A Prophetic Message
For the End-Time

by Sergio Valori

he time from Moses to John the Baptist has been labeled the time of 'the law and the prophets'. Whereas the law was a means of revealing God's standard and ways to his people, the prophets were raised up in times of spiritual degeneration. The prophet's main work was not to teach the law, but to point out deviations from the Lord's way and call for a return to the Lord. Israel's status before the Lord depended on their relationship to both the law and the prophets. In Daniel's intercessory prayer, he confessed that God's people had not only departed from the law, but he added this: "...neither have we hearkened unto thy servants the prophets." (Daniel 9:6)

Upon considering the overall condition of the church today, it is quite evident that we need to hear and respond to the true prophetic voice. I use that term because there are many who label themselves prophets, yet fail to carry a true prophetic message. As is usually the case, the majority, being false prophets, are proclaiming that 'all is well'. They herald that a time of 'spiritual revival' is upon us. In referring to the false prophets, Jeremiah said, "...if they had stood in my counsel and had caused my people to hear my words, then they should have turned them from their evil way." (Jeremiah 23:24)

But, thank God, another prophetic voice (not a single prominent ministry or personality, but a plurality of unknown oracles) is beginning to surface across the earth. Basically, this voice is an alarm calling the church to repentance. It is saying that, though we have true spiritual awakening in some parts of the globe, the major part of the church can be labeled 'Laodicean'. It is lukewarm, increased with material goods, spiritually poor, blind and naked. The true 'kabod' or glory of God has departed and been replaced by human programs, methods, activity and hype. And the worst aspect of this Laodicean church is that she does not know her condition. (Rev.3:17)

I groan in my spirit. We may evangelize, teach good doctrines, maintain our regular church programs and increase in numbers. But have we heard the prophetic voice? Are we paying any attention to what the Lord is saying about us?

Malachi's Prophecy

Most of us know that Malachi's prophecy represents the Lord's 'last call' to his people Israel. Their rejection of this plea would be followed by nearly 400 years of silence, until God would give them one last opportunity through his Son. The scenario in this book represents not only something historical, but something indicative of an end-time situation. The evidence that an end-time condition is upon us is overwhelming. God's message through Malachi is very similar to that of his prophetic message to the church today.

Let us look at some of the conditions and some aspects of the prophetic message.

1. Loss of Covenant Consciousness "I have loved you, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, Wherein hast thou loved us?..." (Malachi 1:2) The people of Israel were to be a special people unto the Lord. Their fathers were sovereignly apprehended of God and brought into a glorious and far-reaching covenant relationship. In the outworking of this covenant, the ends of the earth would be blessed and ultimately come under God's governmental control. It's grand climax would be the establishment of a universal kingdom.

This covenant was first revealed to Abraham, passed on to his descendants and kept alive in a collective sense as long as Israel walked with God. Furthermore, God's covenant promises to David underscored the vision of dominion, the rulership of God through a chosen people. Such terms as 'David's throne' and 'David's kingdom' were not only reminders of Israel's glorious destiny, but were to apply ultimately to both Christ and His Church.

Yet, in spite of this awesome spiritual heritage, the people in Malachi's day had lost all sense of both their identity and destiny. In total ignorance of the great covenant and glorious promises, they could say to the Lord, "Wherein hast thou loved us?" These people had established their own form of religious practice but had become disconnected from both God and his covenant.

A great majority in the church world today are in a similar ignorance to the solemn implications of our covenant relationship in Christ. We have an abundance of religious activity which has become almost totally 'man-centered'. The typical mentality asks, "What's in it for me?" rather than "What is God after?" Nominal churches are still involved in dead formalism (empty forms and ritual) which offers nothing to God and fails to address man's sinful condition. Others are involved in a simplistic elementary gospel that goes no further than 'being saved, blessed and going to heaven'. This realm focuses on man and his needs and falls far short of involving a people with God's ultimate purposes.

Then there are others who carry the 'man-centered' gospel a little further by focusing on divine healing, miracles and deliverance of all sorts. The gospel of faith and prosperity is one example of an imbalanced doctrine which has lost touch with the weightier matters of the New Covenant. Its emphasis is on learning to use faith to have earthly riches and comforts which enhance the quality of our natural life.

Still others - who claim to be liberated - are obsessed with man-made hype, a highly charged emotional atmosphere involving entertainment, drama, supernatural signs and wonders and carnal manifestations in both body and soul. This realm is highly dependent on charismatic leaders, human talent, crowd control and other forms of worldly methodology. Its unspoken goals are to make people 'feel good' and enable leaders to build kingdoms for themselves.

