Malachi 4:5-6
“See, I will send the prophet Elijah to you before that great and dreadful day of the Lord comes. He will turn the hearts of the parents to their children, and the hearts of the children to their parents; or else I will come and strike the land with total destruction” (Malachi 4:5-6).
Malachi 4:5-6 presents a message of hope, for the same God who destroys the guilty will bring everlasting “healing” to the repentant. “But to you who fear My name the Sun of Righteousness shall arise with healing in His wings; and you shall go out and grow fat like stall-fed calves” (verse 2).
The “Prophet” of the First Advent of Christ
To better understand Malachi 4:5- 6, we must keep in mind that some of the Jews of later times expected a return to earth of Elijah himself (John 1:21). However, this is a prophecy of someone who was to come in “the spirit and power” of Elijah (Luke 1:17), that is, who would preach a message similar to that of Elijah.
Before the first advent of Christ, this work was done by John the Baptist (Matthew 17:12, 13; Luke 1:16, 17; Malachi 3:1). Jesus himself said of John the Baptist, “For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come” (Matthew 11:13, 14).
The “Prophet” of the Second Advent of Christ
Before the second advent of Christ, a similar work will also be done by those who preach the three angels’ messages to the world (Revelation 14:6-12). The message here foretold would be a message leading to true repentance, and many would “turn to the Lord their God” (Luke 1:16).
The three angels’ messages present warnings to prepare people for Jesus’ second coming and to unmask the devil’s lies. Without these messages, the devil will be able to deceive the world. The main stress is that salvation has been provided for all by Christ alone. He gives His righteousness to cover our past sins and by His grace imparts His victory to help the faithful overcome sin every sin in the life.
In these messages, God reveals His love and requirements. God is calling people today back to the true worship. As God raised Elijah (1 Kings 18:37, 39) and John the Baptist to warn the people (Matthew 3:3), likewise, He will raise faithful ones to give His final warning to the world (Revelation 18:1).
The Bible identifies those faithful ones “Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). These saints are those that obey God’s Ten Commandments through their living faith in Christ. In the crisis soon to come, the inhabitants of the earth will be called to make their choice between the obedience to the laws of God or obedience to the laws of man (Daniel 3).
For more information, check: https://bibleask.org/what-are-the-three-angels-messages-of-revelation-14/
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
