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Living in the Age of Signs

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Today’s Audio Devotion:
Darkness and Deception

One party game involves blindfolding a guest and having them identify, by touch alone, certain pieces of food or other common items. Two words characterize this game: darkness and deception. It is very easy to be deceived when we find ourselves in darkness. The only way to avoid deception is to live in the light.

We live in a world that is shrouded in spiritual darkness. Jesus came into this world as the Light of the World, pushing back the darkness—yet not without resistance (John 1:4-11). Because those who do not know Christ are still living in spiritual darkness, they live “deceiving and being deceived” (2 Timothy 3:13). Because Christians have been delivered from the domain of darkness and transferred into the Kingdom of light (Colossians 1:13), we are able to avoid being deceived. As the world grows increasingly dark toward the end of this age, we must be the light of the world (Matthew 5:14-16), helping others to see God’s truth.

Meditate on Paul’s words concerning living as children of light in Ephesians 4:17–5:21. And look for ways today to be the light of the world.

We are not here to commune with darkness but to conquer it. 
Vance Havner
 

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:

The Colossus
  1. King Nebuchadnezzar's Babylon

    Daniel's words to the king are clear. "You are this head of gold" (Daniel 2:37–38).

  2. Medo–Persian Empire

    The Medo–Persian Empire conquered Babylon in 539 BC and remained in power for approximately two hundred years (Daniel 5:28).

  3. Grecian Empire

    Greece's Empire succeeded the Medo–Persians (Daniel 8:21).

  4. 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).

  5. 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).

This is a Sample Title

1:37 / 3:48