βAnd 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 everβ (Dan.12:3).
The day is coming when redeemed Israel and all the saints of the Old Testament times will taste the joy of Messiahβs glorious reign. But some β the wise β will be honored more than others and will shine in that day as the stars of the firmament.
Who are these βwiseβ ones? Our text answers: βThey that turn many to righteousnessβ. Not those who merely knew all the technicalities of the prophetic program, but remained unmoved, but those who, understanding the prophetic plan and recognizing that God must judge sin, did something about it and labored to turn many to righteousness.
These will be the stars of Messiahβs reign.
What a lesson this passage holds for us who have trusted Christ as our Saviour in this present βdispensation of graceβ!
When we stand before the Lord, all saved by His abundant grace, not all will be equally honored. Outshining the rest will be βthe wiseβ, who, understanding Godβs message and program of grace and, βbuying up the time because the days are evilβ (Eph.5:16), URGED THE LOST TO ACCEPT βthe gift of righteousnessβ by faith in Christ.Β source
