The Great and Dreadful Day of the Lord – Malachi 4
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord:” — Malachi 4:5
We live in “the day of man” when mankind is living in open rebellion against God. The crucifixion of Christ was a one-time event, but the spirit of jealousy, pride, and rebellion that fuelled His crucifixion is very much alive. All around the world, men and women want to run their own lives independent of God’s rule.
But there is coming another day, the “Day of the Lord” and it will be “great and dreadful.” It will have two very distinct results depending on our attitude toward the Lord: 1) It will burn the proud and the wicked (v.1); 2) It will warm, heal, release, and give victory to those who fear the Lord’s name and remember His law (v.2-4). Again in verses 5-6, we read that for some His coming will restore families, while for others it will be a curse.
As we consider that one day the Lord Jesus Christ will return in judgment, what will this great day mean for us? Will pride and wickedness be destroyed? Or will humility and reverence be rewarded?
I am glad that there is coming a day when Christ will finally get the glory He deserves, when all wickedness will be finally be put down, and when all those who fear the Lord are healed and set free. As John prayed at the end of Revelation, “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” In the same way, Malachi ends by looking for the Lord’s return. His return is the only hope for this world.