Dr. David Jeremiah Presents
Living inthe Ageof Signs
Online Destination
Living in the Age of Signs
Online Destination
Sign 2
Counting the Cost
Today’s Audio Devotion:
Counting the Cost
He had a bright smile, tussled dark hair, and passion in his youthful eyes. The world saw him on the pages of their news sites when he was killed by a group of indigenous people on a remote island near India. John Allen Chau, 26, simply wanted to share the Gospel with them. In his last letter home, he told his loved ones, “I pray you will never love anything in this world more than you love Christ.”1
Following Christ comes with a cost. J. Oswald Sanders said, “Jesus never failed to emphasize the cost of following Him.”2 Throughout the years, people have paid the cost with their lives, their reputations, their freedom, their health, and their wealth. But if you count the cost, wouldn’t you rather have Jesus than anything this world affords? More than silver or gold? More than houses or land? More than worldly applause and worldwide fame?
In her hymn about this, Rhea Miller said, “I’d rather have Jesus than anything the world affords today.” Do you feel that way too? Aren’t you thankful for that!
I’m in awe of how GREAT our God is.
John Allen Chau
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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).