| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
| |
|
| 1 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts. |
Behold – Malachi's prophecy contains not only a divine rebuke for sin, but also a divine promise of rescue. R4930:3
Addressed to "both the houses of Israel"--fleshly Israel at the close of the Jewish dispensation, and nominal spiritual Israel toward the close of the Gospel dispensation. R1538:1, R1440:3
I – Jehovah. R3683:1
Send my messenger – John the Baptist--"a prophet, yea, more than a prophet" (Luke 7:26)--a special ambassador of God at Jesus' time to do an introductory work related to the Kingdom. R2622:1, R1537:3
Not the Messiah, but the forerunner of the Messiah. R1736:3
The antitype of Elias and John the Baptist--the Church militant, the Church on earth. R1538:1, R2838:3
And the Lord – Adon, from the same root as Adonai. E48
Signifying master, superior, teacher. R3683:5
Shall suddenly come – Unexpectedly, not quickly. R3683:6
To test and prove you as a people. SM482:1
By the sure word of prophecy we recognize his presence. R1538:2, R1440:6
The return of Nehemiah may have seemed like a fulfilment of this prophecy. R2540:2
To his temple – "Which Temple ye are." (1 Cor. 3:17) R3683:5
The elect Church. R1538:2, R1484:6, R414:3
When the Lord suddenly came to the Jewish Temple they were unprepared to receive him. R1537:3
Implying that Messiah would be not only an antitypical Prophet, an antitypical King, but also an antitypical Priest. SM213:1; R4646:5
Even the messenger – Not the maker. E59
My servant, Chief Messenger, archangel. B147; T33; E72; R490:2
"The Lord himself shall descend from heaven...with the voice of the archangel." (1 Thes. 4:16) B147
Or, Mediator. R4931:4, R4515:1, R4496:1, R4463:5; CR58:3
Our Lord did not become a Mediator, in any sense, until he was raised from the dead as the head of the spiritual seed of Abraham. R4437:6
Showing that Messiah would not be Jehovah, but Jehovah's representative. R2781:5
The angel, or messenger, who comes down from heaven at his second advent and binds Satan. R1233:2
The Son does not claim higher honor than to be the Father's agent and messenger of Jehovah's covenant. HG297:2
Angelic messengers of Jehovah have in the past been worshipped as messengers of Jehovah, and Jesus is the chief messenger. E72
In two capacities--first, the suffering or sacrificing one; and, second, the anointed, glorified one or restorer. R3685:2
At his first advent he began to serve the New covenant by providing the price, the blood, which should ultimately seal it and make it effective. R4496:1
The one through whom its provisions will be accomplished, the seed of Abraham, "which seed is Christ." (Gal. 3:16) R3684:1
The antitypical Moses, Messiah. OV89:3; PD35/46
He it is, who, as the Servant of the Law covenant, will make it really effective to you in a way that Moses could not do. CR99:2
A role typified by the "curious girdle" of the ephod of Israel's High Priest's garments of glory and beauty. T33
The Royal Priesthood dies with Christ for the sealing of the New covenant. R4319:6
Primarily, our Lord Jesus. R5119:3, R4495:6; CR99:1, 4
All his "members" are ministers, servants of the New covenant. R4537:6, R4495:6
The Church serves, or ministers, to the New covenant as an attorney serves in drawing up an agreement of covenant. R4496:4
Christ and the Church now minister: (1) in gathering the members of the Mediator; (2) in learning and teaching the lessons necessary to qualify for the position; and (3) in preparing the blood with which it is to be sealed. R4496:4
Of the covenant – The New (Law) covenant. R4463:5, R4646:5, R4495:6, R4496:1, R4515:1, R4931:4, R5442:5, R1357:2; Q422:2, Q425:2
Through the New covenant addition to the original Abrahamic covenant, the world is to get all of its blessings and favors of restitution. R5300:4
Messiah, who would transmute Israel's Law covenant, which was unto death, into a New Law covenant unto eternal life. R4646:4; CR99:1
Jesus became the Messenger, or Servant, of the New covenant at Jordan. R4496:1
At his second advent, establishing Israel's New covenant. R5031:2, R4715:3
Presenting himself to those who were heirs of the New covenant--the Jews. R5119:3
The Abrahamic, or Oath-bound, covenant. R3683:6
The covenant made with Abraham, that in his seed should all the families of the earth be blessed. (Gen. 22:18) R1537:3
Whom ye delight in – For whom you have joyfully looked. R3684:3, R4595:5, R4931:4, R4940:1, R4646:5, R4463:5; CR99:1
The one whom you have been so long praying for. R4940:1, R4595:5
The Jews are still delighting in this promise of the Messiah. R3684:3