In this end-time scenario, we, the church, have lost our covenant consciousness. We are not aware that the covenants of Abraham and David are still in effect today in Christ. We are basically ignorant of our calling to be made kings and priests unto God and to rule and reign in His coming Kingdom. We are unaware of our need to repent, pursue righteousness, be made holy, establish Godly character and become spiritually mature. We are not hearing the groan of all creation which awaits the manifestation of the sons of God! We are like children playing with spiritual toys, focused on our own wants and grieving the heart of God.

2. Perverted Worship "...ye brought in that which was torn, and the lame and the sick; thus ye brought an offering. Should I accept this at your hand? But cursed be the deceiver which...sacrificeth unto the Lord a corrupt thing...' (Mal.1:13,14) "...Yet ye have robbed me...In tithes and offerings.... (Mal.3:8)

The prophet Malachi attempted to show God's people their grave departure from God's requirement concerning offerings. The basic principle they were violating had been established long ago by the Mosaic law- God must be approached with a proper offering. Their law said the offering must be 'the first of the flock...without blemish'. In other words, the best was to be for God and the remainder was for them.

But, after many years of spiritual degeneration, the selfish, man-centered mentality had become well established. They were now offering to the Lord the lean, the blind and the crippled of the flock. The fattest and best were kept for themselves. Thus, throughout Malachi's prophecy we hear a provoked and angry God saying He would no longer tolerate this condition. Rather than a sweet fragrance, such offerings had become a stench in his nostrils! In fact, in Malachi 1:10, he says (paraphrasing), "Oh, that there were one among you who would shut the doors (of my temple) so that I would not have to see such polluted offerings!"

In a major part of the church scene today, we have a similar condition. People go to the gathering either with no offering at all (dead formalism), or to create a 'praise and worship' time which is mostly for their own enjoyment. We must seriously answer some heart-searching questions. Do we really go to the house of worship bringing offerings of praise, love and thanksgiving for Him, or do we go to obtain something for ourselves? When we are in his house, do we speak directly to Him out of our heart? Does our worship constitute a giving to Him, not only of praise, but of our lives as well? As A.W. Tozer describes in his book, "The Pursuit of God", I am afraid we are cultivating a 'get way of life'. Whereas the altar was once a place of giving our all for His will and purpose, it has now become the place were we 'get' all we want for our own gratification.

Recently, I was invited to speak at a church which opens its program with a typical 'praise and worship' time. As the band began to play and people began to sway with the music, I became disturbed in my spirit and found it difficult to flow. Suddenly, the Lord spoke to me and said, "You see what's going on? It's not for me; it's for them."

As in Malachi's day, the Lord's offering today is either non-existent or has become perverted.

3. Rejection of Discipline and Correction "...Wherein have we despised thy name?...(Mal.1:6) "...Wherein have we polluted thee?..." (Mal.1:7) "...Wherein have we wearied Him?" (Mal.2:17) "...Wherein have we robbed thee?"(Mal.3:8)

If they had recognized the prophetic voice and the chastening God was bringing to them, they would have responded with remorse and repentance. But their responses both of heart and speech were ones of arrogant rejection. They refused to be accused of any wrong doing and were bent on justifying their position. In their eyes, it was not they who were wrong, but the prophet who erred in his assessment of things. We cannot find any other dialogue between God and man in which the people were so brazenly argumentative with God. Even the expressed unbelief and cynicism of the wilderness days were not so blatant as their responses to this prophetic word. God was grieved to the point where He stopped speaking to them.

Once again, a prophetic voice is rising to bring some discipline and correction to some unacceptable practices. We must speak out against fleshly, soulish and even supernatural manifestations which are not scriptural and not of the Spirit. When our music is characterized by the style and beat of the world, we must speak out against it. When worshipers become inebriated in the soul for their own gratification, we must address the error of their way. When people jerk, scream, roll on the floor and give out animal sounds, we must realize that another spirit has come to pollute the sanctuary of God. The stark truth is that today's 'offerings' in a great part of the church scene have become unacceptable.

How will the church react when the Lord attempts to bring correction?

4. What Does the Lord Do? "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...he is like a refiner's fire and like fullers' soap... he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: he shall purify the sons of Levi and purge them as gold and silver...Then shall the offering...be pleasant unto the Lord." (Malachi 3:1-4)

God does not leave perverse conditions unaddressed. He will not longer tolerate the polluted offerings, the growing rebellion to his word or the broken relationship with his covenant. He will release a corrective word through the prophetic voice to initiate a process of purification. The Lord whom they constantly seek in a perverted manner shall suddenly come in their midst as a refiner's fire. There will be no mistaking His intention: to purify the sons of Levi (those who offer).

Although it is generally agreed that the above prophecy had a fulfillment in the ministry of John the Baptist, scripture may have multiple applications. When similar conditions exist, the prophetic word is made alive again and may be applied. As we have mentioned, Malachi is more than an historical account. It is a picture of an end-time condition. We, indeed, have a very similar situation in today's church and it is our conviction that God is moving in exactly the same way. A baptism of fire is coming!

