DCLM Daily Manna Wed 12 June 2024

TOPI: Shining Here And Hereafter

TEXT:  Daniel 12:1-4 (KJV) 
12 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.

And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.

But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

KEY VERSE
“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”

Daniel 12:3

DCLM Daily Manna Wed 12 June 2024 MESSAGE

In the historical and prophetic book of Daniel, we are exposed to the sparkling lives of four youthful adherents of God’s holiness. They were men who would not yield to sin even under intense pressure from the mighty. Through them, the Lord reveals the eternal rewards that await those who shine in righteousness for His work.

Before Daniel was instructed to shut up the words and seal the book, he was allowed to give an intimation about the great persecution of the Jews (prefiguring the great tribulation), the general resurrection, the prospects awaiting the faithful servants of God and the final damnation of the unjust. This passage hints at the triumph of Christ over the Antichrist and the ultimate deliverance of God’s people.

READ DCLM Daily Manna Tuesday 11 June 2024 – When God Turns The Table!

At the end, believers who wisely turned many to righteousness will shine eternally. Even here in the world, God expects His children to blaze with the fiery power of evangelism. Soul-winning demands wisdom. It goes beyond opening the Scriptures and declaring the word of salvation. Our lifestyle is part of the message. Our lives must “shine as the brightness of the firmament;” pointing the way to the greater glory of Christ, our Master. What we do, say and how we react to events around us will form the basis of the understanding of the gospel we present to our unbelieving audience. This is why we must constantly ask the Lord for the wisdom, guidance and grace to be worthy ambassadors of His.

The Lord’s charge to believers to preach the gospel of peace comes with the accompanying solemn demand to make the message an integral part of us. The world must see the Bible in the evangelist who must live like Christ everywhere.

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: The gospel message is more effectively presented through words and lifestyle.

BIBLE IN ONE YEAR: 2 Chronicles 18-21