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Mal.4:1. For behold, the day comes, burning like a furnace, and I will be burned. Then, says the Prophet, you will know what the distance is between the righteous and the unrighteous, and what the difference is between those who serve and those who do not serve God. For do not think that real life is long; it will stop, and a certain “day will come, burning like a furnace, and I will be consumed.” And all the foreigners, and all those who do wickedness, will be like a stalk: and the day to come will set me on fire, says the Lord Almighty: and from them there will not remain a root nor a branch. The word: “foreign women”, Akila translated: “proud.” So the divine Paul said: “If anyone builds on this foundation gold, silver, honorable stone, wood, hay, reeds: every work that is done will be revealed in the day, it will be revealed before fire; and anyone’s work that is, will be tempted by fire. And if his work continues, he will receive his reward again. But his work will be burned up and lost” (1 Cor. 3:12-15). Thus, God, having foretold the destruction of those who live in wickedness, shows what rewards are for the pious. Mal.4:2. And the sun of righteousness will shine upon you who fear My name, and healing will be in His wings. This befits both the first and second coming of our Savior; because at the first coming, like a kind of sun, He shone for us, sitting in darkness and the canopy of death; having freed us from sin, he made us partakers of righteousness, and covering us with spiritual gifts, like some kind of wings, he granted healing to our souls; and at the second coming, having appeared exhausted in the continuation of this life, either against their will, or of their own free will, as a righteous one, he will judge them truthfully and give them the promised benefits. And just as the sensual sun, rising, awakens those obsessed with sleep to action, so the Lord, having appeared, will awaken those obsessed with a long sleep - death. Then, then exactly, the Prophet said: You will go forth and leap, just as the calves were released from their bonds, because they are freed from sinful bonds. Mal.4:3. And you will trample the wicked, and there will be ashes under your feet in the day that I will create them, says the Lord Almighty. So the rich man became ashes for Lazarus, so the offenders will be ashes for the offended, tormentors and persecutors for the holy Martyrs. Then God reminds them of what Moses predicted about the Lord Christ, and commands, when reading the law, to obey it exactly and not contradict anything. Mal.4:4. Remember the law of My servant Moses, as I gave commands and justifications to all Israel at Horeb. Then, clearly knowing that they will not submit to the law, and will not accept His Coming, but will hand them over to be crucified, out of inexpressible love for mankind, he gives them a promise to send Elijah again as a preacher of salvation, and says: Mal.4:5. I will send you Elijah the Tishbite, and signifying time, he added: before the coming of the great and enlightened day of the Lord. This is what he called the day of the second coming; He announces what the great Elijah will do when he comes. Mal.4:6. He will arrange the heart of a father towards his son, and the heart of a man towards his sincere one. And showing the purpose for which Elijah would come first, he added: lest I come, I will destroy the earth in the end. So that I, having found you all in unbelief, do not betray everyone to endless torment, Elijah will come first, announce to you about My coming, and convince you, Jews, without any doubt to join the pagans who believed in Me, and form My one Church. The Prophet calls the Jews “fathers,” as those who were called before, and “sons,” the pagans, as those saved after the Jews. Therefore, since we are now convincing the Jews to piety, they remain disobedient, envying our salvation, the Prophet rightly said that Elijah “will arrange the heart of the father towards the son”; because he will convince the Jews to enter into fellowship with us. But this is enough not only to instill fear in the Jews, but also to frighten us. For the more benefits we have enjoyed, the greater the account we must give to the Judge. Why must we be well prepared for that day, so that we can boldly present ourselves to the terrible judgment seat and enjoy the promised blessings? And I beg those who read My works, for the right and well said, to glorify the uncreated Trinity; because Her gift is knowledge, as blessed David says: “teach man understanding” (Ps. 93:10); and if any prophetic utterance has exceeded my understanding; - forgive me the weakness of nature, make up for what is missing, praise my intention, and reward my efforts with prayers. May the Giver of blessings, the source of wisdom, give both the writer and the readers reason in everything, so that, working for Him without distraction, we may glorify Him with our body and spirit; for to Him be glory forever and ever! Amen.