The Judgment Of The Almighty Series

It is widely regarded as one of the best films of all time, Shawshank Redemption was released nearly thirty years ago in 1994. It became an instant classic telling the tale of an innocent man in prison who eventually gains his freedom through a satisfying escape plan. And if watched any TV in the past thirty years or so, you might recognize the image on the screens. It’s a cross-stitch panel hanging prominently in the office of Warden Norton, the warden of Shawshank Prison, where Andy Dufrense serves his life imprisonment. The cross-stitch is really ironic in the movie because it hides a secret safe. Inside the safe and behind the cross-stitch is where he keeps the record of his secret bank accounts, the record of his kickbacks, and embezzlement. So every time the warden puts the records in the safe, he is staring at the words, “His Judgement Cometh and That Right Soon!”

As we continue our study of the book of Malachi, we arrive at a heavy subject, what the Bible calls the Day of Judgment. I invite you to find the book of Malachi 4 with me if you will [page 955 in your pew Bibles]. Too many Christians have done what the warden did, thinking we get a “free pass.”

The ancient Jewish teachers in Jesus' day thought they got a free pass because of their bloodline connection to Abraham (John 8:33). Some of us believe we will receive a “free pass” because of our excuses, our Christian heritage, or our good behavior. We fail to connect the dots between our behavior and God’s judgment when it stares us in the face, just like the warden.

Today’s Scripture

“Then once more you shall see the distinction between the righteous and the wicked, between one who serves God and one who does not serve him. 4:1 For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. 2 But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. 3 And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts” (Malachi 3:18-4:3).

This is probably the most emotionally distressing passage in the book of Malachi. We must be careful not to relegate the thought of God’s judgment to an antique store or something to be hung on the walls of Cracker Barrel restaurant. The Greek word for “judgment” in our New Testament is where we get our English word “crisis.” For many, this will be a crisis on a scale like no other.

A quick preview: what is the Day of Judgement, why does the Bible’s teaching on the Day of Judgment matter, and how you can personally align your life to the Bible’s teaching on this vital subject?

1. The Day of Judgement

“For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch” (Malachi 4:1).

The word “behold” is used to capture our attention for an important point. The Lord will return one day, and He will take action against all the wicked.

1.1 A Future Day

Notice this is a future day. The Bible says clearly in verse one: “For behold, the day is coming…” (Malachi 4:1a). The Day is coming but is not here yet. Don’t get the idea that God is fully judging sin now on earth like He will judge sin then. Yes, there is a built-in judgment of sin now. Venereal disease is the consequence of sin. A broken family is often a consequence of sin. Diabetes may be the result of obesity for some. Yes, some are suffering is the consequences of sin right now. But today isn’t that Day, for that Day is coming. Not one-half of one sin will go unpunished: “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord” (Romans 12:19).

1.2 On My Calendars

We have many important days on our calendars. On our calendars, I have a day to go to the doctor, and you may have a day where you are in court. On our calendars, you have a day you graduate from college, and I have a day when I bury my loved ones. And we have regular days on our calendars. On our calendars, I have a day to get my haircut, and you have a day to go out on a date. But I am not just talking about any old day, instead, I am talking about one specific day - the Day with a capital D [pause]. You’ll never have any other day like you’ll have on this Day.