Israel delighted to think of the coming Messenger of the New covenant and of the blessings which would then be theirs. R2838:4
Every Israelite mother longed for the birth of a son, hoping that she might be honored as the parent of the seed of the woman who would bruise the serpent's head. R4940:4
"The desire of all nations." (Hag. 2:7) R3684:3
The LORD of hosts – Jehovah of hosts. E48
|
| 2 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap: |
Who – Those with proper faith and character structure. R5916:5
May abide – There may be disappointment in connection with the much-longed-for Messenger. R4931:4
Not many will abide, not many will stand--the majority will fall. R4931:4
Although the inspection will be most critical and searching, the inspector is our Lord and Master who has assured us of his love and sympathy. R3865:1
Day of his coming – Our Lord's manifestation at the first advent and throughout the Gospel age. R4708:3, R4646:5
Close of the Gospel age, Day of the Lord, Day of Vengeance, etc., in which the old order perishes and the new order is ushered in. R5916:1, R1653:6, R5442:3
The coming of the King will mean national, ecclesiastical and personal judgments and the complete curtailment of vice. R1692:6, R5916:6, R1538:2
The last two chapters of Malachi particularly refer to Messiah's coming and the special trials which the day of the Lord's presence would bring with it. B249
Presence, after arrival. R388:2
The Harvest time of the Gospel age, the day of reckoning, the very day in which we are now living. R1357:2
And who shall stand – Who shall stand the test. A320; R4709:1, R4477:3, R4664:4, R3865:2
The question is not, Who shall fall? but, Who shall be able to stand? R4477:3, R4208:5
The Lord is now determining who are the consecrated class. R4709:1
The intimation is that not many will stand. R4931:4, R4709:1
In the present conflict between the Bible and the Evolution theory. R2836:3
"The great day of his wrath is come and who shall be able to stand?" (Rev. 6:17) R3865:2
None but the faithful shall be able to stand because the Lord purposely will make the test so severe as to sift and shake out all others. (2 Thes. 2:11) R1280:1
Who shall be so thoroughly established in love that the trials and testings necessary to prove him so will be passed successfully? R4664:4
A thousand shall fall to one who will stand. The very elect will not be deceived. The question is, Are we of the very elect? R4208:6, R3865:2
All of those who profess to be his people are now under rigid inspection. R1440:6
When he appeareth – Inspects. R3865:2
He has been appearing, in the sense of making himself known to those in the right condition of heart. R4708:3
A presence made known, but not necessarily by natural sight. R388:2
The end of the age is the time of the Lord's inspection of the entire household of faith, beginning at the top, with the saints, but extending to every consecrated one. R3864:6
Referring to the entire appearance of Messiah, beginning at Jordan. His appearance will culminate in his glorious revelation at his second advent. R4708:6
A refiner's fire – Now doing its work, and thousands and tens of thousands are falling. R5916:5, R4208:6
The Refiner is seeing to it that the members of his Body should pass through fiery trials to test them. R4646:5; SM213:2
Giving close inspection, that the heat be neither too great nor too little, the time neither too long nor too short. R4931:4
The Lord will require such purity, such holiness, that few will come up to his requirements. R4931:4
He will purge all imperfections from those to be associated with him. R4595:5
Let the dross be consumed. In the heat of the flame do not remove the "living sacrifice" from the altar. R1944:5
"Think it not strange concerning the fiery trial that is to try you." (1 Pet. 4:12) R1823:1, R1944:5
"The trial of your faith being much more precious than of gold that perisheth." (1 Pet. 1:7) R5499:6
"Many shall be purified and made white and tried." (Dan. 12:10) R1823:4
The object of the refiner is to separate the dross; but if the metal clings too closely to its impurities, more and more heat will be applied until finally even the metal itself will be destroyed, thus illustrating the causes which lead to the Second Death. NS447:6
Messiah began his refining work, "to the Jew first," more than 18 centuries ago. R4931:4, R4708:6
A furnace hot enough to insure the separation of all the dross. R4931:4
Destroying the dross of error. A320
Those who have been teaching errors will soon be ashamed (Isa. 66:5), while the fire of this day will manifest the truth to all. R5916:5
"The fire of God's jealousy" (Zeph. 3:8)--not merely of destruction, but also of purification. R5442:4, R3684:4
