The Old Testament can be somewhat confusing at times. It was written during specific time periods from which the people of this modern era are far removed. There are times in which the authors refer to practices and customs that are no longer in existence, or at least that Americans would know nothing about experientially.
In the book of Proverbs, the author tells of the way in which the king’s heart is like a stream of water in the very hands of God. God is able to guide the king’s heart like a stream of water in whatever way God desires to guide it. As someone approaches this verse, he may envision a river, creak, or flowing stream such as he is accustomed to, maybe like one in his backyard or somewhere he likes to walk. Being far removed from the historical setting creates an interpretive grid for the modern Christian in which the modern Christian filters things through his experience.
What the author of Proverbs was speaking about is the way in which the people of the land during his day used irrigation systems to bring water to dry areas. These systems consisted of a number of trenches that the water would flow through. The man who worked the ground and tended to his crops would allow the rain to catch a reservoir of sorts. He would then open a doorway in this reservoir to let out the water. As the water traveled along his trench, it would come to a fork. He would, at this point, “guide the water wherever he desires” by opening one of the dams.
Now this example is not totally foreign to the American today. It is in no way foreign to many readers of Scripture in third-world countries. Nevertheless, it serves as an illustration to present a point. The point is this: Many times, there is more to Scripture than meets the eye.
This is so often the case when someone turns to the prophetic books of Scripture. One of the interpretive challenges that people face when they read the prophetic books is determining when the prophecies did or will find their fulfillment.
There will be times in which a reader will read a prophecy about Jesus, and it will seem as though it has only been partially fulfilled. He will then seek to either place the prophecy at Jesus’ second coming or at His first coming. An illustration can be helpful at this point.
The prophets looked at Jesus and His work from afar. If you were to gaze out of your window or off into the distance, depending on where you live, you may be able to see hills or mountains. These peaks, when viewed from a distance, will look as though they are all close together. This was the phenomenon that the prophets experienced. They saw from afar, so their prophecies were also meshed together to form a whole.
However, the closer one gets to these peaks, the clearer they can be seen. If one were to take a helicopter and fly above the peaks, he would see clearly that these peaks can actually be a considerable distance from one another. If someone were to climb to the top of one of these same peaks, he would also come to the same conclusion.
So here the Christian is, standing on the top of some of these prophetic peaks. He is gazing out into the distance and realizing that all of the prophecies he reads about in the Old Testament have not already been fulfilled, while at the same time, he is also standing upon fulfilled prophecies.
Malachi 3:1-5 is an example of one of the already-but-not-yet prophecies that can be found in the prophetic books.
Already
Scripture says, “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before 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” (Mal. 3:1). Prior to this message, Malachi had been confronting the people with various repentance commands. The message of a prophet was primarily threefold. First, the message consisted of a command to repent. Second, the message consisted of a warning, such as, “If you do not repent, then…”. Third, God instilled hope among His people. Even in times of wrath, judgment, or discipline, God gave hope to His people.
By the time Malachi got to what is now chapter 3 of the modern Bible, he had already issued many repentance commands. In verse 1 of chapter 3, Malachi told of both a messenger that would prepare the way and a messenger of the covenant. These two messengers are not one and the same. The first messenger, the one who would prepare the way, is referencing John the Baptist. This is clearly stated in the Gospels. The second messenger, the messenger of the covenant, is Jesus Christ Himself.
Following the prophecy, the people fell into a time period lasting 400 years in which no prophetic word was uttered. In the writings of the Maccabees, which occurred during this period of silence, it was also recognized that God was silent.
The people were looking for these messengers, but sure enough, God fulfilled His promise.
Not yet
But there is a portion of this prophecy that has not yet been fulfilled. Scripture says, “But who may abide the day of his coming?… he is like a refiner’s fire… and he shall purify the sons of Levi… Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the Lord… And I will come near to you in judgment…” (Mal. 3:2-5). In this portion of Scripture, Malachi is speaking of a time that is to come.
What he appears to be speaking of is what is commonly referred to as the Tribulation period. Eschatology can be a difficult topic to understand, and many have differing views concerning it. However, it appears as though Malachi is referring to a time in which Jesus will return to the earth again. Jesus has not yet appeared in the way of which Malachi speaks. Jesus has not yet come to refine the house of Israel, as Malachi says in this verse. The sons of Levi are not pure, but rather, the people of Israel are, in large part, not yet turning to their Messiah.
Nevertheless, the book of Revelation records a period of time that is often believed will last for seven years. After John speaks to the churches in the book of Revelation, this seven-year period, often referred to as the Tribulation period, is spoken of in chapters 4-19. This period of time begins with Christ opening what are referred to as “the seven seals,” then the angels blow “the seven trumpets,” and finally, the angels pour out “the seven bowls.” The three sets of seven are what bring about the events of the Tribulation.
These events are what will set the stage for Christ’s return. It also appears that this will be time in which the people of Israel will come back to the Lord full circle. It is said that 144,000 Israelites will be brought to salvation during this time (Rev. 14:3). Elsewhere, Paul says that all of Israel will be saved (Rom. 11:25-26). This will most likely occur during the Tribulation period. Jesus will, in fact, refine His covenant people.
Application
God will fulfill what He promises to fulfill in the lives of His people. As you read the Old Testament prophecies, it is important to remember that there are a number of prophecies that have only been partially fulfilled. God is faithful, and His people need not fear, even if it may seem as though He is slow in doing what He has said He would do. If you encounter a prophecy that you believe has not yet been fulfilled, look ahead, for the Day of the Lord is at hand.
Final prayer
Father, I thank You for Your prophetic Word. Teach me how to read Your Scriptures and rejoice in Your truth. Help me to honor You as I wait for the second coming of Christ. In Jesus’ name, Amen.