Saturday, 9 May 2020 Daniel 12:1-13
“Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.” -Daniel 12: 2&3
Daniel the prophet lived seventy years in a foreign land that was hostile to God where he was taken as a captive. Instead of giving up every hope, he was holding on to his faith in the God of Israel. Daniel knew very well that despite the adverse circumstances, God is sovereign and He is in perfect control of nations and individuals. The book of Daniel proclaims this profound truth – the sovereignty of God. He is sovereign over all of history- past, present and future! The vision revealed in this chapter is a continuation of the vision commenced in Chapter 10. Vs.2 of this chapter makes it very clear that resurrection is applicable to both the righteous and the wicked. But eternal destinations of each will be different-some to everlasting life and others to everlasting contempt. Isaiah 26:19: “But your dead will live; their bodies will rise. You who dwell in the dust, wake up and shout for joy. Your dew is like the dew of the morning; the earth will give birth to her dead.” Daniel 12: 3 says those who are wise will shine like the stars. Many people put in their best effort to be like stars in this perishing world through fame, power, might and money. But this stardom is temporary, and leads only to eternal condemnation if one doesn’t meet with his/her Saviour. Mark 8:36 says: “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” The Scripture advises us to be eternal stars by being saved ourselves and leading many to God’s righteousness. When we engage in the Kingdom work sharing the love of Christ, His grace helps us to be radiant before Him. When an army is at the battle, it’s not only the infantry that’s at the war front, but they are accompanied by artillery, cavalry, medical core, supply core, engineering brigade, signals and so on. Likewise, we need to look at ourselves and see where we are fit according to our calling from the Lord. Some can preach, some teach the Word, others can pray, help out in finance, literature, materials, mobilizing people and transporting them, etc. – but altogether we are engaged in reaching out to the unreached with the gospel! The Book of Daniel prompts us to remain faithful to God all throughout our life. Daniel remained faithful in the land of captivity at a great personal cost. He was diligent and a man of integrity and God used him for His divine purpose, showed him visions of future events and gave him the assurance that he would rise to receive his portion in God’s eternal kingdom ( Daniel 12:13 ). We too are surrounded by difficult situations all around the world today. How do you as a believer respond? In the midst of your adverse circumstances (your captivity), would you remain faithful to God’s calling on you, reflecting Christ through your life and leading many to the saving grace?
Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to remain faithful to Your divine calling and lead many to Christ. Amen.
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