Malachi 4

Ver. 1, 3. The wicked shall be terribly, suddenly, and unavoidably, destroyed by God’s judgments, both parents and children; while the righteous shall triumph over them

Malachi 4:2

Jesus, the enlightener, quickening, and comforter, of his people, shall appear in the flesh, and in the gospel, to heal sinners by his word, his blood, and Spirit, of all their spiritual diseases, and to make them beautifully increase in grace and holiness

Malachi 4:5

John Baptist is called Elijah, because like him in his appearances, work, and success. The time of Christ’s manifestation is called great, as he made great alteration in the form and ordinances of the church; and dreadful as, by rejecting him, the Jews brought on themselves dreadful destruction

Malachi 4:6

The work of John Baptist was to reconcile all their differences, by directing all parties to Christ as the only Saviour, that so the ruin of their nation might be prevented

REFLECTIONS UPON CHAP. IV.—The fire of God’s wrath makes fearful work upon obstinate sinners, when ripened for it. But great is the joy, light, comfort, vigour, and victory over enemies, which believers find in the approaches and discoveries of Christ to their souls. And lasting are the honours of his faithful ministers. If we wish for happiness, or further knowledge of his will, let us adhere strictly to what he has commanded. And never let us complain for want of light as long as we have the oracles of God. The light of divine truth continues constant in the church; but the revelations thereof and spiritual instructions therein, were and shall be gradually increased as occasion requires. The manifestations of the great God our Saviour are indeed events of vast importance. And the happiness or misery of mankind are deeply concerned therein. But what a marvellous turn may one man, remarkably assisted of God, give to the affairs of churches or nations! And dreadful are the curses desolations, and miseries, which await those sinners that harden themselves against the distinguished means of God’s grace. OLD TESTAMENT