Tag: wise will shine
The Careful Search!
Scripture reading for March 24th: Luke 15
Key scriptures for over-comers: Luke 15:8-10 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Does she not light a lamp, sweep the house and search carefully until she finds it? And when she finds it, she calls her friends and neighbors together and says, ‘Rejoice with me; I have found my lost coin.’ In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”
Jesus enjoyed being with lost people–in fact all humans are lost! (Romans 3:23) The Pharisees were grumbling about the fact that Jesus was eating with ‘sinners.’ Jesus told three parables to help them and the others understand the heart of God concerning the lost. The first concerned a lost sheep and a shepherd that left the herd and searched for the lost. The second is quoted here: the woman who lost a coin from her savings and searched until she found it. The third story was of a lost son who chose to leave home with his inheritance. In this story, the father waited and watched until the lost son made his way back to ask for grace and forgiveness. In each case, there was great joy when that which was ‘lost’ was ‘found!’
Observations for over-comers: Jesus calls His disciples to learn from these parables the importance of each one that is lost. Careful searching and diligence to watch and wait in prayer and hope must mark the disciples of Jesus! “Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:3)
A Book, Resurrection, Eternal Destiny!
Scripture reading for September 4th: Daniel 10-12
Daniel lived in Babylon until he was an old man. He continued a life of prayer and from his relationship with God received prophetic visions. Daniel won favor with man and with God by his faithfulness and simple trust. The insight that he received about God’s plans from his day to the final judgment and resurrection are simply amazing. Only God could have revealed them!
“At that time, Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people–everyone whose name is found written in the book–will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt.” (Daniel 12:1-2)
Daniel was told of a conflict at the time of the end that would result in the greatest distress that God’s people had ever experienced. The archangel Michael, assigned to Israel, would arise to do battle and protect God’s people. Those whose names were written a certain book would be delivered from death and the distress of that terrible time. There would only be two destinies: everlasting life or everlasting contempt! God would resurrect even those who “slept in the dust”. This talks about resurrection from the grave and is a clear picture of the end of time as described by Jesus Christ (Matthew 25:31-44) and John the Apostle in Revelation 20:11-15!
“Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever. But you, Daniel, close up and seal the words of the scroll until the time of the end. Many will go here and there to increase knowledge.” (Daniel 12:3-4)
Daniel was given encouragement by God for the righteous and wise. Great glory awaited those who win souls and turn many to God’s righteous Son! Daniel was told to seal the scroll and allow it’s message to be unsealed at the time of the end! That time would be marked by much activity and increased knowledge on the earth. John the Apostle, on the other hand, was told to not seal his revelation for the time was near! (Revelation 22:10) What exciting times to be alive for those whose names are in His Book of Life!