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Malachi 3:1-6 with Hosea 5:14 - 6:3
Verse 1a
"Behold, I am going to send My messenger and he will clear the way before
Me."
This is typically applied to John the Baptizer as the forerunner of the
first advent of Jesus the Messiah.
Mat. 11:10-14; Mark 1:2; Luke 1:16-17, 76-79; 7:27; Isaiah 40:3.
Verse 1b
Here the prophecy skips beyond the first advent of Jesus and looks to His
2nd coming.
Just as there was a herald to the first advent of the Messiah (John the
Baptizer), so there will be heralds to the second advent of the Messiah;
Moses and Elijah. Mat. 17:1-11.
SEE TOPIC: The Two Witnesses
MATTHEW 17:11, Jesus said, "Elijah is coming (first, Mark 9:12) and will
restore all things."
1. COMING FIRST refers to what Malachi 4:5 prophesied, "I am going to send
you Elijah the prophet BEFORE the coming of the great and terrible day of
the Lord."
At Mal. 4:6, Elijah's ministry is described as, "to RESTORE the hearts of
the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers,
lest I come and smite the land with a curse."
2. RESTORE refers to his ministry which will be to prepare the people for
the coming of the Messiah.
The verb restore is apokathistemi as a future active indicative. It is the
same verb used in the LXX at Malachi 4:6, which describes Elijah's ministry
as "RESTORE the hearts of the fathers to their children and the hearts of
the children to their fathers."
3. ALL THINGS: This refers ultimately to the restoration of the nation as
the covenanted people of God, who will go alive into the millennial kingdom.
This is a process that will begin at the start of Daniel's 70th week to
fulfill God's plan for the nation as stated at Daniel 9:24. "Seventy weeks
have been decreed for your people and your holy city, TO finish THE
TRANSGRESSION, TO make an end of sin, TO make atonement for iniquity, TO
bring in everlasting righteousness, TO seal up vision and prophecy and TO
anoint the most holy place."
4. At Daniel 9:24, "finish the transgression" refers to Israel's national
sin of rejecting Jesus as their promised Messiah.
After the Messiah arrived and presented Himself to the nation as their
Messiah and Savior at His first coming, the nation rejected Him and He in
turn rejected the nation.
Daniel 9:26a, "The Messiah will be cut off and have nothing."
Mat. 23:36, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, who kills the prophets and stones those
who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together,
the way a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and YOU WERE UNWILLING."
Acts 3:14, "But you disowned the Holy and Righteous One."
5. After His resurrection Jesus returned to heaven where He will remain
until the perfect timing for His second coming.
Acts 3:21, "whom heaven must receive until the times of restoration of all
things."
Psalm 110:1, "Yahweh says to my Lord, sit down at My right hand until I make
Your enemies a footstool for Your feet."
6. But as a result of Israel's national transgression, "the people of the
prince who is to come will destroy the city and the sanctuary and its end
will come with a flood; and to the end there will be war; a decree of
desolations" (Dan. 9:26b). Mat. 23:37-39;
38 "Behold, your house is being left to you desolate!
Luke 21:24, "and they will fall by the edge of the sword, and will be led
captive into all the nations; and Jerusalem will be trampled under foot by
the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles are fulfilled." Dan. 11:33b;
Zech. 13:8.
7. This refers to the 5th cycle of national discipline in 70 AD; world-wide
dispersion. Lev. 26:27-33; Deut. 28:49-68.
HOSEA 5:14-15
For I will be like a lion to Ephraim
And like a young lion to the house of Judah. I, even I, will tear to pieces
and go away, I will carry away, and there will be none to deliver.
I will go away and return to My place."
"I will go away and return to My place
Until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; In their affliction
they will earnestly seek Me."
Mat. 23:39, "you shall not see Me until you say, praised is He who comes in
the name of the Lord."
The ministry of Elijah, which will begin the process of restoration, is to
bring about a change of attitude.
It is a change of attitude back to looking for fulfillment of the Messianic
promise; the true heritage of the Jewish people; and to the true character
of the Mosaic law; mercy, faithfulness, justice and the love of God.
Mat. 23:23 and Luke 11:42 and Micah 6:8.
His ministry will be successful for a large group of Jews who will become
convicted of the nation's past failure. They will recognize that Jesus
was/is indeed the promised Messiah and will begin to seek the Lord according
to their national heritage; the Messianic promise.
HOSEA 5:15
"I will go away and return to My place
Until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face;
In THEIR AFFLICTION they will earnestly seek Me."
