Scripture Daily

Context No. 4252 of 4322 · Daniel (Greek)

Context · Reflection

Daniel (Greek) 12:1-6: in context

1“At that time Michael will stand up, the great prince who stands for the children of your people. There will be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time. At that time, your people will be delivered—everyone who is found written in the book. 2Many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. 3Those who are wise will shine as the brightness of the expanse. Those who turn many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever. 4But you, Daniel, shut up the words and seal the book, even to the time of the end. Many will run back and forth, and knowledge will be increased.” 5Then I, Daniel, looked, and behold, two others stood, one on the river bank on this side, and the other on the river bank on that side. 6One said to the man clothed in linen, who was above the waters of the river, “How long will it be to the end of these wonders?”

In this vision of the end, Daniel is told of a coming resurrection: many who sleep in the dust will awake, some to everlasting life. And of those who will shine, he says something striking: those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the sky, and those who turn many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever and ever. A special and lasting honor is promised to those who help others toward God.

What stands out is the enduring significance given to turning others toward righteousness. In a world where so much we do fades and is forgotten, this is named as something that shines forever, like the stars. To help another person toward God, to point someone toward what is right, to lead others to righteousness, is a work whose value does not fade but endures into eternity.

Much of what we spend our lives on will pass away. But turning others toward God, whether by our witness, our teaching, our example, or our prayers, is a work that shines forever. However hidden or small it seems now, helping even one person toward righteousness has an eternal significance, shining like the stars in God's sight.

Am I investing myself in the work that shines forever, turning others toward God and righteousness by my witness, example, and prayers, trusting that helping even one person toward him has an eternal significance that will not fade?

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