The Day Is Surely Coming!

3rd Sunday of Advent, 12/17/17
Malachi 4:1-6


The Day Is Surely Coming!
I. A day of divine judgment
II. A day of divine salvation


US President Franklin D. Roosevelt spoke the following words, words which are familiar to many of you: “Yesterday, December 7, 1941—a date which will live in infamy—the United States of America was suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.” And he was correct, not only about the attack but about the date living in infamy. It’s been 76 years since he spoke those words and we still recall that day in infamy. A week and a half ago a survivor of that very attack was on the national news as part of our nation’s commemoration of that day. It seems that no matter how far removed by time we are from that day, the citizens of the USA will always remember it. Dec. 7.

April 15 is another one of those days that’s burned into the minds of US citizens. It’s the day when our annual tax returns are due. And no matter how much you wish that day would never arrive, it does every year. You can count on it. April 15.

And while we may not look forward to observing either of those two dates, there is one that’s fast approaching that almost everyone but the Grinch and Scrooge enjoy observing—Dec. 25. To be honest, I don’t know of anyone that doesn’t enjoy celebrating Christmas. Even many non-Christians enjoy celebrating it. In spite of the busy-ness and the pressures of the season, we enjoy celebrating Christmas. Dec. 25.

But will you make it to that date which is now just eight days away? Are you absolutely certain you’ll be here for it? The truth is, none of us can be sure. You and I might be celebrating this next Christmas in heaven. In fact, this Christmas might not occur. Can you imagine that? Christmas 2016 might have been the final Christmas ever celebrated on earth. As much as you might not have considered that possibility, you know it could be true.

That’s because as Christians we know that the end will come. Just as there was a beginning to our world and our universe, so there will be an end. Sooner or later that day will arrive and, when it does, Jesus will arrive with it.

In typical fashion of Old Testament prophets, Malachi sees the second coming of Jesus closely after his first coming in the words before us today. Just as Jesus came the first time, so surely will he come the second time. Malachi tells us that the day is surely coming. The day is surely coming! And that’s reason for Christians to rejoice. Let’s pay attention to Malachi’s words, shall we?

Part I.

Do you remember your early childhood when almost every story you heard ended with the words, “And they all lived happily ever after”? Those exact words or similar words are the final words in countless children’s books. And they make for good bedtime reading. The conflict or problem presented in the story has been resolved. All is well once again. And now the child who listened to these words can sleep peacefully.

But the Book of Malachi doesn’t follow that script, and you’re probably not surprised. After all, God never intended this Book of Malachi to be read for a child’s bedtime routine. But you might be surprised to discover exactly how Malachi’s book ends. Look at it once again if you missed it the first time. The final word of the final book of the Old Testament is the word “curse.” The Lord states, “I will come and strike the land with a curse.” Period. End of sentence. End of Old Testament. Not exactly the way we or God’s people of the Old Testament would like it to end. So, we’re thankful this isn’t God’s final word to us.

But why would he end this book on such a dreadful note? Because more than anything else, that’s what the people needed to hear. Read through Malachi some time. It will only take a few minutes, but it won’t be cheerful reading. God’s people were simply going through the motions of their religion, thinking that God would be pleased with them. Meanwhile, the priests, who should have been leading the people closer to the only true God, were actually doing the opposite. They were making concessions for the sinful ways of the people, leading the people away from the Lord.

Now can you understand why the Lord ends this book with the word, “curse”? He didn’t do so because he hated them; he did so because he loved them. He couldn’t bear to see them dancing their merry way to hell. So he used Malachi to rock their spiritual world and to shake some spiritual sense into them.

Those of us who recall the history of God’s Old Testament people aren’t surprised. The history of the Jewish people is, overall, the account of a rebellious and depraved people who would not listen to the Lord. So Malachi’s words to them don’t surprise us much.

