From the time from Malachi to Jesus was around 400 yrs.  There was no prophetic revelation.  It seemed God had forgotten His people.  Darkness had gotten darker.  It seemed the devil had finally won.  Then what seemed out of nowhere there was a light.  Light came where no one was looking.  Most people look to government to give them light.  There was no light there, only corruption.  Some things never change.  We need to pray that light starts to shine in our government.