Malachi Series
The Coming Lord (7 of 12)
July 21, 2013
Chester FBC, Chester, IL Dr. Mike Fogerson, Speaker
Introduction
A Malachi 2:17 (NASB) 17 You have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet you say, "How have we wearied Him?" In that you say, "Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and He delights in them," or, "Where is the God of justice?"
1 The Lord was made weary (not physically) of the sarcastic questioning of His Justice.
a Echoes of what people say today, “If there is a God, why is there so much trouble in the world?”
b This is a question of a skeptic not a saint, doubter not a believer.
2 Peter assures us those types of questions will be asked until the Lord comes again!
2 Peter 3:3-4 (NASB) 3 Know this first of all, that in the last days mockers will come with their mocking, following after their own lusts, 4 and saying, "Where is the promise of His coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all continues just as it was from the beginning of creation."
B Malachi’s answer is lobed through two prophetic mountains: the arrival of the Messiah and the second arrival of the Messiah.
1 Although these mountains are both within sight of each other, generations separated them (show image of two mountains with a valley or space between them.)
a One mountain represents Him coming as a suffering servant.
b The other is His coming as a reigning King.
2 Israel is central to events that take place on these mountains.
a Born, ministered, spoke to & through them.
b When He returns He’s returning to Israel (Period!)
3 Israel in Malachi’s day was wanting Him to come, but they weren’t ready.
a They were sinful, wayward, rebellious.
b When He comes again, He will cleanse them, judge them, & cleanse them!
c This passage reveals the eternal purpose of why the Lord is coming again!
Malachi 2:17 - 3:6 (NASB) 17 You have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet you say, "How have we wearied Him?" In that you say, "Everyone who does evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and He delights in them," or, "Where is the God of justice?" 1 "Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming," says the LORD of hosts. 2 "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. 3 "He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness. 4 "Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years. 5 "Then I will draw near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me," says the LORD of hosts. 6 "For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
I He comes personally (3.1-2)
Malachi 3:1-2 (NASB) 1 "Behold, I am going to send My messenger, and he will clear the way before Me. And the Lord, whom you seek, will suddenly come to His temple; and the messenger of the covenant, in whom you delight, behold, He is coming," says the LORD of hosts. 2 "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap.
A As sinful, vile, morally inverted Israel had became they still wanted deliverance through Messiah!
1 Messiah came personally in the from a baby to Bethlehem with a messenger preparing His way (3.1)
a Matt. 11.10-11, identifies the messenger as John the Baptist (cf. Mk. 1.2; Luke 7.27)
Matthew 11:10-11 (NASB) 10 "This is the one about whom it is written, 'BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.' 11 "Truly I say to you, among those born of women there has not arisen anyone greater than John the Baptist! Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.
Mark 1:2 (NASB) 2 As it is written in Isaiah the prophet: "BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY;
Luke 7:27 (NASB) 27 "This is the one about whom it is written, 'BEHOLD, I SEND MY MESSENGER AHEAD OF YOU, WHO WILL PREPARE YOUR WAY BEFORE YOU.'
aa Luke 1:17 (NASB) 17 "It is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, TO TURN THE HEARTS OF THE FATHERS BACK TO THE CHILDREN, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, so as to make ready a people prepared for the Lord."
Operated in the “spirit of Elijah” Was the preparing realized.
bb John 1:29 (NASB) 29 The next day he saw Jesus coming to him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
b Notice “Me” in text “Lord” in the beginning of vs.1 and “LORD” at the end! (“Lord” is Adoni & “LORD” is YHWH!)
aa Connection between the first and second person of the Trinity!
bb Adoni went to the Temple at His dedication, holy feasts (Passover, Pentecost, Booths, Chanukah), & the last week of His life!
c The messenger of the covenant (every covenant made Abraham, Moses, David all pointed to their fulfillment in the person of Jesus Christ!
aa The Messenger of the Covenant YHWH has promised has already came!
bb The Mosaic Covenant was a covenant was confirmed by blood sacrifices, perfectly fulfilled at the Cross!
cc Abrahamic Covenant was for Land, Davidic was for the Throne . . . both of these covenants will be fulfilled when Messiah comes again!
