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Malachi 4:5: Difference between revisions
→The Great and Dreadful Day
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The Hebrew word translated as "dreadful" in the KJV includes the meanings "to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe; or, to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe.” | The Hebrew word translated as "dreadful" in the KJV includes the meanings "to cause astonishment and awe, be held in awe; or, to inspire reverence or godly fear or awe.” | ||
William Branham, relies on the "dreadful" interpretation of this Hebrew word when he states in the Church Age Book | William Branham, relies on the "dreadful" interpretation of this Hebrew word when he states in the Church Age Book: | ||
:''See, immediately after the coming of THIS Elijah, the earth will be cleansed by fire and the wicked burned to ashes. Of course, this did NOT happen at the time of John (the Elijah for his day.)''<Ref>An Exposition Of The Seven Church Ages - Chapter 9 - The Laodicean Church Age (online version)</ref> | |||
However, if the true meaning is “awesome” rather than “dreadful, then this verse is not stating that Elijah will come before judgement. It is stating that he will come prior to the first coming of Jesus. Malachi 4:6 then goes on to say that God will strike the earth if Elijah never comes. | However, if the true meaning is “awesome” rather than “dreadful, then this verse is not stating that Elijah will come before judgement. It is stating that he will come prior to the first coming of Jesus. Malachi 4:6 then goes on to say that God will strike the earth if Elijah never comes. | ||
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Further proof of this is found in Joel 2:31 and Acts 2:16-21. Note that Joel 2:31 reads almost identical to Malachi 4:5 in referring to the great and dreadful day: | Further proof of this is found in Joel 2:31 and Acts 2:16-21. Note that Joel 2:31 reads almost identical to Malachi 4:5 in referring to the great and dreadful day: | ||
*''The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before '''the great and the terrible day of the LORD''' come. (KJV)<ref>The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), | *''The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before '''the great and the terrible day of the LORD''' come. (KJV)<ref>The Holy Bible: King James Version, Electronic Edition of the 1900 Authorized Version. (Bellingham, WA: Logos Research Systems, Inc., 2009), Joel 2:31.</ref> | ||
*''The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of '''the great and dreadful day of the LORD'''. (NIV)<ref>The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Joe 2:31.</ref> | *''The sun will be turned to darkness and the moon to blood before the coming of '''the great and dreadful day of the LORD'''. (NIV)<ref>The New International Version (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2011), Joe 2:31.</ref> | ||
*''The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before '''the great and awesome day of the LORD''' comes. (ESV)<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Joe 2:31.</ref> | *''The sun shall be turned to darkness, and the moon to blood, before '''the great and awesome day of the LORD''' comes. (ESV)<ref>The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles, 2016), Joe 2:31.</ref> | ||