Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
Fives: The Fivefold Ministry
Today’s Audio Devotion:
Fives: The Fivefold Ministry
People took their seats and waited for the concert to begin. The musicians were world-class, and the music would be masterful. Suddenly each musician began playing their instrument with polished skill—violinists, flutists, percussionists. But the sound was a confusing set of grating noises. Then the conductor stepped onto the platform. With a single motion, the instruments began playing in a balanced and beautiful way.
In Ephesians 4, Paul tells us the Church is a group of people, each with their own gifts and role to play, and we must follow the direction of Jesus. Some are apostles, missionaries who are sent to plant churches. Some are prophets, taking the Word of God and exhorting. Some are evangelists with a gift of leading others to Christ. Others are pastors who shepherd the flock and teachers who feed the flock.
The end result? We will be built up with unity and maturity. Take your place, and remember when each of us follows Christ’s lead, our churches will not be a collection of noise but a symphony of grace sounding forth the truth.
Pastors and teachers are to equip the saints…to serve, to build the Body, to be the church in the world and do the work of ministry.
Charles Colson
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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).