The Prophet Malachi

Malachi - was the last of the Nevi'im/Old Testament prophets and his story dates back to 460-450 B.C. Not only did this ancient prophet see the Israelites returning to their old, wicked habits, but he vividly predicted a judgment to be delivered by a Messiah.  

Perhaps one of the most mysterious of the Minor Prophets, Malachi's early beginnings are extremely elusive and according to the 1897 Easton's Bible Dictionary, it is possible that Malachi is not a proper name, but simply means "messenger of YHWH". However, many scholars and theologians agree the ancient seer prophesied after Haggai and Zechariah (Malachi 1:10; 3:1, 3:10) during the reign of the Persian Empire.   

The editors of the 1906 Jewish Encyclopedia speculated that he delivered his prophecies about 420 BCE, after the second return of Nehemiah from Persia (Book of Nehemiah 13:6), or possibly before his return, comparing Malachi 2:8 with Nehemiah 13:15 (Malachi 2:10-16 with Nehemiah 13:23).   

Other theories arise as to the elusive prophet's identity ... 

"Some scholars note affinities between Zechariah 9–14 and the Book of Malachi. Zechariah 9, Zechariah 12, and Malachi 1 are all introduced as The word of Elohim. Many scholars argue that this collection originally consisted of three independent and anonymous prophecies, two of which were subsequently appended to the Book of Zechariah (as what scholars refer to as Deutero-Zechariah) with the third becoming the Book of Malachi. As a result, most scholars consider the Book of Malachi to be the work of a single author who may or may not have been identified by the title Malachi. ." (from Wikipedia.com)   

"The Jews of his day ascribed the Book of Malachi, the last book of prophecy, to Ezra but if Ezra's name was originally associated with the book, it would hardly have been dropped by the collectors of the prophetic canon who lived only a century or two subsequent to Ezra's time. Certain traditions ascribe the book to Zerubbabel and Nehemiah; others, still, to Malachi, whom they designate as a Levite and a member of the "Great Synagogue." Certain modern scholars, however, on the basis of the similarity of the title (compare Malachi 1:1 to Zechariah 9:1 and Zechariah 12:1), declare it to be anonymous. Professor G.G. Cameron, suggests that the termination of the word "Malachi" is adjectival, and equivalent to the Latin angelicus, signifying "one charged with a message or mission" (a missionary). The term would thus be an official title; and the thought would not be unsuitable to one whose message closed the prophetical canon of the Old Testament." (from Wikipedia.com)

Because the name of Malachi does not occur elsewhere in the Bible, some biblical historians doubt whether "Malachi" is intended to be the personal name of the prophet. None of the other prophets or prophetic books of the Hebrew Bible, as well as the Greek Old Testament, are anonymous. Many historians find a connection between Haggai and Malachi, with Haggai being expressly designated a "messenger of Elohim" (Haggai 1:13).  

Opinions also vary as to the prophet's exact date, but nearly all scholars agree that Malachi prophesied during the Persian period, and after the reconstruction and dedication of the second temple in 516 BCE (Malachi 1:10; Malachi 3:1, Malachi 3:10). The prophet speaks of the "people's governor" (Malachi 1:8), as do Haggai and Nehemiah (Haggai 1:1; Nehemiah 5:14; Nehemiah 12:26).   

The social conditions portrayed appear to be those of the period of the Restoration. More specifically, Malachi probably lived and labored during the times of Ezra and Nehemiah. The abuses which Malachi mentions in his writings correspond so exactly with those which Nehemiah found on his 2nd visit to Jerusalem in 432 BCE (Nehemiah 13:7) that it seems reasonably certain that he prophesied during the time of Nehemiah or shortly after.  

The debate will probably continue as to Malachi's identity, wondering was this Ezra or Nehemiah or Zechariah or an unnamed individual, yet one thing remains clear, this prophet of antiquity pointed out the polluted offerings of Israel, the corrupt priests and the infidelity of the people of that time. Malachi also informed through his dire messages that one day a great messenger would come and with him would bring the "Great Day of the Lord".   

In closing, it is interesting to note, the present division of the oracles (prophets) results in a total of twelve books of "minor prophets" — a number that parallels the 12 tribes of Israel. In this respect, many believe Malachi - whether that was his name or title - was indeed an individual in his own right. The Catholic Encyclopedia asserts that "We are no doubt in presence of an abbreviation of the name Mál'akhîyah, that is Messenger of Elohim."

