THE DAY OF THE LORD

INTRODUCTION:

It is always interesting to note the last words of Godly saints that have died and gone to heaven. They can serve to be a challenge to us who remain living here in this world.

Adonirum Judson’s last words: ““I go with the gladness of a boy bounding away from school. I feel so strong in Christ.”

John Bunyan’s last words: ““Weep not for me, but for yourselves. The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, through the mediation of His blessed Son, receives me, though a sinner. We shall meet to sing the new song, and remain everlastingly happy.”

FOCUS: Malachi now ends his words to Judah with some final words of exhortation regarding the future. These words were meant to leave them encouraged for the days and years ahead.

Two different sections. The first deals with the the coming Day of the Lord and the second is a final word of exhortation. Notice what he tells them:

1) A PREDICTION OF JUDGEMENT TO COME (1)

Joel 2:1–3 ESV

1 Blow a trumpet in Zion; sound an alarm on my holy mountain! Let all the inhabitants of the land tremble, for the day of the Lord is coming; it is near, 2 a day of darkness and gloom, a day of clouds and thick darkness! Like blackness there is spread upon the mountains a great and powerful people; their like has never been before, nor will be again after them through the years of all generations. 3 Fire devours before them, and behind them a flame burns. The land is like the garden of Eden before them, but behind them a desolate wilderness, and nothing escapes them.

This is meant to be an encouragement regarding God’s judgement

God’s judgement is coming

Those that are evil are not going to get away with doing evil

2) A PROMISE TO GOD’S PEOPLE (2-3)

This is an encouragement to live right

God’s people will receive healing (2)

God’s people will receive freedom (2)

God’s people will be vindicated (3)

3) A PROPER WAY TO LIVE IS ENCOURAGED (4)

Joshua 1:7–8 ESV

7 Only be strong and very courageous, being careful to do according to all the law that Moses my servant commanded you. Do not turn from it to the right hand or to the left, that you may have good success wherever you go. 8 This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.

This is not a call to empty following of God’s law as they had been doing

This is a call to thoughtful application of God’s Word beginning now and going into the future.

Proverbs 4:7 ESV

7 The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom, and whatever you get, get insight.

4) A PROPHET WILL SOON COME (5-6)

This is a reference to John the Baptist. John would be like Elijah (5)

John would be like Elijah

We understand that Saints do not return to earth once in Heaven

Note important passages concerning John:

Matthew 11:10–14 ESV

10 This is he of whom it is written, “ ‘Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way before you.’ 11 Truly, I say to you, among those born of women there has arisen no one greater than John the Baptist. Yet the one who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven has suffered violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John, 14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come.

Matthew 17:10–13 ESV

10 And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” 11 He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. 12 But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they pleased. So also the Son of Man will certainly suffer at their hands.” 13 Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist.

John 1:21–25 ESV

21 And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” 22 So they said to him, “Who are you? We need to give an answer to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 He said, “I am the voice of one crying out in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way of the Lord,’ as the prophet Isaiah said.” 24 (Now they had been sent from the Pharisees.) 25 They asked him, “Then why are you baptizing, if you are neither the Christ, nor Elijah, nor the Prophet?”

John’s focus was to prepare the hearts of men for Christ (6)

CONCLUSION:

May we not find ourselves stuck in the midst of discouragement or empty religious worship.

May we remain encouraged that sin will not stand and that judgement will come to the wicked.

May we remain resolute to live out the commands of Christ and faithfully point others to Him.