(CH 2:12) Those of spiritual Israel are "sealed out of every tribe of the sons of Israel". (Rev 7:4). Any of these from the tents of "Jacob" that are "awake" (conscious of these profanations against God but allowing them to continue), or that are "answering" (committing these offences condemned by God after He has made his regulations known), will be cut off from the Life-Giver, Almighty God.

Up to this point, we have studied Jehovah's complaint against these priests of Israel that were saying: "The table of Jehovah… is something to be despised", and have explained in what ways they were saying this.

(V.13-16) Here Jehovah begins His second complaint. Between Jehovah and His anointed priests on earth today there exists a spirit "altar", and upon it He sees before Him their priestly service and their dealings before the people in His Name. But because the dealings of unfaithful priests are also treacherous toward their own wives, God has refused to even turn toward their "offerings". He finds no pleasure in them because of their aforementioned sins. The one who did not do it was probably Malachi (Meaning: My messenger), the messenger of this pronouncement. By Jehovah saying that he had what was remaining of the Spirit, meant that Malachi was still obedient to God's Holy Spirit, but they were not, and are therefore spiritually unclean.

(CH 3:1-5) Jehovah has sent "Elijah" (Mal 4:5) to clear a cleansed way before Him, among the priests. This would therefore indicate a clearing out of false and unclean priests of baal worship, including those adulterating themselves with the "children" of "Ahab" and "Jezebel". The spirit of Elijah is used by Jehovah to clear out these unclean things. Then Jehovah God who is the true Lord, and His messenger of the covenant Christ Jesus in whom you of faithful "Israel" are delighting, will certainly come. Jesus is the one like the "fire of a refiner" and like the "lye of laundrymen", the messenger of the covenant. But who will be able to put up with his refining, and who will be loyal in service to Jehovah when His Christ finally appears, and present to Jehovah a "gift offering" in righteousness? Jehovah Himself will come near to spiritual "Israel" and judge them. Jehovah will be a speedy witness against sorcerers; adulterers; those swearing falsely; those acting fraudulently against wageworkers, widows and fatherless boys; and those who by their words and deeds turn away those not of spiritual "Israel" (but who desire to reside in their spiritual "land") from the "Way of Holiness" while they are not in fear of Jehovah.

(V.6-8) The requirements of Jehovah and His eternal purpose remain unchanged. While on earth, those called to priestly service are to obey the regulations of God. Because unfaithful priests have not kept His regulations for the people, they do not have Jehovah's blessings. He will return to them only if they return by faithfully carrying out His regulations and stop robbing Him in the "tenth parts" and in the "contributions".

(V.9, 10) Why would Jehovah say that the priests themselves are robbing Him in the "tenth parts" and in the "contributions" – in fact, the nation in its entirety? The reality of this 'shadow' of the past is now to be understood spiritually. The "tenth parts" are the complete parts (members) on earth of the spiritual "body" of 144,000 anointed persons with His Spirit, who have their due measure of spiritual understandings ("contributions") to contribute in their service to God. Those who disallow their contributions for the people (but promote instead unacceptable persons as "offerings" to God) are robbing God and the entire nation of spiritual "Israel".

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