THE MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT

THE MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT

Malachi 3:1 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.

Malachi was referring to TWO MESSENGERS in this prophecy. The first one was John the Baptist. He was sent by God to prepare the way for Jesus. God drew the people to John, as a magnet draws iron filings. God's Spirit can draw people to a cow barn, and leave cathedrals empty-- if He so chooses. Huge throngs of people were drawn to Jordan, where John was preaching and baptizing. He directed attention to the ONE who was yet to come-- THE MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT.

The second one is Jesus Christ-- the LORD, who suddenly comes to HIS TEMPLE. His COMING TO HIS TEMPLE could have been at Jordan when He was baptized by John.

John 1:33 And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit DESCENDING, and REMAINING ON HIM, the same is he which BAPTIZETH WITH THE HOLY GHOST.

John the Baptist was a descendant of Levi, of the priestly line. He was the LAST SON OF LEVI to figure in the PLAN OF GOD. How beautifully the two dispensations dovetail together. The last one of the PRIESTHOOD introduces the MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT. The Covenant of GRACE AND TRUTH (Reality), that is.

Jesus, the Messenger of the Covenant, was of the DAVIDIC, the KINGLY line. They were of COUSIN TRIBES, but at least forty generations down the line, as individuals, and according to John's testimony, had not known each other in the flesh. (Neither should we know each other in the flesh). Our KNOWING, like John and Jesus, should be in the Spirit of Him who has given us of Himself-- to each one as He pleases.

John came from OBSCURITY. Elijah also was a man of OBSCURITY. The Spirit in each of them was very similar to the other. They both wore rough clothing and a girdle of leather. They were both very forceful in their delivery of God's Message of the day to those who heard them.

John was not Elijah. He came in the Spirit of Elijah-- same type of Ministry-- same attitude toward the things of God.

But, now, let us direct our attention to the fact that Jesus was the MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT. The Covenant of Grace and Truth. The COVENANT of ABRAHAM, entered into nearly 2000 years before.

Jesus CONFIRMED THE COVENANT with many (see Daniel 9:27. After 3 1/2 years, (midst of the week) He caused all animal sacrifices to cease-- all oblations came to an end.

Jesus was the ONLY ONE WHO COULD CONFIRM THE COVENANT. He had made it in the first place. NO ONE CAN CONFIRM an agreement which THEY DID NOT MAKE.

Galatians 3:15 Brethren, I speak after the manner of men; Though [it be] but a man's covenant, yet [if it be] CONFIRMED, no man disannulleth, or addeth thereto. Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ. And this I say, [that] the covenant, that WAS CONFIRMED BEFORE OF GOD IN CHRIST, the law, which was four hundred and thirty years after, cannot disannul, that it should make the promise of none effect.

The Covenant of Grace and Truth has been CONFIRMED. It CANNOT BE SET ASIDE. It will stand the test of time. We can safely put our trust in Jesus, THE MESSENGER OF THE COVENANT. GLORY TO JESUS!