When Dust Awakes
At that time your people will be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book. Many who are sleeping in the dusty ground will awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame, to everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:1–2)
As God permitted Daniel to see what the end of the world would be like, Daniel was shown this comfort. Yes, he says that there will be a time of distress like has never been experienced before. But after that time, Everyone whose name is found written in the Book of Life will be delivered. Those who have fallen asleep, in the sleep of death, will rise to hear the public proclamation of their judgment.
Those whose names are written in the Book of Life will awake to enter eternal life. They will come out of the ground and be transformed into perfect bodies and they will go to be with Jesus forever. But those who did not believe in Jesus and did not worship him and do God’s Will will go to eternal condemnation. They will be cast out of the presence of God forever.
Therefore, Daniel tells us that those who have insight and bring many to righteousness will shine like the stars. They will shine bright for all to see because of the message they proclaim. For they proclaim not their own message but the gospel of Jesus, the only way to heaven. They bring others to have their names written in the Book of Life. May we be those who shine like the stars. For we have the insight that God has revealed to us. We know the one who makes us righteous. He is Jesus, our judge, and substitute. Amen.
The song for today is “Only Jesus” by Casting Crowns