Tim Collinson Supporter Tim Collinson

The bible is approximately 30% prophecy. Some have already been fulfilled, some partially fulfilled and some to be fulfilled. 

There is something we call dual fulfilment, that is some prophecies were partly fulfilled, for example the Messiah was prophesied that he
would ride into Jerusalem (albeit on the foal of an ass) through the Eastern Gate (Golden Gate) and later on to be crucified... jumping ahead, there is also another part of prophecy that deals with future events. One day Jesus is again going to ride through the Eastern Gate into Jerusalem at the Second Advent.

The prophecy about His messenger going before Him had/has a dual fulfilment... The Jews expected their Messiah to come in triumphant riding on a white horse and defeat the Romans, but of course the bible says different. However the messenger at that time was John the Baptist who was a type of Elijah, but not Elijah. 

There will come a time when two witnesses will come during the tribulation, one being Elijah and the other is believed to be Moses...read Revelation 11. Elijah again will be calling to Israel to prepare the way of the Lord.. which is why the prophecy in Malachi looks slightly different but more or less similar in Mark. When ישוע המשיח HaMashiach Yeshua returns it is He who will have rightful place to go into the temple and sit in the holy of holies to be worshipped.

July 07 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Anonymous

Look! I am sending my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. Then the Lord you are seeking will suddenly come to his Temple. The messenger of the covenant, whom you look for so eagerly, is surely coming,” says the Lord of Heaven’s Armies (Malachi 3:1 NLT)

just as the prophet Isaiah had written: “Look, I am sending my messenger ahead of you, 
 and he will prepare your way (Mark 1:2 NLT)

What differences are you referring to?

July 07 2013 • 1 response • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What are the differences between Malachi 3:1 and Mark 1:2?

Malachi 3:1 is a prophecy speaking about John the Baptist, whereas Mark 1:2 is quoting the fulfilment of Malachi.

When you put Malachi 3:1 and Mark 1:2 side by side, you start to notice they are connected, but they are not doing the same thing. Malachi speaks from inside the world of the prophets, looking ahead and pointing toward something God will do. It has that Old Testament tone—firm, expectant, almost heavy with anticipation. Malachi talks about a messenger God will send, someone who prepares the way, someone who signals that God is about to step in and act. It feels like a promise spoken into a troubled moment, a reminder that God has not gone quiet.

Mark uses that same idea, but differently. He is writing at the beginning of his Gospel, trying to show that what is happening with Jesus is not random. He reaches back to Malachi and Isaiah to say, "This is the moment those old words were pointing toward." Mark is not predicting; he is identifying. He is saying John the Baptist is that messenger, the one preparing the way for Jesus. So the tone shifts. Malachi looks forward. Mark looks back and says, "Here it is."

Another difference is the way each writer frames the message. Malachi speaks directly from God's voice—"I will send my messenger." It feels personal, almost confrontational, like God is stepping into the conversation. Mark quotes the prophecy as part of a larger story he is about to tell. He is stitching the old promise into the new reality, showing continuity between the prophets and Jesus' arrival. Malachi stands alone as a prophecy. Mark uses the prophecy as a doorway into the Gospel.

The focus also differs. Malachi's messenger is tied to themes of judgment, purification, and God setting things right. It is about preparing people for a divine intervention that will refine and correct. Mark's use of the messenger leans toward preparation for Jesus' ministry—repentance, readiness, clearing space for something new. Same messenger idea, but the emphasis shifts from purification to preparation.

And then there is the feel of each passage. Malachi carries the weight of waiting. Mark carries the energy of fulfilment. Malachi speaks into longing. Mark speaks into arrival. Malachi leaves you expecting someone. Mark introduces you to him.

So the difference is not just wording. It is direction, tone, purpose. Malachi announces what God will do. Mark announces that God has done it. Malachi plants the seed. Mark shows the fruit.

12 days ago • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report