Revelation 9:1
“And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.”
John said, “…and I saw a star fall.” Of course, this was talking about part of the judgments that God would send upon the nations in the great tribulation period, but you can certainly look at this through another venue. This star fell from the heavens unto the Earth. This star shined for a long time, but now would no longer shine. This star was created by the hand of God, and now this star would be forever gone. When you look at it from that viewpoint, it has a sad connotation.
We often see people who strive to be a star in some field. There are young people striving to be a star in the field of music. Television programs have been started to choose who is going to be the next star. Young men strive to be a star in their selected sport. They work hard to be recognized on the field or court and hope when they have their one chance to be recognized that they will shine. The desire to be a star to shine so everyone recognizes you can be great for many.
Sadly, like the verse above, we have seen many stars fall. We have watched them rise to prominence and seen their fame grow only to watch them fall and never rise again. Many stars have succumb to drugs and alcohol. Many stars have fallen because of illicit intimate relationships. Many stars have fallen because of a misguided position or word that they said. In each of these instances, it is truly sad to see someone who once held such a lofty position now lying in the ashes of sin.
This has not only happened in the world’s spectrum, but it has also happened in the world of Christianity. Throughout my lifetime I have watched many people rise and fall. I do not rejoice about this, but sadly it has happened. Someone who had God’s hand upon them is now “set on the shelf” because sin caused them to fall. These people who once were the voice that trumpeted truth to many have now been silenced because of sin. Oh, how sad it is to see this falling star.
However, there is a star that will never fall. Daniel 12:3 says, “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.” Notice, the one star that is promised to shine for ever is the person who commits their life to turning people to righteousness. In other words, their work will forever shine. The work of a life that was once headed for destruction is now forever changed to righteousness because someone took the time to show the them Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Friend, you can be a star that will shine forever. No, I can’t promise you the platforms in front of thousands and the applause of those who watch you perform, but I can promise you that your work can forever shine. The way to do this is to commit your life to winning souls to Jesus Christ. God promised that you can be a star that shines “for ever and ever.” You may not desire to be a public figure, but you don’t have to be to be a star that shines forever. Simply commit your life to turning “many to righteousness.” Find the lives that are crushed by sin and help turn them to righteousness. Find those who are lost and on their way to Hell and lead them to Jesus Christ. These are the works that will cause you to be a star that will shine forever.