THE REFINER'S FIRE

THE REFINER’S FIRE

Malachi 3:1-4

Pastor Rick Jackson

I. THE FACTS                       Several facts are given in this section concerning the Lord’s return in relation to Israel.

1. The Messenger, the Lord Himself, is Coming [v. 1]

2. Israel has been looking for His Appearing [v. 1]

3. His Coming will not be altogether pleasant [v. 2]

Isaiah 2:12 For the day of the LORD of hosts shall be upon every one that is proud and lofty, and upon every one that is lifted up; and he shall be brought low:

Isaiah 13:6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

Jeremiah 46:10 For this is the day of the Lord GOD of hosts, a day of vengeance, that he may avenge him of his adversaries: and the sword shall devour, and it shall be satiate and made drunk with their blood: for the Lord GOD of hosts hath a sacrifice in the north country by the river Euphrates.

Joel 1:15 Alas for the day! for the day of the LORD is at hand, and as a destruction from the Almighty shall it come.

Joel 2: 11 And the LORD shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great: for he is strong that executeth his word: for the day of the LORD is great and very terrible; and who can abide it?

Joel 3:14 Multitudes, multitudes in the valley of decision: for the day of the LORD is near in the valley of decision.

Amos 5:18, 20 Woe unto you that desire the day of the LORD! to what end is it for you? the day of the LORD is darkness, and not light. … Shall not the day of the LORD be darkness, and not light? even very dark, and no brightness in it?

4. He, the Lord will both purify and purge Israel [v. 3, Luke 3:16]

John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire:

Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

5. Israel will once again offer acceptable Sacrifices [v. 3-4, Rm. 10:16-11:36, I Peter 2:1-10]

Jeremiah 6:20 To what purpose cometh there to me incense from Sheba, and the sweet cane from a far country? your burnt offerings are not acceptable, nor your sacrifices sweet unto me.

Hosea 9:4 They shall not offer wine offerings to the LORD, neither shall they be pleasing unto him: their sacrifices shall be unto them as the bread of mourners; all that eat thereof shall be polluted: for their bread for their soul shall not come into the house of the LORD.

Malachi 3:4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.

II. THE FOLLY [Israel missed an opportunity]

1. Gabriel Explained it to Zacharias [Lk. 1:12-17]

2. Jesus Explained it to the Multitudes [Mt. 11:7-15]

3. Jesus Explained it to the Inner Circle [Mt. 17:9-13]

III. THE FUTURE [Mal. 4:5 - God’s Will will be done]

1. They Prophesy with Power [Rev. 11:3-6]

2. They Finish with Flourish [Rev. 11:7-10]

3. They Stand with God [Rev. 11:11-13]