The Faithful Few

The last of the prophets of the Old Testament was Malachi. He preaches to the priests and to the people, reminding them of their sis and transgressions, calling them to repentance and the coming of the Messiah. Soon, all prophesies would cease for roughly four hundred years.

In Malachi 1:1-2:9, we read of the sinful priests. In Malachi 2:10-3:15, we read of the sinful people. The last few verses of Malachi are to the faithful few and we learn of the great judgment day of the Lord. This is what we will focus on today. Amidst the wickedness that prevailed throughout the land, there yet a few people that had remained faithful to God. And as such, God would pour out blessings upon them.

In Malachi 3:16-18:

“Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon his name.”

Here we have the faithful few that feared and loved God AND were having church meetings. “A book of remembrance was written.” God does not forget but I believe this is referring to the Book of Life (Psalms 69:28; Luke 10:20; Philippians 4:3; Revelation 3:5; Revelation 20:12; Revelation 21:27, Isaiah 4:2-3, Daniel 12:1)

God's people are His “jewels.” A jewel is made from material of the ground, formed under pressure and heat. So, think of a pearl inside an oyster. It starts off as a grain of sand, which over time and pressure becomes a pearl. Other precious gems from the ground must be put under pressure. The rough edges hewn and cut away, then polished so that the beautiful jewel shines through. True believers will go through trials. The Holy Jeweler will use these circumstances to transform the hardness of our lives into gleaming gems. What tool will He use, a jeweler's hammer, a sledgehammer, or a jack hammer? (Nehemiah 13:22, 1 Peter 1:13-16)

How do we discern the righteous from the wicked, a believer and a non-believer, a sinner, and a saint? (Matthew 7:16; Galatians 5:22-26; Matthew 6:24, Psalm 58:10-11, Amos 5:15)

In Malachi 4:1-3:

The Great Judgment Day of the Lord

“For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.”

The Day of the Lord will come and the wicked shall be consumed (Revelation 6:8). Where will we spend eternity, heaven, or hell? (Isaiah 5:24, Isaiah 9:18-19, Matthew3:12)

In the Old Testament, the Sun of Righteousness, and in the New Testament, the Bright and Morning Star, are the same person, which John the Baptist prophesied of Christ Jesus (Luke 1:76-79, 2 Samuel 23:4, Isaiah 30:26, Isaiah 35:6, Jeremiah 30:17, Jeremiah 33:6)

In Malachi 4:4-6:

“Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.”

The laws given to Moses were for the basis of Israel’s moral and civil life. In addition, these laws still apply to man today. Unfortunately, mankind does not seem to adhere to all of them. Oh, that man would remember the Law of the Lord. (Exodus 20:3, Deuteronomy 4:5-6)

Now we see the foretelling of the coming of Elijah before the coming of the Lord. This could be in reference to John the Baptist who preceded Christ by preaching and preparing the people for the Messiah (Matthew 17:10-13; Luke 1:17). Or it could be referring to one of the two witnesses who appear in the latter days (Revelation 11:3-12). Either way, we can still present the Gospel to the world as wait for Christ to return (Mark 16:15, Matthew 11:14, Mark9:11-13)

Repentance and returning to God. The best way for people to prepare for the coming of the Lord is by preparing their hearts and turning to God. The Old Testament ends with a call to repentance and judgment to the wicked. No one can escape the judgment of the broken law of God unless their hearts are turned &om sin unto righteousness through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Isaiah 24:6, Matthew 11:21, Revelation 19:15)

A committed heart and life will take a sacrifice from us. We are assured that it will be worth it all as we are looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Savior Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13).