The Great Day of the Lord
Malachi 4:1-3
I. The Declaration of God’s Judgment (v. 1a)
“For behold, the day is coming….” V. 1a
A. Judgment Day is clearly taught in scripture (II Peter 3:10)
B. It is a day that we should look for
“For behold…….” – v. 1a
C. It is a day that should be declared today
“Blessed is he who reads and those who hear the words of this prophecy and keep those things which are written in it for the time is near.” – Rev. 1:3
II. The Description of the Judged (v. 1c & 3)
A. They will be characterized by pride
“….and all the proud…will be stubble…” v. 1c
1. Those that see no need for God
2. Those that depend on their religious activity
3. Those that depend on self-righteousness
B. They will be characterized by their wickedness
“…all who do wickedly will be stubble..” – v. 1c
1. Their natural wickedness
“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; who can know it?” – Jeremiah 17:9
2. The wickedness that is grown into (Romans 1:18-25)
C. They will be characterized by separation (v. 3)
“You shall trample the wicked and they shall be as ashes under the soles of your feet…” – v. 3
1. A separation from the Lord forever
2. A separation from Heaven forever
3. A separation from love forever
III. The Depiction of the Judgment (v. 1-3)
A. It is associated with fire
“For behold the day is coming, burning like an oven…” v. 1
1. It is eternal fire (Mark 9:43)
2. It is a tormenting fire (Luke 16:24)
B. It is associated with disappointment
“…and all the proud, yes, all who do wickedly will be stubble..” v. 1c
1. Stubble is unusable
2. Stubble is unprofitable
3. Stubble is inferior
C. It is associated with finality and eternity
“..that will leave them branch or root..” v. 1c
