Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Reach for the Stars
Today's 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
How much do you know about stars? For at least a portion of its life, a star shines due to thermonuclear fusion of hydrogen into helium in its core, releasing energy that traverses the star's interior and then radiating into outer space. Can you name all the famous stars and constellations? The Milky Way, Arcturus, Orion, Pleiades, the North Star, Polaris, Gemini, Taurus. The most important star is the Bright and Morning Star, the Lord Jesus Christ. Stars are luminary means of brilliance and light. God wants you to be a star in His kingdom. He wants us to be a star that shines forever and ever. This morning, I want to challenge us to “Reach for the Stars!”
We see coming wrath.
“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.” In v. 1, reference is made to the time period known as the Great Tribulation. It is when Israel will be chastened and suffer for its rejection of the Messiah. It is when catastrophic events will proliferate throughout the world. It is a time of disease, disaster, wars, chaos, and failure. Blood will flow to the horses' bridle; death will be rampant; a third or more the earth's population will perish; a lying spirit will deceive many to not believe; a great world dictator will arise and cause many to suffer. It will be a time of God’s great wrath.
We see concurrent revelation.
We see reference to two resurrections. “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.” There will be the resurrection of the dead whose names are in the Book of Life. These are people who have placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. Then, there will be the resurrection of those to shame and everlasting contempt. This speaks of the Great White Throne Judgment where all unbelievers will be judged for rejecting Christ as Savior and will be cast into the Lake of Fire for all of eternity.
We see conscious responsibility.
“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.” In v. 3, the Christian has a responsibility to witness, win souls, and preach the gospel. They that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament. We are to light up the sky, so to speak. Be a city on a hill. Let’s light up the city and area with the gospel. Let’s be light that shines brightly in a world filled with darkness. Daniel said, “They that be wise....” Wise people make soulwinning a priority. Wise men believe the Scriptures and fear the coming wrath. Wise people believe in church planting and winning souls.
We see a compensated reward.
God says that soulwinners shall shine as the stars forever and ever. Soulwinning is eternal in its reward. God gives recognition to the hard work and efforts of soulwinners. They light up His kingdom. The fruit of their effort is etched in eternity.
Let’s fill up Heaven with more people saved. Let’s relocate people from going to Hell to Heaven. Let’s reach for the stars!
Have a soul-conscious God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 1 Peter 1-5
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