The above question is receiving much attention in various places and is worthy of our consideration. We invite the reader to study this subject with an unprejudiced mind. We are to prove all things and hold fast to that which is good.
“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” Malachi 4:5. There should be no fear as John prepared the way for Christ’s first advent, it should not seem unreasonable for Elijah to prepare the way for His second advent with the plain words above. As Moses led the people of God out of Egypt, and John the Baptist prepared the way for the first advent of Christ.
Very few researchers of the scriptures in the days of John seemed to understand his mission. Likewise it is today- few students of the Bible are expecting Elijah to come to prepare the way of the Lord. This subject under consideration is a new one to the world and to most students.
The coming of the Lord is manifestly connected with the restoration of the kingdom to Israel. Christ’s coming and the restoration of all things are so interwoven that they cannot be separated. The restoration of all things includes the reward of the saints of God. We know that the saints have not received their reward. Abraham received not as much as to put his foot on. Jesus has not received His own, but did say that “...I will come again, and receive you unto myself...” John 14:3. It is necessary that we see the coming of Christ and the restoration of all things are interwoven and joined together. If Christ fails to come, the restoration of all things will fail to come. Upon the authority of what already has been said, John did not restore all things.
In Acts 1:8 Jesus said, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth,” but to the lost sheep of the house of Israel, it is in this dispensation that we are to testify as they were gazing into the heavens after Jesus had ascended on high, shall so come in like manner. "11 Which also said, Ye men of Galilee, why stand ye gazing up into heaven? this same Jesus, which is taken up from you into heaven, shall so come in like manner as ye have seen him go into heaven." Acts 1:11.
We are His witnesses today- to tell the world that Jesus is coming again to restore all things. That He shall come in “like manner.” His coming will be visible and literal. He will restore to the dead and the living saints according to their deeds. Abraham will see this world again- it will be given to him and to his children, which includes all nationalities that accept Jesus. All who are saved by faith are the children of Abraham. "7 Know ye therefore that they which are of faith, the same are the children of Abraham." Galatians 3:7. All who are saved by faith are saved by Jesus and His shed blood. For the above reason the restoration and coming of Christ's message must go to all kindred, tongues, and people. The promise of the Father to Abraham will be verified by His son, Jesus.
The Lord made known to His prophet Ezekiel that the kingdom was to be overturned three times as stated. "27 I will overturn, overturn, overturn, it: and it shall be no more, until he come whose right it is; and I will give it him." Ezekiel 21:27. It will come to pass when Jesus comes. This John the Baptist did not accomplish. He did not restore all things. As long as Jesus remains in Heaven, the kingdom of Heaven will not be restored to the Israel of the Father. It would be well at this place to give some study to the meaning of 'restore'.
To ‘restore’ means to bring back something which was before. God gave the earthly kingdom to Adam and Eve and they lost it, by listening to the sermons of the Devil. The Lord gave the kingdom to the children of Israel which is now in ruins and will remain so until Jesus comes. Therefore, He will restore, bring back, which is the restoration of all things. This Jesus will do. Still, Jesus was not Elijah any more than was John.
Acts 3:19-26. "19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. 22 For Moses truly said unto the fathers, A prophet shall the Lord your God raise up unto you of your brethren, like unto me; him shall ye hear in all things whatsoever he shall say unto you. 23 And it shall come to pass, that every soul, which will not hear that prophet, shall be destroyed from among the people. 24 Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days. 25 Ye are the children of the prophets, and of the covenant which God made with our fathers, saying unto Abraham, And in thy seed shall all the kindreds of the earth be blessed. 26 Unto you first God, having raised up his Son Jesus, sent him to bless you, in turning away every one of you from his iniquities." Peter sounded the message of restoration this side of the ascension of Christ by saying “19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord: 20 And he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: 21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.” Acts 3:19-21.
This is not only the program for this dispensation, but was the message and the program of all the prophets since the world began. It never was fulfilled by John the Baptist. Surely Elijah was not Jesus and Jesus was not Elijah. John the Baptist said he was not Elijah or one of the prophets. John 1:19-24. "19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who are thou? 20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. 21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No. 22 Then said they unto him, Who art thou? that we may give an answer to them that sent us, What sayest thou of thyself? 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. 24 And they which were sent were of the Pharisees."
John the Baptist was greater than a prophet. He was a general instructor for all branches. He made the crooked paths straight and prepared the hearts of the people for Jesus’ first coming.
Paul also refers to the restoration as being future. Paul said, “And when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” I Peter 5:4. To teach anything different than what is taught by the prophets and the apostles would be worshipping the Lord in vain. John was a forerunner of Jesus. Paul furthermore said that Jesus Christ shall judge the quick and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom, which includes the restoration of all things. II Timothy 4:1-9. "I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; 2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; 4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables. 5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry. 6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. 7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: 8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing. 9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me."
We all believe that Jesus is coming again. The kingdom of God has been promised and shall be given to the house of Israel. When Jesus comes again He shall reign on David’s throne, over the house of Israel. Whosoever is not included will be lost. We must all accept and look forward to the promises made to the house of Israel, which Jesus will restore as promised and spoken by all the prophets. Remember “restore” means to bring back and give back that which was once before. Restoration means a literal and not figurative action, a literal kingdom. Messengers of God, uncovering the truth will help to bring Jesus who will restore to those who look for Him without sin unto salvation. However, Elijah prepares the way for the restoration. Thus far we feel sure that we are all agreed. Anyone who believes they receive their reward at death is worshipping God in vain. Anyone who thinks they are going to Heaven to receive their reward is missing the mark according to the scriptures. Jesus is coming down to receive His own and redeem them from the earth.