5. What Will Be the Results? "Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened and heard it..." (Malachi 3:16)

Those that strive for 'numbers' at all costs may not like to hear this word, but the scriptures show - and experience confirms - that the crowds do not like to hear a purifying word. When you start speaking on repentance, holiness and the way of the cross, the crowd has a way of dwindling. The multitudes have always flocked around the Lord for 'the loaves and fishes', that which God could do for them. The scripture quoted above indicates that only a small company -which may be called a 'remnant'- embraced the prophetic word of purification in the fear of the Lord. Even in declaring this word, the prophet had intimated that few would accept it. He had said, "But who may abide the day of his coming? And who shall stand when he appeareth?" (Malachi 3:3)

What will the church do in the hour when God brings discipline and correction? Do we think we are ready to meet our heavenly Bridegroom in our present state? Is salvation the only criteria for meeting the Lord? Already, a baptism of fire is being released by those who have a pure, unadulterated word in their mouth. It is critical that we have 'an ear to hear what the Spirit is saying to the churches'. Those who comprise the true Bride of Christ will take very seriously their response to the Lord and allow the purification process in their lives. (See Revelation 19:7,8)

6. What Shall Characterize the Remnant? (Malachi 3:16-18; 4:1-3)

Seven characteristics of the remnant Church are described in the scripture passages listed above:

a. They will walk in the fear the Lord (Mal.3:16)
One can always sense a healthy fear of the Lord on those who are in right standing with Him. It is manifest in the way they receive a word of discipline. Bearing the true marks of the sons of God, such believers accept instruction and correction into their lives without murmuring or rebellion. (How we receive chastening reveals whether we are becoming 'sons' or illegitimate children. See Hebrews 12:7,8.)

Another passage in Hebrews describes (the heavenly) Zion as a dimension of God speaking, shaking and removing from His Kingdom things that offend. In view of this, we are exhorted to 'have grace whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. For our God is a consuming fire.' Whereas much of the church world has become a playground full of children playing with their toys, the remnant will carry the fear of the Lord in their lives.

b. They will be remembered of the Lord (Malachi 3:16)
The word 'remembered' in the Hebrew text means 'to set a mark upon'. This mark would be a means of selecting an individual or a nation for blessing or judgment or for a visitation of some type. At the time when God was judging Sodom and Gomorrah, it is recorded that 'God remembered Abraham'. (Gen.19:29) In 1 Samuel 1:11, Hannah cried to the Lord that she might be remembered in regards to her barrenness. In 1 Samuel 1:19, we find, '...and the Lord remembered her."

Cornelius, in the New Testament time, was also one 'remembered' by a visitation from the Lord. Because of his fear of the Lord and life of devotion, the Lord sent the Apostle Peter to him with the good news of salvation. (See Acts 10:31)

We often speak of revival, visitation and the coming of a greater glory. Although the general blessings of the gospel are free, we must qualify for that which God has for His true church in the end-time. The 'arising of the glory of the Lord upon thee' spoken by the prophet Isaiah (60:1) will not come to a carnal, self-centered, infantile church, but upon a church which is 'holy and without blemish'. (Eph.5:27) The remnant church will not be selected at random.

c. They will express the nature and character of Christ. "And they shall be mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up my jewels..." (Mal.3:17)

Jewels, along with gold and silver, are symbolical of the divine nature. The remnant church will be comprised of those who give expression to the nature and character of our Lord Jesus Christ. In those who will allow it, God's purifying word shall remove the dross from His people and cause the likeness of Christ to be seen in them. The prophet Isaiah alluded to this process when God declared through him, "Oh, thou afflicted and tossed with tempest and not comforted, behold, I will lay thy stones with fair colors and lay thy foundations with sapphires. And I will make thy windows of agates and thy gates of carbuncles, and all thy borders of pleasant stones." (Isaiah 54:11,12) See also 1 Corinthians 3:12-15 for a confirmation of this truth.

d. They will be spared from God's coming judgments. "...and I will spare them, as a man spareth his own son that serveth him." (Malachi 3:17)

Regardless of how we might feel about the dispensational approach to things, it is a fact of Biblical history that there are time spans in the God-man relationship that have ended in judgment. We can site the days of Noah, the days of Sodom and Gomorrah and the closing days of Jesus' ministry. In each case, when the cup of iniquity was full or when the rejection of God's overtures was final, some form of judgment was released. In the present end-time scenario, such will also be the case. The Bible refers to a time of great tribulation and to Jesus' coming with his saints to 'take vengeance on them that know not God'. (See 2 Thessalonians 1:7-10) The Apostle Peter also speaks of a 'judgment by fire'. (2Pe.3:10)

