Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
Undeserved Pardon
Today’s Audio Devotion:
Undeserved Pardon
Two important theological words often get used interchangeably—grace and mercy. But they are different, as evidenced by their use in the same sentences in the New Testament (1 Timothy 1:2; 2 Timothy 1:2; Titus 1:4). Grace is receiving something good that we do not deserve, while mercy is being spared something bad that we do deserve.
When Jacob prepared his sons to return to Egypt to get food for their family, he hoped that “the man”—meaning Joseph—would grant them mercy (Genesis 43:14). That is, that they would be spared the wrath of the Egyptian official for apparently stealing his silver in their previous trip to Egypt. For more than one reason, Joseph’s brothers deserved judgment. But when they returned to Egypt, instead of judgment they were shown mercy. Joseph prepared a banquet for them to celebrate their return. They were spared judgment (mercy) but were shown an undeserved welcome (grace).
Thank God for the grace and mercy shown to you and look for opportunities to show them to others.
Every time you draw your breath you suck in mercy.
Thomas Watson
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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).