A masterwork on biblical prophecyA masterwork of core teaching on biblical prophecy from Dr. David Jeremiah

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Living in the Age of Signs

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Today’s Audio Devotion:
True Security

In 2010, Microsoft cofounder, Bill Gates, and his (then) wife, partnered with investor Warren Buffett to create the Giving Pledge. So far, more than 250 individuals or families from 30 countries—nearly all billionaires—have signed the pledge to give away at least half their wealth to charitable causes by the end of their life.

We don’t know the amount of wealth possessed by King Solomon at the end of his life, but while he was king of Israel, he may have been the world’s wealthiest individual. But near the end of his life he admitted that the accumulation of wealth does not satisfy. Indeed, he called such a pursuit “vanity.” The apostle Paul warned against the love of money, calling it the “root of all kinds of evil” (1 Timothy 6:10). Not money, but the love of money. Instead, he recommended pursuing “godliness with contentment,” calling it “great gain” (verse 6).

Instead of seeking security and personal affirmation in the size of your wealth, find contentment in your eternal relationship with the Lord.

A lack of generosity refuses to acknowledge that your assets are not really yours, but God’s.
Timothy Keller

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).

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1:37 / 3:48