A Promise for the Wise
Today ended up being a busy but good day. I attended my “Substance Abuse Trends and Response Task Force” meeting near the capitol. This meeting is held four times a year and this past year the meetings have marked some of my progress in recovery. The first one in February I was in my power wheelchair. The meeting in May I was in the hospital. But the meeting in August I was in my regular wheelchair and this meeting I used my walker. I told everyone that next time I hope to be using a cane.
This meeting is chaired by the Attorney General for Colorado, so Cynthia Coffman our new Attorney General was there. We sat next to each other and had the opportunity to get caught up after a long campaign season. She and her husband Congressman Mike Coffman have been a great encouragement during my illness and have followed my progress with interest.
After the meeting I stopped by the Capitol to check in on some of the post-election activity. It was good to see some familiar faces and to meet some new legislators. It was heart warming to be graciously received from the State Patrol officers to staff to legislators and lobbyists.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “…many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. And those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever…” Daniel 12:2,3
The final chapters of Daniel are similar to Revelation in that Daniel receives visions about times that are to come. The rising up of kings and kingdoms. Kingdoms that will fight for dominion. The activities of rulers and warnings about the times. Some of these visions and predictions have been fulfilled historically and some are yet to be fulfilled when Christ returns.
Daniel foresees the final judgement and references it in saying “those who sleep in the dust…shall awake, some to everlasting life and some to shame and everlasting contempt.” John in Revelation 20 sees the “Great White Throne Judgment” where the dead stand before the Lord and the Book of Life is opened and all whose names are not found are cast away from the presence of the Lord.
What is of interest is that Daniel draws as contrast between the “unrighteous” and the “wise” opposed to the “righteous.” Daniel and his three Hebrew friends were viewed as men of great wisdom. Perhaps that is part of the reason, but beyond that, wisdom will be the hallmark of “end time” living. It will not just a matter of how you live (e.g. righteously) but how you understand the times and your responsibility during those challenging days. That is living as those who are wise.
Paul writes to the Church at Ephesus and says, “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” (Ephesians 5:15,16) Daniel says, “…[the] wise among the people shall make many understand…” (Daniel 11:33) The wise have a duty before God and those around to “keep their heads” and to be a source of perspective and insight in these challenging times.
But the wise are also subject to persecution and times of testing. Daniel says, “…some days they [the wise] shall stumble by sword and flame, by captivity and plunder.” (Daniel 11:33) He goes on and let’s us know the wise are not perfect and without vulnerabilities themselves. But though tested they are redeemed to be ready for the end times. “…some of the wise shall stumble, so that they may be refined, purified, and made white, until the time of the end, for it still awaits the appointed time.” (Daniel 11:35)
Even though the “end times” hold many mysteries as far as the multitude of questions that we seek to have answers for, what we know for certain is the future for those who follow Christ and walk in His wisdom and are committed to His work. Here again are words of assurance and encouragement from Daniel.
“…those who are wise shall shine like the brightness of the sky above; and those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever…”
What a great prospect for the future to know that our destiny is one of glory through Christ. The wise make it when they keep their eyes on the Lord, and keep trusting, keep working until the end.