1. THEIR AFFLICTION refers to the tribulation/persecution of Daniel 12:1,
"and there will be a time of affliction since as never occurred since there
was a nation until that time."
The word at both places in the LXX is thlipsis.
This refers to the oppression by the beast of Rev. 13:3-7 and Dan. 11:36-39.
The tribulation will begin at the midpoint of the 70th week. Dan. 9:27, "and
in the middle of the week, he will put as stop to sacrifice and grain
offering, and by means of the wing of abominations (he) causing desolation
until a completion."
This is the abomination of Dan. 12:11 and Mat. 24:15 and 2Thes. 2:4.
It is after the tribulation begins at the midpoint of the week and before
the Lord returns that there will be a national change of attitude toward
Jesus the Messiah.
During the time BEFORE and within their affliction (the tribulation),
Elijah, as one of the two witnesses of Rev. 11, will testify to the nation
and to the world "to press on to know the Lord" (Hosea 6:3); and to "restore
the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to
their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse" (Mal. 4:6).
The nation, represented by the 144k servants of Rev. 7:1-8, will be
convicted of their national guilt and begin to seek the Lord.
2. ACKNOWLEDGE THEIR GUILT refers to the specific national sin that has
plagued the nation since it was committed.
It is the national rejection of Jesus as their promised Messiah; "the
transgression" of Daniel 9:24.
It is this acknowledgment and expression of spiritual hunger that will
trigger the foreknown plan of God for bringing the Messiah back into the
world.
3. SEEK MY FACE. This is not getting "saved," but is an expression of hunger
for the truth.
This expression of hunger is indicated at Hosea 6:1-3 as the prophet takes
the hearers to the time of tribulation.
Hosea 6:1
“Come, let us return to the Lord.
For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will
bandage us."
A. Torn and wounded refers to the period of divine discipline.
B. Heal and bandage refers to restoration based on a change of attitude.
C. The plea for His return is expressed at Isaiah 64:1-2.
4. THE 144K JEWISH BOND SERVANTS
After the tribulation begins, a group of Jews as representative of the
nation will recognize that Jesus was their promised Messiah and express
desire to know the truth and to return to the Lord. At that time Jesus will
interrupt (cut short, Mat. 24:22) the tribulation and return in the clouds
of the sky with power and great glory to begin the process of delivering His
people.
Mat. 23:39, "you shall not see Me until you say, praised is He who comes in
the name of the Lord."
This is not salvation. It is not a trust in Jesus as Savior. It is a change
of attitude that now is TRULY seeking the Messiah. It is the acknowledgment
of their national sin, that rejected Jesus as their Messiah, and a return to
the true character of the law of Moses.
This will be what Malachi 4:6 describes, "And he will restore the hearts of
the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their
fathers."
This is the acknowledgment of the 144k bond servants of Rev. 7 that prepares
them to trust in Jesus as Savior after He comes back, which will give them
spiritual life; salvation from sin.
HOSEA 6:2
“He will GIVE US LIFE (revive) after two days; on the third day, He will
raise us up That we may live in His presence."
1.GIVE US LIFE is a piel imperfect of chAyAh. It means to give life.
The translation, "revive us" is fine, but must be interpreted as the
reception of salvation; spiritual life.
It indicates the result of changing the attitude toward Jesus that trusts in
Him as the SAVIOR of the world. They will have been convicted already that
Jesus is the Messiah, and they will be seeking the Lord. When He arrives in
the clouds of the sky with power and great glory, they will trust in Him as
SAVIOR, and be given spiritual life; sealed as belonging to God. The
confession that constitutes belief in Christ as SAVIOR AND the message that
will be proclaimed by the 144k Jewish bond servants is reflected in the
confession of Isaiah 53:1-10.
2. AFTER TWO DAYS: Here, the prophet states a very interesting time line.
If day is symbolic for a year, as it often is, this could be a subtle
prophecy that the return of the Lord will occur during the third year of the
tribulation.
I would like to think that God intends for this to be understood by the
hearers, but this seems to be something to be understood only by those who
are in the tribulation of verse 5:15, "in their affliction they will
earnestly seek Me."
As we compare with other scriptures, we learn that the return of Jesus could
actually be delayed until sometime after the 2nd year of the beast's
persecution of Israel. At least 5 months is required after His return based
on the duration of the 5th trumpet judgment of Rev. 9:5, "torment for 5
months." And it is reasonable to allot one or more months to the previous and
subsequent trumpet judgments.
