Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
Pursuing Happiness
Today’s Audio Devotion:
Pursuing Happiness
“All men...are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights, that among these are life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.” These famous words from the American Declaration of Independence have been criticized by some who say that Americans believe it is their right to be happy.
In modern terms, happiness usually refers to laughter—an emotional response to life’s circumstances. It is worth noting that there is no reference in the four Gospels to Jesus laughing (though He undoubtedly did when appropriate). Far more prevalent in Scripture is the notion of joy and the idea of contentment. Contentment is the idea of finding joy in the will of God whatever the circumstance. Jesus didn’t laugh in the Garden of Gethsemane as He contemplated His future death, but He was content with God’s will for Him at that moment.
True joy and contentment are found in the Person of Christ. Our pursuit of happiness must lead us to joy and contentment in Him.
If you are not content with what you have, you would not be satisfied if it were doubled.
Charles 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).