(Matthew 17:9-13)
Jesus warned the disciples not to tell anyone of his transfiguration until after his death and resurrection. The disciples then asked him an unusual question. They said, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” (Verse 10) There are several dimensions to this question worth considering. If the scripture was to be fulfilled then first Elijah must come before the day of the Lord.
The scribes were quoting the last words of the prophet Malachi in the Old Testament. This scripture says, “Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the land with a curse.” (Malachi 4:5-6) The scribes were looking for the signs of the Messiah’s coming. One of those signs was that first Elijah must come. Elijah was to prepare the people for the coming of the Lord.
The scribes and Pharisees had asked whether John the Baptist was the Christ, but he confessed saying, “I am not the Christ.” (John 1:20) They then asked whether he was Elijah and again he said, “I am not.” (John 1:21) Now it is interesting for Jesus said of John that he was indeed Elijah who was to come first. However he was not Elijah the prophet of old himself. To think that he was would be to accept reincarnation, which is a false teaching. For we know from scripture that, “it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27)
So how is it that John the Baptist could be Elijah? This is cleared up in the Luke version. The angel Gabriel appeared to John’s father, Zechariah, and told him that he would have a son. He said of this child, “And he will turn many of the sons of Israel to the Lord their God, and he will go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared.” (Luke 1:16-17)
So John could confidently say that he was not Elijah, for he was not Elijah the prophet from old times. However he did come in the spirit and power of Elijah to do the ministry of preparing the way of the Lord. So when we see that first Elijah must come to do the work of preparation, we find that prophecy fulfilled in the work of John the Baptist.
It was interesting too that the scribes and Pharisees had already asked whether Jesus was the Christ. His response was, “So the Jews gathered round him and said to him, “How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.” Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in my Father’s name, they bear witness to me.” (John 10:24-25) The key here is that the works he was doing bore witness to Jesus that he was the Christ. It was exactly the same with John the Baptist. When you review his works, which were to prepare a people for the coming of the Lord, it is clear that his works testify that he was Elijah who was to come. Not the actual Elijah of old, but the one who comes in the spirit and power of Elijah to prepare the way of the Lord.
Now Jesus also warned the disciples not to mention the transfiguration events until after his resurrection. Why was that? Well prior to the resurrection if the disciples began spreading the word that they had seen Elijah, let alone Moses as well, the scribes and Pharisees would say they were making it up. They would want proof that Elijah had come before they would believe, not that they would believe anyway. How would the disciples be able to substantiate such a claim? In fact it would confuse matters more for John the Baptist was the Elijah who was to come. The scribes were looking for Elijah, not John the Baptist who came in the spirit of Elijah.
But after Jesus death and resurrection the scribes had a much greater sign, which they should not have ignored. They had the proof that Jesus was the Christ and the fulfilment of Jesus word that the only sign they would get was the sign of Jonah. (Matthew 16:4) His death and resurrection was proof that Jesus was the Christ. And yet still they would not believe. However, if Jesus was the Christ, which he was, then they had to also accept that John the Baptist was Elijah who must come first.
Hi! I’m John, the owner, author, and editor of this site. Over the past 50+ years as a Christian I have been teaching, preaching and writing about the Bible to help Christians gain a deeper insight into the scriptures that are easily understood. I also answer specific Bible related questions, so feel free to contact me.
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30 responses to “First Elijah Must Come”
Does a prophet choose or confirm himself? No! The Father chooses His prophets, and prophets confirm one another. Now look at the following video by godshealer7 (whom I do not know) on Youtube by typing “Elijah again? Our prophecy speaks of two witnesses to come….” in the Youtube search engine. Then read my posts on that site to understand the mysteries of God and things to come.
In August 2011, my brother and I stood before an angel of the LORD and answered the calling! AND THERE IS MORE!
God Bless,
John
First, my other screen names are “JJArise”, “John”, and “I am John”.
I am John, messenger of the LORD, born of a Gentile Elizabeth. First Jew then Gentile, both part of the same olive tree. Here on earth my name is John; in heaven it is Diomitron. The spirits of Elijah and Zerubbabel have arisen in America!
LET THE WISE HEAR WHAT I SAY!
The Seven Thunders spoke, “My patience has died and the children are far away. Time to gather the grapes for the winepress; time is up. I will not tarry much longer!”
Surely you have heard it spoken in Amos 3:6-8 (NKJV) “If a trumpet is blown in a city, will not the people be afraid? If there is a calamity in a city, will not the LORD have done it? Surely the LORD God does nothing, unless He reveals His secret to His servants the prophets. A lion has roared! Who will not fear? The LORD God has spoken! Who can but prophesy?”
I, John, must prophesy!