Thus, "after two days" refers to the first two years of the beast's reign
and the period of tribulation (their affliction) that will begin at the
midpoint of the week. It is at some unknown day and hour AFTER the 2nd year
of the tribulation and AT LEAST 5 months BEFORE the end of the 70th week,
that Jesus will return in the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.
This does not violate the "thief in the night" analogy, nor the unknown "day
and hour" factor.
Jesus already established that His return will come in the season of the
tribulation at Mat. 24:32-37, "Behold the fig tree and all the trees; as
soon as they put forth leaves, you know that summer is near. Even so you too
when you see all these things. recognize that He is near, right at the
door."
And since His return MUST occur AT LEAST 5 months before the end of the
week, and since there probably needs to be more than 5 months for the
completion of all 6 of the trumpet judgments, it is quite reasonable to
place His return at some unknown day and hour during the 3rd year of the
beast's reign.
3. ON THE THIRD DAY:
"After two days" and "on the third day" probably refer to the same point in
time. Not only do the 144k Jews become saved at that time, but they are also
appointed as the bond servants of God.
4. HE WILL RAISE US UP: The verb is a hiphil imperfect of qūm.
This refers to the establishment of the 144k as God's bond servants and the
official embodiment of the nation of Israel.
That is why in John's vision, they are seen symbolically standing with Jesus
on the Mt. of Olives (Rev. 14:1).
These will then pick up the baton from the church and will SERVE as God's
evangelistic representatives on the earth reaching out to the rest of the
Jews who are scattered throughout the world.
5. THAT WE MAY LIVE IN HIS PRESENCE:
This is a clear indication that "give us life" refers to the saving of those
who trust in Jesus. The word "live" here is the same verb as seen above;
chAyAh
as a qal imperfect. Because of salvation, those who believe will live in
God's presence. This refers to their life here on earth as having
relationship with God, as well eternity.
The message of Hosea then, is to the people of Israel who will be alive at
the time of the great affliction. Given the promises of God stated here and
elsewhere, that the Lord will return to save and raise up the nation, the
people are exhorted to press on to know Yahweh.
HOSEA 6:3
"So let us know, let us press on to know Yahweh. His going forth is as
certain as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, Like the spring
rain watering the earth.”
1. This desire to "know Yahweh' is the acknowledgment of the "nation" (as
represented by the 144k bond servants) that they failed to accept Jesus as
their Messiah, that God has disciplined them, and that He will rescue them
in His own perfect timing. This SEEKING after God will be the trigger for
Him to advance to the next stage of His "plan of the ages." It will come as
scheduled according to His perfect plan which is as certain as the dawn and
as promising as the spring rain.
2. This desire and appeal to the people of Israel will come from the
ministry of Malachi as one of the two witnesses of Rev. 11, and will occur
before the return of Jesus. Accordingly, it is not a message from the
144,000 bond servants since they will not minister until AFTER the arrival
of Jesus.
It is recognition that Jesus was the promised Messiah and that His return is
coming soon. However, after Christ's return, the two witnesses will continue
their ministry to the Jews and with the newly added 144k bond servants,
proclaim the gospel.
3. But most individuals will not put personal trust in Him as Savior until
He actually arrives in the clouds of the sky and they see Him. Those who do
accept Him as THE SAVIOR prior to His coming will be part of the new body of
Christ (the church) and will be taken out of the world at Christ's arrival
via the rapture. Mat. 24:29-31.
4. During the time prior to Christ's return, the church will proclaim the
gospel right up until the Lord takes them out. Mat. 10:21-23, "you shall not
finish with the cities of Israel until the Son of Man comes."
Mat. 24:14, "and this gospel of the kingdom shall be proclaimed in the whole
world for a witness to all the nations, and then the end shall come."
5. This, along with the ministry of the two witnesses of Revelation 11 who
testify from the start of the tribulation will result in the acknowledgment
of their national sin. Thus, various people from among the Jews will be
appealing one to another to learn more and return to Yahweh.
"let us know, let us press on to know Yahweh."
6.
The plea for His return is expressed at Isaiah 64:1-2.
Oh,
that You would tear open the heavens and come down,
That the mountains would quake at Your presence—
2 As fire kindles
brushwood, as fire causes water to boil—
To make Your name known to Your adversaries,
That the nations may tremble at
Your presence!
7. After the 144k Israelites acknowledge that Jesus was the Messiah, and
acknowledge their "national" sin of having rejected Him, God the Father will
cut short the tribulation (Mat 24:22) and Jesus will arrive in the
clouds of the sky with power and great glory. Mat. 24:29-31.
