Part of the sermon last night stuck out to me. In Malachi 3:1-2, we see God telling His people that He is going to send the Messiah, who will suddenly come into His temple. He asks who will be able to stand in the day of His coming, since He will be like refiner’s fire separating fine metal from slag, and like fuller’s soap separating dirt and oils from cloth.
But those who were looking for the Messiah and anticipating His coming didn’t need to be afraid, just like metal doesn’t need to fear fire and cloth doesn’t need to fear soap.