Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
Neither Ashamed nor a Shame
Today’s Audio Devotion:
Neither Ashamed nor a Shame
It’s not unusual for teenagers to be embarrassed when their parents witness for Christ to strangers in public settings. It even happens to adults when one of their friends stops to witness to someone. It’s understandable for children to be embarrassed; it is less understandable when adults have the same reaction.
The apostle Paul reminded Timothy not to be embarrassed (“ashamed”) of two things: Jesus Christ Himself or of his imprisoned friend and mentor. Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy in the final season of his life when he was imprisoned in Rome. Just as Peter had once denied knowing Christ, it would be easy for Timothy to deny knowing the imprisoned apostle. It is worth remembering that Christ told His followers that those who denied Him “before men” He would deny before the Father in heaven (Matthew 10:33).
Take every opportunity to stand for Christ and to stand with those who speak boldly for Him.
Be not ashamed of your faith; remember it is the ancient gospel of martyrs, confessors, Reformers, and saints. Above all, it is the truth of God, against which the gates of hell cannot prevail.
Charles Haddon Spurgeon
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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).