Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
Boxed In
Today’s Devotion:
Boxed In
A classic set-up in old-time cowboy movies was to have the good guys be chased into a box canyon by the bad guys—steep canyon walls on three sides and no way out. It’s where the saying “He was boxed in!” originates. Of course, in the movies the good guys always find a way to escape and survive.
On more than one occasion in the Old Testament, a king of Israel or Judah felt boxed in by surrounding armies. Vastly outnumbered, slaughter seemed inevitable. In such cases—when all human alternatives had been exhausted—the kings would turn to the King of Heaven in prayer. King Jehoshaphat did just that when Jerusalem was surrounded by three enemy armies. You can read his prayer in 2 Chronicles 20:5-12. But his last words are those which we should take to heart: “Nor do we know what to do, but our eyes are upon You.”
When you find yourself boxed in by life, do what the kings did: Pray and ask God for His solution and deliverance.
When I pray, coincidences happen, and when I don’t, they don’t.
William Temple
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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).