Malachi 4:1

Behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven.

With no break in the continuous thought this chapter proceeds to contrast the destiny of the wicked and the righteous with reference to the day of the Lord. The destiny of the wicked is often declared to be fire. Fire was rained on Sodom and Gomorrah. Psalms 11:6 declares: Upon the wicked he shall rain forked lightnings, fire and brimstone, and. horrible tempest. See also Ezekiel 38:22. John declares of the One who cometh after him, that he shall burn the chaff with unquenchable fire, and it is further declared that he shall baptize with fire. This element is taken as the symbol of suffering. The day referred to by Malachi may refer, finally, to the end of time, but there is. primary reference to the awful judgments that came on the Jews at the destruction of Jerusalem. At that time the great mass of the nation was consumed on account of its sins,. million perishing in the siege of Jerusalem according to Josephus.