20160228 Sunday, February 28 2016
Malachi 04: The Reapers Of The Harvest

by Wayne Blank
See also 1 Year Holy Bible Reading Plan

"For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch"

"Stubble" is an English-language word that originated from an Old English word that referred to the short stumps ("stubs") of grain stalks that remained protruding from the ground after the harvest cutting removed the stalks (that were used for straw) and the heads that contained the grain. Stubble differs from the "chaff" which is the outer husks of the grain heads that are removed during winnowing.

In ancient times (and in many places still today), the harvested grain was shaken and thrown upward (modern mechanical combines do the very same job with power-driven fans and screens), from which the wind carried the light chaff away, while the kernels fell straight back down into the grain pile. The Temple Mount was just such a high, wind-exposed winnowing place when King David purchased it (see Why Did King David Purchase The Temple Mount?).

John the Baptist's ministry (see The Way Of The Messenger) provided a warning to the unrepentant, and a wonderful encouragement to those who turn to the right way (see Which Way Is Right And Left? and Strait And Straight) - that the Messiah is coming, not only to pay the price for evil, but to then eliminate it from the world.

"3:1 In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, 3:2 And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.

3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.

3:4 And the same John had his raiment of camel's hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. 3:5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judaea, and all the region round about Jordan, 3:6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.

3:7 But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? 3:8 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance: 3:9 And think not to say within yourselves, We have Abraham to our father: for I say unto you, that God is able of these stones to raise up children unto Abraham. 3:10 And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

3:11 I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: 3:12 Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

3:13 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. 3:14 But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee, and comest thou to me?

3:15 And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.

3:16 And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him: 3:17 And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." (Matthew 3:1-17 KJV)

There is no "ever burning hell" recorded in the Holy Scriptures. The result of the coming hell fire will be eternal oblivion - totally lifeless and inert: "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."

"4:1 For, behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. 4:2 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. 4:3 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.

4:4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments.

4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 4:6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse." (Malachi 4:1-6 KJV)

Fact Finder: What does "hell" actually mean in the Holy Scriptures?
See Hell Fire Of The Past And Future and David's View Of Hell Fire and Paradise