When the Old Testament came to a close, there were preachers who brought their message to the people as instructed. Hosea began the preaching with the fact he was going to take a prostitute as a wife: Hosea’s wife is a picture of Israel seeking other gods. Joel says that “A nation is coming to my land, they will lay the land bare.” Amos says, “The Lord will roar from Zion and will not stop any Heavenly punishment dealt to the Israelites; Obadiah says, Israel’s pride has deceived you.” Jonah said that “in forty days, Nineveh will be overthrown.” Micah says that the Lord is coming to destroy the high places of the mountain. Go ahead, the people replied, we will just rebuild! That recant was about “IN YOUR FACE” as people can be. God’s people were not going to let Him be their God. They wanted to live life how they wanted. Telling God that they would rebuild their sin-nests after heavenly destruction, is just immoral! Malachi says that God loves His people but hates the sin they do. By the Prophet’s words, people had not changed at all. The days of these preachers lasted about two hundred years, from 600-400 B. C. After the Minor prophets, there were about 400 years of no communication from God. It appears that God is setting-up His plan to bring the Messiah to earth: further conversations would be futile. If they hate God prior to Messiah’s arrival, will they accept Him after He comes? When Jesus did come, they were no closer to accepting Him as a savior. Some people did believe but the Nation did not, they believed that killing Him would relieve their conflict: Israel hung Him on a cross. It was at this time that Gentiles began to tell the Good News to the World. God’s plea to his people in all this time, can be seen in the Fourth chapter of Malachi. He points ahead to the “Coming day of the Lord.” God doesn’t want anyone to go to Hell, He wants us to repent and be ready. Thank God for His gift to the Gentiles! We have the privilege of believing in Him and to be included in those folks who have the right to eternity. How will History record your choice?