The last words of the prophet Malachi are a marvel of condensed information, warning, and counsel.
The reason of this is not far to find. They were the last words of Jehovah to the world, by the mouth of His prophets, until that great day of joy, and fate, when the Messiah should come,-the turning point in the world's history.
God's last message foretelling that supreme event to the world, and counseling in regard to it, might be expected to be positive and intense in expression. The warning is expressed in terms that cannot be mistaken: "Behold the day comes, that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble, and the day that comes shall burn them up, says the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch." (Malachi 4:1)
The very next words, however, conveyed the contrasting promise, "But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings, and you shall grow up as calves of the stall. And He shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, says the Lord of hosts." (Malachi 4:2-3)
Then comes the earnest counsel, "Remember the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments." (Malachi 4:4)
But God is not willing that His servants should remain in ignorance of that which is to come upon the earth. Information is to be given them, and to that end He says, "Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord." (Malachi 4:5)
Christ refers directly to these words in His address to the multitude in reference to John the Baptist and his ministry. Here He tells them plainly, without the slightest circumlocution: "For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before your face, which shall prepare your way before you. And if you will receive it, this is Elijah, which was for to come. He that has ears to hear, let him hear." (Matthew 11:10,14-15)
This unqualified statement, connecting himself and John the Baptist immediately with the last words of the latest prophet, were very dramatic and striking. It might have been thought that those who had ears would have heard.--Present Truth, October 29, 1896--Timeline: IV-32 (Jesus' Eulogy of John)--Matthew 11:10-15.