What Shall This Man Do? (Part 3)
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| In loving memory of my father Robert Louis (Bob) Padgett July 28, 1931-May 22, 2023 |
This is the third in a series of words with a common theme of, "What shall this man do?" In Part 1 we focused on Haggai, Chapter 1, which speaks of the "problems" of the remnant of the tribe of Judah, the Judgment of God as a result of their lethargy, apathy, and self-centeredness, and the answer as spoken through Haggai the prophet. That is current events as well as history. In Part 2 we shared briefly the significance of Luke 12:42-48 and the critical need for the Spirit-filled community to lay hold of the holy fear of God. The culmination of this series will attempt to set forth what we believe to be the only effective answer to the question, "What shall this man do?" By "this man" I refer to you and me ... the spiritual remnant of Judah today, namely the Spirit-filled and/or charismatic community. This series does not in any way address those in denominational churches, who are better off than we are in the sight of the Lord right now, according to what the Lord said in Luke 12:47-48. In this word, we attempt to share some words from the Book of Malachi.
Malachi, which means, "my messenger," was most likely the last prophet of the Old Testament era, although a few place Joel later. Like the Book of Joel, Malachi is one of the six undated minor prophetic books. Some believe that the Book of Malachi was written exactly 400 years before the anointing of Jesus. That seems quite consistent with the ways of the Lord. Just as the Israelites were in bondage in Egypt for 400 years, so there was a famine of hearing the words of the Lord in Israel for 400 years just prior to the first coming of Jesus.
Thirteen famines are recorded in Scripture (Genesis 12:10, Genesis 26:1, Genesis 41:54, Ruth 1:1, 2 Samuel 21:1, 1 Kings 18:2, 2 Kings 4:38, 2 Kings 7:4, 2 Kings 25:3, Nehemiah 5:3, Jeremiah 14:1, Luke 15:14, and Acts 11:28). All thirteen of those famines were in the natural, physical realm. Spiritual famines are also mentioned in Scripture, but generally by implication. One such famine is from the time of the Book of Malachi until the coming of Jesus. (Perhaps we could say until the day of Pentecost.) Although I am not a Church history buff, there certainly have been spiritual famines historically. One notable spiritual famine is called the Dark Ages.
The very nature of deception is that the person who is deceived is not even aware that they are being deceived. The religious elite of the day in Malachi's time said they were doing everything required, putting an "X" in all of the right boxes, etc. That deception continued right through the time of the Pharisees and Sadducees, when Jesus walked the face of the earth. Human nature has never changed. That condition is also current events. Deception arises in many cases from ignorance of the meat of the word.
The foremost characteristic of the present Church age is ... words. We have been and continue to be super-saturated with teachings and conferences. Yet we live today in the last spiritual famine ... another 400 years before the second coming of the Lord. How long has that famine already been going on? Only the Lord knows. The Lord is not pleased when we consistently rehash forty-year-old manna. We have believed for 40 years that there should be fresh manna revealed during every gathering of believers ... that which no man has read, heard, or spoken before. How much time did Peter spend to prepare for his sermon on the day of Pentecost?
Verses 1 and 2 speak of the second coming of the Lord to earth. Have you ever considered, in Verse 3, that He shall purify the sons of Levi? It does not say that He will purify all of the tribes of Israel at that time. Food for thought? Yet that is consistent with New Testament teachings. We will not elaborate here. The offering that the purified sons of Levi shall offer unto the Lord will not consist of money.
In order for the Lord to come for spiritual Israel's redemption, she must repent. We will have much more to say about repentance in a subsequent word. The Lord is not returning to the earth for millions of immature, baby Christians. There are many other events which must also come to pass prior to the Lord's parousia, or second literal coming, but we will not go into that here.
Here again is emphasized the necessity for the proper fear of the Lord within His people. Verse 16 says nothing about those who do not fear the Lord. Note that the fear of the Lord is a prerequisite for returning and discerning between the righteous and the wicked. In Verse 17, the phrase, "the Lord of hosts," occurs 24 times in the Book of Malachi. Verse 18 implies that there will be much deception in that day, such that if it were possible, even the very elect will be deceived. Return ... from where? Return from 400 years of bondage and captivity. This will be the fulfillment of Isaiah 11:11.
Peter speaks of this soon coming event also.