"The fire of that day shall try every man's work of what sort it is." (1 Cor. 3:13) R5916:1, R3684:5
Fullers' soap – Which would take out all stains and leave the garment pure and white. R5119:5, R4595:5, R4931:4; SM213:2
|
| 3 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness. |
And he shall sit – To remove all the dross of self-will, personal ambition and pride. R3865:2
As a refiner – Purifying. All the dross must be eliminated. R5119:4, R4931:4, R1538:2, R5115:1
As the refiner of gold watches the metal in the crucible to see his image reflected in it, so the Lord has his eye upon you. R1944:5, R1538:2
Separating with unerring precision the pure gold of actual loyalty to God from the dross of mere profession and outward forms of godliness. R1440:6
During the entire Gospel age. R5115:1, R5119:5, R4708:3, R4646:5; CR99:4
Discriminating--he came to his own and his own received him not, "but, as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God." (John 1:11-13) R5119:4
"I will turn my hand upon thee and purely purge away thy dross and take away all thy sin." (Isa 1:25) R1944:3
It was when the cross grew heaviest, the clouds were darkest and the tempest was highest that the Master's presence was most sensibly realized and the lessons of faith, trust and love were sealed upon the hearts of his disciples. R1944:4
And purifier – Relating to all things--questions of governments and subjects, capitalists and laborers, masters and servants--purifying all things--political, social, economic and religious--commencing with the Church. R414:3
Sometimes, when impurities cling tightly, dissolving the silver in water and then restoring it in a pure and permanent form, it becomes more beautiful than before. R180:2*
And he shall purify – Causing them to reflect his image. R571:1
The sons of Levi – Typical of all believers, the household of faith, of whom the chief are the Royal Priesthood. A320; R4708:6, R4477:3, R4595:6, R3684:4, R3864:6, R1316:4, R388:2; Q5:5
That the Lord might find the antitypical Priests, and the antitypical Levites to serve in the antitypical Temple. SM213:2
Referring to the antitypical priesthood--both the Royal Priests and the Great Company. R5119:5, R4708:6
Not literal, but antitypical--the Church constitutes the Levitical system, spiritual Levites. R4877:5
The Church are members of the great Refiner and, at the same time, of the Levite company being refined. R4709:4
The earlier part of the judgment upon Christendom will be especially upon the antitypical sons of Levi, the silver class. R5442:4, R3684:5
The silver class--the Great Company, who come up out of great tribulation. R5442:4, R4079:4*
Applies also to fleshly Israel, who are to be purged and prepared for the great Messiah. R5442:5, R4940:4
Purge them – Of everything in the nature of dross-- self-will, personal ambition, pride. R3865:2
This purging does not come all at once, but in our daily experiences. R4709:4
Strange as it may appear, yet in accord with the records of the past, the fiery trial seems to find the most dross amongst the leaders of the flock. R3865:4
The Great Company will be dealt with, not with a view to their destruction or injury, but with a view to the destruction of their flesh which they have failed to sacrifice--"that the spirit may be saved." (1 Cor. 5:5) R5442:5
This purgatory will begin in the close or "Harvest" of the Gospel age--the Millennial or purgatorial age lapping over upon it. R1470:1
As gold and silver – Priest and Levites, the Little Flock and the Great Company. R4709:2, R3684:5, R3865:1, R4708:6, R5119:5
Silver is a symbol of truth--he shall purge out error from truth. R388:2
The trouble which will purge the Great Company of the nominal church, who are unworthy of a place in the real Church, is a part of that which is coming upon the world in general. R1470:2
That they may offer – Themselves. R1470:1
The Great Advocate imputes his merit to each who offers himself in sacrifice. R5119:5, R4632:4
The purpose of finding the priests and Levites is to make them ready as ministers of the New covenant, which is to be for all the people through them. R4709:2
Unto the LORD – Jehovah. E48
An offering – Consecration. SM213:3, R4632:4
An acceptable sacrifice. R5119:5, R4493:4, R4632:4, R4877:5, R4708:6; Q5:5
The offering of the Church: "Present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable." (Rom. 12:1) R4709:4, R1470:1
In righteousness – A right offering; also an offering which will effect righteousness through the cancellation of sin. R3867:4, R4493:4
As Israel's sin offerings were to effect righteousness. R3867:4
