This final post concerning the warning of Malachi when Israel completely rejects God and His counsel shows a disturbing trend in Israel and in the post-Christian attitude of the America today.

6. Those who turn from God’s word put their own greed before their duty to the Lord.

"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In tithes and offerings.” (Malachi 3:8)

The children of Israel had so greatly departed from God that they ceased to offer proper tithes and offerings, if they gave at all. The same attitude persists in many churches today. It has been forgotten that many of the lessons Jesus taught regarded how we handle money. A clear indication of a person who worships themselves more than God is one who spends more on personal pleasure than he gives to the church and the needy. Giving is an extremely important form of worship.

7. Finally, a person who has rejected God’s teaching and focused on himself rather than others will eventually come to this conclusion - I don’t need God.

"our words have been stout against me, saith the Lord. Yet ye say, What have we spoken so much against thee? Ye have said, It is vain to serve God: and what profit is itthat we have kept his ordinance, and that we have walked mournfully before the Lord of hosts? And now we call the proud happy; yea, they that work wickedness are set up; yea, they that tempt God are even delivered.” (Malachi 3:13-15)

When Israel had hardened their hearts to the point they were purely hedonistic, they came to the conclusion that their was no need to practice religion. In their pride, they basically said, “we are doing just fine on our own, we don’t need God.” A nation who rejects true religion will soon reject God. At that point, how can they abide the day of His coming? They cannot.

Many Christians today shout from the rooftops that America has rejected God. But in their pride, they ignore the fact that they are headed down the same path if not leading the way. Today’s Christian thinks its OK to miss church for a football game or some other worldly pleasure. Today’s Christian seldom read His Bible. Today’s Christian will not endure sound doctrine and mocks the conservative preachers the Lord has sent to instruct them.

So I ask again, with the facts shown in Malachi to be complete rejection of God and so many people acting the same way today, who may abide the day of the Lord’s coming?

No one can….on his own.