Malachi, Chapter 4, verses 1-2
1 God's judgement on the wicked, 2 and his blessing on the good2 Thessalonians, Chapter 3, verses 7-12
6 giveth them diverse precepts, especially to shun idleness and ill company3
3:10 Neither let him eat - Do not maintain him in idleness.
3:11 Doing nothing, but being busybodies - To which idleness naturally disposes.
3:12 Work quietly - Letting the concerns of other people alone.
Luke, Chapter 21, verses 5-19
5 He foretelleth the destruction of the temple, and of the city Jerusalem21
21:5 Goodly stones - Such as no engines now in use could have brought, or even set upon each other. Some of them (as an eye witness who lately measured them writes) were forty - five cubits long, five high, and six broad; yet brought thither from another country.And gifts - Which persons delivered from imminent dangers had, in accomplishment of their vows, hung on the walls and pillars. The marble of the temple was so white, that it appeared like amountain of snow at a distance. And the gilding of many parts made it, especially when the sun shone, a most splendid and beautiful spectacle. Mat 24:1; Mar 13:1.
21:8 I am the Christ; and the time is near - When I will deliver you from all your enemies. They are the words of the seducers.
21:9 Commotions - Intestine broils; civil wars.
21:11 Fearful sights and signs from heaven - Of which Josephus gives a circumstantial account.
21:12 Mar 13:9.
21:13 It shall turn to you for a testimony - Of your having delivered your own souls, and of their being without excuse.
21:16 Mat 10:21.
21:18 Not a hair of your head - A proverbial expression, shall perish - Without the special providence of God. And then, not before thetime, nor without A full reward.
21:19 In your patience possess ye your souls - Be calm and serene, masters of yourselves, and superior to all irrational and disquieting passions. By keeping the government of your spirits, you will both avoid much misery, and guard the better against all dangers.
4 The approaching misery of the wicked, and happiness of the righteous, Mal 4:1-3.
A direction to keep to the law, and to expect Elijah, that is, John the Baptist, the fore - runner of the Messiah, Mal 4:4-6.
4:1 Cometh - Tho' it be at a distance from you, yet it is coming and will overtake you and overwhelm you too. As an oven - The refiner's fire, chap. Mal 3:2, is now represented as a fire, burning more dreadfully, as it did indeed when Jerusalem and the temple were on fire, when the fire raged every where, but most fiercely where the arched roofs made it double itself, and infold flames with flames. And this may well be an emblem of the day of judgment.
4:2 The sun of righteousness - Christ, who is fitly compared to the sun, being the fountain of light, and vital heat to his church.And of mercy and benignity; for the Hebrew word imports both.With healing - His beams shall bring health and strength, with delight and joy, safety and security. Go forth - Go out of Jerusalem, before the fatal siege. Grow up - In strength, vigour and spiritual stature.Of the stall - Where they are safe guarded and well ordered.