Making good, in the Father's sight, for all their blemishes of the flesh, enabling them to offer a righteous sacrifice which God could accept. R4632:4, R4493:4
|
| 4 Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years. |
Then – After "Jacob's trouble." R5442:6
Of Judah – All antitypical Israelites--all those who are truly the Lord's people in the Millennial age. R3684:6
Pleasant – Accepted. SM213:3
Fleshly Israel will be received back to favor under the New Law Covenant, and be used as a channel of blessing to all the world. R5442:6
Having learned distinctly, and in a practical form, what is pleasing and what is displeasing to the Lord. R3684:6
Hitherto Zionism has been a political movement in the interest of Jewish nationalization; but the time has come for a real movement for those who have faith to draw near to God. SM213:3
Unto the LORD – Unto Jehovah. E48
|
| 5 And I will come near to you to judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, and against the adulterers, and against false swearers, and against those that oppress the hireling in his wages, the widow, and the fatherless, and that turn aside the stranger from his right, and fear not me, saith the LORD of hosts. |
Near to you – To the great systems which compose nominal spiritual Israel--Christendom, so-called. R1538:2
To judgment – Messiah's Kingdom means requirements of faithfulness to the principles of the truth. SM215:3
Who cannot see, in the severe criticisms leveled at Churchianity in these days, that the judgment has begun? R1538:4
And I will – In the time of trouble, and afterwards. R3684:6, R1653:6
Be a swift witness – His reign will be a terror to evildoers. Its first work will be the smiting of the earth with the rod of his mouth and the slaying of the wicked with the breath of his lips. (Isa. 11:4) R1352:2
Against the sorcerers – Following in the wake of the disregard of divine Law that led to the neglect of tithes and the offering of the poor, lame and blind. R2534:1
Those who teach doctrine of devils in the name of Christianity. R1538:2
The adulterers – Those claiming to be the virgin Church of Christ, and yet living in unholy alliance with the world. R1538:4
False swearers – Those who have made a covenant of entire consecration to the Lord and have been unfaithful to it. R1538:4
Those that oppress – Great corporations, trusts and monopolies on the one hand, and unions and labor federations on the other. R1518:5
|
| 6 For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. |
I change not – Because perfect in justice, love, wisdom and power. E34; R586:5, R5857:1
Because he is so wise that he knows the future as well as the past. CR425:2; R904:2, R1267:5, R1560:1, R2026:6
He cannot reverse his decree. R1030:4, R1005:6; E34
God has a definitely fixed purpose, and all his purposes shall be accomplished. A65
All the changes of God's course or conduct are working out the accomplishment of his original purpose which contemplated these very changes. R2026:6
Therefore God's original purpose has not been changed by reason of Adam's failure. R1267:5
The gifts and callings of God are things he will not repent of. (Rom. 11:29) R3685:1
And will never clear the guilty. R586:5
If God were an unjust God we could never depend on him. He might make some term or condition today and then alter it tomorrow. But he is absolutely just. R5857:1
"From everlasting to everlasting, thou art God." (Psa. 90:2) HG731:4
The basis for all our hopes lies in the unchangeable character of our God. R3684:6, R1030:4
Are not consumed – Were it not for the enduring mercy of the Lord, the workers of iniquity would surely be consumed. R1538:4
|
| |
|
| 7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return? |
Days of your fathers – At the covenant at Sinai. R3685:2
Ye are gone away – They had been unfaithful to their part of the covenant. R5442:5
Return unto me – Unto proper accord with the Lord. R3685:2
The Lord is very gracious to those who return from the ways of sin, patient with those who lack the spirit of love and forgiveness, entreating them to join in his gracious plans and arrangements. R3836:4
The parable of the prodigal son illustrates this promise. R3835:2
Return unto you – Prompt repentance, even at this critical juncture, would save "Christendom" from the great impending scourge. R1538:5
He would be as prompt and faithful in giving them blessings as he was prompt and faithful in giving them chastisements for their unfaithfulness. R3685:5[R3685:5]
But ye said, Wherein – This is the attitude of nominal spiritual Israel in our day. "Thou sayest I am rich and increased with goods and have need of nothing." (Rev. 3:17) R1440:6