The first to believe in Jesus as SAVIOR after His return will be the 144,000
Jewish bond servants of Revelation 7. After that there will be many more
from among both Jew and Gentile who become believers. Then after Armageddon,
during the next 45 days (Dan. 12:12), before Jesus sets up His earthly
kingdom, He will remove all the unbelievers from the believers so that only
believers will enter alive into the kingdom. Ezekiel 34:17-22; Mat.
25:31-46.
MALACHI 3:1b
1. And the Lord, whom you seek:
At the time of Christ's first coming, the people of Israel, as a whole, were
not worshipping God according to full knowledge. Romans 10:2-3.
"They have a zeal for God but not according to full knowledge, for not
knowing about God's righteousness, and seeking to establish their own, they
did not subject themselves to the righteousness of God."
They gave lip service to the Messianic promise made to their forefathers,
but they had lost focus on the true character of the law and trust in God.
Mat. 23:23 and Luke 11:42. "justice, mercy, faithfulness and the love of
God."
That condition remains to this very day and will continue until the 144k
bond servants, as representatives of the nation, change their attitude
toward Jesus.
But of course, for those who have rejected Jesus, that arrival will be a day
of darkness and not light. Amos 5:18.
But it need not stay that way, for Joel 2:32 promises, "whoever calls upon
the name of Yahweh will be saved." Isaiah 55:6-7,
"Seek the LORD while He may be found; Call upon Him while He is near. Let
the wicked forsake his way And the unrighteous man his thoughts; And let him
return to the LORD, And He will have compassion on him, And to our God, For
He will abundantly pardon."
And a few verses later the promise is that those who believe will enter into
the Millennial kingdom. Isaiah 55:12-13, "For you will go out with joy And
be led forth with peace; The mountains and the hills will break forth into
shouts of joy before you, And all the trees of the field will clap their
hands. 13 "Instead of the thorn bush the cypress will come up, And instead
of the nettle the myrtle will come up, And it will be a memorial to the
LORD, For an everlasting sign which will not be cut off."
As we have seen, this expression, "whom you seek" has specific application
to the great tribulation. Hosea 5:15.
"in their affliction they will earnestly seek me."
2. will suddenly come to His temple:
The arrival of Jesus in the clouds of the sky with power and great glory
comes immediately after the signs in the sun, moon and stars. Joel 2:30-31;
Mat. 24:29-30; Rev. 6:12-17.
It is sudden and unexpected like a thief in the night. Mat. 24:36, 42-44;
1Thes. 5:2; 2Peter 3:10.
His arrival is not just to resurrect the elect of all previous generations (Mat. 24:31), but
to reveal Himself to the nation of Israel as their promised Messiah.
I think that Coming "to the temple" is symbolic and represents the
presentation of Himself to the nation. However, there will, in fact, be a
literal physical temple in Jerusalem at the time that has been abominated by
the beast.
2Thes. 2:3-4; Mat. 24:15; Dan. 9:27.
But Jesus does not actually come to Jerusalem until several months after His
arrival in the clouds of the sky (Zech. 12:1-9; 14:3-4).
3. At Revelation 11:1-2 John's vision focuses on the earthly temple in
Jerusalem. Of course the safest course is the literal interpretation.
That means that everything mentioned should be viewed as actual unless there
is an OBVIOUS symbol used, such as "fire from the mouth."
There is a literal temple and altar and literal worshippers.
The outer court is the actual outer court, the nations are the literal
Gentile nations, and the 42 months is a literal and actual time period.
This temple will obviously be built some time between 70 AD and the rise of
the beast. But of course, as of this date in 2020, there is no temple in
Jerusalem.
That this is an earthly temple is confirmed by four factors:
(1) it mentions “those who worship in it,” which refers to national Israel
operating under the covenant of peace and toleration, although the worship
activity of the Jews at this time will not be acceptable to God.
The covenant of peace will be established at the beginning of the 70th week
through the world ruler of the first seal (Revelation 6:1-2; Dan. 9:27). We
know that this "covenant" involves religious toleration because it allows
for a Jewish temple to be built in Jerusalem, in which sacrifices will be
offered. AND we know this because 3 1/2 years later, at the midpoint of the
week, the world ruler will put a stop to the sacrifices.
(2) the outer court is to be dominated by the Gentiles, and in fact, the
entire city of Jerusalem will be controlled by Gentiles under the leadership
of the beast, for 42 months.
(3) At 2 Thessalonians 2:4, the man of lawlessness is described as one who
“take his stand in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.”
