In this sermon, we looked at the kindness of God seen in Malachi 3:1-5 and 4:1-6, as He speaks through the prophet Malachi to give His people a vision of a future transformation when He will change their hearts. Malachi 3:15 points to the first Advent of Jesus, when His arrival will follow a divine messenger who will prepare the way for Him. The next time He speaks to His people, He won’t be sending a prophet to speak; He will be coming Himself to speak. Also, when He arrives, He will usher in an era that will bring about purifying refinement rather than destruction. Malachi 4:1-6 points to the second Advent, which will bring judgement and healing. Even as God reveals the inevitability of His judgement at the second coming of Jesus, He also reveals His compassionate desire to renew and heal His people and restore their relationships with Him and one another. The Church today sits between the two Advents of Jesus. He already arrived and brought with Him the Good News of the Gospel that transforms and purifies the hearts of those who believe. We now await His second coming, when He will usher in the final era that brings permanent and eternal healing and joy for His people as He, once again, makes His dwelling place with man.
