The Sun of Righteousness came to earth. He came to love his children by obeying the Father’s will in their stead. He was perfect in keeping God’s Law. Consequently, 100% of the righteousness needed by his children was accrued by God’s only begotten Son.
Towards the end of his earthly ministry, the Sun of Righteousness was horribly lifted above the earth. These were the darkest of his days of humiliation. On the Jewish Passover, Jesus was posted on a Roman cross. There he received the mockery of sinful men. There he received 100% of the sins of his elect. And there he received the hellish condemnation of the Holy Father. Jesus lived for his own, then he died for them. He was the blameless Lamb of God sacrificed for many who were hopeless and hell-bound. On that horrible day, the Sun of Righteousness was “put out” by the Holy Father, and all became dark.
But on the third day, on that first Easter morning, the living Christ defeated sin and defied his enemies. He proved to be the Sun of Righteousness and ascended from the grave — alive, well, and shining bright. All that he said and all that he promise was validated by his resurrection. He was the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Blessed were all who submitted themselves to his Gospel.
Forty days later, the Sun of Righteousness ascended into the heavens. There, for almost 2000 years Jesus has been brilliantly illuminating paradise. In heaven we are told there is no need for the sun, moon and stars. Jesus is the light of the world, and where he is found, God’s Shekinah Glory is present and there is no trace of darkness. Jesus is the Sun of Righteousness, and what a blessing he is to those who have escaped hell and have found themselves basking in his light and warmth.
However, the Sun of Righteousness is coming to earth one more time. The last Old Testament prophet foretold this epic event. His prophetic utterance can be found in Malachi 4:1-6:
“For behold, the day is coming, burning like an oven, when all the arrogant and all evildoers will be stubble. The day that is coming shall set them ablaze, says the Lord of hosts, so that it will leave them neither root nor branch. But for you who fear my name, the sun of righteousness shall rise with healing in its wings. You shall go out leaping like calves from the stall. And you shall tread down the wicked, for they will be ashes under the soles of your feet, on the day when I act, says the Lord of hosts. “Remember the law of my servant Moses, the statutes and rules that I commanded him at Horeb for all Israel. “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction.”
When the Sun of Righteousness comes again, the “great and awesome day of the Lord” will be at hand, and what a horrible day this will be for some. For all those who are “arrogant evildoers,” they will be turned to stubble. The Sun of Righteousness will “set them ablaze,” and he will “leave neither root nor branch.” With holy anger, God will pour out upon these “arrogant evildoers” that which he poured out upon his Holy Son. Hell will be their earned wages. “Utter destruction” will be their lot in the afterlife. Hot will be the wrath of the Lord of Hosts.
Oh friends, this is the default condition and curse of all men. By nature, all are arrogant evildoers. By nurture and practice, all grow as arrogant evildoers. And at the final judgment, all who stand in their own merit will be sentenced and condemned as arrogant evildoers. This accurately describes the devil, the first man, and all who are their children. This accurately describes every single man, woman, boy, or girl. There is none righteous in themselves. For them, there is absolutely no good news coming over the horizon.
However, when the Sun of Righteousness comes again, for those who fear God’s name, what a day of rejoicing that will be. Those who fear God’s name have recognized their sin. They have not denied the fact of their being arrogant evildoers. But these people have looked to the Sun of Righteousness for their righteousness. They have ceased any reliance on their own works of righteousness, and have placed their faith in that performed by their righteous surrogate. Consequently, these certain people will rise with healing in their wings. On that glorious day, these elect individuals will be like calves leaping from the stall. Men, women, boys, and girls will be comforted by the Lord of Hosts. He will be their God; he will be their Lord; he will be their Savior; and he will be their Friend,.
Friends, God promised the appearance of an “Elijah” figure. This happened just as he said. John the Baptist came and prepared the way of the Lord.
God promised the appearance of the Sun of Righteousness. The beloved Son of God came to earth just as he said.
God also promised the second coming of the Sun of Righteousness; this can be counted upon. He never lies. He never changes his mind. He always keeps his Word, and he is coming soon.
Therefore, let us repent of our “arrogant evildoing” and rest in Christ. Let us be thankful for the hell we are missing, and grateful for the inheritance to be enjoyed over the horizon.
However, there is no need to wait until paradise to start leaping like calves. In Christ, we are already rescued. In Christ, we are permanently reconciled. In Christ, we are declared to be righteous saints. In Christ, we are absolutely perfect. In Christ, we are secure. In Christ, everyday we can hear the Father say, “Well done my good and faithful servants.” In Christ, there is no more condemnation or wrath. Therefore, for sure, we will leap better tomorrow. However, there is great reason to start leaping, dancing, and worshiping today. The Sun of Righteousness has come. The Sun of Righteousness has become our righteousness. The Sun of Righteousness is coming again. What a day of rejoicing that will be! What a day of rejoicing this should be!
Isaiah 50:10 Who among you fears the Lord and obeys the voice of his servant? Let him who walks in darkness and has no light trust in the name of the Lord and rely on his God.
John 1:4–10 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through him, and without him was not any thing made that was made. In him was life, and the life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. There was a man sent from God, whose name was John. He came as a witness, to bear witness about the light, that all might believe through him. He was not the light, but came to bear witness about the light. The true light, which gives light to everyone, was coming into the world. He was in the world ….
John 8:12 I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
John 12:35 The light is among you for a little while longer. Walk while you have the light, lest darkness overtake you.
John 12:46 I have come into the world as light, so that whoever believes in me may not remain in darkness.
Romans 13:12 The night is far gone; the day is at hand. So then let us cast off the works of darkness and put on the armor of light.
2 Corinthians 4:6 For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 5:8 For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light.
Colossians 1:13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son.
1 Peter 2:9 But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous light.
Unfathomable Grace 