The Grands Letter

Dear Grands,

Malachi 4:1-3, “’For behold, the day is coming, burning like a furnace; and all the arrogant and every evildoer will be chaff; and the day that is coming will set them ablaze,’ says the LORD of hosts, ‘so that it will leave them neither root nor branch.’

2 “’But for you who fear My name the sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall. 3 ‘And you will tread down the wicked, for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing,’ says the LORD of hosts.”

What could be more appropriate for the closing of the Old Testament than a solemn warning of that day that is coming?

To be sure, the Old Testament gives a picture that is less clear than the New Testament, but they are the same picture.

THE LORD IS COMING is the vibrant message. He knows with certainty those who are His and those who are not. No

one will escape His notice. Those who are arrogant and deny His very existence (Robert G. Ingersoll, Stephen Hawking,

et al) will be thoroughly destroyed, “so that (that day) will leave them neither root nor branch” (no off-spring to take their

places in defaming Almighty God).

Yet, the promises of the LORD always include the preservation of those “who fear (His) Name.” He will heal them of

all the afflictions and trouble that His enemies have caused them. They will be free to avenge themselves of the wrong

done to them, all through His power! Little to nothing is said here about love; yet, in the New Testament it is emphasized

highly. “…love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you…” (Matt. 5:44). Remember that all persecution meted out against us is really meted out against the LORD God. What might seem vengeance for wrong against us is really for what has been said and done against Him. If it seems distasteful that we will have retribution against those who have persecuted us, perhaps we should forgive them now, establish friendships, and share the Gospel while there is time.

Don’t be discouraged by the rejection of the Gospel. That’s normal for those who are arrogant. It goes against the grain

of their egos. Persistence in love, however, will eventually wear down their walls of resistance. Trust the LORD to soften their hearts. Nothing can stand against Him.

We love you and pray for you always,

Nana & Dado III

Gene L. Jeffries, Th.D.

Springdale, Arkansas

“We never know that God is all we need

until He becomes all that we have.”