October 17: OH, TO CARRY WISDOM IN THE HEART! (part 2)
Those who are wise shall shine Like the brightness of the firmament, And those who turn many to righteousness Like the stars forever and ever. Daniel 12:3
The word firmament is an interesting one; and one that is closely associated with the Creation account. Another word for it could be space. Haven’t we all enjoyed the glorious sight of the skies at various times? Sunrise is usually a beautiful time of day, and being awake to behold the firmament at dawn after a good night’s rest is a joyful blessing. Sunsets are typically stunning to behold and, according to the word of God, mark the end of the day and the beginning of the next. Can anyone deny the peaceful beauty of a cloudless night sky with its twinkling stars? Many of those distant twinklers are actually larger than our own sun.
These aspects of Creation, in the mind of the wise, affirm the truth of Scripture. But the enemy of souls has worked feverishly through the centuries to undermine every doctrine of Scripture, “inspiring” misguided men to substitute man-made ideas—very often dogmatically defended—for the real doctrines of truth. A solid understanding of God’s word is arrived at under the tutelage of the Holy Spirit. But without that guidance, the word can be tragically misunderstood. Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth (2 Timothy 2:15).
We are living in the time of the final judgment, symbolized by the Day of Atonement, known to the Jews as Yom Kippur in the Old Testament. Yom Kippur anticipates the final judgment. Jesus makes it clear that He will know who is saved and who is lost before His return (Revelation 22:12). Daniel saw visions of the heavenly judgment scene that commences even as the little horn is still spouting his pompous words (see Daniel 7). Currently, Jesus our High Priest is doing a special work of cleansing among His people as the everlasting gospel is being preached in the world. This is a vital part of the cleansing of the sanctuary taking place in heaven, which began in 1844 (Daniel 8:14). When probation closes, and decisions for or against God become entrenched, there is no more opportunity for repentance. We are assured that the lost are provided ample opportunity to repent. After all, at the coming of Jesus they readily recognize the Lamb of God (Revelation 6:16-17). They know who He is, but they simply persist in rejecting His government, succinctly summed up in His law. All who are tempted by Satan to cast aside the law of God should remember that He first revealed Himself to the enslaved nation of Israel as their compassionate Guardian, Guide, and Deliverer before speaking to them as the majestic Law-giver and Judge. The plan for Jesus to reveal His Father’s character and to suffer and die on behalf of sinful, lawbreaking people was decided before the foundation of the world.
God’s people at the end of time are characterized in today’s opening verse, aptly foreshadowed by the great exploits of the wilderness church, God’s remnant during the Dark Ages (Daniel 11:32-33).
Brethren, if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins. James 5:19-20
More study: Malachi 4:2; Matthew 13:37-52; Revelation 12:17; 13:10; 14:12; 22:14