Daniel 12:3 And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament… These words recognise a broad distinction between being saved and saving others. They that are "wise," i.e., personally believe and accept Christ, "shall shine as the brightness of the firmament" — like the sky illuminated by the sun; but "they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever" — as suns in the everlasting kingdom! it is is impossible to conceive of a mere glorious reward than this. Let us glance: I. AT THE SERVICE. "They that turn many to righteousness;" It is not sufficient to be wise in our own behalf to get into the kingdom ourselves. The Christian life is a "calling," a "service," in which and by which we are to honour Christ, and walk in His footsteps and strive to save our fellow-sinners, and spend and be spent for the salvation of the world. To live for self, even if it includes our own salvation, is to dishonour our Master, to live contrary to the spirit and teachings of the Gospel II. AT THE REWARD. Shall shine "as the stars for ever and ever." 1. The reward of faithful Christian service is sure. It is one of the fundamental principles of Christ's Kingdom. It was for the glory set before Him that Christ endured and suffered. And He holds out the same motive to His disciples. He does not call us to service without the assurance of a corresponding reward. 2. The reward is a discriminating and proportionate reward. Christ, the final Judge, wilt know the. kind and measure and effectiveness of every man's service, and this reward hereafter will be in strict accordance therewith, Now, it is otherwise. The rule is mot applied here. Each individual is not singled out and the exact results of his life set off to him and the reward rendered. 3. The reward will be one of light and glory unspeakable. There is nothing in nature so glorious as the stars, the centres and illuminating power of vast systems in the stellar universe. And what these are in God's vast material universe, they that turn many to righteousness will be in the spiritual kingdom of the future. 4. The reward will be enduring; "as the stars for ever and ever." Never will their lights go out. Never will they cease to roll on in their majestic orbits. (J. M. Sherwood, D.D.) Parallel Verses KJV: 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. |
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