Surely you have heard it spoken in Isaiah 29:13-15 (NIV) – “The LORD says, “These people come near to Me with their mouth and honor Me with their lips, but their hearts are far from Me. Their worship of Me is made up only of rules taught by men. Therefore once more I will astound these people with wonder upon wonder; the wisdom of the wise will perish, the intelligence of the intelligent will vanish.” Woe to those who got to great depths to hide their plans from the LORD, who do their work in darkness and think, “Who sees us? Who will know?”
Who can hide from the Most High? No one can! He sees all, hears all, knows all, and nothing is hidden from Him. He is holy, righteous, and just…AND HE DOES NOT CHANGE! Once more, mankind will see the powers and wonders of the LORD God!
Now watch what is about to happen dear brother John! Have faith and be strong and of good courage!
May God bless and protect you dear children of God!
John
John,
I would like to add further to our conversation on Elijah by pointing you to some verses that I believe most believers and teachers overlook or simply do not understand. Before I do, read Genesis 18 and 19. The three visitors who came to Abraham were referred to as men but then were identified as the LORD and His two angels. The two angels were sent afterwards to Sodom to execute judgment for the wickedness and grievous sins of Sodom and Gomorrah. Angels can and do come in the form of men to do the LORD’s will. Sounds very similar to the commission of the two witnesses of Revelation doesn’t it???
Read the following verses and pay attention to what Jesus says of the mighty angel with the little book (22:16), where the mighty angel came from and with what (10:1-4), what ‘John’ must do (10:11), and then what the angel(s) say(s) to John (19:10, 22:6, and 22:8-9)! It is vitally important to grasp.
Revelation 22:16 (NKJV) – “I, Jesus, have sent My angel to testify to you these things in the churches. I am the Root and the Offspring of David, the Bright and Morning Star.”
Revelation 10:1-4 (NKJV) – “I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. He had a little book open in his hands. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices. Now when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write; but I heard a voice from heaven saying to me, ‘Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and do not write them.’ ”
Revelation 10:11 (NKJV) – “And he said to me, ‘You must prophesy again about many peoples, nations, tongues, and kings.’ ”
Revelation 19:10 (NKJV) – “And I fell at his feet to worship him. But he said to me, “See that you do not do that! I am your fellow servant, and of your fellow brethren who have the testimony of Jesus. Worship God! For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.’ ”
Revelation 22:6 (NKJV) – “Then he said to me, ‘These words are faithful and true.’ And the Lord God of the holy prophets sent His angel to show His servants the things which must shortly take place.”
Revelation 22:8-9 (NKJV) – “Now I, John, saw and heard these things. And when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship before the feet of the angel who showed me these things. Then he said to me, ‘See that you do not do that! For I am your fellow servant, and of your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book, Worship God!’ ”
See…the mighty angel is a prophet/messenger!!!
Remember what the Lord Jesus said in the second half of Matthew 11:11 (NKJV) – “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” The Lord Jesus was pointing to a specific “he” that resides in the kingdom of heaven…someone that comes as a prophet like John but in a greater spirit towards the end of the age. Too many teachers generalize that last half to the point it makes no sense. The word “but” should capture your attention and clue you in that His statement was and is of vital importance to grasp. Furthermore, the Lord Jesus said in Matthew 17:11 (NKJV) – “Jesus answered and said them, ‘Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things.’ ” Notice the words “is” and “will”. This indicates a future action!!!
The mighty angel is the seventh angel of the seven stars in the right hand of the Lord Jesus. He comes last at the end of the age before the great and dreadful day of the LORD when the mystery of God is to be accomplished. He comes in the form of a man named John with a greater spirit and power of Elijah. He knows what was written in the little book and what the seven thunders uttered. He will prophesy to the world, restore all things, and prepare the people for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
I know what I have told you goes against the “teachings of men”, but everything I have told you I have pointed back to the Word. Remember the Pharisees, the Saducees, and their followers who thought they had interpreted the Word and its prophecies correctly? What has happened will happen again at the end of the age, but it will be preachers, pastors, priests, etc. instead of Pharisees and Saducees.
Don’t you want to know what the seven thunders uttered? You should!
Rev 10: 5-7 (NKJV) – “The angel whom I saw standing on the sea and on the land raised up his hand to heaven and swore by Him who lives forever and ever, who created heaven and the things that are in it, the earth and the things that are in it, and the sea and the things that are in it, that there should be delay no longer, but in the days of the sounding of the seventh angel, when he is about to sound, the mystery of God would be finished, as He declared to His servants the prophets.”
Concerning the two witnesses, they are identified in Revelation 11 as the two olive trees and two lampstands that stand before the Lord of the earth. If they stand before the Lord who is in heaven then that means that they are from…heaven!!! Then that means that they are…angels!!! Angels who come in the form of men at the end of the age to witness to the whole world!!!
