“But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap” (Malachi 3:2).
TEXT — Malachi 3:1-7
It was Franz Kafka, a 20th century writer who wrote, “Only our concept of time makes it possible for us to speak of the day of judgment by that name; in reality it is summary court in perpetual session.” By implication, he suggests that we should be able to judge our actions every day before that final day.
At the time Prophet Malachi wrote, the Jews, back from exile, had started experiencing various forms of adversity and spiritual decline. The people had started doubting God’s love for them and wondered aloud if there was still any profit in serving God. The prophet had to admonish both the people and the priests of the inescapable demand for repentance and certainty of God’s impending judgment. The temple had been rebuilt and the sacrifices and feast had been re-instituted. A general reading of the law had been reintroduced by Ezra. But subtle backsliding particularly among the priests and the people had been observed. On the whole, the general climate was that of spiritual neglect and complacency. The people were reminded of the day of the Lord’s coming.
As we turn the pages of history, we are not in doubt about the imminence of the end of time and the end of life, either way. No one can pretend not to understand the implication of the series of warning concerning readiness for this great day. Christians and even non-believers know that we do not have much time left to remain undecided concerning where to spend our eternity. Those who deliberately ignore the warnings and reject the offer of salvation through Christ would have no one but themselves to blame for the eternal consequence of their wrong choice. Believers as “wise virgins” must choose to seek for more grace, walk in holiness and be prepared for the coming of our Lord Jesus. The Bridegroom will come to take His people away before the period of divine fury is unleashed on the disobedient world.
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