Malachi 3:1. “Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the Lord of hosts.” His messenger goes before Him that shall come to HIS temple, When Jesus comes, He will then become King of Kings. He will sit in His temples. We realize that John the Baptist fulfilled these statements in part, but not to the letter. He did not restore all things.
John did not pretend to restore a literal kingdom, but made the way straight and prepared the hearts for Jesus’ first advent but not for the second.
John denied that he was Elijah or a prophet. "21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No." John 1:21. Jesus claimed John bore record of the truth. "33 Ye sent unto John, and he bare witness unto the truth. 34 But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved. 35 He was a burning and a shining light: and ye were willing for a season to rejoice in his light." John 5:33-35. If John was the literal Elijah, it would make both John and Jesus false witnesses. John said he was not Elijah. However, John did come in the spirit of Elijah. We believe that Elijah had the spirit of God. This spirit every man of God should have today.
ELIJAH SHALL COME
Malachi 4:5. “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.”
Christ’s first advent was not a dreadful one, but the second coming of Christ will be a dreadful day for those who are not prepared. They will cry for the rocks and the mountains to fall on them. Revelation 6:15-16. "15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb." Those who are not prepared will be given to the fowls of the heavens for food. Revelation 19:17-18. "17 And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God; 18 That ye may eat of the flesh of kings, and the flesh of captains, and the flesh of mighty men, and the flesh of horses, and of them that sit on them, and the flesh of all men, both free and bond, both small and great." The Lord has declared He will send Elijah before the great and dreadful day of the Lord.
As Jesus came down from the Mount of Transfiguration He told His disciples “Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.” Matthew 17:11. This was after John was beheaded. ‘Shall’ and ‘come’ are of future tense and not past tense. Jesus understood in His day after John was beheaded that Elijah was to come and restore all things. It is sad, indeed, to find so many who claim to be the children of God today and baptized of the Holy Ghost, and make mockery of the words of Jesus and the testimony of the Holy Spirit. Elijah shall come and restore all things.
Every Bible student should know that the restoration work is connected with the coming of Christ. Why should it be impossible to have a forerunner for Christ’s second advent? He had one for His first advent. Surely in this age of confusion we need someone with boldness like Elijah to lead us out of the wilderness like Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt.
He Shall Turn Darkness Into Light. “Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee...” Isaiah 60:5.
The above scriptures are a different reference to the last day. Men may scoff that this work will be accomplished, but the Lord has declared it. "Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. 2 For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and His glory shall be seen upon thee. 3 And the Gentiles shall come to thy light, and kings to the brightness of thy rising." Isaiah 60:1-3.
“But ye shall be named the Priests of the Lord: men shall call you the Ministers of our God: ye shall eat the riches of the Gentiles, and in their glory shall ye boast yourselves.” Isaiah 61:6.
“And the Gentiles shall see thy righteousness, and all kings thy glory: and thou shalt be called by a new name, which the mouth of the Lord shall name.” Isaiah 62:2. Elijah shall come!
With those plain facts before us, can anyone believe that John the Baptist was Elijah without doing violence to the scriptures and naming John and Jesus false witnesses? Let us not forget the old Bible rule- “...In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.” II Corinthians 13:1.
There is one text which is held by some, claiming that John was Elijah. We shall quote the same as it reads in the King James Version: Matthew 11:14. “And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.”
The above scripture in the original Greek reads as follows: “And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, who is about to come.” Matthew 11:14. This settles the many disputes which may have been on this one verse. However, we do not intend to take one witness to overthrow the many other witnesses who testify plainly and clearly that Elijah shall come and restore all things. Jesus’ own words are “Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.” Matthew 17:11. John truly said he was not Elijah. "21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No." John 1:21.
May we repeat again, Elijah has come and shall come. This is a mystery to the world which will be uncovered and is being uncovered. Let us not be found as a witness against God, but for Him. It is a great sin to teach falsely. Jeremiah 5:30-31. "30 A wonderful and horrible thing is committed in the land; 31 The prophets prophesy falsely, and the priests bear rule by their means; and my people love to have it so: and what will ye do in the end thereof?" Elijah ascended to Heaven. He did not die. Jesus saith, “And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven...” John 3:13. We believe Elijah was here and that he was a Commandment keeper and a contender for the same. He challenged the world in the days of Ahab and Obadiah. He accused Ahab of forsaking the Ten Commandments. When Elijah comes again he will reprove the world of Commandment transgression. Many will turn to the Lord. Our hearts will be enlarged because the abundance of the sea will be converted unto the Lord. Isaiah 60:5. "5 Then thou shalt see, and flow together, and thine heart shall fear, and be enlarged; because the abundance of the sea shall be converted unto thee, the forces of the Gentiles shall come unto thee."
Paul understood that the Lord would finish the work and cut it short in righteousness, because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth. Romans 9:28. "28 For he will finish the work, and cut it short in righteousness: because a short work will the Lord make upon the earth."
May God help every reader of this article to prayerfully study the message of the return of Elijah with an unprejudiced heart. May every child of God see that the restitution of all things is connected with Christ’s coming. We know that the world at large believes that when Christ comes He will destroy all things. However, it is the opposite; He will restore all things. Jesus said, “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Matthew 5:5. “The righteous shall never be removed: but the wicked shall not inhabit the earth.” Proverbs 10:30.
If the reader would like further information, we are at your service.
Church of God, Body of Christ
Oakland, OR