2 His first coming was to bring mercy, when He returns again He is bringing Judgement!
a In the OT there were three ways to cleanse things: blood, fire, water.
aa The blood has already been applied at Calvary, the fire & water are coming at His reappearing.
bb When He reappears there will be purification & judgement!
b Malachi addresses his listeners question of 2.17; Where is the God of justice?”
aa 3.2, If He did come, do you think you’re ready for Him?
bb When He comes He’s cleaning house!
B Our Lord is coming again! (Ready or not, He’s coming!)
1 The Day of the Lord began in Bethlehem on the day He was born and the moment He ascended from the Mount of Olives ten days before Pentecost, the latter-day countdown began.
a Our Lord is coming personally, and we will personally face Him!
b The only ones ready to face Him are those who have been purified by the blood of Jesus!
aa 1 John 3:3 (NASB) 3 And everyone who has this hope fixed on Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.
bb 1 John 2:28 (NASB) 28 Now, little children, abide in Him, so that when He appears, we may have confidence and not shrink away from Him in shame at His coming.
2 The world is clamoring for Messiah, wanting deliverance, but I’m afraid when He does come again they will find themselves very troubled.
a Mercy was issued at the first coming; Judgement will be issued at the second coming!
b “Ready or not, Here I come!”
aa To take what is His (People and Mal. 3.1, His Temple!)
bb The Owner of the Temple is returning to take care of business personally!
II He Comes Gloriously (3.2-4)
Malachi 3:2-4 (NASB) 2 "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He appears? For He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. 3 "He will sit as a smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and refine them like gold and silver, so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness. 4 "Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in the days of old and as in former years.
A Malachi says, “As it stands now, y’all can’t handle Him if He would appear, but He’ll make you where you can stand.”
1 “Stand” is a military term used to describe a soldier who will stand his/her ground (not retreat, surrender, back away)
a Who can stand?
aa In Jesus’ earthly ministry some received His grace, truth, & love . . . others rejected Him.
bb Illustrated with the two thieves who died along side Jesus. (One believed, one disbelieved)
b The same thing happens today! (Believe/ Disbelieve)
2 Malachi tells Israel that God’s name will be made great (magnified) beyond the borders of Israel (1.5)
Malachi 1:5 (NASB) 5 Your eyes will see this and you will say, "The LORD be magnified beyond the border of Israel!"
a When Christ comes again, the saints will stand & rejoice in His coming AND THEN a great tribulation (judgement) will come.
aa The armies of the earth lead by the Antichrist will assemble to fight against the saints.
bb Matthew 24:30 (KJV) 30 And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.
b 2 Thessalonians 1:8 (NASB) 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus.
B The Scriptures tell of a time when everyone will behold/acknowledge the glory of the Lord (Phil. 2.10-11.)
Philippians 2:10-11 (NASB) 10 so that at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
1 There will be no mistaking His arrival, appearing.
a You may reject, refuse Him, but there will be no denying Him.
b Malachi states the reason He’s coming for Israel as a “refiner’s fire” & “launderes soap.”
c He’s going to make you clean, purge your sin, and prepare you for Himself for His glory!
2 He’s right now preparing a priesthood for His glory (not the descendants of Levi/Aaron, not needed because the blood covenant has been satisfied at Calvary.)
a 1 Peter 2:5 (NASB) 5 you also, as living stones, are being built up as a spiritual house for a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:9 (NASB) 9 But you are A CHOSEN RACE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR God's OWN POSSESSION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
Revelation 1:6 (NASB) 6 and He has made us to be a kingdom, priests to His God and Father—to Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.
Revelation 5:10 (NASB) 10 "You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth."
Revelation 20:6 (NASB) 6 Blessed and holy is the one who has a part in the first resurrection; over these the second death has no power, but they will be priests of God and of Christ and will reign with Him for a thousand years.
We are the priesthood!
b Jesus is preparing us, His Bride!
aa When is He done?
bb When the bride is not haggard, stained with sin, impurities!
cc IL. Ancient times, sliver refineries knew silver was pure when it had been melted, impurities/dross taken out & the refiner could see his image in the liquid silver.
dd When Jesus comes and His work in us is finished, we will look and be like Him, for His blood cleanses us from all sin!
III He comes Fearfully (3.5-6)
Malachi 3:5-6 (NASB) 5 "Then I will draw near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me," says the LORD of hosts. 6 "For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not consumed.
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Respectfully,
Mike Fogerson
