Mene Mene Tekel Upharsin Mene Mene Tekel Upharsin
The words Mene Mene Tekel Upharsin were written by a mysterious hand on the wall of King Nebuchadnezzar's son Belshazzar's palace, and interpreted by Daniel as predicting the doom of Belshazzar and his dynasty. The incident is described as follows: Once when King Belshazzar was banqueting with his lords and drinking wine from the golden vessels of the Temple of Yhwh, a man's hand was seen writing on the wall certain mysterious words. Frightened by the apparition, the king ordered his astrologers to explain the inscription; but they were unable to read it. Daniel was then summoned to the royal palace; and the king promised him costly presents if he would decipher the inscription. Daniel read it "Mene, mene, tekel, upharsin" and explained it to mean that God had "numbered" the kingdom of Belshazzar and brought it to an end; that the king had been weighed and found wanting; and that his kingdom was divided and given to the Medes and Persians (Daniel 5:1-30). (The Jewish Encyclopedia)
Ensuring Our Works Are Not "Weighed And Found Wanting"
Did you know that one day we as Christians will have to appear before the judgment seat of Christ and give an account of what we have accomplished for the Lord? This is an incredibly sobering thought if you have never considered it (and just as sobering even if you have) - and a thought that we should continually consider as we seek to please God through our desires, motives, thoughts, and works (words and actions). Paul addresses this judgment for believers in his second letter to the Corinthians when he states:
- For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10
The judgment seat mentioned by Paul in this verse does not refer to the "Last Judgment", when all of humanity past and present will be judged for belief or unbelief in Christ Jesus, but refers specifically to a time of judgment for us as believers where we will have to give an account of what we have done while we were "in the body". This judgment is a requirement, not an option, and should be taken very seriously by Christian workers. In his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul cautions the Church at Corinth on this topic as he states that the quality of their work will be "tested by fire". If what they have built survives, they will "receive a reward." But if it is "burned up," they will "suffer loss."
- But each one should be careful how he builds. For no one can lay any foundation other than the one already laid, which is Jesus Christ. If any man builds on this foundation using gold, silver, costly stones, wood, hay or straw, his work will be shown for what it is, because the Day will bring it to light. It will be revealed with fire, and the fire will test the quality of each man's work. If what he has built survives, he will receive his reward. If it is burned up, he will suffer loss; he himself will be saved, but only as one escaping through the flames. 1 Corinthians 3:10-15.
While we as believers can be sure that our belief in Jesus Christ ensures our eternal salvation - we must also be cognizant of the fact that our "works in the body" will also be "weighed" before the judgment seat of Christ. With this in mind, let us strive to please God in such as way so as to ensure that when our works are weighed - they are not found wanting.
- Prayer: Dear Lord, please align our desires with your desires, our motives with your motives, and our thoughts with your thoughts - so that when we come before you at the appointed time, our works (words and actions) are built on you, the foundation already laid, and appear as gold and silver and costly stones. Amen
9:25:02 AM 
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