TEXT: Malachi 4

SUBJECT: Christ in the Old Testament #37: Christ the Judge

Today, with God’s blessing, we’ll finish our study of Christ in the Old Testament. Malachi 4 is not only the last chapter in the Hebrew Bible, but also one of it’s most solemn and challenging. It’s teaching may be summarized in one word: Judgment.

In Malachi’s day, most people didn’t believe in the Judgment. That’s why they said,

They weren’t alone. The ungodly have always denied or ignored the Day of Judgment, cf. Psalm 10:13, and II Peter 3:4 are two good examples,

This is how most people think today. Because God is not instantly punishing the guilty, they figure there is no God, or, if there is, that He’s not involved in the world. And that they’re not responsible to Him. This is nothing new. Solomon saw the same thing in his day,

Most people, then, either ridicule or ignore the Day of Judgment.

But what about Christians? Do we deny it? No we don’t. Just about all believers can recite the Apostles’ Creed. It says,

We believe in the Day of Judgment. But let’s face it, in light of what’s going on in the world, we have our doubts, too. We’re not the first Christians to feel that way.

Asaph struggled mightily with the problem. In Psalm 77, he confessed,

His problem was that he believed in God and His justice, yet the wicked were obviously "getting away with it".

Habakkuk had the same problem. And so did Job. Eminent men of God, yet they wondered about the Judgment to Come. And not only they, but even the Saints in Heaven feel that way! Martyred for Christ, their souls cry,

The Day of Judgment, then, is easy to deny or to doubt or to not think about…

…But make no mistake about it. The Day of Judgment is coming. That’s what God says to the scoffers in Malachi’s time,

Whether you believe it or not, the Day is coming. Whether you want it to or not, the Day is coming. Whether you think it’s possible or not, the Day is coming.

We have no idea of when the Day is coming. But Acts 17:31 says God has "appointed a day in which He will judge the world in righteousness". And God will keep the appointment.

Many other verses teach the same thing.

Matthew 25:31-32 says

This is the language of Judgment. We have God evaluating people and separating them—the good from the bad. And there’s a set time for it.

John the Baptist said God would separate the wheat from the chaff, storing the former and burning up the latter with "unquenchable fire"—Luke 3:17. Again, it’s the language of judgment. Fixed judgment. A Day of Judgment.

Honest men differ on the details, but any reading of the Bible indicates that the Day of Judgment is coming.

Not because I say so, but because God has said so! The Day of Judgment does not depend on our approval. It comes, whether we want it to or not.

Next, we have the judgment described. The prophet had one idea, but he uses it in two very different ways. The idea is heat.

For some people, the Day of Judgment will be like a Furnace, v.1,

The people are described as "wicked" and "proud". The former describes their way of life. They’re disobedient to God. They may be very nice, pleasant, fun to be around, but they don’t care what God says! That’s because they’re "proud". They won’t worship Him, they won’t believe Him, and—least of all—they won’t submit to Him!

At the moment, they’re getting away with it! But the moment won’t last. One Day, God will call them on it!

And not only call them, but punish them. The language is figurative, of course, but surely fire means something painful. And the pain won’t be minor or temporary. It will be infinite and eternal. "Root and branch" means total destruction!

Friend, God is not the Senile Old Man you think He is. You have no idea what He is capable of! The Bible, though, gives us some idea of what’s in store for the ungodly. Revelation 19:15 calls it,

I can’t say much more. But just think of what the Bible says awaits the unbeliever. It is A Lake of Fire, a Bottomless Pit, Everlasting Chains, and Utter Darkness.

For some, the Day of Judgment will be like a Furnace. Only much, much worse.

But for others, the Day will be like A Sun. Not scorching them, but breaking through clouds and giving warmth and life and health,

I’ve always lived here, so I’m no expert, but can you imagine how wonderful the sun must feel to someone who lives in Alaska? He’s been indoors for months; his skin has become pasty white; he can’t go outside without a coat, hat, boots, gloves, thermal underwear, and more. But finally—in late Spring I suppose—the sun breaks through and warms body and soul.

That’s what the Day of Judgment will be for God’s People! Believers hardly ever think of it that way! They’re scared and worried and embarrassed. But the Bible says,

No, it will be quite the opposite! For the believer, the Day of Judgment is a Day of Healing! No more sins; no more sorrows; no more infirmities of body or soul!

When I was a boy, I used to sing a hymn,

Think of all the things you’re ashamed of now. You won’t be then. Think of all the things you’re afraid of now. You won’t be then. Think of all the sins you’re tempted by now. You won’t be then.

Think of a World of absolute Truth, Goodness, and Beauty. And where you fit in! That’s what is waiting for believers on the Day of Judgment.

What role does Jesus Christ play on the Day of Judgment? Every one of them! He is the unbeliever’s Prosecutor, the believer’s Advocate, and everyone’s Judge.

If the Lord is Judge, would you rather have Him pleading for you…or against you? If for you, you must believe the Gospel and receive the Righteousness He offers you in it.

Do that now. The Day of Judgment is certain. But your life from this moment on, is not. Young people think they’ll live forever. They won’t. You don’t have to be ninety to die. Young men and women, even little children, go to the Judgment—ready or not!

One last thing: the Day of Judgment is yet future. But it has practical effects on your life today.

• Don’t worry about what people think of you. Their jeering will die down one day, but God’s smile will last forever!

• Don’t worry about the wicked "getting away with it". They’re not.

• Don’t worry about your present problems. They won’t last forever.

• Live as though everything in the world will not matter some day. Because they won’t,