John the Baptizer as Elijah

In his ministry to the nation of Israel Malachi prophesied that Elijah would come before the Messiah and before the "great and terrible day of the LORD" (Mal. 3.1, Mal. 4.5-6). The Jewish scriptures ended with this prophecy. Every Jewish family that celebrates the Passover seder provides an empty chair at the table. The empty chair is for Elijah as serves as an invitation for him to return.

Matthew quoted Isaiah (Matt. 3.1-3; cf. Is. 40.3) and applied his prophesy to John the Baptizer. According to Luke's account, the angel prophesied to Zacharias (Lk. 1.13-17) of John's birth that he would come in the spirit and power of Elijah. Has Elijah come or is he still future?

After Jesus had revealed his glory to Peter, James, and John, his disciples asked him this very question. His answer was most interesting. Here is Matthew's account:

"And His disciples asked Him, 'Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?' And He answered and said, 'Elijah is coming and will restore all things; but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.' Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist" (Mt. 1710-13).

What did Jesus say? He said two things--that Elijah is coming--a future occurrence and that Elijah already had come--a past occurrence. He went on to explain Elijah's past coming--that Elijah had come in the person of John the Baptizer but that the nation had refused to listen to him. Instead, they put him in prison and Herod beheaded him. Following this explanation Jesus also predicted his own demise with the words, "so also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands". Who is "their"? It was the national Jewish leadership headeb by the Sanhedrin.

How the prophecies of the King and the kingdom were being fullfilled puzzled John the Baptizer. He knew he was the forerunner of the Messiah. If Jesus was the Messiah and John was Elijah why was he in Herod's jail? That would seem to be the last place he should be if he was the messenger of the King and Jesus was about to establish his Kingdom. Jesus' reply to John (Matt. 11.1-15) forced him to reflect on what Jesus was doing. His deeds revealed that he truly was the Messiah. How the kingdom would be established was not revealed to John.

What if Israel had accepted John's message instead of rejecting it? We can only speculate what would have transpired. If the nation had accepted John's message of repentance John would have fulfilled Malachi's prophecy. The Messianic Kingdom would have come following the day of the Lord. Jesus would have still been crucified, since he was the "lamb slain from the foundation of the world" (Revelation 13:8). His crucifixion would probably have been at the instigation of the Romans rather than the Jews. But this is speculation. We cannot know precisely how God's program would have progressed had Israel accepted Jesus as the Messiah. The Jews made a free choice but God knew what they would choose--that they would reject his Son.

It is critical to understand that Jesus' message of repentance and offer of himself to the nation of Israel was a genuine offer. Had the Jews repented, the tribulation or "time of Jacob's trouble" (Jer. 30.4-7) would have occurred and Jesus would have returned to deliver Israel. It is clear from the Scriptures that the apostles expected Jesus to return in their lifetime to establish his Kingdom. But since Israel's rejection of the Messiah, the Messianic Kingdom has been delayed almost 2000 years. During this time God created and brought into being the Church, the body of Christ. The Church was a "mystery" plan God revealed to the apostle Paul. When the Church is removed from the earth, the final seven years of Daniel's 70th week will occur. According to Daniel's prophetic chronology (Dan. 9.24-27), 70 weeks or 490 years were allotted to Israel from the decree to restore and rebuild Jerusalem until the coming of the Messiah. After 69 weeks or 483 years, the Messiah would be "cut off" and "have nothing". This referred to the nation's rejection of the Messiah. The remaining time span is thus one week or seven years. These seven years are the final years of Israel's history on earth prior to the beginning of the Messianic Kingdom. During this time, God will pour out his wrath in judgment upon a Christ rejecting evil world. Elijah will come, just as Jesus prophesied. This Elijah will fulfill all the prophecies related to him. In Revelation 11, John gives an account of two "witnesses". Elijah will return apparently as one of these witnesses. Remember, Elijah never died. He was "raptured" by God in a whirlwind. These witnesses will reprise Elijah's powers to call down fire and to prevent rain.

At the end of the seven years, Jesus will return to deliver Israel and inaugurate the Messianic Kingdom. In the Kingdom, Jesus will reign as King from Jerusalem. There will be peace and righteousness such as the world has never experienced (Is. 11.1-10) with Israel preeminent among the nations of the world. During this time God will fulfill all of his covenants that he made with the nation.

The world has been awaiting the last Jewish week for almost 2000 years. During this time, God has suspended the Jewish and prophetic timetable for the past 2000 years to build the body of Christ. When it is complete, God will remove his body, the Church from the earth. This event is known as the Rapture. When this occurs, the Jewish clock will restart. During that 7 year period of time the tribulation will occur, the "time of Jacob's trouble" (Jer. 30.4-7). The one called the Antichrist will manifest himself, make a treaty with Israel, and set up the abomination of desolation (Dan. 9.27). When he does this, Israel will recognize him for who he is. At the end of the seven years Israel will be on the verge of annihilation as will the whole world. Jesus the Messiah will return to deliver his people and destroy all who are attempting to destroy his covenant people.

Following the Messiah's military victory, Jesus as Emmanuel (God with us) will set up his Kingdom and reign on the throne of David for 1000 years (Rev. 20.1-7). This time will be an era unprecedented peace, prosperity, and righteousness. The world will return to Edenic conditions. Israel will be preeminent among the nations of the earth and will enjoy the fullness of her covenants.

tw~| a)gapw~nti h(ma~j kai\ lu/santi h(ma~j e)k tw~n a(martiw~n h(mw~n e)n tw|~ a(i/mati au)tou~.