Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
Stay Strong
Today’s Audio Devotion:
Stay Strong
The story is told of a young, aspiring musician visiting New York City who wanted to see Carnegie Hall. She stopped a stranger on the street and asked, “How do I get to Carnegie Hall?” The stranger, also a musician, replied, “Practice, practice, practice!”
While that wasn’t the answer the young musician was looking for, it was probably the answer she needed. Enduring thousands of hours of painful practice is the only path. The apostle Paul said something similar about suffering: “We also glory [rejoice] in tribulations.” Why? Because just as the toil of practice leads to Carnegie Hall, so the “toil” of hard times leads to perseverance, which leads to character, which leads to hope. And hope “does not disappoint” because it leads to the realization of God’s love for us (Romans 5:5). As the writer of Hebrews wrote, “Let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus” (Hebrews 12:1-2). We keep our eyes on the One who endured as our example.
Remain strong in your troubles, knowing that they have a purpose: perseverance, character, and hope.
Perseverance is the rope that ties the soul to the door post of heaven.
Frances J. Roberts
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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).