Be WISE and SHINE like STARS FOREVER!

 

September 14 Bible Reading: Daniel Chapters 10-12

Be WISE and SHINE like STARS FOREVER

"And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the firmament, and those who turn many to righteousness like the stars forever and ever." (Dan 12:2-3)

Daniel looked into the future and saw hope in the midst of death. He described the state of the dead in terms of “those who sleep” (v. 2), which is a metaphor. The “sleep” of death means that the dead will someday “wake up” from their temporary condition and go on to an eternal state—“some to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt” (12:2).

These verses contain the first explicit teaching of the general resurrection, with everlasting life awaiting the faithful, but eternal punishment for those who reject God (see Matt. 25:46). Those who are wise by obeying the Lord and by leading others to faith and righteousness will receive honor from God and will be resplendent in eternal glory. They will glow like the stars for eternity.

Let’s keep in mind that this prophecy gives encouragement to all of God’s people in every generation to know that God is in control and will accomplish His purposes in spite of the forces of evil. No matter what kind of affliction or tribulation God permits us to experience, He is still in control. Let us earnestly seek to win others to righteousness that can only be done by sharing the gospel – the good news of salvation through Jesus Christ alone!

"The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise." (Prov 11:30)

Let’s be wise and shine like stars forever!