(4) In Daniel 9:26, this man of lawlessness, who corresponds with the
“prince who is to come,” will “put a stop to sacrifice and grain offerings,”
which indicates that there needs to be a functional temple or sanctuary
existing in the city of Jerusalem. Accordingly, it is consistent with
Scripture and context to understand this as reference to an earthly temple,
even though other references to a temple in the book of Revelation have a
HEAVENLY temple in view. (Rev. 7:15; 11:19; 14:15, 17; 15:5, 6, 8; 16:1, 17.
4. Revelation 11:1 then, represents an evaluation AT the MIDPOINT of the
week, of what has been going on BEFORE the midpoint of the week. The thing
that is being measured and the people who are being measured are ALREADY
THERE. The temple is ALREADY THERE. The people are ALREADY worshipping
BEFORE the measuring begins.
It is the measuring that EVALUATES the situation and results in divine
rejection of the building and worship. This measurement is an indictment on
the Jewish people and is the basis for the ministry of the two witnesses who
exhort the people to a return to the TRUE hope of the coming of their
Messiah.
Worship in the Jewish sacrificial system is NOT valid. It has not been valid
since the crucifixion. It will not be valid UNTIL the millennial kingdom.
The temple that is constructed during the 70th week is not honoring to God.
Animal sacrifices are no longer honoring to God. Amos 5:18-24 (Day of the
Lord context).
Amos 5:18, "Alas, you who are longing for the day of the LORD,
For what purpose will the day of the LORD be to you?
It will be darkness and not light."
Amos 5:21-24
"I hate, I reject your festivals, Nor do I delight in your solemn
assemblies. Even though you offer up to Me burnt offerings and your grain
offerings, I will not accept them; And I will not even look at the peace
offerings of your fatlings. Take away from Me the noise of your songs ; I
will not even listen to the sound of your harps. But let justice roll down
like waters And righteousness like an ever-flowing stream."
5. The Jews are operating under the deception of the confirmed covenant with
the world ruler. Their ATTITUDE toward Jesus WILL STILL BE total rejection
and disdain. They are worshipping according to a religious tradition and
legalism that has lost sight of the true Messianic promise (Rom. 10:2-3).
When the tribulation begins under the oppressive reign of the beast, the two
witnesses will come on the scene and proclaim the message that Jesus is the
Messiah. They will appeal to the nation in order to "restore the hearts of
the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers."
Malachi 4:6.
This will result in the 144,000 Jewish bond servants recognizing Jesus as
the promised MESSIAH to such an extent that it can be considered a
"national" repentance.
However, they won't accept Him as SAVIOR until after He comes back. This is
why the MEASURING is an evaluation that has a negative verdict. There is
nothing positive in unbelievers “worshipping” in a religious system that has
been rejected by God. For that matter, there is nothing positive in
“believers” worshipping in a religious system that has been rejected by God.
REVELATION 11:1
1. TEMPLE OF GOD
Although the nation is still under discipline and the "worshippers" at this
temple are NOT in right standing with God, IT IS STILL God's temple and the
worshipers are still God's PEOPLE (the Jews). Even though this is an
"unauthorized" temple, it still reflects their religious tradition, and it
is THIS TEMPLE that symbolically represents the NATION. So when Yahweh comes
suddenly to the temple, He is presenting Himself to the NATION and does not
literally arrive AT the temple (Mal. 3:1b). However, the temple has been
abominated and still needs to be cleansed of that abomination. That temple
will be destroyed probably during the 7th bowl judgment. The new temple in
the kingdom will be built, 2300 days after the midpoint of the week (32
months after the start of the kingdom). Dan. 8:14 and 26.
It seems that other "measurements" in Scripture have to do with Divine
ownership and Divine authority over the items being measured. Sometimes
blessing is in view and sometimes judgment is in view. (Zech 2; Ezekiel 40;
Rev. 21:15-17).
2. The measurement of Revelation 11:1 indicates that there is to be an
ACCOUNTING from God upon the Jewish people. This administration of divine
justice will take place in 3 phases.
But before judgment comes God's grace. Prior to the 70th week and up until
Jesus returns, the church will be evangelizing the world so that "whoever
calls upon the Lord will be saved." Joel. 2:32; Mat. 10:23; 24:14.
A. Phase one will begin at the midpoint of the week, when the beast is
allowed to carry out his oppressive reign (the great tribulation).
Grace before judgment will be seen in the ministry of the church and the two
witnesses who will be appealing to the Jews "to press on to know the Lord"
(Hosea 6:3).
