Dec 29, 2022
MALACHI 1-2:
We heard a very difficult conclusion to Zechariah yesterday.
Chapter 14 started out with horrendous news for Jerusalem. But the
Lord himself steps in:
Zec. 14:3 NLT Then the LORD will go out to fight against those nations, as he has fought in times past. 4 On that day his feet will stand on the Mount of Olives, east of Jerusalem. And the Mount of Olives will split apart …
We will see the following from Zech 14 very soon in Revelation:
Zec. 14:5c NLT “Then the LORD my God
will come, and all his holy ones with him.
6 On that day the sources of light will no longer shine,
7 yet there will be continuous day! …
8 On that day life-giving waters will flow out from Jerusalem, half
toward the Dead Sea and half toward the Mediterranean,
flowing continuously in both summer and winter.”
We turn now to the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi. The name means, “my messenger.” There is debate as to the date of the writing of this post exilic prophet, but generally speaking it is true that there is a 400 year gap between this last Old Testament prophet and New Testament. It could be that Malachi prophesied in Nehemiah’s day. Both Malachi and Nehemiah dealt with priestly laxity (Mal. 1:6; Neh. 13:4-9), neglect of tithes (Mal. 3:7-12; Neh. 13:10-13), and intermarriage between Israelites and foreigners (Mal. 2:10-16; Neh. 13:23-28).”
Re-reading ISAIAH 65:
Note that the chapter starts with a verse that Paul quotes in
Romans 10.
REVELATION 20:
After the judgment wreaked against Babylon (chapter 18), we heard
songs praising God’s justice in chapter 19. Then we saw the
appearing of Christ riding on a white horse. Typical of John’s
reticence to name deity, Christ is not named, but is beautifully
described. Note that even Jesus has a name written on his person
which only He understands. And like in John 1:1, Christ’s title is
the ‘Word of God’. It is possible that this account of His
appearing may not be in chronological order in its position
following the destruction of Babylon. Although Christ’s army is
mentioned, note how the victory is won by Christ alone.
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.