Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
Rousing Send-Offs: The Persecuted
Today’s Audio Devotion:
Rousing Send-Offs: The Persecuted
Everyone in Jerusalem could feel the tension rising and rising. The Gospel was spreading to every quarter of the city, and the resistance of the Jewish leadership was like a fire about to ignite. It burst into conflagration with the murder of Stephen, the first martyr, and widespread persecution erupted against the new believers. Saul of Tarsus was leading the charge.
That drove the believers to flee Jerusalem, and as they did, they took the Gospel with them—to other districts in Judea, to Samaria, to Galilee, to Gaza, and into a widening circle of influence. It wasn’t the send-off they might have wanted, but God used the circumstances to send them forth.
Sometimes the circumstances of our lives force us to do things and go places we might not like. Perhaps a job transfer. Perhaps a hospital stay. Maybe it’s an unwanted crisis that takes us from our home and neighborhood. But remember how carefully the Lord oversees our circumstances. Wherever He sends you, you’ll find people who need Him. Let’s make the most of every opportunity.
There is no greater communication of love than proclaiming the gospel of God.
Alistair Begg
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).