B. Phase two will be after Jesus returns in the clouds of the sky and
prepares to judge the unbelievers through the trumpets and bowls.
And -
C. Phase three will be the removal of the unbelievers of Israel (fat sheep)
from the believers (lean sheep). Ezek. 34:17-22; Mal 3:2-3.
Grace before judgment as the two witnesses and the 144k Jewish bond servants
will continue to appeal to the Jews, to "fear God and give Him glory . . .
and worship Him." Rev. 14:7.
3. After the beast comes to power at the midpoint of the week, the
tribulation will begin. The temple will be desecrated and the altar
"abominated."
The "worshippers" will now have to choose between God and the beast. The
ministry of the two witnesses in conjunction with the evangelistic ministry
of the church will exhort the Jews to return to a genuine expectation of
their Messiah's return and to realize that Jesus is indeed their Messiah.
And yet, choosing this true heritage of the fathers (Mal 4:6) and even
acknowledging that Jesus is the Messiah, does not guarantee their salvation,
for they do not become "saved" until they accept Jesus as the SAVIOR. But
the CHOOSING will separate them from beast worship and prepare them to trust
in Jesus after He arrives. For then they will KNOW.
4. Many of those who choose to reject beast worship will flee Jerusalem, and
will find shelter and protection in the wilderness area of Edom. Revelation
12:6, 13-16. They leave BECAUSE OF THE THREAT, not because of reading the
warning given by Jesus at Matthew 24:16-20. That warning is for BELIEVERS
who are living in Judea. Of course, ANYONE who reads this part of the Bible
might understand and heed the warning.
There will probably be no one left in Jerusalem who could be considered
FAITHFUL to God and to the true Messianic promise. Most of these will
probably take the mark of the beast. However, many will somehow avoid taking
the mark, for AFTER the 1260 days and the 3 ˝ days that the 2 witnesses lie
in the street; AFTER 7000 people are killed in Jerusalem by the earthquake,
THE REST will believe (Rev. 11:13). Thus, when Jesus later arrives IN
Jerusalem we find the “believing” inhabitants of Jerusalem at Zech. 12:4-9.
The clans of Judah here include the survivors living outside of the city as
well as PERHAPS the Jews who return from Edom after Jesus rescues them by
the defeat of the armies garrisoned there (Isaiah 63:1-6).
5. So, during the many months of the tribulation period, the two witnesses
will be appealing to Jews throughout the world to "restore the hearts of the
fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to their fathers,
lest I come and smite the land with a curse." Mal. 4:6
This message involves re-igniting the spirit of the Messianic promise; the
heritage of the nation through the covenants made to their fathers. The
testimony of the two witnesses will be instrumental in impacting the 144,000
Jews from 12 tribes of Israel scattered throughout the world. These will be
viewed by God as representatives of the NATION, who will recognize Jesus as
the Messiah and begin to seek God in truth. This will fulfill Hosea 5:15;
Mat. 23:39; and Zeph. 2:1-3.
These will trust in Jesus immediately after His arrival. Revelation 7:1-3
Verse 1, "after this." That is, after the arrival of Jesus at the 6th seal
(Rev. 6:12-17) and the "announcement" that it is now time for God's wrath to
come.
Verse 3, "do not harm . . . until we have sealed the bond servants of God on
their foreheads."
The administration of God's wrath will be delayed until 144k bond servants
are sealed. The sealing comes AFTER the return of the Lord and constitutes
divine ownership. Divine ownership indicates salvation relationship. The
sealing is the claim of God upon them after they trust in Jesus as Savior.
This sealing might be the same kind of ministry by the Spirit to the church,
"sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise" (Eph. 1:13), and probably includes
the indwelling presence and empowering of the Spirit.
After they are saved the 144k will pick up the baton from the church and
carry the gospel throughout the world as BOND SERVANTS of the Lord. Rev.
14:1-7.
6. The reason the outer area is not measured is because that indicates the
NATION is STILL under ultimate divine discipline as it has been since 70 AD,
just as Jesus explained at Mat.23:37-39 and Luke 21:24. "Jerusalem will be
trodden under foot by the Gentiles until the times of the Gentiles is
fulfilled."
It is still under the OFFICIAL control of the Gentiles via the reign of the
beast, and will be for the next 42 months (1260 days).
This is another factor that indicates this should be viewed as taking place
at the midpoint of the week. If it was looking at the start of the week,
then the time factor would be 7 years rather than 3 1/2 years.
