I will come near.
Not to explain.
Not to soften what you have hardened.

I will come near
as a witness
in justice,
in judgement.

I will speak against they who seek
false power more than obedience.
Against the covenant breaker
who hides in shadows
and sings in the light.

I will speak against the liar
who uses My name
to make falsehood sound righteous.

Against the hand
that withholds wages
from the trembling worker.
Against the scales
tilted in secret.

Against those
who push aside the poor
with silence.
Who call out the orphan
as a burden.
Who names the stranger
a threat.

I will name the root
because it cannot stay hidden.

You do not fear Me.

You fear loss.
You fear exposure.
You fear losing what you control.

So you rename injustice.
You bless cruelty.
You preach peace
where there is none.

I was patient.
You called it absence.

I was silent.
You called it permission.

Now I am near.
Close enough
that your deceit cannot shield you.
Close enough
that truth has no echo left.

I do not come as symbol.
I do not come as metaphor.

I come as just judge.

And the fire will speak.

-based on Malachi 3:5