September 27

Today's Reading: Malachi 4:1-6

The Old Testament ends with a glimmer of hope as God promises to send Elijah (a reference to John the Baptist) before the "Day of the Lord" commences. There is also the promise of "the sun of righteousness".

We've been covering the "Day of the Lord" for a while now, so this is probably a good time to define what that term means. It is also sometimes called "that day". The "Day of the Lord" is a period of time (not just a single day) when YHWH will punish and restore the whole world through Christ’s first and second comings. While most of the Bible devoted to the Day of the Lord deals primarily with the judgment that accompanies Jesus' second coming, there is a sense in which the Day of the Lord actually began with His first coming. So we are actually in that period right now.

Those who have put their faith in Jesus should anticipate the culmination of the Day of the Lord with great hope. But those who have chosen not to make that decision should fear that day.