But you might be surprised that these are God’s words to you as you stand on the doorstep of another Christmas celebration. At this time of year, why would the Lord come to you and declare, “Surely the day is coming; it will burn like a furnace. All the arrogant and every evildoer will be stubble, and that day that is coming will set them on fire”? Why? Because that’s what we have coming to us. That’s what our sins deserve. And if we don’t accept that truth about ourselves, then there’s no point in celebrating the birth of a Savior.

You see, celebrating Christmas is actually pointless if you don’t acknowledge your sins and the reality of hell. If there is no such thing as sin or hell, then Jesus didn’t save us from anything. Then his arrival on this earth the first time was pointless. In order to truly see the beauty of our Savior as his mother laid him in a manger, you need to come face to face with the ugliness of sin—yours and mine—which caused his Father to nail Jesus to a cross.

And the impending return of Jesus to this earth does just that. Our God does all that he can to help us avoid spiritual complacency and he does so with this truth: The day is surely coming—a day of divine judgment.

Do you ever take the attitude that traffic signs don’t apply to you? Go ahead and dismiss the sign that reads “Bridge may be icy” if it’s the middle of summer, but you better pay attention to it at this time of year, particularly if snow is falling. Dismissing that sign could bring you major trouble. In fact, it could be fatal for you or others.

Dismissing Malachi’s words could also prove fatal—eternally so. The world is full of people who think their sins don’t matter. That’s why they have no problem celebrating Christmas even though they aren’t Christian. But they’re delusional. Jesus promised to come the first time and he did. He promises to come the second time and he will. Are you ready? If you meant what you said a few minutes ago when you confessed, “In countless ways I have sinned against you” and you believe that Jesus forgives all your sins, then you are. You’re as ready as you’ll ever be, even if Jesus arrives before you celebrate Christmas. Our gracious God makes you ready by faith in Jesus. The day is surely coming!

Part II.

We began this sermon with some dates. Let me run another one by you: May 8. Is that date significant for you? Unless you’re French, probably not. On May 8 France celebrates victory in WWII. On May 8, 1945, the end of WWII was announced in France. Why do I mention that fact today? Because the defeat of one nation also meant the freedom or salvation of another.

The destruction of all evil and every wicked person on the Last Day will also mean final and eternal victory for all of those who trust in Jesus as their Savior. And then God’s people will begin a victory celebration that will continue forever.

Malachi states, “The sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings.” Malachi speaks here of the sun, S-U-N. Some good Bible commentators have taken this word as a reference to the Son, S-O-N. Whether or not that was the Lord’s intent with this phrase isn’t clear, but what he goes on to say surely describes when his Son will come to this earth.

But how will we know when that Son arrives? The Lord tells us he will send Elijah ahead of him. The Lord fulfilled that promise by sending John the Baptist who prepared the way for the Lord.

And then Jesus came, just as the Lord had promised for centuries. And he brought spiritual healing—salvation—with him. He healed sinners by giving them his holiness or righteousness. He fulfilled every demand of God that we can’t keep and he died as the punishment for every one of our transgressions. That’s the healing every sinner desperately needs.

And now we watch and wait for his final promise to us to be fulfilled—his return to the earth in all divine glory with all his holy angels on the Last Day. That’s when Satan will no longer assault us. That’s when death will finally be defeated. That’s when sin and the effects of sin will never disturb us again. That day will bring you every joy and blessing that God intends for you for eternity.

The day is surely coming—a day of divine salvation.

How long has it been since you told yourself you can’t take it anymore? I find myself saying it more and more. Sure life can be joyful and beautiful, but not for long. Too soon we’re reminded of the tragedy that sin and evil bring to our lives. We long for something better, something far better. Dear Christian, that day is surely coming! That’s why Jesus came to this earth the first time. Prepare your hearts to celebrate it! But remember that as wonderful as I hope your celebration of Christ’s birth is, it won’t be anything compared to the life Jesus has in store for you when he returns. The day is surely coming! Even so, come quickly, Lord Jesus! Amen.