They that turn many to righteousness

Daniel 12:3

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.

There are many groups in Scripture to which I ardently and sincerely hope to be part of. I want to be counted with the faithful of old! They who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, etc. Those who being dead yet speak. Those of whom the world was not worthy. We truthfully may desire to be part of such a group. And God may grant it if we are faithful to Him in all things. But look here at the group before us! They that be wise shall shine. The coming of Christ and the end of the world shall have a great sifting effect. It shall have a great winnowing effect upon the world. There will be the wise and the unwise, the good and the evil, the faithful and the unfaithful. And those who are truly wise shall shine! God has granted it to be so! They shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars for ever and ever. In the eternal kingdom of God they shall continue to illuminate and emit forth a radiance like that of the stars. They shall shine in glory. This is what God has given to certain of the faithful.

Now, who are the faithful here who shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars for ever and ever? Who are they? These are they that turn many to righteousness. This is the cause for which they shine. This is the cause for which God brings them to this place of honor. For they have, in this life, brought many to faith and understanding. They have been the Lord’s witnesses in the lives of others. They have been an influence for God. They have been a witness for Christ. They have thwarted the evil of this world by bringing the light of Christ into a dark and foreboding arena. They have not been timorous, fearful, or hesitant. They have held forth the Word of life. They have been the light of the world, for they have taken their light from the true Light, which lighteth every man that cometh into the world. They are God’s lighthouses, His beaconing pile lights to guide a dark and lost world to the truth of Christ. Dear friends, do you want to be of this number of “stars” who shine for ever and ever, not for your glory, but for His? Do you? If you do, know of a surety that it is reserved and relegated only to those who turn many to righteousness. May I work and labor and toil so that many others may be turned to righteousness! May we all see that no cause is more worthy than this! For all these stars only shine for the glory of God. May we seek this day and every day to turn many to righteousness.

“Father, we sincerely ask that our minds would be kept upon the great motive and incentive given here—that many would be turned to righteousness. This truly is the greatest responsibility, the highest calling, and the most important job in which any of us could be employed. May we be busy about your business, calling many to righteousness. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.”