Sat.’s Devo - Your Kingdom Come!

Read: Malachi 1:1-2:17; Revelation 21:1-27; Psalm 149:1-9; Proverbs 31:10-24 Malachi was an unknown person who probably wrote during the time of Nehemiah to the people of Palestine. God’s people had returned to Jerusalem from bondage and fell to complacency and immorality. They had not learned from their past but were repeating it. *** He begins by telling the people how much the Lord loves them. God chose Jacob but hated Esau and cursed the land of his inheritance. He blessed Jacob and blessed his inheritance which they were a part of. God called the land of Esau “The Land of Wickedness” and it will always be that way. People will see that and know that God extends his power beyond the boundaries of Israel. *** Malachi lists Israel’s offenses. 1. They dishonored his name by offering defiled animals as sacrifices to him. 2. The priests accepted the maimed animals as fitting offerings to God. 3. The priests corrupted the teaching of the covenant causing many to stumble. They showed favoritism. 4. The men of Judah had defiled the Lord’s sanctuary by marrying women who worship idols, while still bringing offerings to the Lord. 5. They dishonored their marriage covenant with their wives and put them out without legally divorcing them. This left them penniless without hope. 6. They called evil good while praying for justice. *** God made it clear what would happen to the ones who did this. They would not receive the favor they sought but instead they would receive the curse. The priests would be despised and humiliated in the eyes of all the people. The men who married idolatrous wives while bringing sacrifices to the Lord would be cut off from the nation of Israel. They had wearied the Lord with their hypocrisy. *** In Revelation, John saw the refreshed earth and heavens. Jerusalem was now a holy city. God will tabernacle here. He will take sorry and death from them forever. This was the culmination of all God’s plan. The overcomes will inherit the earth. *** The unbelievers and wicked will receive their inheritance which would be the second death in the lake of fire. *** One of the seen angels took John to see the bride, the wife of the Lamb. She was the whole holy city of Jerusalem. She shone with God’s glory. She had God’s government and everything reflected heaven’s ways. He measured it and everything about it was according to God’s standards. All the tribes were represented and its gifts being used to benefit the others. The gems on the walls shone with the glory and colors of heaven. The gates of pearl represented the praises of his people. Everything from the walls to the streets reflected the glory of God and the glory of heaven. Heaven had come to earth at last. *** There was not need for a Temple because the Lord was there and they could worship him forever. There was no need for the sun or moon because the glory of God illuminated the city and the Lamb was its light. The gates would never have to shut for fear of a raid. All the nations would be welcome. They would enter and bring their glory and honor into the city. Nothing evil would ever be allowed to enter nor any idolatry or dishonesty. Only those whose names are written in the Lamb’s Book of Life. *** What a glorious ending to this earth and all we have suffered for. Lord, we are so amazed at your great plan for us. May we bring your glory! We long to see your Kingdom come!