Is Tithing Prophetic?
Malachi 3:10 is the proof text most pastors I know use to convince their church members to put ten percent of their income into the offering plate. Is that what the text is indicating? Did the church exist 400 years before Christ died on the cross? Did the church replace the Temple? The answer to these questions is found by examining the context in which Malachi 3:10 was written.
The book of Malachi is a message from God to His people about 430 B.C. Israel had recently returned from captivity in Babylon. Cyrus had commissioned the Temple in Jerusalem to be rebuilt (536 B.C.). Although sacrifices were being offered at the Temple, God was not satisfied with His people. The message in the book of Malachi is a call from God for His people to turn their hearts back to Him.
We tend to limit the prophecies of Malachi to Jews in that early post-exilic period before Christ. We too quickly write off all the prophecies as having been fulfilled and limit the message to the Jews who lived in Jerusalem around 400 B.C. I believe the prophecies of scripture are for God’s people (whether they are Jewish believers or Gentile believers) and are binding until they are fulfilled. I do not see the prophecies of Malachi 3 as having been fulfilled; therefore, the promises of Malachi 3 are still binding as well.
The prophecies of Malachi 3 are as follows:
I do not perceive that any of these prophecies have been fulfilled yet. These prophecies are still waiting to be fulfilled. When will these prophecies be fulfilled? The text is very clear when these things will happen. These will happen when His people return to Him. There will be a large-scale revival of God’s people in the end times. What do we need to do to return to Him? These questions are the context of verse 8!
We need to stop robbing God in tithes and offerings! According to the text these tithes and offerings belong to the Temple in Jerusalem. The prophecies of Malachi 3 indicate that God’s people will turn their hearts back to Him in the end times. When we do we will start tithing and giving offerings to the Temple in Jerusalem. When this happens, the Messiah will return.
The promises of Malachi 3 are still valid as well. Verse 10 indicates that when we exhibit enough faith to start tithing to the work of the Temple, He will open the windows of Heaven and pour out blessings on us. Blessings so great we will not be able to receive them all! Why will we have to exhibit faith to start tithing to the work of the Temple again? The world will come against us when we begin to support the work of the Temple. The Temple in Jerusalem must be rebuilt on the Temple Mount! It will co-exist with the Mosque of the Dome of the Rock until the Messiah returns. A wall will be built to separate the two (Ezekiel 42:20). It is the responsibility of God’s people to support the work of the Temple in Jerusalem. When we do, not only will we be blessed greatly, we will be preparing the way for the Messiah to return.
Please don’t misunderstand me! It is Biblical and important that you continue to give to your church. You need to support your local work and help those with whom you worship. Biblical giving is far more than ten percent! I believe it is time we Christians also start supporting the rebuilding of the Temple.
© Dr. Steven L Smith 2016
The book of Malachi is a message from God to His people about 430 B.C. Israel had recently returned from captivity in Babylon. Cyrus had commissioned the Temple in Jerusalem to be rebuilt (536 B.C.). Although sacrifices were being offered at the Temple, God was not satisfied with His people. The message in the book of Malachi is a call from God for His people to turn their hearts back to Him.
We tend to limit the prophecies of Malachi to Jews in that early post-exilic period before Christ. We too quickly write off all the prophecies as having been fulfilled and limit the message to the Jews who lived in Jerusalem around 400 B.C. I believe the prophecies of scripture are for God’s people (whether they are Jewish believers or Gentile believers) and are binding until they are fulfilled. I do not see the prophecies of Malachi 3 as having been fulfilled; therefore, the promises of Malachi 3 are still binding as well.
The prophecies of Malachi 3 are as follows:
- “I will send my messenger” (verse1) Theologians often erroneously assume this is a reference to John the Baptist. Although this messenger has characteristics that are similar to John the Baptist’s, he is a different person. This messenger comes preparing the way of the Lord before He sits in the Temple and is like a refiner’s fire. That will not happen until the Messiah returns at the end of the tribulation.
- “He shall purify the sons of Levi” (verse 3) The Messiah will cleanse the hearts of the priests so that their offerings are righteous. God does not find pleasure in sacrifices alone but in sacrifices that come from obedient hearts (I Samuel 15:22).
- “”I will come near to you in judgment” (verse 5) The Messiah will sit on His throne in the Temple and rule in righteousness.
- “I will return unto you” (verse 7) The Messiah will come back and set up His kingdom on earth when His people return to Him.
I do not perceive that any of these prophecies have been fulfilled yet. These prophecies are still waiting to be fulfilled. When will these prophecies be fulfilled? The text is very clear when these things will happen. These will happen when His people return to Him. There will be a large-scale revival of God’s people in the end times. What do we need to do to return to Him? These questions are the context of verse 8!
We need to stop robbing God in tithes and offerings! According to the text these tithes and offerings belong to the Temple in Jerusalem. The prophecies of Malachi 3 indicate that God’s people will turn their hearts back to Him in the end times. When we do we will start tithing and giving offerings to the Temple in Jerusalem. When this happens, the Messiah will return.
The promises of Malachi 3 are still valid as well. Verse 10 indicates that when we exhibit enough faith to start tithing to the work of the Temple, He will open the windows of Heaven and pour out blessings on us. Blessings so great we will not be able to receive them all! Why will we have to exhibit faith to start tithing to the work of the Temple again? The world will come against us when we begin to support the work of the Temple. The Temple in Jerusalem must be rebuilt on the Temple Mount! It will co-exist with the Mosque of the Dome of the Rock until the Messiah returns. A wall will be built to separate the two (Ezekiel 42:20). It is the responsibility of God’s people to support the work of the Temple in Jerusalem. When we do, not only will we be blessed greatly, we will be preparing the way for the Messiah to return.
Please don’t misunderstand me! It is Biblical and important that you continue to give to your church. You need to support your local work and help those with whom you worship. Biblical giving is far more than ten percent! I believe it is time we Christians also start supporting the rebuilding of the Temple.
© Dr. Steven L Smith 2016