Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
A Life of Gratitude: For the Future
Today’s Devotion:
A Life of Gratitude: For the Future
We normally think of time in terms of past, present, and future. But with every tick of the clock, the present becomes the past, and the only thing we can truly influence is the future. And because much of the future is not under our control, the best way to prepare for it is to develop an “attitude of gratitude” before the future arrives. The only thing we can ultimately control about the future is our response to it.
When Moses led the Hebrew slaves out of Egypt, they were thankful to be rescued. But their gratitude soon turned to grumbling in the desert of the Sinai Peninsula. Moses led them into the wilderness instead of directly into Canaan because they would have encountered the war-like Philistines and wanted to return immediately to Egypt (Exodus 13:17-18). There is no indication that Moses explained this detour to the people, and the grumbling continued throughout their forty years of wandering.
The best way to prepare for the future is to commit to trusting God and being grateful for whatever the future holds.
The essence of Christian ethics is gratitude.
R. C. Sproul
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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).