Malachi 4:5-6
Malachi 4:5-6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. 6 And he will turn The heart of the Father (s) to the children, And the heart of the children to their Father (s)
Recently I received some direction from the Lord on an Old Testament verse that was translated incorrectly in the modern-day versions. It was not just any verse in the Hebrew Scriptures, but the last verse in the Old Testament, setting the course and direction for the world to receive the coming Messiah, Jesus Christ.
Here is the verse-and the one prior to it.
Malachi 4:5-6 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. 6 And he will turn The heart of the Father (s) to the children, And the heart of the children to their Father (s), Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.”
The Lord’s direction was -the translators did not follow the true meaning of the original Hebrew Text-it means something completely different. In the Hebrew text, I was not foretelling that the prophet Elijah will turn the hearts of the earthly fathers (plural) to their children,
but that Elijah will turn the hearts of the Lord’s children (His saints) to their Heavenly Father (singular) Jehovah God…and that His heart (the Lord) will turn toward His children-(the saints).
My response was…well Lord, then all the translations I have read are wrong…and when I go to the computer to read the original text-it will verify what You are showing.
Sure enough, in the original Hebrew (the earliest scriptures of the Bible- before they were translated into our different languages) shows something incredibly interesting-and yes…different than our modern-day translations. It also gives an entirely different viewpoint to what Malachi was teaching-the prophet was giving us a critical eternal lesson…let’s look 🙂
In the original Hebrew text
The Word for father in Hebrew is {ab} and the plural is ‘technically’ {abot or in some text-avot}. The Hebrew writers of the Old Testament however stayed with their custom of using {ab} for both father-singular and fathers-plural. They left it up to those explaining the scripture to use their discretion on whether the text should be singular or plural. (As far as the Hebrew {ab}-in the Old Testament-it is translated roughly twice as many times singular than plural.)
Note: The Hebrew culture did this with numerous words. For example, the word ‘children’ in the same verse above is translated twice as many times as ‘son’. The word ‘son’ in scripture often represented ‘all’ the children– and the translators would decide which word-son or children-would be the most accurate.
For decades I thought this last verse in the Hebrew Bible before the Messiah’s final return was ‘nice’! Elijah is going to be a great counselor and restore a bond between the ‘biological fathers’ and their children. While this is ‘nice’, it really does not have much to do with Christ’s everlasting reign, our eternal life-or the power of God touching the nations on earth. Others I talked to had a similar view.
While this worldwide revival (more accurately called reformation) will indeed restore family relationships…it will also include the world witnessing the power and glory from heaven invading our lost world. Fortunately, my former interpretation was incredibly wrong. The scope of my view was way too limited…for it truly means the Lord’s Presence will create a movement of God that will touch all the nations of the world 🙂
With the heavenly Father (singular) interpretation, soo much of scripture comes together smoothly, more powerfully. This ‘time of Elijah’ is also mentioned Revelation 12.
Revelation 12:7-12 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back.
8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven.
9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: “Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of His Messiah. They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony;
Does this sound like the local church on the corner of Main and Broadway-I wish 🙂 The Lord is giving Elijah an essential ‘key’ to bring down power from heaven that will invade our world. Let’s take a closer look.
What Malachi Does Teach Us
Malachi was ‘divinely aware’ of the holy relationship between the Lord’s saints and their Father in heaven.
Malachi 2:10 Have we not all one Father? hath not one God created us? why do we deal treacherously every man against his brother, by profaning the covenant of our fathers?
Here Malachi is reminding the Hebrews that they all have ‘One Father’ in heaven. One God for ‘all’. Why do they fight against one another, for they are ‘not’ of different families-but one.
Note: it is interesting that this verse uses the same H1 {ab} for both the singular Father (that of God) and plural -profaning the covenant of our fathers-plural (earthly fathers), same Hebrew word. H1 {ab}.
Malachi 1:1 The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi. Vs. 2- I have loved you, saith the LORD
These verses show that Malachi has a fire in his heart because the Lord has deeply moved him –first verse above Mal. 1:1. The burden…. Malachi absolutely understood, the number one task for Elijah will be for the saints to totally seek God’s heart-become one with Him…only this can truly change the world.
Personal Note: One of the most remarkable ministries I have ever encountered is IRIS ministries, with Heidi Baker and her husband. Her favorite church was in the garbage dumps of Mozambique Africa, where you would see more flies on children than you could see their skin. She and her husband are transforming lives from the worst of conditions. Throughout the country, she is known as ‘Mama Baker’ 🙂 Television host Sid Roth allowed her to do something I have never seen him do…allow her to take control of the broadcast for 2 shows. On the second broadcast-for the first time ever-he wanted her to have a church service on live TV. She simply got on her knees and had everyone start to worship our God. She encouraged all to just ‘get real’ with Him and reach out to Him…touch His heart!
Maybe the last verse in the Old Testament that was preparing for the coming Messiah…and Hydie Baker are ‘on’ to something ‘divinely special’! If we turn our hearts toward God, He will turn His heart toward us…and the heavenly sparks are going to ignite the holy fire that will literally change our world 🙂
Malachi 4:2-3 But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.
3 And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts.
Highlights of Malichi 6
If we use the singular form in this verse…it dramatically reinforces–what I believe the Bible teaches to be the most important lesson for the saints in the entire Word of God.
In verse 6:5, Malachi is telling us the Lord is going to send His prophet Elijah before He comes back on the day of the Lord. This is when the Lord will judge the evil in this world and begin His eternal reign on earth. Please see Day of the Lord Rapture, Rev. 3:10, Prophecy Gen.