Their hearts had become so selfish, so stunted along spiritual lines, they did not realize they were merely praying to the Lord with their lips and their hearts were far from him. R3685:5
|
| 8 Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings. |
God – A mighty, powerful, adorable one--to the enlightened mind of the Christian; additionally, the gracious, benevolent one. R2541:4
Have robbed me – Of the loyalty and devotion of heart promised. R1441:1
Of his honor, by affirming the doctrine of eternal torment, ascribing to God a character blacker than Satan's. R1538:5
Instead of offering the Lord the very best, they proffered him the weak, lame and poor, keeping the better for their own use. R3685:5
Wherein have we – The natural Israelite is represented as doubting the matter. R2541:4
The spiritually starving find that either they have been worshipping in a wrong direction or, worshipping in the right direction, they have failed to present unto the Lord their very best. R2541:4
In tithes – One of the tithe-chambers of the Temple was desecrated by fitting it up as a dwelling place for Tobiah, the Ammonite, who, by marriage, became related to the High Priest. R2534:1
|
| 9 Ye are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation. |
Cursed with a curse – Pass through the great tribulation and be brought through severe tests by trials and disciplines. R2541:6
The coming of caterpillars, army worms, palmer worms, locusts and grasshoppers upon Israel meant special chastisements from the Lord. Similar things upon the world of mankind meant no such thing. R2485:5
Have robbed me – Many spiritual Israelites who have made covenants with the Lord keep the very best of everything for their own use, leaving for the Lord only the remnants, the fag-ends of time, influence, reputation and money. R3685:3, R2541:5
Sacrificing to human institutions and not to God. R2541:4
This whole nation – God did not exact from other nations a tithe, but neither did he promise other nations his special care, bounty and blessing. R2485:5
Being one people, many of their interests were common; likewise with the Lord's spiritual people before the Harvest. R2541:5
|
| 10 Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the LORD of hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it. |
Bring ye – Not because he is needy, but because he seeks evidence of our sincerity and faithfulness in respect to our covenant engagement when we pledged all that we possessed. R3685:4
While opposed to "dunning" in religious circles, we fully realize that the grace of giving is indissolubly attached to all the other graces of God's spirit. R2540:3
If the heart of the giver is touched with a desire to offer something in loving appreciation and worship to his Creator, the effect will surely be a blessing to the giver--the sacrificer. R2540:3
All the tithes – The Jews had two obligatory tithes or tenths--one tax for the support of the government and the other for religious purposes. R2542:1
To be used for the maintenance of the priestly tribe, the Levites, and for the relief of widows, orphans and other unfortunates. R2485:1
To teach the people of Israel generosity and to inculcate in them a realization of their obligations to God, and that all that they enjoyed were his bestowments. R2485:2
Your will in all things. R2486:5
A tenth. He makes no positive requirements for spiritual Israelites, leaving it to us--that by the degree of our sacrifices we may demonstrate the measure of our love. R3686:6
Spiritual obligations, represented by the holy tithe, are now left to the option of the spiritual Israelite, with no command or stipulation as to the amount. R2542:1
We find no authority for the tithing system now, although we believe that systematic giving is a helpful discipline, increasing one's interest in the cause to which he gives. R2486:2
Partakers of the spirit of the Lord have a mind, not merely to give a tenth of all possessions and income to the Lord, but to consecrate it all. R2542:2, R2486:4
Not an abandonment of houses, lands, families, etc. R2542:4
And prove me – By fulfilling the terms of your covenant. R3685:5
Spiritual Israelites--awaken to a fresh realization of his goodness and bounty, and of your own obligation to spend and be spent in his service. R2541:6
Pour you out a blessing – A revival of spiritual health, energy, vigor, joy. R2541:6
"There is that scattereth, and yet increaseth; and there is that withholdeth more than is meet, but it tendeth to poverty." (Prov. 11:24) R2485:6
Not be room enough – An overflow blessing. R2541:6
|