Praise the LORD and His great name!
God Bless,
John
To my brothers and sisters in Christ,
In line with my last post concerning the prophecy in Isaiah 17, I just want to remind everyone what the Lord Jesus commanded us to do.
Mark 13:37 – “What I say to you, I say to everyone: ‘Watch!’ ”
Now watch dear children of God! You are not to be taken as a thief in the night for you are children of the Light.
God bless you all, and I love you. For whom the LORD loves, I love.
John,
Thanks my brother in Christ. I appreciate your replies. From my research, there are many views on the subject of the Elijah as well as the two witnesses of Revelation 11. Many don’t realize it is very important to read both the Old Testament and New Testament. For example, if one has not read about the two olive trees in the OT, they would not understand why the two witnesses in the NT are called the two olive trees.
For that matter and considering the current events in Syria, I have discovered that MANY are not familiar with the OT prophecy concerning the destruction of Damascus in Isaiah 17. It is written in Isaiah 17:1 – “The burden against Damascus. ‘Behold, Damascus will cease from being a city, And it will be a ruinous heap…’ ” Damascus is the oldest, continuously inhabited city in the world and has never been utterly destroyed to a ruinous heap. It is still a city…for the moment.
Our Father speaks to us is many ways…His Word, a still small voice, angels, prophets, dreams, visions, etc. Another one of those ways is through the fulfillment of a prophecy. When one is fulfilled, we can imagine hearing Him say, “Here I am.” So, if you wake up tomorrow and hear that Damascus has become a ruinous heap, you can very well hear Him reminding you that He is in control no matter what mankind does.
God Bless you John.
Yes there is much that can be gained from a study of the WHOLE bible for what is in the Old Testament adds to what is in the New Testament as it was the forerunner. There are still many prophecies to be fulfilled and no one person knows it all. That is why I am pleased that you and all others who comment on my pages provide another perspective and another understanding of the things yet to come.
My primary focus is to teach about salvation and the freedom offered as a gift from God through Jesus Christ in the New Covenant. Ultimately that is where our salvation rests and my hope is that many will come and be saved by Jesus. But where there is insight into the prophecies still to come, I am indebted to those whom the Lord has blessed with such knowledge and insight and I readily accept their input.
Thank you for your comments.
God bless,
John
John,
I appreciate your attention and discussion concerning the Elijah. Many believers don’t discuss this subject anymore or see the importance. While we all have the blessed hope and assurance that comes through our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ, there is a very important reason He said, “He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” This should not be taken lightly.
Let your faith not be a glowing ember but let it be a raging fire to consume souls for the Almighty God and our Lord Jesus Christ.
God Bless you John,
John
John,
I am always interested in different perspectives in the Bible, even when I do not agree with them. At one point I accepted many things as truth that I have since found are not. But if I and everyone else does not listen to other opinions and perspectives AND compare these against the word of God, prayerfully and in search of His truth, how will we learn right from wrong?
Many things too are interesting, but my main focus is on what will lead to salvation and the freedom promised under the New Covenant. These are the things that are important and are based on seeking the truth in faith to come to maturity in Jesus Christ.
Thanks again for your comment.
God bless,
John
John,
I hear many talk about the return of Elijah the prophet (or one who comes in the spirit of Elijah like John the Baptist). How will you and others recognize him? SERIOUS QUESTION.
Be very careful John! If you look at the history of the prophets in the Word, many of God’s prophets were rejected by the majority and only accepted by the minority. Where was the religious establishment of those days…in the majority or the minority? Just think of the scribes and the Pharisees and their followers during Jesus’ time here on earth. The religious establishment was in the majority that rejected the prophets even though they thought they could recognize a true prophet. Read Matthew 23:29-33. In verse 30-31, “and say, ‘If we had lived in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.’ Therefore you are witnesses against yourselves that you are sons of those who murdered the prophets.”
So, will history repeat itself with the Elijah who comes before the great and dreadful day of the LORD? There is nothing new under the sun!
Hi There & thanks for your comment.
You are quite right that the majority are often not right. I often refer also to Heb 13:13 which suggest we need to step outside the organised religions to find Jesus Christ. Just as the sacrificial animals bodies were burned outside the camp, so too Jesus suffered outside the camp and if we are to come to him, we too need to go outside the camp to find Him.
As for the return of Elijah or someone in the spirit of Elijah, I believe that was John the Baptist. Why? Jesus said these words in Matthew 11:13-14.
“13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John;
14 and if you are willing to accept it, he is Eli’jah who is to come.”
Now whether there will be another to rise in the spirit & power of Elijah, I am not sure…we will all have to think that one over. If you have any thoughts on that matter, we would all love to hear them.
