"WHO MAY ABIDE THE DAY OF HIS COMING?"

MALACHI 3:1

A. THE QUESTION OF OUR TEXT
  1. Is all important:
    1. It makes the second coming of Christ very definite - John 14:1-3
    2. Says the Psalmist, "For he cometh, for he cometh" - Ps. 50:1-4; 96:13; Joel 2:1
    3. His second coming is as definite as His first coming - Acts 1:11
  2. It is a timely question:
    1. "The day of the Lord cometh, for it is nigh at hand" - Joel 2:1
    2. "The great day of the Lord is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly" - Zeph. 1:14
    3. The last movements shall be rapid ones - Rom. 9:28
  3. It is a very personal question:
    1. It affects those who profess to believe in his soon coming.
    2. Will I be able to abide the day of his coming?
    3. This is the question each one of us must answer personally.
B. "WHO MAY ABIDE THE DAY OF HIS COMING?"
  1. Who shall not abide the day of his coming:
    1. Sinners in and out of Zion - Compare Isa. 13:9 with Zeph. 1:17; Isa. 33:14.
    2. Transgressors of God's law - Matt. 7:23; Isa. 30:8, 9; 1 John 2:4-7
    3. All who are without a wedding garment - Matt. 22:12; Rev. 3:17
    4. All who are entangled with the cares of this present world, and are neglecting oil for their lamps - Luke 21:34-36; Matt. 25:1-12
    5. The wealthy and money hungry - Compare Acts 8:20 with Zeph. 1:18; Ezek. 7:19; Jas. 5:1-9
  2. Who shall stand or abide?
    1. The Psalmist has the answer - Ps. 15:1-5; 24:4
    2. Every one that has been washed, made clean in the blood of Jesus Christ - Rev. 1:5; 1 John 1:7-9; Isa. 1:18, 19; Rev. 7:14
C. OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD THE SECOND COMING OF CHRIST
  1. The world at large:
    1. Scoffs at the idea of Christ coming again - 2 Pet. 3:1-4
    2. Continues in the pursuit of material gains, as if there were no change to take place in this world - Luke 17:26-30; Jas. 5:1-9
    3. It is preoccupied with its sinful pleasures - Gal. 5:19-23; 1 John 2:15, 16
    4. They will be surprised and undone by the suddenness of His coming - 1 Thess. 5:1-6; Luke 21:34-36; Rev. 6:14-17
    5. Even the so-called shepherds of the flock will be preoccupied by the pleasures of sin at the time of His coming - Matt. 24:48-51; Isa. 56:10-12
    6. All, even if they profess to believe in the second coming of Christ, who are not prepared for His coming - Matt. 25:1-12
  2. The attitude of God's children:
    1. They are actually looking for His second coming - Heb. 9:28
    2. They are waiting for Him to come - Isa. 25:9
    3. They are praying, "Amen, Even so, come, Lord Jesus" - Rev. 22:20
  3. What is important for us is:
    1. To make sure that we are ready when He comes - Matt. 24:42-44; Luke 12:40
    2. It means that we purify ourselves from every stain of sin and uncleanness - 1 John 3:1-3
    3. The Laodiceans are woefully unprepared, as yet, but the merciful Saviour admonishes them to make ready - Rev. 3:14-17
    4. It is a personal work that each of us must do for himself; we cannot look to the other man for guidance.
    5. We must make sure that every sin in our life has been confessed and forsaken.
    6. That we live up to the light we profess to have - Jas. 4:17
    7. Put on the robe of Christ's righteousness and make no provision for the flesh - Compare Isa. 61:10 with Rev. 19:7, 8


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