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.