You make some excellent points and once again, thank you for your input.
God bless,
John
Thanks John for your reply.
All is a matter of perspectives. Let me explain.
As far as the acceptance of the Elijah and whether one comes in the power and spirit again before the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, a question arises as to whose eyes you are looking through…the eyes of a believer or an unbeliever who is yet to become a believer? Let me explain.
If you look through the eyes of a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, then you “are willing to receive it” when He acknowledged that John the Baptist was the Elijah to come before Him. As fellow believers, we accept this.
If you look through the eyes of an unbeliever who is yet to accept the Lord Jesus Christ, then you “are not willing to receive it” that John the Baptist was the Elijah to come before Him. Remember, Israel (the Jews) are still waiting for the Messiah and the Elijah who is to come before Him.
While the prophecy has been fulfilled in the eyes of Christians, it has not been fulfilled in the eyes of the Jews who rejected both Jesus and John. So how can we say it has been fulfilled until all our brethren (to include Israel/Jews) “receive it”? The Word says there will be a day when they will mourn for the One they pierced.
The word “if” that He uses when He said, “And if you are willing to receive it…” is powerful and speaks forth a mystery.
Perspectives!
Yes we must always consider perspectives as it can make a huge difference.
The Jews were certainly NOT able to accept John the Baptist as the Elijah who was to come, but clearly by the words of Jesus, as well as the angel Gabriel (Luke 1:17), John the Baptist was indeed the Elijah to come. While the Jews still wait for the promised Messiah they have missed out on the greatest promise ever offered, not just to Israel but to the entire world in the coming of Jesus Christ. But it was meant to be.
Thanks again for your comment. Good points all.
God bless,
John
Hello brother,
Everything was fulfilled in ‘The Seed’ that God made a promise to, He being our lord and savior Jesus Christ. The Seed became the living vine who reconciled us back to the Heavenly Father as describes in Malachi 4:6. After all Christ Jesus is the Son of righteousness described as the Elijah (Title holder) in context of Malachi 4:2. Couple this with Deuteronomy 18:15-19 that speaks of ‘The Prophet’ coming onto the scene who will relieve Moses, who acted in the position and role of ‘The Word’ (Logos) of God until the True Title Holder of ‘The Prophet’ (The Elijah) who the position belongs to, who is the Living Word of God The Christ came into the world. All scripture is about the Christ and when the Christ who is both The Prophet and the Elijah came and declared ‘My God is Yahweh’ all scripture pointed to him as the fulfillment of the Word of God, can everyone say Amen to that.
Now as far as a Singular Elijah (The prophet) to come is concerned in person on earth will fit perfectly the role of the false prophet of Revelation where he causes fire to come down in full view of humanity in order to scare and deceive them to worship the antichrist aka Satan.
Remembering that Elijah singular to come must counterfeit what Elijah of Tishbite did by causing fire to come down on his enemies (2 Kings 1:10), and at the same time counterfeit John the Baptist’s role in preparing the way for the antichrist who will rule an earthly utopian style autocratic (political) millennium reign from earthly Jerusalem. Simple matter of discernment is to heed the warning of Jesus to not go anywhere to greet or meet any earthly Christ as mentioned in Matthew 24:25-26.
Simple reason to regard any figure who claims to be the Elijah in singular figure on earth as the ‘False Prophet’ because he will give life to the image of the first beast, the antichrist figure who also comes on the scene in an earthly manner.
As Christians we know very well that Abraham has already arrived in the Heavenly Country New Jerusalem and so have the Saints of The Old covenant and martyred witnesses of the New Covenant who have also been arriving in New Jerusalem in Heaven to be with The Lord. Remember Saint Paul said to be absent from the body is to be automatically at the twinkling of an eye with Christ.
So the Heavenly Kingdom has already been established in Heaven since the tombs were opened by Christ after the completion of the symbolic 70th week of Daniel’s Prophecy were Christ confirmed the covenant of God with many (both Old and New Covenant), in one symbolic week whilst in the midst he was cut off from the realm of the living (New Covenant believers) and the remaining half of the week was confirmed with the Old Covenant people starting from Abraham who was asleep in Paradise. Christ went to confirm the covenant of salvation with both the living and the sleeping in paradise (symbolic Abraham’s bosom).
So disregard with dread, any hopes of an earthly individual or reign in any form that voids the meaning of the word ‘Eternity’. Apostate Christianity who will shake hands with the devil will accept a decadence and time elapsing based earthly reign that is totally false and deceptive.
