Matthew 17:10-13 “And His disciples asked Him, saying, "Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" (11) Jesus answered and said to them, "Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. (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." (13) Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.”
In the above passage of scripture our Lord Jesus explained the truth to us, that Elijah came the first time in the form of John the Baptist. It is important to note, that the ministry of John the Baptist ushered in the kingdom of God on the earth, for our Lord Jesus taught us that the law and the prophets were until John, and that from then onwards the kingdom of God was proclaimed (Luke 16:16). Our Lord went on to teach us in the above passage, that once again, the prophet Elijah himself will come to the earth. Notice, that our Lord teaches us that when Elijah comes this time that his mandate remains the same, for he is mandated by God to restore all things. When our Lord says that Elijah will restore all things, He is referring to the fact that Elijah will restore Israel as a nation, to their Messiah. Just as John’s ministry brought the age of the law and the prophets to a close, so this time, Elijah’s ministry will bring this current age to a close. After Elijah is removed from the earth in that day, the gospel message will no longer be proclaimed in the earth. For it is immediately after that event, that the church will be removed from the earth and the wrath of God will be poured out on the earth.
Michael E.B. Maher
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