who received the compassion of his father after abusing his privileges as a son. Though the son deserved the father’s judgment, he received the opposite: love, forgiveness, reconciliation, and reunion. Whenever judgment is replaced by mercy, there is a price to be paid if reunion is to be realized.
If there has been a break in one of your relationships with a friend or family member, consider paying the price of extending mercy. Such a reunion demonstrates what God has done for us.
Peace of conscience is nothing but the echo of pardoning mercy.
William Gurnall
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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).