That’s why we no longer look towards an individual earthly figure or place our hopes on an earthly kingdom for ours is a Heavenly country that is eternal, which means that it is timeless and no need for an elapsing time (clock piece), to monitor our progress or to be slaves to it in our living. Eternity is just that timeless that is no time piece as described in Zechariah 14:7 where ‘it shall be one day which shall be known to the LORD, not day, nor night: but it shall come to pass, that at evening time it shall be light’. Not day not night is describing a timeless eternity not dictated by the cycle of day and night as in the first creation (Genesis One).
Stay blessed
“John” is not the same as John the Baptist. I am not implying reincarnation. The spirit can be given to another “John”.
That’s OK John. There is no truth in reincarnation. As it shows in Hebrews 9:27, “And just as it is appointed for men to die once, and after that comes judgment”
Thnaks for your comment & clarification for the sake of those who may have thought otherwise.
God bless,
John
Let me make clear that I am not implying reincarnation. Just as “John” is the name of the man, “Elijah” is the name of the spirit which indwells the man who is the prophet. The spirit can be given to a different “John” other than John the Baptist. Did not Elisha receive a DOUBLE spirit of Elijah? Contemplate on that one!
Thanks for the clarification John.
Not sure I agree totally with your point about Elijah being the actual name of the spirit. The bible does say that John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:17). Perhaps you could clarify why you believe the spirit is also named Elijah?
Thanks & God bless.
John
John,
Read the following:
2 Kings 2:9 – “And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.”
How many spirits of Elijah were left with the man whose flesh was named Elisha? Two.
I will let you ponder on that one for there is a greater meaning. Pray to Him who is the Word and ask Him for wisdom! He sees all, hears all, knows all and nothing is hidden from Him! Praise His great name!
God Bless you John for you seek the Truth!
Thank you for the comment John and the clarification.
I don’t know that I agree with what you are saying as I don’t think Elisha was either asking for or receiving two spirits. He certainly did ask for a double portion of the spirit of Elijah, but I can’t reconcile that to mean two spirits.
However I have left the comment here for others & hopefully they can add additional perspective to what we have both said.
God bless,
John
Grammatical corrections:
“Ecclasiastes” should be “Ecclesiastes”.
“vereses” should be “verses”.
Correction to QUESTION: “won” should be “own”.
How can a blind man say “I can see.” or restore his own sight?
Heh heh. Looks like you were typing that fast you suffered from “fat finger syndrome.” Been there, done that. Corrections noted.
God bless,
John
Read the Word and ask Him, not man, for wisdom and let the Truth be revealed. His Word cannot and will not return void. What hasn’t been fulfilled yet, will be in the future. Also, it is very important to avoid the traditions and teachings of men that are not in line with the Word. Let us not make the same mistake of the forefathers of old.
It is VERY important to remember that it was clearly prophesied in the Old Testament (Genesis, Isaiah, Jeremiah, Malachi) that the Gentiles would become a part of God’s people (olive tree). Both John the Baptist and the Lord Jesus Christ (a.k.a. Yeshua/Yahshua/The Messiah) came into the world to their own (Israel/Jews) and were rejected. John the Baptist even denied being the “Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” THIS HAD TO HAPPEN! WHY? So the prophesied rejection of Jesus (i.e., Isaiah 53-5) would be fulfilled as well as the prophesied inclusion of the Gentiles. The rejection by Israel opened the way for the “torch of salvation” to be passed from the Jews to the Gentiles. This was Paul’s commission. So, the branch of Israel was broken off the olive tree and the branch of the Gentiles grafted in. Israel WILL remain in blindness UNTIL the fullness of the Gentiles (Romans 11:25). However, the branch of Israel will be “restored” by the “Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.”
The Father loves His firstborn. There is coming a day when Israel will accept the One who was pierced (Zechariah 12:10) and is alive. He was, is, and is to come. Israel will return as the prodigal son and say “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD.” Surely you have heard it spoken in Luke 13:35 – “See! Your house is left to you desolate; and assuredly, I say to you, you shall not see Me until the time comes when you say, “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!” This means the kingdom will not be established until they say it. Pretty clear! Not my words but the words of our Lord Jesus.
QUESTIONS: How can a blind man say “I can see.” or restore his won sight? How can a broken branch say “I am a tree.” or graft itself back into the tree is was broken from?
The answers are at the end of this post. VERY IMPORTANT!
Pay particular attention to Malachi 1:11, Malachi 3:3, Malachi 4:5-6, Luke 1:15-17, Matthew 11:11-15, Matthew 17:11-13, John 21:22-24, and Revelation 10:11. Pay attention the words of the Lord Jesus, the angel Gabriel, and the Voice from Heaven. From these you can see a “name” and a “spirit” that is mentioned. The Word gives you “name” of the one who comes in the “spirit” who must come last to prophesy again, prepare for the second coming of the Lord Jesus Christ, and restore all things.
