Daniel 12:1-3
English Standard Version (ESV)
The Time of the End
12 “At that time shall arise Michael, the great prince who has charge of your people. And there shall be a time of trouble, such as never has been since there was a nation till that time. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone whose name shall be found written in the book. 2 And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3 And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
Accompanying sermon by John MacArthur - The Great Tribulation Part 1
Accompanying sermon by Ray Pritchard - The Last Days According to Daniel
The angel Michael is the appointed guardian of Israel - when he stands up, you know something is going to happen. But the Israelites are to have hope, even in the face of the unprecedented distress of the Great Tribulation. At the end of the tribulation, those whose names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life will be delivered.
There will be a resurrection for everyone, but not everyone is resurrected to the same end. Those of faith will rise to eternal life and glory in the presence of our Saviour, but the unsaved will rise to judgement and eternal torment.
Those who have faith in God's Word will shine in glory, radiating the glory of our Saviour.
From MacArthur's commentary:
To shine in glory is a privilege of all the saved. Any who influence others for righteousness shine like stars in varying capacities of light as their reward. The faithfulness of the believer's witness will determine one's eternal capacity to reflect God's glory.
The more we let our light shine here, the greater our capability to reflect God's glory for eternity! Gives even more meaning to the children's song "This Little Light of Mine", doesn't it?
I loved this quote by Pritchard....
Who are God’s stars? Not the ones the world applauds. God’ s stars are those who lead many to righteousness. They point others to Jesus. They and they alone will shine like the stars in the heavens.
Who are God’s stars?
The mother who patiently teaches her children about Jesus.
The office worker who answers questions from her friends.
The son who witnesses to his parents.
The coach who shares Christ with his players.
The friend who tells his buddies about Christ.
The Sunday School teacher who prays for her children to be saved.
The young couple who goes to Mozambique as missionaries.
They are God’s heroes, and they will one day shine like the stars.
Ordinary, every day people - shining in obedience to God's commands, and in eagerness to share the good news with those around them.
How bright do you want your light to shine in eternity?
How bright are you shining now?
Monday's scripture focus: Daniel 12:4-13
Sunday's passage: Deuteronomy 9-10
Monday's passage: Deuteronomy 11-12, Psalm 59, Luke 15
1 comment:
Ooooh, I love the quote by Pritchard too. Great post.
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