Read: Malachi 3:1-4:6; Revelation 22:1-21; Psalm 150:1-6; Proverbs 31:25-31
Malachi was referring to John the Baptist when he said his messenger would go before him to prepare the way. He was to prepare their hearts to receive the new covenant Jesus would bring. John would bring a message of repentance that would refine the Levites, his priests. He would call them to judge righteously and fairly. He would challenge them to bring their tithes and offerings to the Lord and tend to the Lord’s house first.
The people were weary of serving the Lord because they couldn’t see the benefit. It looked to them like the ungodly was just as blessed or more than them so why should they serve the Lord if it didn’t matter. God told them that he had a book of remembrance that recorded everything they did for Him.
One day, the ungodly will be judged by fire. The righteous will get vengeance on the wicked and trample them under their feet.
God will send a prophet who has the spirit of Elijah who will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearths of the children to their fathers. Israel will turn back to their forefathers of Moses, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob and and become as children. Jesus said that we must become like children to enter the kingdom of God.
In Revelation we are in heaven with John being shown the river of life. It is the opposite of the lake of fire. It will flow from the throne of God and bring life and healing to the nations. Those who have washed their robes through repentance will have the right to eat of the tree of life that the first Adam was forbidden to eat. Now will be the acceptable time for eternal life.
I love that our last day of the year ends with Psalm 150 which is a crescendo of praise and Proverbs 31 describing the Bride of Christ and her attributes. God created the world to find a bride for his son and in the end he describes what he found. She is the one who kept herself pure and holy looking to the needs of her husband, the Bright and Morning Star.
Lord, may we be clothed with strength and dignity and be able to laugh at the days to come because we trust in you. May our works praise you.
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