Thursday: The Sun of Righteousness
On a previous occasion the people asked, “‘Where is the God of justice?’” (Mal. 2:17, NKJV).
Image © Janet Hyun from GoodSalt.com
In the beginning of chapter 4, a solemn assurance is given that one day God will execute His judgment on the world. As a result, the proud will be destroyed along with the wicked, just as stubble is consumed in fire. Stubble is the unusable part of the grain, and it lasts only seconds when thrown into a blazing furnace. On the Day of the Lord, fire will be the agent of destruction, just as water was in Noah’s day.
Read Malachi 4. What great contrast is presented here between the saved and the lost? See also Deut. 30:19, John 3:16.
While the fate of the wicked is described in verse 1, verse 2 focuses on future blessings of the righteous. The question “Where is the God of justice?” is answered again, but this time by the assurance of a coming day when the Sun of Righteousness will rise with healing in its wings (NIV). The rising of the “sun of Righteousness” is a metaphor for the dawn of a new day, one that marks a new era in the history of salvation. At this time, once and for all, evil will be destroyed forever, the saved will enjoy the ultimate fruit of what Christ has accomplished for them, and the universe will be rendered eternally secure.
Malachi closes his book with two admonitions that characterize biblical faith. The first is a call to remember God’s revelation through Moses, the first five books of the Bible and the foundation of the Old Testament.
The second admonition speaks of the prophetic role of Elijah. Filled with the Holy Spirit, this prophet called people to repent and return to God. Although Jesus Himself saw John the Baptist as a fulfillment of that prophecy, (Matt. 11:13-14), we also believe it has a fulfillment at the end of time, when God will have a people who fearlessly will proclaim His message to the world. “Those who are to prepare the way for the second coming of Christ, are represented by faithful Elijah, as John came in the spirit of Elijah to prepare the way for Christ’s first advent.”—Ellen G. White, Counsels on Health, pp. 72, 73.
How are we to fulfill this sacred role? How well are we doing in this task?
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I am really looking forward to the coming of the Son of righteousness who will usher in at time of great peace. Until then my heart will go on singing,until then with joy i'll keep on trusting.
We can fulfill this task without the power of the Holy Spirit working in us to do and to will of God's good pleasure. So help us God. Amen.
According to Malachi 2:17,the people asked of God of justice.The same in our era, people argue on God of justice. They think there is no judgement day and even absolutely sure that, the earth will not go to an end. Most are deceiving themselves of the coming of Christ Jesus. Malachi reflects our minds on what will happen to the sinners of the age. It also portrays the atrosity the wicked will pass through.The righteous will have bliss during the day of judgment. We must turn are from our wicked ways for the time has come near for Jesus to come the His people (The Righteous ones).Indeed our Saviour is come let us rejoice in Him.The day we will sing hymns to His name;"Joyful,Joyful we adore thee"
Praise God. I feel very encouraged and blessed to be part of that movement. I pray that I am fulfilling that commission. I invite you join the movement.
This lesson is important; at least it is to me. I don't think its importance is in the fact that witnesses will be like John the Baptist or Elijah but rather in exactly what is proclaimed. Jesus said, "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth" (Acts 1:8 NKJV). Not to witness to what we should eat or how much to give, neither are we to argue over minor details of doctrine. Our witness should be concerning what God is like - about what a friend we have in Jesus and what that means to us. As Ellen White said:
I dont't think there is a minor doctrine.The whole of it should be preached.As what it says there in Malachi 4:4 Remember ye the law of Moses...And Deute.4:2 We can neither add or subtract.It should be whole.
Just a quick note. The original post is about 8 years old. Tyler Cluthe has passed away since then.
Many times looking back at old posting I always wonder if the people are still alive, how is their walk with the Lord, had anything changed. Tyler used the posting from the book
(Christ's Object Lessons, p 415.5) This and many other reasons why I always give my testimonies. What had/has God did and is still doing for me. But I also speak about what he did and is doing for my family, friends and others that I come in contact with. Jesus is being glorified when we boast about him and his power to heal, keep, provide, justify, sanctified, protect etc etc. What a might God we serve.
It is the Holy Spirit from Christ who gives us the will and power to do what is right, for we can do nothing of ourselves but only through the blood of Jesus Christ! When we, then,make up our minds and choose to follow Christ with all our hearts, soul and mind, then nothing shall hinder our way,[satan may try but he will fail every-time] because the Holy Spirit was and is given to us to help us in our journey to the end in this world till we see Jesus face to face! There is nothing that we can do of our own to cover or erase our sins, [we were born to live, but because we sinned through Adam & Eve, we deserve a just punishment of death! So,instead, Christ took upon himself to die on our behalf, that we may gain righteousness and live eternally through Him who shed his blood for us!
What a way to close the OT. God gives us a chance to glance backward to His law and to look forward to prepation of His advent. The core function of the SDA church is thus summarised.
What a lesson Christ paid a price on my behalf and I pray his effort over me will not be in vain. Let us be prepared so that at the end we will be part of that glorious kingdom.
Malachi 4:5,6 here we have the promise that God is to send someone before the great and dreadful day of the Lord and when he comes he is to turn fhe hearts od the fathers to their children and the hearts of the cir fathers.
Mal. 3:1;4:5 someone in the spirit and power of Elijah the prophet is first to appear. The message of Elijah shall restore all things in The great and dreadful day of the Lord, the day of restitution, the day the Lord comes to his temple, the church. Thw spirit of Elijah was a spirit against idolatry and his power was a power to destroy these who led in idolatry, and to bring about purity