Malaquias 4
Tony Garland · Citado em PreceptAustin
Malaquias 4
Garland comments on the eternal Gospel: The Gospel is founded upon the New Covenant, which is an eternal covenant (Heb. 13:20) resulting in eternal life (Isa. 51:6; Tit. 1:1-3). But for you who fear My Name - To these (those who fear His Name) the promise is given and to no others. To fear God's Name is to reverence His great Name, to order our steps in accord with His holiness and righteousness. This same group has been previously described in Malachi 3:16. In context with what does Malachi equate fearing God's Name? Clearly it is used as a synonym for those who are saved, who have received imputed righteousness of Christ by grace through faith. Notice also the response or action of those who "fear" God's Name. They will "skip about like calves from the stall." Why? Because they are true believers in Messiah and thus have good reason to rejoice! This is the fourth occurrence of the fear of the Lord in Malachi… Malachi 1:14-note "But cursed be the swindler who has a male in his flock, and vows it, but sacrifices a blemished animal to the Lord, for I am a great King," says the LORD of hosts, "and My name is feared among the nations." Comment: Yes, it is feared, but not in the sense in this context that the nations are saved, as are those Jews in Mal 3:16-18. Malachi 3:5-note "Then 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. Malachi 3:16-note Then those who feared the LORD spoke to one another, and the LORD gave attention and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for those who fear the LORD and who esteem His name. John
Malaquias 4
Garland writes: A healthy, reverent fear undergirds the attitude of those who trust in the Lord (Jos. 24:14; 1Sa 12:24; Ps. 34:9; 85:9; 102:15; 103:11; 115:13, 14; 147:11; Eccl 8:12; 12:13; Mic. 6:9; Luke 1:50; Rev. 19:5). Related Resource: Name of the LORD is a Strong Tower: Summary Notice that in Revelation 11:18, those who fear God's Name are rewarded, even as those who fear God's Name in Malachi 4:2 are "rewarded." Clearly the ones God describes in Malachi 4:2 are believers (in context of this prophecy addressed to Jewish readers, these are specifically Messianic believers, part of the righteous remnant of Israel). In short, these are those who fear God's Name and who believe in the Messiah, the Sun of Righteousness. Again in the Revelation we see an angel in mid-heaven giving God's final Gospel call to all those who live on the earth (see discussion of this unique term in the Revelation = "Earth Dwellers"). This appears to occur at the mid-point of the Daniel's Seventieth Week, that seven year period which some commentaries refer to as the Tribulation (NB: Only the last half is named "tribulation", and specifically is called the "Great Tribulation"). Here is John's record of what he saw in this fateful future day… And I saw another angel flying in mid-heaven, having an eternal Gospel to preach to those who live on the earth, and to every nation and tribe and tongue and people; and he said with a loud voice, "Fear God, and give Him glory, because the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made the heaven and the earth and sea and springs of waters." (Rev 14:6-7-note) Tony Garland comments: The angel gospelled the gospel to those below on the earth. Not only was his message one of good news, but the very fact of his delivery of the message was a manifestation of that good news. For this angel on his lonely mission above the ravaged earth below stands as a beacon to the grace and mercy of God. He has not left these on the earth during the final week of His wrath without recourse. In the midst of terrible devastation and turmoil, He has not left those who have not yet heard subject to the well-intentioned, but often ineffective, witness of men. He provides a supernatural messenger who will finally fulfill the gospel mandate to all the earth (see below). “There is no record that it is believed or heeded. It may not be. Noah was a ‘preacher of righteousness,’ in view of the coming flood; but no one believed him except his own family.”… It seems unlikely that the words that John heard the angel say constitute the entire gospel message delivered to the earth dwellers. Rather, it summarizes what their response should be. The specifics of the gospel message itself are not recorded. The warning of the angel occurs before the institution of the mark of the Beast. Those who hear the angel and respond in faith are those who are found in the opening verses of the next chapter doing this very thing! "They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O King of the saints! Who shall not fear You, O Lord, and glorify Your name? For You alone are holy. For all nations shall come and worship before You, for Your judgments have been manifested.” (Rev 15:3-4). These who hear and fear have victory over the beast, his image, his mark, and the number of his name. (A Testimony of Jesus Christ - Revelation 14 Commentary) John