The prophet Elijah will be burning with passion to proclaim the Lord’s desire to have the world prepared for His second and final coming…similar to John the Baptist…on the Lord’s first ministry 2000 years ago. Mal. 3:1, Luke 3:4
Mal. 3:1-3 Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: …
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:
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.
While it is true, those seeking and following the Lord, their family relationships will be restored during Elijah’s time on earth-but counseling is not the active ingredient to bring God’s glory to the nations of the world. A holy loving fire from God will be manifest from heaven to the earth…and the Lord’s divine love will engulf all who seek His face. His glory from heaven will bring down the kingdom of God…and Jesus will come back to a radiant church Eph. 5:27.
True Transformation of our World
To understand the future, sometimes we have to look at the past.
John the Baptist, the Apostles and Jesus preached the kingdom of God. Jesus says…this is why He was sent Please see the first 4 Article on the Kingdom of God.
Luke 4:43 But He (Jesus) said, “I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.”
The focus of the Kingdom of God message in the word is to simply bring the presence of God down to earth, His heavenly realm to our earthly realm.
Matthew 11:12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been subjected to violence, and violent people have been seizing it.
The Lord’s heavenly realm is the passageway to ‘EVERYTHING’!!
Focusing our walk that unites our hearts with our Father in heaven…will bring the Lords presence and glory to us…on earth. This great quest kept the Nation of Isreal protected under King David, was finalized in the Old Testament with Malichi, is emphasized by Jesus and the apostles in the New Testament, and simply is the greatest instruction in the Word of God.
Acts 13:22 After removing Saul, he made David their king. God testified concerning him: ‘I have found David son of Jesse, a man after My own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.’
John 10:30 I and the Father are one.”
Matthew 22:37-38 Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.
Pursuing His infinite love, being empowered to receive emotional and physical healings, finding our purpose and destiny, fulfilling our life’s aspirations-are all made possible through our devotion- by turning our hearts to the Father in heaven. Please see our Road with God, Part 1, Part 2.
The ‘Presence-Driven’ Church
Through the 1970s and into the 1990’s the church went through a phase of ‘hyper prosperity’ ‘healing’ ‘miracles’ with the emphasis on the admiration of church leadership. There was very little focus on humbling ourselves before the Lord and serving Him…’ with our whole hearts! -Above verses
The pastors that feared the Lord reacted to this move…and the Lord put into their hearts-bring down My presence in the church-and watch real miracles take place throughout the nations. This Spirit-led direction many called ‘The Presence-Driven Church’-humbling ourselves and following His leading to have the presence of God manifest in our churches’.
John 14:21 Whoever has My commands and keeps them is the one who loves Me. The one who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I too will love them and show Myself (manifest Myself) to them.”
I (Jesus) will manifest to you! Nothing-absolutely nothing in this world can replace the Lord’s covering and presence. What Moses experienced on Mount Sinai-and what the Jewish nation witness when He showed Himself to them when all Isreal worshipped with King Soloman-is the most important experience in a church service…and in our lives. Ex. 33:18, 2 Cor. 4:4-5
2 Chronicles 6:12 Then Solomon stood before the altar
of the LORD in front of the whole assembly of Israel (all of Israel was worshipping the Lord) and spread out his hands.
2 Chronicles 7:1-3 When Solomon finished praying, fire came down from heaven and consumed the burnt offering and the sacrifices, and the glory of the LORD filled the temple. 2 The priests could not enter the temple of the LORD because the glory of the LORD filled it. 3 When all the Israelites saw the fire coming down and the glory of the LORD above the temple, they knelt on the pavement with their faces to the ground, and they worshiped and gave thanks to the LORD, saying, “He is good; His love endures forever.”
How is this for a Sunday Morning Worship service !?
Summary
The Last Verse in the Old Testament is giving us the divine Direction for Establishing our eternal relationship to the Messiah in the New Testament.
King David was chosen by the Lord to lead Isreal-as stated by Jehovah…because he was a man after God’s own heart. While King David did ask for the Lord’s help…this was not his focus. He sought after God’s heart, what was God’s purpose was for our world, what were His specific desires for ‘this day’, what made Him joyful and what grieved the Lord? Eph. 4:30.
Note: Have you ever noticed, when David did commit a serious sin, his overall relationship was soo close to the Lord, the Lord did indeed discipline him-but never allowed others to attack or harm him personally.
When we as a church-seek after the Lord’s Own Heart-our hopes and desires become more of following the Lord’s direction, not ours. We desire to put more and more of our flesh ‘under the cross’ and God’s presence increases even more in our lives.
Simply, when we seriously become obedient to the last verse in the Old Testament, then we
-desire to discover the Lord’s heart-what are His desires for us…for the world. We pursue what pleases Him…and attempt to avoid what grieves Him.
This direction from Malichi 4:6 gives us the burning prophetic word coming out of Elijah’s mouth. The results-
His Holy Spirit will be flowing through us-out to the world that desperately needs Him. Our gifts will be in complete ‘active’ mode…and the true church will walk humbly with one another-and Jesus will be displayed to the world. We will become more like Jesus, One with the Father-
John 17:21 that all of them may be one, Father, just as You are in Me and I am in You.
In short, the Greatest and First commandment will be activated to the world by simply following Elijah prophetic message that was given to him by the Lord Himself…This prophetic word will quite possibly be the greatest message given to the Children of God-to accomplish the greatest revival in all history… Road with God, Part 1, Part 2.
Turning the hearts of the Lord’s children to their Father in heaven, and God will turn His heart toward His children. This will unite us with Jehovah’s heavenly realm…and make us one with Him on earth.
This ‘One Heart Unity’ will activate greater works for the united church than what Jesus did while He walked with us on earth
John 14:12 Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in Me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.
The Lord is soo wise, there is no greater way to end the Old Testament and give us soo much hope for the coming age 🙂
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