December 31
Malachi 3:1-4:6
Revelation 22:1-21
Psalm 150:1-6
Proverbs 31:25-31
Malachi 3:1 – A messenger who shall prepare the way of the LORD? Not preparing the way of a mere prophet, but the way of Yahweh Elohim, the LORD God! When the messenger arrives, behold “He shall come!” This is the same promise that Isaiah 40:3 shares, and was fulfilled by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:3, Mark 1:2-3, Matthew 11:10, John 1:23).
Malachi 3:5 – Who will He judge? Interesting that its similar to Revelation 21:8 and Revelation 22:15.
Malachi 3:11 – Why was Israel beset with famine? As a judgment for sin (Deuteronomy 28:3-4). Malachi reminds us of the lesson from Elijah in 1 Kings 17:13, if you will trust God with your resources (that came from Him), He will provide all that you need!
Malachi 3:14 – Ever get depressed and wonder what benefit there is to serving God? Demas did (2 Timothy 4:10). It’s ok to be depressed, but don’t let Satan change your beliefs – true, serving the Lord is not the highest dollar return on your time, but are you laying up treasure here or in heaven? (Matthew 6:19-21).
Malachi 4:2 – “Hail the heav’n-born Prince of Peace! / Hail the Son of Righteousness! / Light and life to all He brings / Ris’n with healing in His wings!”
Malachi 4:5-6 – Elijah would come – John denied that he was Elijah (John 1:21), but Luke clarifies that he would come “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17). Jesus Himself confirmed that John was the very messenger (Matthew 11:10) – “this is he.” And the Old Testament ends warning us that without repentance is “a curse.” (Malachi 4:6).
Revelation 22:3 – The Old Testament ends with a curse – but the New Testament ends declaring “there shall be no more curse!”
Revelation 22:10 – Notice four promises of the unsealed prophecy:
- Reward (Revelation 22:12) – 2 Corinthians 5:10 tells us that we will give an account of ourselves to God, and He will reward us (1 Corinthians 3:14-15).
- Reception (Revelation 22:14) – Jesus went to prepare a place for us (John 14:2-3), and He gave us power to become Sons of God (John 1:12) so we have the right to enter into the gates!
- Restrictions (Revelation 22:15) – Not everyone is going to heaven. Sin keeps you from heaven – even just one sin (James 2:10)!
- Return (Revelation 22:7, Revelation 22:12, Revelation 22:20) – Jesus is coming!
Yes – the Wonderful word of the King is that Jesus is coming again!
Revelation 22:16 – Only Jesus can be the root and the offspring – the Father of David (Luke 3:38) and His Son (Luke 3:23)! He is the Alpha and the Omega (Revelation 22:13).
Revelation 22:17 – The final invitation of the Bible is to you to Come. Take of the water of life freely! Where is the water of life / living water found? Jesus told the woman at the well that He gives living water (John 4:10). If you haven’t come to Jesus yet – come to Jesus before Jesus comes again!
Psalm 150:6 – As we end this year of 2018 – I don’t know if you’ve been as blessed reading Revelation 22 as I have – I’m glad we came to Psalm 150 – Praise God from whom all blessings flow!
Proverbs 31:30 – Beauty pageants focus on the wrong aspects of womanhood. Praise is for those who fear the LORD!
