‘I Will Send You Elijah’
A look at Malachi’s mysterious prophecy and the three phases of Elijah’s ministry.
Elijah has always been a bit of a puzzle.
An iconic figure among the Old Testament prophets, he appears center stage, bigger than life—and then disappears. Everybody knows him. Nobody knows him. He faces down evil King Ahab and Ahab’s devilish queen, Jezebel. Then he retreats from society and rides a chariot of fire to heaven.
Four hundred years later, the prophet Malachi prophesied,
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).
Will Elijah return? What is his role? How is he part of Israel’s hope for the Messiah? How should we understand him?
Malachi’s Elijah prophecy is best understood in three phases, or appearances, each with a unique identity, time, and ministry. Phase one involves John the Baptist. Phase two is the appearance of Elijah himself on the Mount of Transfiguration with Moses and Jesus, and phase three is a still-future ministry prior to and/or during the early days of the seven years of horrifying Tribulation promised to afflict the entire earth.
Messiah’s Forerunner
A decades-long prayer was answered when the angel Gabriel appeared to the Jewish priest Zacharias around 4 or 5 BC, announcing that Zacharias and his aged wife, Elizabeth, would have a son. Directly referencing Malachi’s prophecy, Gabriel expanded on it, telling the priest to name the child John and that the child was to be a Nazirite from the womb, separated unto God:
He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. He will also 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 a people prepared for the Lord (Lk. 1:15–17).
John would fulfill (in part) Malachi’s prophecy about Elijah. Turning “the hearts of the fathers to the children” links the two revelations across 400 years of silence, when God provided no prophetic word to His Chosen People. Yet, though there had been a hiatus in God’s revelation, there was no lapse in His redemptive program (cf. Gal. 4:4–5). Gabriel’s message resumed God’s revelation to mankind exactly where Malachi left off.
John the Baptist would “go before” the Lord “in the spirit and power of Elijah,” accomplishing the spiritual ministry prophesied of Elijah (Lk. 1:17). He would be the forerunner of the Messiah and “make ready a people prepared for the Lord” (v. 17). Twice Jesus affirmed this truth about John:
But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. For this is he of whom it is written: “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.’’ 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. And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. 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 (Mt. 11:9–14, emphasis added).
Calling John a prophet and more, Jesus said John was fulfilling prophecy as the forerunner of the Messiah. Later, Jesus appeared in His glory on the Mount of Transfiguration with Moses and Elijah. The disciples who witnessed the event asked,
“Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus answered and said to them, “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 (17:10–13, emphasis added; cf. Mk. 9:12–13).
Jesus affirmed that Elijah had already come, and the disciples understood He was referring to John the Baptist (Mt. 17:13). But what about John’s denial when asked if he was Elijah?
Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ [Messiah].” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” And he answered, “No.” Then they said to him, “Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?” He said: “I am ‘The voice of one crying in the wilderness: “Make straight the way of the LORD,”’ as the prophet Isaiah said” (Jn. 1:19–23).
He was not Elijah. But he was the prophet who came in the spirit and power of Elijah to fulfill Elijah’s ministry before the Messiah’s First Coming. Not a resurrected Elijah, but a prophet “sent from God…to bear witness of the Light” (vv. 6–7). He was the Elijah figure who fulfilled the prophecy for Jesus’ First Coming.
Messiah’s Encourager
The second phase of Elijah’s ministry occurred on the Mount of Transfiguration. Jesus had arranged for His inner circle of disciples—Peter, James, and John—to spend the night in prayer with Him. When they were overcome with sleep, Elijah and Moses appeared and spoke with Jesus:
Now it came to pass, about eight days after these sayings, that He took Peter, John, and James and went up on the mountain to pray. As He prayed, the appearance of His face was altered, and His robe became white and glistening. And behold, two men talked with Him, who were Moses and Elijah, who appeared in glory and spoke of His decease which He was about to accomplish at Jerusalem. But Peter and those with him were heavy with sleep; and when they were fully awake, they saw His glory and the two men who stood with Him (Lk. 9:28–32).
Since Moses and Elijah—whom the disciples recognized immediately—“appeared in glory,” they both apparently possessed their heavenly bodies, as promised in 2 Corinthians 5:1–3. The primary purpose of this event was to give the disciples a vision of the Kingdom of God, which Jesus had promised a few days earlier.
Scripture never says why Moses and Elijah were present. But in thinking about Jesus’ situation, we realize He had no one on Earth who understood Him or His mission. Not the disciples, not John, not even His godly mother. So Moses and Elijah were sent to talk with Him about His impending suffering and death. These men had carried heavy prophetic responsibilities, encountered discouragement and frustration, and now had heaven’s perspective on their own lives and struggles; and they knew what Jesus was on Earth to do.