| 11 And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the LORD of hosts. |
The devourer – The pests which injured the crops of natural Israel. R2485:6
He shall not destroy – The Lord reproves, not to discourage, but for reformation. He chides, not to dishearten, but to stimulate and revive. R2541:6
|
| 12 And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the LORD of hosts. |
|
| |
|
| 13 Your words have been stout against me, saith the LORD. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee? |
Your – Nominal Christendom. R2542:6
Words – Attitude and sentiments. R2542:3
Your teachings. R1441:1
Stout against me – In direct opposition to my Word. R1441:1
Because the truth would expose their errors and sins and destroy their friendly relationship with the world. R1441:2
|
| 14 Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is it that we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the LORD of hosts? |
What profit is it – Showing the restiveness of nominal Christendom. What advantage will we have? A selfish standpoint--viewing divine requirements as penal servitude. R2542:6
"I see so many all around who do not serve the Lord, yet they are not thus burdened and their lives hold rich reward." R2995:2*
We might just as well have a good time. R2542:6
Walked mournfully – Contritely. R1441:1
With an outward show of reverence, observance of Lenten seasons, etc. R2542:6
|
| 15 And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered. |
The proud happy – The present is called "the present evil world," (Gal. 1:4) not because there is nothing good in it, but because evil is permitted to predominate. A67; HG538:2
This causes perplexity until the reason is seen. R376:6
"Though their eyes stand out with fatness and they have more than heart could wish." (Psa. 73:7) R2025:5
But in the new Kingdom every one that exalteth himself shall be abased, and the humble shall be exalted. (Luke 14:11) R5218:6
Are set up – In power. A257
It is those who selfishly seek their own present aggrandizement, regardless of the interests of others, that are most prosperous now and occupy the chief positions of control. R1562:4
This is the age of the triumph of evil and the persecution of righteousness. R1773:3
"Lord, how long shall the wicked triumph, and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves?" (Psa. 94:3,4) R1653:3
|
| |
|
| 16 Then they that feared the LORD spake often one to another: and the LORD hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before him for them that feared the LORD, and that thought upon his name. |
Then – In the Harvest of the Gospel age. D600, D601; T86
They that feared – Perfect love casts out slavish, but not reverential, fear. R2289:5
Reverenced. OV423:1; R1441:4, R2289:6
Those who study their character. OV423:1
"The secret of the Lord is with them that fear him." (Psa. 25:14) R2208:3
This verse shows the attitude of the true saints in contrast with that of nominal Christendom, shown in verses 13 to 15. R2542:3
In the midst of all the confusion and error, God's people have been developing. R1441:2
The LORD – Not systems, creeds or traditions. R1441:4
Spake often – Concerning the heavenly things. R2406:3
Feeling the need of help, counsel and encouragement as evil prevailed. R2543:2, R4078:4
In Bible studies, prayer meetings, Sunday worship, or in the home. OV423:1
They have a fellowship of spirit. They wish to have all the helps the Lord has provided in these last days. They desire to know all the various parts of God's plan. OV423:1
Encouraging and building one another up, telling of the Lord's goodness and truth wherever they can find a listening ear. R1441:3
The topic of their converse is the inspired Word of God. R2406:3
At annual and one-day conventions. R3121:5
Those who have, but fail to use, opportunities for meeting and speaking together manifest a lack of interest in our great salvation. R2802:1
One to another – Specially anxious for fellowship with those who have similar characters, similar faith in the precious blood, similar consecration, and who are similarly passing through the hands of the great Polisher. R2406:3; OV423:2
Being drawn nearer to each other as they realize that, after all, the number of the faithful is extremely small. R2543:2
"He that loveth him that begat, loveth also him that is begotten of God." (1 John 5:1) R2406:2
"Forsake not the assembling of yourselves together." (Heb. 10:25) R4078:1, R2466:2
"Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matt. 18:20) R2406:3, R2543:3
We are like coals of fire, which, if separated, will cool; but, if brought together, will increase the fervency of the entire mass. R4077:1
