Sat.’s Devo - The Promise

Read: Malachi 3:1-4:6; Revelation 22:1-21; Psalm 150:1-6; Proverbs 31:25-31 Malachi, the messenger proclaimed that another messenger (John the Baptist) would come to bring the message of The Messenger who was coming. This messenger (Jesus) would be like a fire that refines metal or a soap that bleaches clothes. He would purify the Levites so that they would once again offer acceptable sacrifices to the Lord. He would put Israel on trial and try them for adultery, sorcery and lying. He would condemn those who extorted money and oppressed the helpless. He rebuked them for withholding their tithes. Giving their tithes insures a promised blessing on their finances and crops. They had complained that there were no benefits to serving the Lord. They had observed how the evil get rich and God never punished them for their evil. They didn’t know that a book of everything they said favorably about the Lord had been recorded. God would judge in their behalf and they will be his people and his special treasure. God will spare his obedient children and not judge them. But the wicked will be judged and consumed like straw in the fire. God’s people will be healed and be set free. God will send Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord arrives. His preaching will turn the hearts of the children to their fathers, otherwise God will come and strike the land with a curse. Revelation goes into detail what Malachi touched on about the Sun of Righteousness rising with healing in his wings. John sees a river with trees growing on both sides. Every month a different tree sprung up and its leaves brought healing for the nations. There would be no more curses on anything. The throne of God and of the Lamb would be visible and they would always be able to see their faces. God’s name will be written on their foreheads and there would always be light. John was instructed not to seal up the words he had written but to let people keep living their lives holy or unholy. God was coming with a reward for all how followed him and obeyed his covenant. Those who washed their robes would be permitted to enter through the gates of the city and eat the fruit from the tree of life. Outside the city the sinners would live. The Spirit and the bride send out an invitation to come and drink from the water of life. Lord, we drink from your fountain of life and choose to live in your healing virtue. May we patiently await the culmination of this world and the new world you have promised.