Malachi 3.16-4.6

In this section, a future age is described as the dawn of a new day. The accent in this section, and every section of the Bible that alludes to the end of time, is on God’s people doing God’s work until he brings about his redemptive plan.
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Malachi 3.16-4.6

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The vision of Ozark Christian College is to glorify God by evangelizing the lost and edifying Christians worldwide. The mission of Ozark Christian College is to train men and women for Christian service as a degree-granting institution of biblical higher education.

Classroom Instructions

Lesson

Eventually, it will be clear that a life of trust in God and obedience to him has been worth the effort.

Consistently in Scripture, and very directly in this passage, fearing God is talked about as a positive thing. It is the kind of appropriate reverence a child has for their father. And the Father will remember those who are his children when he judges in the end.

In this section, a future age is described as the dawn of a new day. We now understand that this new era has begun. The “Elijah” that would come is John the Baptist. And after him came Jesus to usher in the new covenant.

While there is much that is new about the new covenant, in certain ways it calls us back to the original intentions of God for his people written long ago. To those who remember God’s law and turn back to the wisdom of their fathers, God will remember them.

We can patiently wait for the finalization of God’s plan when Jesus comes back. This is not passivity, but patient, hope-filled obedience. The return of Jesus is not something for us to dread, but something for us to be excited about.

The accent in this section, and every section of the Bible that alludes to the end of time, is on God’s people doing God’s work until he brings about his redemptive plan. We are not called to predict when that will happen or trouble ourselves with signs of its arrival. Rather, we are called to lovingly serve him and carry our mission as his representatives in the world.

Questions for Discussion/Reflection:

  • What are some ways that the new covenant in Christ differs from the old covenant?
  • What are some ways that the new covenant in Christ is the same as the old covenant?
  • How can you more fully express hope-filled obedience in light of the return of Christ?

Malachi 3.16-4.6 Instructions

Lesson

Eventually, it will be clear that a life of trust in God and obedience to him has been worth the effort.

Consistently in Scripture, and very directly in this passage, fearing God is talked about as a positive thing. It is the kind of appropriate reverence a child has for their father. And the Father will remember those who are his children when he judges in the end.

In this section, a future age is described as the dawn of a new day. We now understand that this new era has begun. The “Elijah” that would come is John the Baptist. And after him came Jesus to usher in the new covenant.

While there is much that is new about the new covenant, in certain ways it calls us back to the original intentions of God for his people written long ago. To those who remember God’s law and turn back to the wisdom of their fathers, God will remember them.

We can patiently wait for the finalization of God’s plan when Jesus comes back. This is not passivity, but patient, hope-filled obedience. The return of Jesus is not something for us to dread, but something for us to be excited about.

The accent in this section, and every section of the Bible that alludes to the end of time, is on God’s people doing God’s work until he brings about his redemptive plan. We are not called to predict when that will happen or trouble ourselves with signs of its arrival. Rather, we are called to lovingly serve him and carry our mission as his representatives in the world.

Questions for Discussion/Reflection:

  • What are some ways that the new covenant in Christ differs from the old covenant?
  • What are some ways that the new covenant in Christ is the same as the old covenant?
  • How can you more fully express hope-filled obedience in light of the return of Christ?