Malachi 4

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The story so far

• Dead and formal religion

• Hearts that were wrong

• Compromise and disobedience

• Arrogant, self-righteous blindness

• Bad leadership

• Robbing God

• Judgement to come

Overview

• The day of the Lord– Certainty– What it will mean for different people

• The required response

• The final warning

• So what?

The day of the Lord

• NIV translation “surely”– Means it is sure / certain–Most versions say “behold” or “look”

• Will burn like a furnace– Intensity– Purpose– Irresistability

The day of the Lord: unbelievers• Will burn like a furnace

– The arrogant– Every evildoer– It will burn away all stubble / dross

• The judgement is God’s doing

• It will utterly destroy– The root as well as the branch

The day of the Lord: believers

• The furnace will refine

• Those who revere God’s name

• Christ: the Sun of Righteousness– Risen with healing in His wings– This sun will never again set

• Will bring liberty and joy– Like young calves released from the stall

• Victorious exaltation

It’s the final countdown

• The required response:– Remember Moses and the law– Remember the decrees previously given– Remember the prophets

• The final warning:– Prophecy will cease– Elijah will come– Unity and the return to true religion –The warning to those who will not turn

So what?• Judgement is certain, unavoidable and eternal

– Are we ready? (both believers and unbelievers)

• Do we have a right and balanced view of God?– The day of judgement: 1 day with different effects?– Do we truly love the God of justice and grace?

• Are we living for eternity?– Looking forward to and living in the light of eternity?– Are we bogged down in the present?

• Are we allowing God’s word to shape us?– Are we only looking for experiences?

• This could be your last chance;– Are you taking it seriously?