Sleep in the dust of the earth...

Dan 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Dan 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Dan 12:3 And 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 ever.


Sleep in the dust of the earth... what does it mean to sleep in the dust of the earth? Think about it for a moment. If a person is awake after they die they're no longer sleeping, right? Why would the dead need to sleep anyway, they aren't alive needing the basics of life- sleep, food, air, water. Yes read that again-


And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake.


The only time a person sleeps in the dust of the earth is when they are dead. Dust returning to dust. Many shall awake when Christ returns to deliver His people. However of those many awaking not all are going to wake up to everlasting life but rather everlasting shame and contempt.


The Bible tells us the dead in Christ shall rise...


1Th 4:16 For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
1Th 4:17 Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.


Some wake to life in Christ, others wake to destruction.


2Th 1:7 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,
2Th 1:8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:
2Th 1:9 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power


Every eye shall see Him!


Rev 1:7 Behold, he cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen.


Rev 20:12 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Rev 20:15 And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.


Life and death, life after death and death after death. People don't like to think about death after death. People don't like to contemplate not existing in one form or another. People believe foolishly that no matter what they will be saved, they will be written in the Book of Life. People delude themselves and allow themselves to be deluded by others into believing that death is just merely a stepping stone to a new and better life. Those that believe in hell as pictured in many movies, books, televison shows etc, even then don't seem all that concerned about it being real or not being real.


Everlasting shame and contempt. Shame and contempt that will last until non-existence takes over in the very end of all sin, the end of all evil.


Dan 12:1 And at that time shall Michael stand up, the great prince which standeth for the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of trouble, such as never was since there was a nation even to that same time: and at that time thy people shall be delivered, every one that shall be found written in the book.
Dan 12:2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt.
Dan 12:3 And 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 ever.


There will be a time of trouble right before the people of God are delivered, the people who have died in Christ and live in Christ will go with Him when He returns. That time of trouble isn't far off and we really need to place our faith in Jesus, our hope in Jesus, our lives in Jesus hands claiming His righteousness knowing that in Him is LIFE and life is found in no other.


By the grace and mercy of our Savior now and forever and ever!


Amen.