Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
Confession and Consequences
Today’s Audio Devotion:
Confession and Consequences
The darkest blot on the life of David was his double sin of adultery and accomplice to murder (2 Samuel 11). David took another man’s wife and then tried to hide his sin by having the woman’s husband killed in battle. And he remained quiet about his actions for almost a year. After the baby that was conceived was born, a prophet confronted David, and he confessed his sin. Psalm 51 contains the record of his sorrowful confession to God.
David’s words in his psalm reflect “a broken spirit ... and a contrite heart.” So we know that God heard his confession and forgave him for his horrendous sins. But what about the consequences of his sins? Confession does not remove consequences. The child that was born died, and several other tragic events happened in the lives of David’s adult children. God promises to forgive our sins, but He does not promise to erase the consequences of our sins.
It takes contrition and humility to confess our sins, but it takes the same attitudes to live with the consequences. Thankfully, God gives restoring grace to heal and repair.
Sin would have few takers if its consequences occurred immediately.
W. T. Purkiser
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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).