Remember what the Lord Jesus said in Matthew 11:13-15 – “For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is the Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” Focus on the word “if”. This was a conditional statement! If they had accepted the Lord Jesus and John the Baptist, the kingdom would have been established. However, they were both rejected, thus requiring a future action. Now look at what He said BEFORE and AFTER these verses.
BEFORE in Matthew 11:11 – “Assuredly, I say to you, among those born of women there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist; but he who is least in heaven is greater than he. Who is “he who is least in heaven”? He is the one in heaven who is the greater Elijah that must come last because Israel rejected the Lord Jesus and John the Baptist. His Word cannot and will not return void!
AFTER in Matthew 17:11 – “Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things.” Even though John the Baptist came as the Elijah as validated by the Lord Jesus, the rejection necessitates a return to fulfill prophecy. His Word cannot and will not return void!
At this point, read Ecclasiastes 1:9-11 and 3:14-15. It is VERY important you read those vereses for wisdom before you proceed!
The name of the flesh is…”John”.
The name of his mother is… “Elizabeth”.
The name of his spirit is…”Elijah”.
(Notice there is no mention of a return of Moses, Enoch, or Elijah the Tishbite. Many infer from the description of the two witnesses that the two must be of those three. WHY? The LORD can give His power to anyone He wishes and does what He pleases! If He wanted the two witnesses to be John and his brother, then His will be done. This an example of the false traditions and teachings of men that will lead some astray. Follow the Word or you will miss “John, messenger of the LORD, born of Elizabeth, who comes in the greater power and spirit of Elijah.”
ANSWER TO QUESTIONS: He can’t! It can’t! The one who restores is a Gentile and not a Jew. It will be his commission to pass the “torch of salvation” from the Gentiles to the Jews. All must be restored.
The mysteries of God will be revealed!
LET THE WISE HEAR WHAT I SAY!
Hi John,
There is a lot in what you have said here which I will leave to those who read to make a decision about.
For myself, the only real concern I have in this information you provide is in the last paragraph. where you say the “one who restores is a Gentile and not a Jew. It will be his commission to pass the “torch of salvation” from the Gentiles to the Jews. ”
I am not sure where you take this statement from. Certainly the restorer is & was jesus Christ who was born as a Jew, not a Gentile. It was He who reconciled us to God through His death and resurrection. So I would be interested,as I am sure all readers will, to understand your statement. Please feel free to provide the scriptural basis for this position.
God bless,
John
Can His Word return void? No! Must all of the prophecies be fulfilled? Yes! His Word will stand the test of time and will not pass away.
Why do you assume the “one who restores” who comes BEFORE the Lord Jesus is a Jew? Nowhere is that written! It is a boastful assumption or the mistake that the children have made listening to false teachers and shepherds. Just as Paul told the Gentiles not to boast because they became partakers of salvation through Israel’s rejection, nor should the children boast that the Jews only are God’s people. If one has read all the Scriptures, he/she would understand this.
What is the commission of the Elijah? To come before the Lord to restore all things and to prepare the way for the second coming of our Lord Jesus. Matthew 17:11 – “Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things.’ ”
Was John the Baptist himself the Elijah or was his spirit the Elijah? He had the spirit of Elijah as spoken by the angel Gabriel in Luke 1:15-17 and validated by the Lord Jesus in Matthew 11:13-14 -“For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear!” NOTE: That last sentence is an imperative that indicates a mystery to be revealed to those willing to listen with their spiritual ears.
Did they accept John the Baptist as the Elijah? No. Matthew 17:12 – “But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.”
Did John say he was the Elijah? No. John 1:21 – “And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah? He said, ‘I am not.’ ‘Are you the Prophet?’ And he answered, ‘No.’ ”
HERE WE HAVE A PROBLEM! Unless he answered to the affirmative that he was the Elijah, then there was no way for the Jews to accept the Lord Jesus as the Messiah. Remember, the Elijah comes before Him. Therefore the Word is returning void at this point and this prophecy yet unfulfilled.
BUT WAIT A MINUTE! Though it wasn’t time for it to be fulfilled, there were other prophecies to be fulfilled. The rejection and denial allowed the prophecy concerning the piercing of the Messiah and the prophecy concerning the inclusion of the Gentiles as God’s people to be fulfilled. Thus it was the commission of Saul/Paul, a Jew, to pass the ‘torch’ to the Gentiles because the Jews were blinded and their house left desolate. This torch REMAINS with the Gentiles until the fullness of the Gentiles at which time it must be passed back to the Jews who must say “Blessed is He who comes in the name of the LORD!” See Luke 13:35 and Romans 11:25.
Must the Elijah return? Yes, unless you think that His Word can return void. Back to Matthew 17:11. What will be the name of his flesh? Back to Matthew 11:13-14. Now you understand the meaning of Revelation 10:11. (NOTE: I am not implying reincarnation. I speak of the name of the flesh and spirit.)
