Those Who Are Wise
Daniel 12
October 18, 1998

Introduction

A. "Those who are wise" are referred to twice in this passage.
B. The setting:

1. The end of a sweeping prophecy from Daniel’s time to the last days beginning with chapter 10 and ending here.
2. Our chapter begins in the middle of the Tribulation and the beginning of the Great Tribulation.
3. Michael stands up

a. Rev. 12:7-9 when Satan is finally cast out of Heaven to the earth
b. This begins the worst time the earth has ever seen and the Jews begin to suffer under the worse persecution they have ever known.

C. The Book:

1. The names of those who will be saved through the tribulation
2. Rev. 20:12 refers to many "books" out of which people are judged for their deeds
3. It also refers to the Book of Life

D. The resurrection:

1. Note there is two outcomes: everlasting life or everlasting contempt
2. Heb. 9: 27 "And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment"

I. Those Who Shine Today

A. Super Stars

1. Types:

a. Athlete who pushes the limits of human ability
b. Actor or actress that catches the imagination of our society
c. Radio personality who voices our passions
d. Christian poet who sings our prayer, praise or pain
e. Christian speaker who catches our attention and speaks clarity to confusion and hope into despair

2. Standards:

a. How large is the audience?
b. How large is the payment?

B. Super Star Burnout

1. Amazed to hear how wealthy stars of this world are unhappy, searching or have chosen suicide.
2. 1 John 2: 16-17 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world. And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
3. "All that is of this world..." rusts, corrupts, burns out, wears out and is limited to life this side of Heaven.

II. Those Who Are Wise

A. Wisdom of this world

1. Get all you can and can all you get
e.g. Luke 12... the story of the farmer who tears down his old barns to build bigger barns: "But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be demanded from you. Then who will get what you have prepared for yourself?"
2. Wisdom of this world is short sighted and selfishly motivated

  • The beautiful people: how long can they hold on to youth?
  • 1 Cor. 3: 19 "For the wisdom of this world is foolishness in God's sight. As it is written: "He catches the wise in their craftiness"

B. Wisdom of the Wise

1. They have eternity in mind:

  • Note the poetic form is Hebrew parallelism. Those who are wise are said to be "those who turn many to righteousness."
  • Matt. 6: 19-21 "Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also."
  • Wisdom of God puts your treasure in the right place... your heart will follow.
  • Col. 3:1-3 "Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God."

2. They are prepared for judgment

  • "Some awake to everlasting life, some to shame and everlasting contempt"

III. What the Wise Do: turn many to righteousness

A. Why are we left here after accepting Christ into our lives?

1. The Great Commission: Matt. 28: 18-20 "Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
2. The Omission

B. Why do Christians suffer in this world?

1. In this world you will have tribulation
2. Satan is seeking to destroy your testimony
3. The Spirit filled believer shines even brighter as the circumstances grow darker

C. What is the result of turning many to righteousness?

1. Shine as the stars forever and ever
2. A smile that won’t have time to be wiped away: everywhere you turn in Heaven someone is there because what you have done