Malachi 3:2

But who may abide the day of his coming?

As the light of the sun reveals the stains and pollution that may be upon our garments, so the Sun of righteousness reveals the heart with its moral pollution. Who could stand the searching ordeal of his presence and his words? Not the corrupt priesthood, or the self righteous Pharisees, or the Scribes puffed up with their own pedantic knowledge, or the sensual Sadducees. Not the money changers and traders that he scourged from his temple. Only those "shall stand when he appeareth" who were looking for redemption in his name and whose hearts were contrite and broken.

He is like refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap.

As these refine, remove the dross and impurity, so Christ shall cleanse the heart. The refiner by his fire melts the precious metal, and frees it from the impurities that cling to it. The fuller's soap whitens. Christ calls for. new and pure heart, and anew and pure life. Those who submit to him, "though their sins are as scarlet, are made as white as snow."