Malachi 4:2 KJV “But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall.”
Malachi 4:2 NASB “But for you who fear My name, the Sun of righteousness will rise with healing in its wings; and you will go forth and skip about like calves from the stall.”
One of the many titles of the Lord Jesus is “The Sun of Righteousness.” This is a Millennial title describing His coming and its blessing to the nation and the earth as that Millennial day begins. It seems as though the Spirit of God was reluctant to end the canon of the Old Testament without one more reference to our Lord Jesus Christ. Here in the last chapter of Malachi, before the chapter closes, we have this wonderful title of our Lord. Think of —
Its Radiancy
Scripture had spoken earlier of a star rising out of Jacob (Num 24:17), of a great light shining in Galilee (Isa 9:2), of light to the Gentiles (Isa 49:6). Even Zacharias sang of the Dayspring from on High and His visit to give light to them that sit in darkness (Luke 1:78). But this is the Sun rising in all its majesty and strength, penetrating every part of His creation. Three disciples were able to glimpse this when, on the mount, they saw His face “shine as the sun” (Matt 17:1).
Its Certainty
God employed celestial signs in virtually all of His covenants with His people. He used a bow with Noah as a guarantee that there would not be another worldwide cataclysmic flood. He referred to the stability and fixity of the sun, moon, and stars as a reminder of the certainty of His covenants with Abraham and then later with David (Jer 31:35-40; 33:23-26). The New Covenant, whose blessings we now enjoy and into which Israel will one day enter, may well be linked with this picture of the rising sun.
No one can hinder the sun from rising. With absolute predictability, it appears on the eastern horizon each morning. In the words of the Apostle, “He must reign” (1 Cor 15:25). All the armies of the world gathered at Armageddon will not prove a barrier; all the stratagems of the Beast and Satan will prove futile. He will come in the day that God has circled on His calendar!
Its Sanctity
He is the “Sun of Righteousness.” Perhaps implied in this title is the wondrous truth that God is going to show to an entire universe that the Man Who was numbered among the transgressors is righteous. He will be vindicated in that day. All will own Him as the Holy One of God.
But He will also bring righteousness to this globe. The penetrating rays of His righteous rule will reach every part of the world. All who enter the Millennium will be redeemed and righteous. His rule will ensure the reign of peace, equity, and justice. No longer will evil triumph; no longer will the sinner prosper. He will rule the world in righteousness (Acts 17:31). Rebellion will be judged immediately. The righteous will flourish (Ps 72:7).
Its Remedy
This Sun will arise with healing in His wings. All the ills of earth will be healed. The environmentalist need have no fears. Carbon emissions, greenhouse effects, rising seas, and the entire agenda will all be healed. Creation’s groan will be answered, and it will enjoy the liberty and fruitfulness for which it was designed. Famine and need will be no more. Weapons of warfare will become obsolete and converted for other uses. There will be no need for a United Nations to arbitrate disputes. A “greater than Solomon” has come and taken up the sceptre of universal rule. Well might we all “love His appearing” (2 Tim 4:8).
Consider:
All these blessings that the earth will one day know belong to us now in the spiritual realm. We know the radiancy of His smile, the righteous standing that His blood has provided, and the development of righteousness in life that abiding in Him produces. We have also known the healing of the many wounds that we inflicted on ourselves in our unconverted days. How wonderful to bask in the beams of this “Sun of Righteousness.”