Personally or through the printed page. Many isolated ones meet through the Truth publications. R2543:2, R2406:2, R2802:2
The LORD hearkened – Noting those who spoke for those things which are loving, gentle, pure, good, true, modest, humble. R2407:1
Those who realize the Lord's presence with them when they meet will be very careful of their words. R2543:3, R2407:1
Hears, notes and prospers our blessing of one another. R4090:5
Reading the loyalty of our hearts with reference to his glorious plan and our declaration of it to others. R1441:5
"Where two or three are met in my name, there am I in the midst of them." (Matt. 18:19, 20) R2543:3
Thus representing his interest in our efforts to understand his plan. R2543:2
Book of remembrance – Signifying friendship, love and blessing. God keeps a permanent record of his friends, but no record of his enemies. NS69:1
Showing that the Lord takes full knowledge of his true people. R2543:3
Indicating that he does not forget, and that he loves this class, his true Church. OV423:3
The prompt and ready use of even the smallest talent is carefully noted by our loving Lord. R1441:6
Not recording the imperfect rendering of service, but the perfect intention with which it is rendered. R1441:6
If our names be not blotted out of this book through unfaithfulness, we shall surely be gathered among the jewels. R1441:5
Before him – Before Jehovah. F666
That feared the LORD – Reverenced the Lord. OV423:1; R1441:4, R2289:4, R2543:3
Thought upon his name – Not the names of Wesley, Calvin, Knox or Luther. R1441:4; SM127:1
In olden times the name stood for the character--God's name stands for his character, glorious in righteousness. OV423:4
His character, his goodness, his infinity, his plan, his love. R2543:3
As they daily think upon the character of God they are gradually changed into his character-likeness--"from glory to glory." (2 Cor. 3:18) OV424:5; R2543:3
Wishing to have all the helps the Lord is providing in these last days; desiring to know all the various parts of God's plan. OV423:1
|
| 17 And they shall be mine, saith the LORD of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels; and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him. |
They shall be mine – Spiritual Israel: Jesus, the Head; the Church, his members. R4931:1
Those ready to sacrifice every earthly hope, aim and object. R5426:2, R4873:2, R3871:4, R3849:5, R795:5, R176:2
A class that is faithful, loyal, zealous for God and his truth. R5145:1; OV424:7
These gems must be all found by God; he has appointed our Lord to be the Master Workman in their preparation. R5119:1
The faithful class, now gathered out of nominal spiritual Israel, as well as a similar class gathered out of nominal fleshly Israel in the Harvest of the Jewish age. R1538:5
Their character is fixed, their love for righteousness is permanent and thoroughly developed, their spirit of love is indelibly marked. R2689:5
Made manifest by the love of the truth. God sends strong delusions to those who receive it from any other motive, or for any other reason. R5800:4
The name of the bridegroom is given to his bride. R3970:5
"The Lord knoweth them that are his." (2 Tim. 2:19) F76; R820:6
Lesson of a future reward. R4930:6
In that day – In one sense, the Jewish Harvest, beginning AD 29; but its completeness is shown in connection with the Gospel Harvest. R2543:5
A harvest rather than a sowing time, a gathering rather than a planting time--a time for the perfecting of those who have consecrated all to the Lord. R442:2
The time of the Lord's second presence. B164; F274; T86; OV425:2
The Lord's house is built up during the downfall of the nations. R82:5*
Contradicting the thought that the Lord has been gathering his jewels all along for the past 6000 years. R2404:2
The day that brings the glorification to the faithful "jewels" or "wheat" class brings a different experience to the "tare" class. R2543:6
When I make up – Come to make up. SM246:T; R5426:2
Preparing them. R5119:2
Searching for and gathering them. B164
Having been found by God, they are placed in the hands of the great Lapidarist, Jesus, for cutting, polishing and fitting. R5119:2
Suggesting a gradual and not an instantaneous work. R58:2*
The magnet of truth is gathering out the jewels, and the reproaches of the world and the nominal church are refining and fitting them for the Master's use. R472:6
The man who handles jewels sees to it first that they are properly cut and polished; and afterwards he mounts them-- the mounting has much to do with the beauty of the jewels. OV424:2
The jewels will not be made up, glorified, until the full number of the elect has been found, polished and prepared. SM246:T
