There will be a clear distinction on the Day of the Lord between the righteous and the wicked (v1-3). The wicked will face the fire of God’s wrath (v1). The judgment on sin will be complete. For those who revere God, the Day will be like a dawning sun bringing hope and healing (v2), a day of great joy.

Jesus is wonderfully described as ‘the sun of righteousness with healing in His wings’ (v2). The picture here is the coming of Christ being like the rising sun, giving a new day, giving light, warmth and joy.

Believers suffering from the wicked are told of a great turnaround (v3). The righteous judging the wicked has New Testament echoes (see 1 Cor. 6 v1-3).

The response needed to this message and the whole prophecy is faithfulness to God’s Word (v4). The law given centuries earlier was not out of date.

To help the people remain faithful to God’s Word the promise is given of Elijah coming to turn hearts back to the Lord (v5-6). The Elijah to come was John the Baptist (Matt. 11 v13-14; Luke 1 v16-17). John’s role was to turn hearts back to God in repentance.

This is the end of the Old Testament, there would be several centuries of silence until the new Elijah would come to prepare the way for the Christ.