Was John the Baptist a Jew or Gentile? Jew. He came to his own just like the Lord Jesus and was rejected. As I said before, it had to happen that way to fulfill other prophecies.
So…if Israel’s house is still left desolate and blinded and their branch still broken from the olive tree until the fullness of the Gentiles, some restoration is due! Now who did the Lord Jesus say must restore all things? Back to Matthew 17:11 for the answer. Who has the torch? The Gentiles!!!
As I asked before:
How can a blind man say “I can see.” or restore his own sight? He can’t! How can a broken branch say “I am a tree.” or graft itself back into the tree it was broken from? It can’t.
Last thing: I mean this with respect but it must be asked. Is it not boastful to say it takes a Jew to convince a Jew to accept the Lord Jesus as the Messiah? That was already tried by the Lord Jesus and John the Baptist themselves both Jews not to mention the disciples who were Jews. Did the Gentiles accept the Gospel from another Gentile? No, from a Jew. Contemplate on that one! So if it takes a branch of the Gentiles to restore the branch of the Jews/Israel, then let it be done and His kingdom come. Is anything impossible with the LORD? No!
You said, “It was He who reconciled us to God through His death and resurrection.”
Who is “us”…just the Jews… or both the Jews AND the Gentiles? Are we both not His? Both the Old Testament and the New Testament attest to the fact it was destined for both Jews and Gentiles to be His? I see no need to post all the verses from them for you as you seem to be intelligent and can find them. However, I will if you request.
God Bless,
John
Hi John,
Not too sure if you misunderstood anything I wrote previously, but I certainly do not believe the promises are to the Jews only. The whole point of the New Covenant is to open the way for the Gentiles to receive the promises of God and the freedom that is offered to ALL mankind…both Jews and Gentiles. When I used “us” it was in the context of ALL mankind regardless of race, genealogy etc…
God bless,
John
Hello John,
Very good article and teaching and is linked to scriptural versus of Luke 1:16-17 confirming that John the baptist did come in the spirit of Elijah.
Christ confirms that John the baptist did come in the spirit of Elijah, however John the baptist rejected the idea that he was Elijah. This makes us think a little to try and understand why John would deny the TITLE as The Elijah.
First let us decipher what the name of the TITLE Elijah means. Elijah means ‘My God is Yahweh’. Now who can claim this but only the Messiah The Word (Logos) of God for no one has seen the Heavenly Father except The Word, The Christ, The Messiah.
In John 1:17-18 it is only the Christ who declares the unseen Heavenly Father.
For the law was given by Moses, but grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. No man hath seen God at any time; the only begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, he hath declared him.
Now back to the functional meaning of the Title Elijah, ‘My God is Yahweh’. No created being nor Angel nor human can make this declaration because they have not seen the Father. The Heavenly Father is the infinite, omnipresent, omniscience eternal consciousness of God. The Son Christ Jesus is ONE with the Spirit of the Father by nature and is the spoken Word of God in creating everything that ever exists. So the Wors, The Christ is connected to God’s heart/bosom and thereby is reflected in how we think with our brains which are by no accident located on the top of our bodies and our mouth which declare our hearts intentions and our hands which work things into being. In this instance God The Father Thinks, then God The Son Speaks (Logos) and finally God the Holy Spirit Actions. Three functional roles of the ONE eternal Spirit and being that is God, which we are modeled in His likeness on a finite limited way in the three functions that we perform as created persons.
Now goin back to the meaning of the Title Elijah we see that the Title rightfully belongs to Christ and no created being. In fact all the Old Testament prophets of which God named would point to the many Titles held by the Christ. These past men of God including Elijah of old was given the role in spirit to perform that function of the Title, that is declaring that ‘My God is Yahweh’, however the Title did not belong to him. Just like when a person acts on behalf of his boss he performs the function in spirit however he never lays claim to that title being his. In this seance John the baptist was perfectly right when saying I am not Elijah even though Christ would allow him to act in that Title in parallel until he was beheaded and taken out of the way for the true Title holder The Christ to resume his rightful position as The Elijah.
Going back to other Old Testament men of God like Moses who acted in Christ’s position in his absence, by taking direct commands from God and relaying them to the Israelites. Jehu who was anointed as a symbol of the anointed Messiah, is a Title that belongs to Christ. Jehu means ‘The Lord/Yahweh is He’. Now who can lay claim to this title? Certainly no created being. A one can see now that when the Christ wasn’t in the world the functional roles of the Christ were all apportioned by God to certain prophets and men of God. Knowing this the summation of all the titles are of Christ’s and point to Christ’s identifying character when He does come on the scene later on THAT DAY as God decades it in both Deuteronomy and Malachi.