Of his jewels God will make a beautiful diadem, set in the gold of the divine nature, not to wear, but to exhibit to angels and men. OV424:4
"Gather my saints together unto me." (Psa. 50:5) "Gather the wheat into my barn." (Matt. 13:30) "They shall gather together his elect." (Matt. 24:31) B164; C139; D600; OV107:T; R4244:4*
My jewels – The first of these jewels was our Lord Jesus. The other jewels will be cut and polished after the similitude of God's Son. R5119:1
The greatest of these was our Lord Jesus. The twelve apostles were twelve large stones. Throughout the Gospel age, jewels of different sizes have been found and cut. God will mount them all in the first resurrection. OV424:3; R4931:1, R5119:1, R5470:4, R5758:1
The Church class. R4646:2
The covenant-keeping sacrificers. R1170:4
Represented by the 12 jewels worn in the High Priest's breastplate. T36
The jewels are not made up yet. We are called to be jewels. CR56:3
These must be completed and glorified before the Ancient Worthies can receive their blessing. OV119:2; R4931:1
Under the Headship of Jesus, they will constitute the Messianic Kingdom. SM130:2
As diamonds are hard, firmness, endurance and patience is required of the Lord's jewels. R5651:2
All know the necessity for cutting and polishing jewels so that their real qualities may be developed; so the necessity for our trials, perplexities and persecutions. OV425:1
Jewels are scarce, require to be searched for and washed from the mire before being prepared to refract the light. Diamonds are hard, representing character; crystallized, representing willingness towards righteousness; worthless unless cut; cannot cut, shape or polish themselves; sometimes require to be more than half cut away before they are suitable; and are embedded in cement while being polished. R2404:3, R2405:3
The Christians are to be God's jewels on the spirit plane, as the faithful Jews of the past are to be jewels on the earthly plane. R4931:1
As jewels are scarce, so the "Lord's jewels" are described to be only a Little Flock. (Luke 12:32) HG752:1
Be not discouraged if ye find but few jewels. R1348:6
Jewels have a value of their own, an intrinsic quality that would be appreciated even if plentiful, but is all the more marked because of their comparative scarcity. R2404:2
It is the spirit of the Law, the front part of Aaron's breastplate, which bears the jewels, set in gold, representing the true Israel, the Lord's "Little Flock." T36
Contrasted with the "proud" of verse 15; these are they "that feared Jehovah and thought upon his name." (verse 16) R2404:2
I will spare them – Not in the sense of relieving them from all suffering. R5119:2
Delivering them from those things which would prove too weighty for them. R5119:2
But not from the polishing processes necessary to make them acceptable as sons. R2405:4
As one who cares for precious jewels, so God cares for his saints. OV424:2
They will be spared from passing through the culmination of the great time of trouble. OV425:2; C146; R2543:5, R1538:5, R1441:4
From both the great time of tribulation and the 1000 years of judgment or trial which begins in the "time of trouble." R2405:4
"Watch and pray that ye may be accounted worthy to escape those things that shall come." (Luke 21:36) C146
"That we should not be judged with the world." (1 Cor. 11:32) R2405:4
His own son – The proper father will instruct and discipline his son, while overlooking the greater faults of others. OV425:1; R2543:4
|
| 18 Then shall ye return, and discern between the righteous and the wicked, between him that serveth God and him that serveth him not. |
Then – In the Millennial age, when Christ's Kingdom shall be inaugurated. T87; R2406:1
After the polishing of the jewels is complete and they have been set in the great crown. R2406:1, R1441:5
Shall ye – The world of mankind. T87
Return – There shall be a turning point, a change in the divine administration, though not a change in the divine plan. R2543:5
Turn about, see things from the divine standpoint. R3209:1, R492:5, R2406:1
There will be a grand reversal of the present order of things. R1441:4, R2406:1, R376:6
A re-turn of the rule of righteousness. R2543:5
Discern between – A work of division and separation, in God's due time. R1270:6, R1779:3
Ignorance and superstition will be things of the past, and righteousness will receive its due reward, while to evil will be meted out its just deserts. A217
For in that day the distinction will be manifested. T87
Righteous and the wicked – "In his day the righteous shall flourish" and the "evildoer shall be cut off." (Psa. 72:7; Psa 37:9) R2406:2
|