Aren’t we encouraged when we encounter someone who truly understands our situation? Wouldn’t it be just like the Father to send such friends to speak with His Son? One wonders how often this scenario might have occurred when Jesus went to pray alone on a mountain. Elijah ministered to Jesus as the Lord approached the roughest part of His mission.
Messiah’s Restorer
The third phase of Elijah’s ministry is still to come.
Jesus was clear that an “Elijah” did come (John) and is still coming in the future (Mk. 9:11–13). Jesus’ mention of His own suffering and rejection seems to indicate “Elijah” encountered the same type of treatment: “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” (Mt. 17:12).
Jesus indicated two fulfillments of Malachi’s prophecy: one at Christ’s First Coming, which met with humiliation, and one at His Second Coming to accomplish restoration. Jesus affirmed that an “Elijah” will appear to conduct a John-the-Baptist-type ministry, but with far greater results. God will use him to call men and women (most likely Jewish) back into a godly relationship with Him.
Will this person actually be Elijah, restored to human, physical existence on Earth? Some say yes and believe he will be one of the two witnesses of Revelation 11 who will minister during the second half of the Tribulation, when the Antichrist wields unbridled, worldwide power and Jerusalem is devastated. Some reason Elijah (and Enoch; see Genesis 5:24 and Hebrews 11:5) must return because “it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). Neither Elijah nor Enoch died.
BIBLE PROPHECY ANSWER BOOK
For more information about the end-times and where Elijah may fit in, check out Bible Prophecy Answer Book by Ron Rhodes.
On the other hand, there is good reason to think this future Elijah will be like the first one associated with the Messiah’s appearance. It’s neither likely nor necessary that Elijah the prophet return. If John the Baptist was Elijah at Jesus’ First Coming, it seems likely the future Elijah will be a Jewish prophet whom God raises up in similar fashion. This Elijah will be someone who effects the righteous restoration of millions of Jewish people during the early days of the Tribulation, also called “the time of Jacob’s [Israel’s] trouble” (Jer. 30:7).
Like Elijah and John the Baptist, it’s our responsibility to be diligent to what God has called us to do. Today He wants us to share the truth about Messiah Jesus with people everywhere. May we be found faithful.
Elijah is very truly alive all for the Glory, Grace, and Mercy of Yeshua. Time is short. The ongoing prophecy and healing message from the mouth of Elijah can also be referred to as the rising of the phoenix. Thank you Blessed Yahweh and our Messiah Yeshua.
I think it’s possible that the false prophet will be a false Elijah.
The unbelieving Jews and many Muslims believe Elijah will return.
The Antichrist will come in two parts
Messiah son of Joseph he then dies and is resurrected Messiah son of David.
Was = alive
Is not = dead
Yet is = resurrected
I think this will be the strong delusion that God will send “them ”
In other words all of the prophecies concerning the first coming of Christ they ignored however this time they will not ignore them this man will meet all the criteria therefore confirming the Covenant
God bless
Ezekiel 33
“Now son of man I am making you a watchman for the people of Israel. Therefore listen to what I say and warn them for me. If I announce that some wicked people are sure to die and if you fail to tell them to change their ways, then they will die in their sins, and I will hold you responsible for their deaths. But if you warn them to repent, and they don’t repent you will have saved yourself.”
“Son of man give the people of Israel this message. You are saying, ‘Our sins are heavy upon us. We are wasting away! How can we survive?’ I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn, from your wickedness O people of Israel, why should you die?”
James 5
Look here you rich men, now is the time to cry and groan with anguished grief because of all the terrible troubles ahead of you. Your wealth is even now rotting away and your fine clothes are becoming mere moth-eaten rags. The value of your gold and silver is dropping fast, yet it will stand as evidence against you and eat your flesh like fire. This is what you have stored up for yourselves to receive on that coming day of judgment. Behold! The wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, are crying out against you, and the cries of the harvesters has reached the ears of the Lord of hosts.
1 Peter 4: 17, 18
For it is time for judgement to begin at the household of God.
3 Malachi 7-11
“You have robbed me of the tithes and offerings due to me. (God is speaking). And so the awesome curse of God is cursing you, for your whole nation has been robbing me. Bring all the tithes (and offerings) into the storehouse so that there will be food in My Temple.”
“Test me in this,” says the Lord Almighty, “and see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that you will not have room enough for it.”
Acts 4:32
All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of their possessions was their own but they shared everything that they had.
Mathew 7 22-23
Many will say to me in that day, “Lord, Lord. Have we not prophesied in thy name? And in thy name cast out demons? And in thy name done many wonderful works?”
