The second verse starts off with two rhetorical questions: “But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth?”. These two are asked to enforce the notion like in Psalms: “Every one of them is gone back: they are altogether become filthy; There is none that doeth good, no, not one.”and again in Romans: “as it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” That in the presence of Jesus and his glory none can stand. “for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:” A refiner’s (to smelt,refine, or test and prove true) fire and a fullers’ soap which washes rags. This symbolism references not only what the coming Messiah will do to the unrepentant Jews but also what Jesus does in our hearts. “Search me, O God, and know my heart: Try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, And lead me in the way everlasting.” Psalm 139:23-24 KJV. Jesus tests our hearts and brings our impurities to the surface that can then be wiped away.
I heard a saying once “The closer one gets to God, the more sinful they may feel” Learning who Jesus is and how he remained perfect through everything he endured during his earthly ministry makes me feel guilty or ashamed at how I handle comparatively minuscule situations. How has Jesus changed your behavior or how you have dealt with situations differently?
Another possible aspect to these questions, I believe, is: Could this verse be referencing two different events by using the words coming and appeareth? The first question references “the day of his coming”, in Hebrew the word is “bô” which could mean to go in, enter, come in, or to be introduced. This same word was used in the first verse “and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple”. Again in John 1:29 its written: “The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.”. Now in John the Greek word used is erchomai which also means to come or become known. These references could point to the meaning of the first question to be about Jesus’ first coming.
The second question its phrased as “when he appeareth” which in Hebrew is the word rā’â pronounced raw-aw and could mean to see, perceive, to be caused to see or be shown. The same word is used in Psalm 102:16 When the LORD shall build up Zion, He shall appear in his glory.” Also in Hebrews 9:28 its written: “so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” The greek word used for appear is optanomai which means to look at, behold, or to allow one’s self to be seen. Its also interesting to take into account that in Phillipians 2: 8-11 its written: “and being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” That after his first coming, Jesus was crucified and exalted his name to which none can stand but that all knees should bow. The same notion is again writing in Revelations 6:17 “For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?” Many references to Jesus second coming seem to refer to his appearance and that none will stand but all will bow.
This interpretation could bring a light to the next three verses. Malachi 3:3 starts off with “And he shall sit” which is the Hebrew word yāšab which means to dwell or remain. In Luke 22 is written: “Art thou the Christ? tell us. And he said unto them, If I tell you, ye will not believe: and if I also ask you, ye will not answer me, nor let me go. Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.” The Pharisees ask Jesus if he is the Christ and he replies that after He is crucified He will sit at the right hand of God “as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver,”. During which time He will cleanse the priests and bring about ones that will be able to bring an offering in righteousness. “Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years”. John MacArthur references the days of old as in the days of Solomon( 2 Chronicles 7:8-10)
“Also at the same time Solomon kept the feast seven days, and all Israel with him, a very great congregation, from the entering in of Hamath unto the river of Egypt. And in the eighth day they made a solemn assembly: for they kept the dedication of the altar seven days, and the feast seven days. And on the three and twentieth day of the seventh month he sent the people away into their tents, glad and merry in heart for the goodness that the LORD had shewed unto David, and to Solomon, and to Israel his people.” 2 Chronicles 7:8-10 KJV
Hezekiah (2 Chronicles 30:26)
“There was great joy in Jerusalem, for since the days of Solomon son of David king of Israel there had been nothing like this in Jerusalem.”
These verses referencing the “days of old” brings an aspect that in those days there was joy in offering or service to the Lord. It seems the joy turned into laboring as if the Priests were laboring to offer sacrifice or in service to the Lord. There has been times when I have felt this and I believe that feeling and what actions happen within that mindset are works that are unfruitful. They are forced, contrived, vain attempts to earn salvation or act as if God needs me to do it. I believe this mindset arises from times of stress, anxiety, and when I do not have motivation for anything. Other times that can cause similar emotions are times when I don’t feel worthy or deserving and an attempt is made to earn it back. This is forgetting that: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,” Ephesians 2:8 ESV. This ties into what seemed to be the topic of our class this morning. Our focus on Jesus and being aware of opportunities to build up His Kingdom.
Back to the verses following “the days of old”. John MacArthur interprets verse 5 to reveal the result of the refining and purifying process through Jesus: “What is a refining process for the remnant of repentant Jews who acknowledge their Messiah, preparing them to enter the kingdom and worship in the millennial temple, will be for others utter destruction. All the iniquitous behaviors in this verse are evidence that these are people who “do not fear” God. In Malachi 2:17, they asked a question, “Where is the God of justice?”, and here is the answer. “ I will draw near to you for judgement” Occult practices were clearly forbidden by continued into NT times. Adultery also violated God’s law, as did perjury, extortion and oppression.
Father, thank you for the joy that we can find in Jesus, that those who follow after Him will not have to face judgement. That this is a free gift from You. I pray that our joy of following Jesus through our refining and purifying process, which starts from inside and becomes exuberant acts of worship outwardly. I pray to be reminded, in times when it feels laboring, that You don’t need but want my heart, mind, soul and strength. “And the multitudes that went before, and that followed, cried, saying, Hosanna to the son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” AMEN.
33 and a Third 