Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
Fives: The Tabernacle
Today’s Audio Devotion:
Fives: The Tabernacle
Since August has five weekends, let’s have fun with biblical fives, starting with the Old Testament tabernacle. God the Father so loved His people, He wanted to camp among them. The tabernacle was a special, ornate tent designed for that purpose, and we keep bumping into the number five as we study it. There were five curtains (Exodus 26:3), five supporting rods (26:26-28), and five pillars at the entrance (26:37). The altar was five cubits long and five cubits wide (27:1), and there were ten sets of five loops and clasps (26:5-6).
There’s nothing magical about the number five, but it does show us how intentional God was in structuring a place to abide among the Israelites. Nothing about the tabernacle was random. It was planned, structured, and graciously provided for.
In the same way, the God who arranged every curtain and pillar has also arranged all that is needed to make His home in your heart through His Spirit. His presence with you is wisely ordered, and your very body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 6:19). What a blessing!
The Holy Spirit takes up residence in believers, making their bodies a holy place for the dwelling of God’s special presence.
Richard L. Pratt, Jr.
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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).