Now let us quickly look at Malachi and the context of the whole chapter.
Malachi 4:1-6
For behold, the day cometh, that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch. But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in his wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves of the stall. And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the LORD of hosts. Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.
Remember Moses who acted spiritually in the position of His Boss the Christ. Here Malachi gives us this all important reference to Horeb where God spoke to Moses on the mountain directly as the THEN the designated representative/spokesmen (Logos) of God in an acting role ONLY, to the house of Israel. Notice also that another reference is given alluding to the End of Time where no root and branch will be left all will be consumed by fire. The Sun of righteousness Christ Jesus is God’s answer to salvation of man and He shall heal us by taking away our sins and rehabilitate us by making us born again in Spirit as Malachi symbolically puts it as growing up as calves of the stall. The born again in Spirit Faithful shall tread down the wicked in the Spiritual warfare that will ensue as the two spiritual witnesses (martyres of the cross) of revelation until Christ returns on that great and dreadful day. Here Malachi ties up all what God has planned and places it in Christ’s hands to salvage and rescue operation before the coming of the dreadful day that will consume everything in its path. Here another interesting Title that Elijah is given is also The Prophet. Notice John the baptized said I am not the Christ nor the Elijah nor the Prophet. These titles all belong to the Christ that why. John did indicate this in the way he answered the scribes by saying in John 1:23 He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias. Here we see John proclaiming that he is just one acting in the position of Elijah by crying in the wilderness, meaning just a temporary acting role until the true title holder of Elijah and the prophet, that is, the Christ his Boss comes on the seen in full glory. That is why he says I am preparing his way in other words filling in or acting in his position until he takes over. That is why John said there is one coming who he is not worthy to even tie the laces of his shoes, meaning his Boss the Christ the true title holder, the anointed one of Israel. All prophets and men of God never laid claim to the spiritual functional roles they were given, they just performed them by faith. Some even complained in the process, remember Elijah of old, he ran away from troubles because his life was threatened. The lord had to Coe and get him and put him back in position to continue the functional role. So you see all Titles belong to the Christ including the Title of David. The title of David has always been Christ’s and David of old only acted in that position he was given by God. Also he was known to be a man after God’s heart. Well the Word of God the Christ is very much God’s spoken Word coming straighten from His heart.
In Malachi 4:6 there is a mistranslation. The verse when considering that the Christ is the Elijah and the Prophet, we then understand that the Christ reconciled us back to the Father and no mere mortal like John the baptist. It was Christ the Son of God who turned the heart of the Heavenly Father to the children and the heart of the children to their Heavenly Father. Christ provided a path of reconciliation through the cross so that we have direct access to the throne of God through prayers, fast and supplication. If it was not because of Christ then God the Father would not even listen to us and would have paid no attention at all to us. The path of salvation and reconciliation was through the SON not Sun of righteousness Christ Jesus.
I would not leave it at this brother John, I would also tie what I have described above as being God’s plan as written in Deuteronomy below.
Deuteronomy 18:15-19
The LORD thy God will raise up unto thee a Prophet from the midst of thee, of thy brethren, like unto me; unto him ye shall hearken; According to all that thou desiredst of the LORD thy God in Horeb in the day of the assembly, saying, Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, neither let me see this great fire any more, that I die not. And the LORD said unto me, They have well spoken that which they have spoken. I will raise them up a Prophet from among their brethren, like unto thee, and will put my words in his mouth; and he shall speak unto them all that I shall command him. And it shall come to pass, that whosoever will not hearken unto my words which he shall speak in my name, I will require it of him.
Again you seen here the same references in Malachi that is Moses (acting Logos) and Horeb. God says I will put my Words in his mouth. Christ said I speak what the Father tells me to say. Now no created being can claim this title after Moses other than Christ. Certainly John the baptist could not because he said he was just acting in the position and is not even worthy to tie the shoe of the true title holder the King of kings who he was preparing the way for. So here The Prophet, the Elijah are all Titles belonging to the Christ. God issues a warning that if anyone doesn’t listen to him he will pay for it dearly. That can not be more clear now.
God bless you
Sargon
Hello Sargon,
Yet another interesting and thought provoking comment. There were indeed many names by which the Lord was referred to in the prophetic writings and it is a full time study in itself working them out and understanding their meanings and applications. All of them have a purpose and the references are not made without meaning, whether it is the Word who spoke and Creation occurred, the Prophet, the Son of God, Son of Man, King of Kings, Lord of Lords or the Lamb. Each of these and other names described the Lord in a certain way and for a certain purpose.
Your nore is a good reminder to remember and understand that these thinsg were not done and written by chance but for a specific and very good reason.
Thanks for the comment.
God bless,
John