Although many Christians are depending on a pre-tribulation rapture as a means of escape, the better position is to prepare ourselves for the day of judgment. Ephesians 6:13 admonishes believers to put on the whole armor of God that they might be able to withstand the evil day. And Psalm 91 promises protection to those who have found 'the secret place of the most high'. This speaks to us of an intimate relationship with the Lord, which can only be attained by a walk of obedience to His word. It is on this basis that the remnant will be spared.

e. They will be distinguished by a mark of authenticity. "So you will again distinguish between the righteous and the wicked, between one that serves God and one who does not serve him." (Malachi 3:18 NAS)

One of the greatest hindrances to the cause of Christianity has always been the nominal christian (Christian in name only). One of the subtle tactics of the enemy has been to sow the tares among the wheat, to infiltrate the church with the counterfeit and discredit the Lord's testimony. Even the early church had this problem. The writer Jude speaks of those who had 'crept in unawares'. The Ephesian church had discerned false apostles and the church in Smyrna counterfeit believers. (See Revelation 2:2,9).

This problem has grown to great proportions today. Many, far too many, call themselves 'Christian' and claim to be 'born again' without manifesting any change in lifestyle from the person of the world. These may say they have made a decision for Christ and attend church regularly, but live like the unregenerated, lying, cheating, having affairs and indulging in all kinds of immoral practices. The divorce rate in the church is now about the same as the divorce rate of the unchurched. No wonder the world is confused and not interested in what churches have to offer.

But, thank God, there will be a people who will bear the mark of authenticity. They will be a people who have yielded to the transforming work of the Holy Spirit and who have had the character of Christ produced in them. There will be no mistaking their identity, for they will be the genuine product. In an hour when darkness shall cover the earth, the light of the divine character will shine forth in His people. God's kingdom may now be a great mixture, but a purging process will deal with all iniquity, resulting in a righteous remnant who will shine forth as the sun. (Matthew 13:43)

f. They will be characterized by a full measure of the glory of Christ. (Spiritual Maturity). "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." (Malachi 4:2)

The 'Sun of righteousness' in this passage is without doubt a reference to our Lord Jesus Christ and the term 'healing' has to do with bringing the church to the place of embodying the fullness of Christ. Just as the fullness of the Godhead dwelt in Jesus, so it is to dwell in the corporate man, Christ the head and the Church the body. Again we make reference to Isaiah's prophecy, which speaks of a time when the glory of the Lord shall arise on the Church. (Isaiah 60:1-3)

The prophet Haggai, speaking in the days of Judah's restoration, was carried by the Spirit to a point in time far beyond his day when he declared, "The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former..." (Haggai 2:9) He was speaking of the Church.

While many look for external displays and manifestations, the arising of the Sun of righteousness will first be an inward thing. The fullness of Christ's glory can only impact all of creation after it has first been deposited in the Church. This process of the gradual increase of the glory of Christ in a people is referred to in 2 Peter 1:19: "We have also a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn and the day star (the Sun) arise in your hearts." (Parenthesis mine.)

The church's healing will be complete only when she has been delivered of her carnality, worldliness and childishness and been brought to a state of spiritual maturity. The ultimate goal for the church's stature is none other than the 'fullness of Christ', the perfect (full-grown) man described in Ephesians 4:13.

g. They shall be an instrument in the hand of the Lord. "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." (Malachi 4:3)

Since the creation of man, throughout the history of Israel and into the days of the Church, it can be said that God has been looking for an instrument. It is not that He is unable to establish the desires of his heart all by himself, but that he has purposed to do it through fully redeemed man. In seeking purpose and meaning for this being called 'man', David on one occasion cried out, " What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?" God's Spirit readily gave the answer, "Thou madest him to have dominion (to govern) over the works of thy hands..." (Psalm 8:4-6)

Let us briefly meditate on a few expressions from scripture which convey God's intention to use human instrumentality for his purposes:

"Behold, I will make thee a new sharp threshing instrument..." (Isaiah 41:15)

"...I will make you like a warrior's sword..." (Zechariah 10:13.NAS)

"...God also selected...the things that are nothing, that he might depose and bring to nothing the things that are." (1 Corinthians 1:28.Amp.)

"...in order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and authorities in heavenly places." (Ephesians 3:10. NAS)

While much of the church world continues to focus on God's blessings and what he can do for them, He awaits a people who will qualify to become his instrument. While carnal and immature believers are demanding that our houses of worship provide entertainment and good feelings, creation groans and waits for God's sons to bring them deliverance from the bondage of corruption. O, how we need to pray, "Lord, make us a proper instrument."

May the Lord grant us an ear to hear the Spirit's prophetic message in these last critical days.