“Remember the Law of Moses, my servant, which I commanded him in Horeb for all Israel, With the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord." ~ Malachi 4:4-5

Eclipse Warning: History Shows America Headed for Judgment

[This is an exclusive article that was found on the website,  WND]

Eclipse Warning: History Shows America Headed for Judgment

Pastor Mark Biltz explains significance of 'signs in the sky'. 

The day has finally come. Millions will look skyward as a path of darkness cuts across the entire United States for the first time in a century. 

Some wonder if the rare event has any significance beyond producing awe and wonder. 

Pastor Mark Biltz, the man who discovered the Blood Moons phenomenon and the author of the new book, God’s Day Timer, believes it does. 

“God said He created the sun, moon and stars for signs at creation,” Biltz said. “As Earth is the only place in the solar system that can witness these rare events, that’s why God filled this place with humanity. Jesus said in the Gospel of Luke that there would be signs in the sun, moon and stars at His coming. Believers who are aware and dismiss this eclipse are as Lot, who mocked the coming destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah and had to be dragged out.” 

Biltz cautioned believers not to interpret the eclipse as a sure sign of the Last Days or of certain doom. He argues the reason God sends such messages to mankind is to offer a way for believers to avert judgment. 

“I do not believe that destruction is predetermined; it can be postponed, mitigated or even eliminated depending on our response to God’s message,” Biltz told WND. “I do not believe in the ‘end of the world’ scenarios others teach, as I believe humanity is here for at least another 1,000 years. I do not believe anything apocalyptic will happen during the eclipse either.” 

But what is God’s message? Biltz said history indicates judgment is on the way unless America’s Christians repent. 

“I do believe we are headed for major judgment, based on scientific and historical data tied to biblical prophecy. In Matthew 24, Jesus discusses His coming as being similar to the days of Noah and Lot. He also ties the generation that will see His coming to the restoration of the nation of Israel.

“The timing is significant. God gave Noah’s generation a 120-year warning. It just so happens this year is the 120th anniversary of the first Zionist Congress held by Theodore Herzel on August 29, 1897. It also just so happens that very day was the first of Elul, and here we have the eclipse happening at the new moon of the month of Elul, beginning the month of repentance! This year is also the 100th anniversary of the Balfour Declaration presented on November 2, 1917, which just so happens to be the very day Noah’s flood rains began! This is also the 70th anniversary of Israel becoming a nation and the 50th anniversary of recapturing Jerusalem!” 

Biltz argues the world is going through a historic time that could presage the return of the Messiah. 

“This time of trouble is likened to birth pains,” he said. “Who can deny the travail the world is currently going through? In the Gospel of Luke, chapter 21, it mentions the generation that sees Israel born in a day, the one that is the terminal generation before Messiah comes, will also be the one to see the signs in the heavens! Here we have had the blood moons on the biblical holy days. Now we have the sun eclipsed at the beginning of the month of repentance.” 

But the eclipse isn’t the only sign on the way. On Sept. 23, on the Feast of Trumpets, or Rosh Hashanah, there will be another sign in the sky. 

“There will be a confirmation of celestial events as described in the Book of Revelation,” Biltz said. “Revelation 12: 1-2 reads: ‘A great sign was seen in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and on her head a crown of twelve stars. She was with child. She cried out in pain, laboring to give birth.’ 

“The woman clothed with the sun is the constellation Virgo and represents the nation of Israel,” he said. “The 12 stars represent the 12 tribes of Israel. 

“Interestingly, the constellation Leo, the Lion, which is above Virgo, is made up of nine stars. The Lion represents specifically the tribe of Judah. It just so happens this year during the Days of Awe, three planets will join the constellation Leo making up 12 stars. Virgo will be clothed with the sun, and the moon will be under her feet, fulfilling this sign to precise detail!” 

Biltz further points out that the tiny nation of Israel has become a major geopolitical focus.  

“We are told Israel and Jerusalem were to become the focus of the world and it has,” Biltz said. “Jesus says when all these things are happening to look up! That is what I will be doing at the end of September! And I say if nothing happens by the end of October, then we’ve temporarily dodged a bullet – and we wait for the next Rosh Hashanah!”