Malachi, which means, "my messenger," was most likely the last prophet of the Old Testament era, although a few place Joel later. Like the Book of Joel, Malachi is one of the six undated minor prophetic books. Some believe that the Book of Malachi was written exactly 400 years before the anointing of Jesus. That seems quite consistent with the ways of the Lord. Just as the Israelites were in bondage in Egypt for 400 years, so there was a famine of hearing the words of the Lord in Israel for 400 years just prior to the first coming of Jesus.
Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD:
Amos 8:11
Thirteen famines are recorded in Scripture (Genesis 12:10, Genesis 26:1, Genesis 41:54, Ruth 1:1, 2 Samuel 21:1, 1 Kings 18:2, 2 Kings 4:38, 2 Kings 7:4, 2 Kings 25:3, Nehemiah 5:3, Jeremiah 14:1, Luke 15:14, and Acts 11:28). All thirteen of those famines were in the natural, physical realm. Spiritual famines are also mentioned in Scripture, but generally by implication. One such famine is from the time of the Book of Malachi until the coming of Jesus. (Perhaps we could say until the day of Pentecost.) Although I am not a Church history buff, there certainly have been spiritual famines historically. One notable spiritual famine is called the Dark Ages.
A son honoureth his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a Father, where is Mine honour? and if I be a Master, where is My fear? saith the LORD of hosts unto you, O priests, that despise My name. And ye say, Wherein have we despised Thy name? Malachi 1:6
The very nature of deception is that the person who is deceived is not even aware that they are being deceived. The religious elite of the day in Malachi's time said they were doing everything required, putting an "X" in all of the right boxes, etc. That deception continued right through the time of the Pharisees and Sadducees, when Jesus walked the face of the earth. Human nature has never changed. That condition is also current events. Deception arises in many cases from ignorance of the meat of the word.
Ye have wearied the LORD with your words. Yet ye say, Wherein have we wearied Him? When ye say, Every one that doeth evil is good in the sight of the LORD, and He delighteth in them; or, Where is the God of judgment? Malachi 2:17
The foremost characteristic of the present Church age is ... words. We have been and continue to be super-saturated with teachings and conferences. Yet we live today in the last spiritual famine ... another 400 years before the second coming of the Lord. How long has that famine already been going on? Only the Lord knows. The Lord is not pleased when we consistently rehash forty-year-old manna. We have believed for 40 years that there should be fresh manna revealed during every gathering of believers ... that which no man has read, heard, or spoken before. How much time did Peter spend to prepare for his sermon on the day of Pentecost?
1 Behold, I will send My messenger, and he shall prepare the way before Me: and the Lord, Whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, He shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.2 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:3 And He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. Malachi 3:1-3
Verses 1 and 2 speak of the second coming of the Lord to earth. Have you ever considered, in Verse 3, that He shall purify the sons of Levi? It does not say that He will purify all of the tribes of Israel at that time. Food for thought? Yet that is consistent with New Testament teachings. We will not elaborate here. The offering that the purified sons of Levi shall offer unto the Lord will not consist of money.
Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from Mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto Me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? Malachi 3:7
In order for the Lord to come for spiritual Israel's redemption, she must repent. We will have much more to say about repentance in a subsequent word. The Lord is not returning to the earth for millions of immature, baby Christians. There are many other events which must also come to pass prior to the Lord's parousia, or second literal coming, but we will not go into that here.
16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon His name.17 And they shall be Mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him.18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. Malachi 3:16-18
Here again is emphasized the necessity for the proper fear of the Lord within His people. Verse 16 says nothing about those who do not fear the Lord. Note that the fear of the Lord is a prerequisite for returning and discerning between the righteous and the wicked. In Verse 17, the phrase, "the Lord of hosts," occurs 24 times in the Book of Malachi. Verse 18 implies that there will be much deception in that day, such that if it were possible, even the very elect will be deceived. Return ... from where? Return from 400 years of bondage and captivity. This will be the fulfillment of Isaiah 11:11.
1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do [work] wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.2 But unto you that fear My name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts. Malachi 4:1-3
Peter speaks of this soon coming event also.
10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.11 Seeing then that all these things shall be dissolved, what manner of persons ought ye to be in all holy conversation and godliness,12 Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God, wherein the heavens being on fire shall be dissolved, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat?
2 Peter 3:10-12
The Holy Spirit through Peter poses a very sobering question. Given the impending events, which will come upon us suddenly, what manner of persons ought we to be in all holy conversation and godliness? For the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night.
What then shall this man do?
What then shall this man do?
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