ELIJAH IS COMING FIRST
Peter, James, and John, had just been on a "high mountain" with Jesus. The occasion proved to be a singular event, with things taking place that had never before nor since been witnessed. While Jesus was praying before them, "the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening" (Lk 9:29, NKJV). Matthew says, "was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light" (Matt 17:2). Suddenly "there appeared unto THEM Moses and Elias talking with HIM." Mark writes, "they were talking with Jesus," in an extended dialog (Mk 9:4). Luke adds they "appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem" (Lk 9:31). Sent by God from the unseen world, they had come to encourage our Lord, who was going to take away the sins of the world. We do not know precisely what they said, for their words were meant for Jesus, not for the disciples or for us.
During this unparalleled event, Peter and those with him were weary with sleep. When finally they came fully awake "they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him" (Lk 9:32). Luke adds that Moses and Elijah were in the process of leaving Jesus when the disciples finally noticed them. It was then that Peter shouted out, "Master, it is good for us to be here; and let us make three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah; not knowing what he said" (Lk 9:33, NKJV). After being rebuked by God, and told to hear Jesus, who was God's "beloved Son," Jesus and the three headed back down the mountain. Jesus told them NOT to let anyone know what they had seen. It was at this point that the disciples asked, "Why then say the scribes that Elijah must first come?"
Indeed, the scribes were not simply stating a tradition. Four hundred years prior, Malachi had closed his book by saying, "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he will turn The hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse" (Mal 4:5-6, NKJV). Seeing Elijah talking to Jesus had sparked the interest of the disciples on this matter. What was meant by Elijah coming.
With Divine dispatch, Jesus answered their question. "Indeed, Elijah IS coming first and WILL restore all things. 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. Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist." At the time of this utterance John the Baptist, at least a year before, had already been beheaded by wicked Herod (Matt 14:10). Was Malachi's prophecy fulfilled in John the Baptist?
Notice, Jesus left the prophetic door open "Indeed, Elijah IS coming first . . . " There was a sense, however, in which Elijah had already come in the person of John the Baptist, who came in the spirit and power of Elijah (Lk 1:17). But something of significance is said about John the Baptist that did NOT fulfill the prophecy of Malachi. "They did not recognize him, but did to him whatever they wished" (NASB). This was by no means a turning of the heart of the fathers to the children, or the heart of the children to their fathers. Too, the coming of Jesus into the world is nowhere referred to as "the great and dreadful day of the Lord." That is an expression applied to Christ's second coming and the end of the world (Acts 2:19-20). His first appearance was not unto judgment, as He Himself confessed, but for the salvation of the world (John 12:47).
To further complicate the matter, the people had pointedly asked John the Baptist, "Are you Elijah?" John answered, "I am not!" (John 1:21). John, then, was more of a prelude to Malachi's prophecy – an example of the kind of thing that would happen before the Lord returns. The fulness of Malachi's prophecy will involve a turning of the hearts of the fathers and children of Israel, not their hardening.
Precisely how Malachi's prophecy will be fulfilled is not known, and it is not wise to speculate upon it. It will be of the order of the ministry of John the Baptist, however, who came upon the scene like a mighty wind from heaven. Jesus, however, left the door open for a more complete fulfillment than was realized in mighty John the Baptist. There is something to think about.
PRAYER POINT: Father, in the name of Jesus, hasten the day when the heart of the fathers will be turned to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers.
-- Tomorrow: --