Snow on the Mountains (Part 2)

One Year Bible: Dec. 31

Malachi 3:1-4:6

“Snow on the Mountains” (Part TWO)

We end our year in God’s Word with a glimpse into the future. We often wandered through the wilderness with the Israelites in the Old Testament, but today we will travel to the MOUNTAIN.

Malachi 3:1 begins with the word, “LOOK!”

He tells us that “the Lord you seek will suddenly come to his Temple.” This Lord is the LORD of Heaven’s Armies.

Who will be able to stand in this time and face him as He is like a blazing fire?

Jesus answers this very same question in the New Testament through parables. Those that will stand on that day will be those that have prepared themselves. They will have oil in their lamp and watch for His appearing. They will be ready.

How are we to be ready?

Interestingly, our passage today reminds us that “If we return to God, He will return to us.”l return to us.”. God asks us not to “Cheat Him” with our “Tithes, Talents, and Treasures.” He also reminds us that we are His “Special Treasure.”

The Old Testament ends with words that “hang in the air.”. Where is the closure, the big ending, the finale?

He says, “Remember to obey the law of Moses.”.

What is the significance of these words?

Jesus was actually asked this question by his disciples, “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the law?” (Mt. 22:36)

His response is, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, and with all your mind.” (Mt. 22: 37)

And then came Malachi’s final admonition, “Look, I am sending you the prophet Elijah… His preaching will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.” (Malachi 3:5)

Why is he referring to Elijah in the final moments of his writing? What about Elijah’s prophecies and life were most significant and remembered by the people?

Perhaps you remember that Elijah, more than any other prophet, stood against the prophets of Baal and laid it on the line even when his own life was threatened. He took on the forces of evil and called for God’s power to lap up the water and show power over the forces of evil. God was the victor then, and He will be again.

Elijah did not physically die in this life. He was taken by a chariot into heaven. Not one of God’s chosen people will ever forget this man’s prophecies, nor God’s rapture of Elijah from this earth!

Listen to the words said about Jesus, “And he will go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous-- to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Lk 1:17)

Before the people understood that Jesus was the "Son of God,” they knew he was a prophet in the “Spirit of Elijah.” They saw God’s power resting on him and the hardness of men’s hearts turning to repentance so that they loved the children and families again.

The Old Testament ends with the mention of Elijah and Moses, yet the book doesn’t seem finished. Perhaps that is because it is not finished. Not yet, anyway. In fact, it is far from over!

Who appeared on the mountain with Jesus after his death and before his return to His father in Heaven? That would be Moses and Elijah. (Luke 9:28-36)

Peter, James, and John were given a glimpse of heaven to strengthen them for the terrible trials to come.

Why did God choose Moses and Elijah to be there with his son?

Moses represented the ten commandments fulfilled in Christ with the Great Commandment, “Love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind, and love your neighbor as yourself.”

All the commandments of the Old Testament were fulfilled through Jesus. And as for Elijah, he had won over the Satanic forces of evil and then been transported from earth into heavenly rapture through a chariot of fire.

You could say that the Old Testament is quite a “cliffhanger.”

We dare not miss the rest of the story found in Luke 9:28-36. The three disciples beheld God’s glory radiating through the risen Lord and said, “Master, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters-one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah”.

But, as they were speaking, a cloud appeared and covered them, and they were afraid.

A voice came from the cloud, saying, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to him.”

Jesus stood alone before them and was translated from earth into God’s presence. And so shall we be!

“I lift my eyes to the MOUNTAINS--where does my help come from? My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth. He will not let your foot slip--he who watches over you will not slumber.” (Psalm 121:1-4)

I pray for you and me as we begin this new year. May we love the Lord our God and our neighbors too, and may we look to the mountains from which our help comes.

Happy New Year. May our eyes behold “The Snow on the Mountains”!