THE TIMES OF THE GENTILES
The TOG refers to the time of national discipline upon Israel which began in
70 AD and will be completed at the end of the 70th week. One could make a
case that the TOG actually began in 605 BCE when the kingdom of Judah was
placed under Gentile domination and the people were scattered throughout the
Chaldean empire. Although the people of Israel returned to their land and
remained there until 70 AD, the nation was still under Gentile control.
Thus, it seems that the times of the Gentiles should extend from 605 BCE
until it is brought to an end at the completion of Daniel's 70th week.
The verb tread upon in both verses is pateō,
and means to put a foot on something and simply indicates hostile control.
And that is exactly what has been the case since 70 AD; although, some
periods of time were worse than others, and of course, some better.
Rev. 11:2 refers to a CONTINUATION of being tread upon from the midpoint of
the week until the end of the week.
It is NOT something NEW for Jerusalem, but a continuation and in fact a
statement of completion; for 42 months.
The time of the Gentiles will be fulfilled officially at the end of Israel's
national discipline, which is the end of the 70th week, which is 42 months
after the midpoint of the 70th week.
Jerusalem will still be under the OFFICIAL control of the Gentiles via the
reign of the beast, and will be for the next 42 months (1260 days).
So both Luke 21:24 and Rev. 11:2 refer to exactly the same thing.
At Luke 21:24 the TOG began in 70 AD and certainly does not refer to the
tribulation. Likewise, the same term used at Rev. 11:2 does not refer to the
length of the tribulation.
The TOG is not the same thing as the tribulation. The tribulation will begin
at the midpoint of the week, but will not last for the entire second half of
the week. It will be cut short or amputated from its "expected" duration, as
indicated at Mat. 24:22. Its "expected" duration would be the 3 1/2 year
reign of the beast as per Dan. 7:24-25, 9:27 and 12:7. But although the
official reign of the beast will indeed last for 3 1/2 years, the severity
of his oppression (tribulation) will be interrupted by the return of Jesus
at an unknown day and hour at least 5 months prior to the end of the week
(probably more like sometime during the 18 months before the end of the
week, as seen at Hosea 6:2).
7. The time factor indicates the END of that period of discipline.
AFTER the 3 1/2 years, the official period of Israel's national discipline
will be completed and the process will begin that will result in "all Israel
will be saved," (Rom. 11:25-29; Mal. 3:1b-4). But it will not be fully
realized until after the 75 days of Daniel 12:11-12. From the end of the
week until Christ's victory at Armageddon, there will be 30 days for the
bowl judgments. After Armageddon, there will be an additional 45 days during
which Jesus will remove all unbelievers from the earth and set up His
Millennial kingdom.
(Removal of the goats from the sheep of Mat. 25 and the lean from the fat
sheep of Ezek. 34:17-24).
Rom. 11:25-26, "a partial hardening has happened to Israel UNTIL the
fullness of the Gentiles has come in."
Thus, after the fullness of the Gentiles has come in, which is the close of
the 70th week, "all Israel will be saved."
Thus, as per Daniel 12:12, "happy are those who attain to the 1335 days."
This indicates there will be an additional 45 days after the 1290 and will
bring the progress of God's plan to the start of the millennial kingdom.
8. The arrival of the Messiah is described as, “will suddenly come to His
temple,” at Malachi 3:1b. Even though the temple in view is constructed by
the Jews in unbelief, it is constructed according to God’s specifications,
and is the POINT OF CONTACT between the Jews and their worship of God. It is
still HIS TEMPLE and at 2 Thes. 2:4, it is called "the temple of God." But
since they are not in relationship with God, all worship activity through
sacrifices or otherwise is totally rejected by Him. Amos 5:21-24.
Let me suggest that Jesus does not need to come DIRECTLY to or into the
temple. It is His arrival in the clouds of the sky, Whom EVERY EYE will see
that is the official one and only second coming that is the focus of every
OT and NT prophecy. And this arrival of the Lord fulfills the idea of
"suddenly" for it is spoken of as coming "like a thief in the night." He
will then begin the Day of the Lord judgments which will involve judgment on
this false temple as well as the ruin of the beast and his kingdom, and
ultimately the removal of all unbelievers from the earth. Jesus will then
set up His 1000 year kingdom which will begin with believers only.
9. Through all of this, God will be pleading with His people (Israel) and
refining them through the evangelistic efforts of the church and the two
witnesses, before Christ's return (Mal. 4:5-6; Zeph. 2:1-3), and the 144k
servants and the two witnesses after His return.