And then I will say to them, “I never knew you. Depart from me, you that work iniquity. ”
Mathew 25: 45
God will reply, “I tell you the truth, whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for me”
Then they will go away to eternal punishment, but the righteous to eternal life.
2 Chronicles 7:14
If My people who are called by my name shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin, and I will heal their land.
I love you. ❤??????
All glory to God!!! ???
How can I believe what you say when the bible clearly states that Elijah, and Elisha were separated by a chariot of fire, and Elijah went up in a whirlwind.
But I will tell you that Elijah will restore the personal relationship with God, as in the garden. Talking with God in a gentle, soft spoken manner.
All who do not heed the call by the message of Elijah will not enter through the door. Why? Because we as people, no matter how righteous we think we are, have that knowledge of good, and evil still within us, and will have no part with God, with all the corruption still within us.
Let that sink into your heart, and get a witness that this is the restoration.
Then who are the two olive trees and two lamp stands which stand before the lord in heaven? (Rev 11:4, Zec 4:3)
I see only one fulfillment of the Malachi prophecy for Elijah’s return. John the Baptist clearly says he is NOT Elijah. But came in the “spirit and power” of Elijah. As you point out. The Malachi prophecy specifically says that the Lord will send “the prophet Elijah” to Israel BEFORE the “great and dreadful day of the LORD comes.” This is the real Elijah. Who comes before the “great and dreadful day” which has nothing to do with Jesus’ first coming but to his second coming…which occurs at the end of the 7 year tribulation. That is the great and dreadful day full of Gods wrath.
Elijah returns with Enoch as the two witnesses in the first half of the tribulation and are killed at the hands of the beast (Elijah’s first death!) Then they are resurrected (to glory) and go up to heaven (Rev 11). I agree that their role is to turn the hearts of Israel back to the Lord. But I believe it is the real Elijah.
Finally, Moses and Elijah could not have been in their 1 Corinthian 15 bodies at the transfiguration because Jesus had not been raised yet; and He is the first to receive a glorified body! The first fruits! (1 Corinthians 15:20)
I agree John was a prophetic type of fulfillment. But the actual fulfillment of the Malachi prophecy is the real Elijah as one of the two witnesses who comes to earth again before the great and dreadful day of the Lord (the second coming).
Respectfully,
Jeff
God calls Israel Olive tree
Jeremiah 11:16
God say in old testament there be 2 olive trees
Zechariah 4:3
Zechariah 4:11-14
In Romans we see Gentiles are also wild olive tree
Romans 11:20 But if some of the branches were broken off, and you, although a wild olive shoot, were grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing root[c] of the olive tree, 18 do not be arrogant toward the branches. If you are, remember it is not you who support the root, but the root that supports you. 19 Then you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be grafted in.” 20 That is true. They were broken off because of their unbelief, but you stand fast through faith. 24 For if you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to nature, into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, the natural branches, be grafted back into their own olive tree.
Now Look at the revelation 11 / 1-6
They will also get powers form God thru Holly Spirit to do wonders,like first apostles after Jesus ascended to Heaven / So again at begin and the end.
So there will be hardcore preaching from people from all over the world filled with Holly Spirit ,in my opinion with a lot miracles but also punishment to those who comes against them (Us)
So people will prolly hate all of us,and after 3,5 years is gone ,than come antichrist and kill them.
Isaiah 24:13
For thus it shall be in the midst of the earth among the nations, as when an olive tree is beaten, as at the gleaning when the GRAPE HARVEST is done.
And than comes Rapture ,
11 But after three and a half days, the breath of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet. Great fear fell on those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, “Come up here.” They went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies watched them. 13 At that moment a violent earthquake took place, a tenth of the city fell, and seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake. The survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
And its like you see,before tribulation and some will become believers and go thru tribulation
After this stars to get ugly …..for some people
So my conclusion is,when Israel accept Christ (or majority) its going to start…
Well written btw.
Very nicely done. Malachi as the other prophets can be best understood with a knowledge of Christ.
To rightly divide scripture here, you need to distinguish as the Word does, the difference of the Body of Christ and the Bride.
What is addressed to one cannot be addressed to the other in scripture and in Malachi the Word is addressed to the Bride and the Children of the bride, specifically the sons of Jacob Genetically. Some Arabs (edomites) have Royal genetic ties now via Solomon and the diaspora and the carried away are everywhere.
The King will reveal himself so choose wisely. ROMANS 10:9
Days.
Not a week.
Not a month.
Not a year.
The time of Jacob’s trouble lasts DAYS.
Hosea 6:1, 2.
No time for his ministry in the trib, he is a member of the body of Christ, he is the temple of v 3:1. The children will tabernacle, no need for a new central temple and no need for sacrifices.