Written by Pastor Jack Wellman– Daniel 12:3
God Alone Saves
I am not a soul winner…God alone saves (John 6:44; Acts 4:12), but God can use us as a means to save some by preaching His Word, but the power isn’t in us, but the power of God to save is in His Word, wherein the gospel lays (Rom 1:16; 1st Cor 1:18). I’m glad for that, because my converts would be those I talked into it, but only until someone talked them out of it.
Using us as a Means
God uses us as a means to save some, but God gives the increase (1st Cor 3:7), but what a privilege to be used by God, so how does God use us? We must tell others of the coming wrath of God in order to make the good news, awesomely good, but Paul says, if they never hear, how will they know (Rom 10:14)? You and I are part of their hearing. It’s not up to us to give them ears to hear. God does that, so we’re not responsible for saving anyone, but it is their response to His ability (Eph 2:1), although it is our responsibility to tell others (Matt 28:18-20; Acts 1:8).
Greater Brightness?
Why would Daniel the Prophet write about those who “turn many to righteousness, [will be] like the stars forever and ever” (Dan 12:3)? Daniel writes this in stark contrast to those poor souls in Daniel 12:2 where he writes, “many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt” (Dan 12:2), which is the opposite of “those who are wise [who] shall shine like the brightness of the sky above” (Dan 12:3a). Clearly, their wisdom was putting their trusting in Christ, but this is one group of saved believers, and then Daniel seems to indicate there is another group, by using the word “and,” about “those who turn many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever” (Dan 12:3b). Will many who are used by God to save some be brighter in the kingdom? I don’t know. I do know we’ll find out someday.
Conclusion
Did you know wheat seed found in an Egyptian tomb was still able to sprout, even though it was over 3,000 years old, so don’t expect an immediate sprout right after you’ve planted the seed of His Word. I’ve never seen a wheat farmer in Kansas plant the seed and then sit and wait for it to sprout. They know it takes time for the seed to germinate so even if you don’t see results, that’s no reason to stop planting seeds! God gives the increase, but we can plant the seed! Amen?
