MALACHI


The Apocalypse in Malachi.

The Apocalypse is contained in Malachi as well as in all the rest of the prophets: that is, the same development of the divine purpose is exhibited in Malachi's predictions as in the Patmian revelation. Malachi informs us that

 "from the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same Yahweh's name shall be great among the Gentiles; and in every place incense shall be offered to his name, and a pure offering, for his name shall be great among the nations, saith Yahweh of hosts."

John testifies the same thing in saying, 

"Every creature which is in the heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for the Aions of the Aions" (Apoc. 5:13). 

This is a universal ascription, which ascends from every place as incense and a pure offering to his name, which is "dreadful among the nations" at that time.

This name is not dreadful now, but a by-word in the lips of the profane. This, however, will not always be. Malachi directs our attention to "the day of the coming of the Messenger of the Covenant" as to a day that few will be able to abide. "Who," saith he, 

"may abide the day of his coming? And who shall stand when he appeareth? For he is like a refiner's fire, and like fuller's soap."

In this day men will be taught to venerate this name, and not to take it lightly into their lips, The Apocalypse treats of this same great and terrible day of the Lord's coming, and of its effect upon the wicked:

"Behold he comes with clouds; and every eye shall see him, and they who pierced him, and all kindreds of the earth shall wail because of him. Even so, Amen" (Apoc. 1:7). 

And,

 "Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his shame" (ch. 16:15). 

And again,

 "Behold I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be" (ch. 22:12). 

And when this coming is manifested, "the Ark of God's Testament" is seen; and there are 

"lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail" (Apoc. 11:19).

These judgments make the day a dreadful one; and, as Malachi testifies, a day burning as an oven, in which the proud and wicked doers of the epoch shall be destroyed as stubble, and neither root nor branch of them be left behind. This total and utter extirpation of the world-rulers is attributed both by Malachi and John to the saints in their post-resurrectional operations. Malachi predicts their resurrection in these words, saying, 

"Unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of Righteousness arise with healing in his beams; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall."

Being thus raised, the work they have to do is expressed in the words, 

"and ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do, saith Yahweh of hosts." 

The Apocalypse teaches the same doctrine. It sets forth the pre-regnal resurrection of the saints, and their post-resurrectional judgment of the world-rulers and their hosts. 

"Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection . . . they shall be priests of the Deity and of the Anointed; and shall reign with him a thousand years."

Having part in the first resurrection, "they sit upon thrones, and judgment is given to them." The execution of the judgment appointed puts them in possession of the thrones; and in executing the judgment written, they bind the Dragon, cast the Beast and the False Prophet into a lake of fire, overthrow Babylon, and torment with famine, pestilence, and sword, the worshippers of the beast and his image, and the receivers of his mark in their forehead, or in their hand.

Thus apocalyptically "they tread the wicked as ashes under the soles of their feet," as foretold by Malachi; and by conquest establish their right to rule all nations as kings of God, seeing that they will have subdued them by His spirit energizing them with the might of omnipotence.

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