The purpose is so that those who come out purified through accepting Jesus
as the Messiah, will be prepared to enter into the Millennial kingdom to
worship and serve God according to the promises made in the Old Testament.
Mal. 3:3-6.
MALACHI 3:1b
1. and the messenger of the covenant:
This refers to the Messiah as the mediator of the new everlasting covenant
of salvation from sin.
Isaiah 55:1-3; 42:6; 49:8.
But it looks to His 2nd coming as at Hebrews 9:28,
"So Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, shall
appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who
eagerly await Him."
2. in whom you delight: The word is chAphetz. It means to take pleasure in
or even to desire something. It corresponds with the attitude of seeking
something that is valuable to you and functions as a synonym to seeking. The
ATTITUDE is consistent. It is the object that introduces an amplification of
the person they are desiring and seeking.
3. behold, He is coming," says the LORD of hosts: Repetition for emphasis.
MALACHI 3:2-3
1. "But who can endure the day of His coming? And who can stand when He
appears?:
The people of Israel must be prepared for His arrival. They must respond to
the teaching of the two witnesses. For to those who are not prepared, that
day will be a day of darkness.
Amos 5:18-20.
2. Preparation is summarized at Amos 5:14-15,
"Seek good and not evil, that you may live; And thus may the LORD God of
hosts be with you, Just as you have said! Hate evil, love good, And
establish justice in the gate! Perhaps the LORD God of hosts May be gracious
to the remnant of Joseph."
And Zeph. 2:1-3,
"Gather yourselves together, yes, gather, O nation without shame, Before the
decree takes effect - The day passes like the chaff - Before the burning
anger of the LORD comes upon you, Before the day of the LORD'S anger comes
upon you. SEEK the LORD, All you humble of the earth Who have carried out
His ordinances; Seek righteousness, seek humility. Perhaps you will be
hidden In the day of the LORD'S anger."
3. For He is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap. "He will sit as a
smelter and purifier of silver, and He will purify the sons of Levi and
refine them like gold and silver:
The refining process will be conducted through the ministry of the two
witnesses prior to and after the arrival of Jesus.
Prior to Christ's arrival, as we have seen, the message will appeal to the
Jews to recognize Jesus as the promised Messiah and to live in humility and
righteousness.
After His arrival, the message will be focused more on trusting in Jesus as
the Savior of the world. This will result in a large number of Jews trusting
in Christ so that after the removal of all unbelieving Jews (the fat sheep
of Ezek. 34:17-22), only believers will be left on the earth so that "all
Israel will be saved" (Rom. 11:26). This is the winnowing process that John
the baptizer mentioned at Mat. 3:12, "His winnowing fork is in His hand, and
He will thoroughly clear His threshing floor; and He will gather His wheat
into the barn, but He will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire."
These "wheat" believers will go alive into the millennial kingdom and the
Levitical "descendants of Zadok" will serve the Lord in the new millennial
temple.
4. so that they may present to the LORD offerings in righteousness:
Malachi 3:4
Then the offering of Judah and Jerusalem will be pleasing to the LORD as in
the days of old and as in former years.
This is the worship activity of the restored nation through the Levitical
priesthood during the millennial kingdom (Ezek. 40-44). The "sons of Levi"
refers specifically to the descendants of Zadok. Ezek. 40:46; 43:19 and
44:15.
MALACHI 3:5
And I will draw near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness
against the sorcerers and against the adulterers and against those who swear
falsely, and against those who oppress the wage earner in his wages, the
widow and the orphan, and those who turn aside the alien and do not fear Me,
says the LORD of hosts.
This further explains the refinement process of removing the unbelievers
from the believers on the earth.
This refers to the final evaluation of the Jews before the kingdom begins.
It will take place during the 45 days that come after the victory at
Armageddon (Dan. 12:12), and is described at Ezek. 34:17-22 and Mat. 3:12
(Mat. 25:31-46).
All the unbelievers will be removed from the earth and only believers will
go alive into the earthly kingdom of Jesus. Thus, as was promised, "all
Israel will be saved." Romans 11:25-29.
MALACHI 3:6
"For I, the LORD, do not change; therefore you, O sons of Jacob, are not
consumed.
This is the basis for the whole process of refinement and saving the people
of Israel, and ushering them into the promised Messianic kingdom on the
earth. It is because of God's character; His faithfulness to the covenant
promises made to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David. Just as Paul stated at
Romans 11:29, "for the gifts and calling of God are irrevocable."
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