Friday Thought -- January 3, 2014

Good Morning Friends,

“At that time Michael, the great prince who protects your people, will arise. There will be a time of distress such as has not happened from the beginning of nations until then. But at that time your people – everyone whose name is found written in the book -- will be delivered. Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake: some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the heavens, and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars for ever and ever.” (Daniel 12:1-3)

In the word Daniel received about the end times, there are several truths that stand out.

This world will not end in peace, but in a time of great distress. Times will not always be easy, and we cannot expect them to get better as the world moves toward its end. In fact, the world is not maturing and improving with age, but degenerating as it approaches its end. That’s a truth that should cause us to steel ourselves for whatever is ahead with a commitment to stand firm for the Lord no matter what happens.

God’s deliverance will come, even in the midst of the distress. That deliverance is not universal, but limited to those whose names are written in the Book of Life. There is no more important choice that a person can make than the choice to follow Jesus Christ. That choice, and that choice alone, will determine whether deliverance or distress will overtake us at the end.

Not even death can keep people from the distress that is coming. Not even death can keep people from the deliverance that is coming. God will open the graves to bring those whose names are in the Book of Life to Himself and those whose names are not in the Book will be sent to the greatest distress imaginable.

The bottom-line contains two truths --

First, we should be wise and choose to follow Jesus Christ!

Second, we should all we can to encourage others to follow Him, too! Michael told Daniel that those who lead others to righteousness will shine like stars. God will take note of what we do to help others move toward Him and He will reward us for those efforts.

His, by Grace,

Steve