Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
Summer Sonlight: The Light of His Smile
Today’s Devotion:
Summer Sonlight: The Light of His Smile
When television news anchors prepare for broadcasts, the “shine” is removed from their faces with makeup. That results in a more pleasing appearance for viewers, of course, but it is opposite of what the Bible tells us to expect from God’s face.
Scripture speaks of the light of God’s countenance, or face, as a sign of His blessing. This Hebrew idiom suggests wisdom and blessing replaces the otherwise sternness of a person’s face (Ecclesiastes 8:1). When the light of God’s face shines upon us, it reflects His grace (Numbers 6:25). The psalmist prayed to see the light of God’s gracious face (Psalm 4:6). The light of God’s face also suggests His favor (Psalm 44:3) and His salvation (Psalm 80:3). So how do we enjoy the light of God’s favor and His face? By walking in fellowship with Him: “God is light and in Him is no darkness at all” (1 John 1:5).
Who wouldn’t want God’s light, His grace, His favor, and His salvation? When we walk in His light with Him, His face shines upon us.
If the sun of God’s countenance shine upon me, I may well be content to be wet with some rain of affliction.
Joseph Hall
For Your Phone or Tablet
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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).