Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
Tribulation
Today’s Audio Devotion:
Tribulation
The English word tribulation comes from the Latin term tribulum, which was a threshing sledge—boards with spikes pulled by an animal over sheaves of wheat to release the grain. It’s a vivid image of how we feel in times of trouble.
Jesus spoke of two different kinds of tribulation. In His sermon about the signs of the times, Jesus warned of “great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21). He was describing the coming Tribulation that will precede His Second Coming. But Jesus also spoke of the kind of tribulation everyone faces here and now. He said, “In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Even in our darkest moments, God is still with us. His promises give us strength as we walk through overwhelming circumstances. What a blessing to know that His words hold firm even when we feel harrowed!
[Jesus] doesn’t deny that we have heavy issues to deal with. He simply offers to take all of our weighty matters onto His own shoulders and let us rest in Him.
Chris Tiegreen
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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).