What does Malachi 11:1 mean?

Question: Dear Dr. Roane, will you please help me understand the meaning of  Malachi 11:1? This verse of scripture cannot be talking about the restoration of the Jewish Temple in Jerusalem since it says, "in every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me."

Answer: Dear friend, you are right in that aspect of the verse. Let us however take a closer look to see if there is more to the verse than perhaps meets the eye, if left standing alone. First of all, the verse makes a declarative promise. It is something that Malachi was told would happen on a daily basis. Here is the verse in full:

Malachi 11:1 “1 My name will be great among the nations, from where the sun rises to where it sets. In every place incense and pure offerings will be brought to me, because my name will be great among the nations,” says the LORD Almighty.

Paul in Light of this, I believe, says:

Romans 12: 1 “Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God--this is your true and proper worship.”

To what extent, however, are we then to offer ourselves as living sacrifices? Scripture is very clear on that.

“Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me (Luke 9:23).’”

Our daily commitment to Christ even in times of extreme problems, or circumstances, as well as the sacrifices of time, money, or just the mundane drudgeries in life all become part of our daily cross that we happily bear also constitute offering our lives as living sacrifices. God forbid, but we must even to the point of death be willing to sacrifice our very life to be a real disciple of Christ.

Praise is also considered a sacrifice, for Scripture says in Hebrews 13:15:

“Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise--the fruit of lips that openly profess his name....”

So, we can pray and praise with the assurance that God hear us:

Revelation 5:8 “And when he had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people.”

We can pray in full assurance, knowing that God hears us, since the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders continually lift up our prayers as incense to the Lamb.  This also another way in which can offer ourselves as a living sacrifice.

It is true that Malachi speaks of assurance that God’s name will be great among the nations; and, although, I do not wish to disparage any of the preceding remarks made in regards our lives as a daily sacrifice, it is obvious that this verse in Malachi reaches beyond our feeble efforts to that of the efficacy of Christ’s sacrifice. Much of this theology rest on just what length of the spectrum we wish to ascribe to the Lord’s Supper or Communion, or, for that matter, the Eucharists each of these positions certainly bring into the present a past and present reality; therefore, in each and every case, God’s name is greatly glorified every time we partake of the Lord's supper in a commemorative sense.

A Word of Caution, however is in order. It must be stated without reservation that one thing Malachi is not saying is that the old Temple sacrifices will be re-instituted, now or ever. Those have been declared invalid and no longer of any earthly or Heavenly value (Hebrews 10:26). Check it out, it’s in the Bible. So, for the Judaizers among us to suggest differently, I simply say, “Check it out. It is not in the Bible.” Therefore, there is no early need for the Temple in Jerusalem to be rebuilt. God is not and cannot be behind such a thing. That is contradictory to what God has already declared, and without purpose.

Furthermore, sacrifices offered in Jerusalem are most certainly not sacrifices offered around the world, as are the sacrifices mentioned above. Furthermore, if anyone wishes to see the real Temple, then they must travel to Heaven where the real Temple resides—yes, resides; that being none other than Jesus Christ himself; although, we too as His surrogates here on earth do also serve His Kingly and Priestly services (1 Peter 2:9; 1 Peter 2:5; Revelation 1:6 Revelation 5:10).

Trust this gives a satisfying and working answer for you. 

  JimR_/