Since I posted the Page, ‘Elijah (Elias) / John the Baptist (forerunner of Messiah at both the First Coming and Second Coming) in 2010, it continues to have heavy viewer traffic since hearts know times are serious and know prophecies are being fulfilled. Christians around the world are seeking to learn more about the forerunner and the signs of the Second Coming of Christ. The prophet Elijah, as he is named in the Old Testament (Hebrew)..or Elias, as he is named in the New Testament (Greek), is one of the most unusual prophets of God in scripture. He is unique because of the particular office he holds as forerunner of both the First and Second Coming of Christ to earth. Part of the Old Testament prophecies were fulfilled as Elias preceded Christ at His First Coming as John The Baptist. The final act of Elijah (Elias) will be his return to the world
again as the forerunner of Messiah at the Second Coming. For details on why this blog is named ‘Internet Elias’ – see the page ‘About Internet Elias’ to learn of a life-changing personal encounter with the spirit of Elijah (Elias) in April of 2005.
Related prophecies about Elijah/Elias/John the Baptist:
Mal 3:1Behold, 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.
Mal 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 6 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:
Old Testament prophecies point to the coming of Elias to earth as forerunner of Christ. Part of the prophecies were fulfilled as Elias preceded Christ at His First Coming as John The Baptist . The following verses show clearly that Elijah (Elias) and John the Baptist are the same inner spirit man:
Elijah’s Old Testament appearance and dress: 2 Ki 1:8 And they answered him, He was an hairy man, and girt with a girdle of leather about his loins. And he said, It is Elijah the Tishbite.
John’s New Testament appearance and dress: Matt 3:4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey.
Isaiah’s prophecy of the forerunner/crier who prepared the way of Christ: (Isa 40:3 The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.)
John’s cry in the wilderness: Matt 3:3 For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias (Isaiah), saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Bible confirmation that John the Baptist is ‘Elias which was for to come.’ (see verse 14): Matt 11: 7 And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind? 8 But what went ye out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 But what went ye out for to see? A prophet? yea, I say unto you, and more than a prophet 10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee 11Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 13For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.15He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.
The following scripture verses explain Elijah (Elias) /John the Baptist as forerunner of both the First and Second Coming of Christ:
Matt 17:10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? 11 Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. 12 I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them.
‘Shall first come, and restore all things” refers to the second appearance of the forerunner when Elijah (Elias) will preceed the Second Coming of Christ. Remember that he preceeded the First Coming embodied as John the Baptist. Revelation chapter eleven gives the account of the second appearance of Elijah (Elias) which is immediately followed by the restoration of the remnant of Israel. Thus, ‘Shall first come, and restore all things.’ ‘Blinded’ remnant’s spiritual sight is restored in Rev. 11:13 and are ‘affrighted and gave glory to God.’ As prophesied – the remnant acknowledges Christ as Messiah.
Elijah (Elias) in the person of John the Baptist was the forerunner of Messiah at Christ’s First Coming. In the Old Testament, Elijah (Elias) was translated to Heaven in a Chariot of Fire and held in store to complete his forerunner office before Christ’s return in the Second Coming. Elijah surely is one of the two witnesses in Revelation chapter eleven who are preaching the kingdom message of Messiah to the covenant people of God who have never ‘heard’ the gospel. The ‘remnant’ are those chosen of God who were closed to the hearing and receiving of the Gospel according to Isaiah 6: 9-13 “And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. 10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. 11 Then said I, Lord how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, 12 And the Lord have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. 13 But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.’
Two Witnesses prophecy (Preach) Kingdom message to those spiritually blinded/deafened of Israel according to Isaiah 6:Rev. 11:3-13 And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, clothed in sackcloth. 4 These are the two olive trees, the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth. 5 And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed. 6 These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with all plagues, as often as they will. 7 When they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them. 8 And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified. 9 And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and a half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put into graves. 10 And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets tormented them that dwelt on the earth. 11 And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them. 12 And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. 13 And the same hour there was a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven .
‘Is come already, and they knew him not’ refers to John the Baptist whom they beheaded. Matt 11:14 “And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come. 15 He that hath ears to hear, LET HIM HEAR.’ Hints that Moses and Elijah/Elias are the Two Witnesses: Mount of Transfiguration: Unveiling of the Two Olive Trees/Two Candlesticks/Two Witnesses of Rev. 11:3: Elijah (called Elias in new testament Hebrew) appeared with Moses. The two prophets were joined by Christ who conversed with them. Christ’s face shone as the sun. His raiment was white as the light. Then a bright cloud overshadowed them. A voice out of the cloud said, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” Peter, James, and John fell to the ground in fear. Jesus touched them to renew their strength.
The Malachi scriptures below apply to both the First and Second coming of Christ. But has particular implication for the First Coming/Redemptive Act. ‘Who may abide the day of his coming”…applies to the First Coming in that ‘there is none righteous…no not one. All of man was concluded in sin. None could be counted righteous at His coming. But afterwards… righteousness would be restored in ‘the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world’ for sin…for each man who believes. ‘Refiner’s fire, fuller’s soap, refiner and purifier of silver, offering in righteousness’….and so forth…refers to the Redemptive death of Christ. The same scriptures have implication for the Second Coming since the same ‘purifying and cleansing’ process will happen for the spiritually blind and deaf remnant of Israel..(Rev.11:13…..the restoration of the remnant is the last event of the Tribulation or time of Jacob’s Trouble …IMMEDIATELY before the Return).
Mal 3:1Behold, 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. 3 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap: 4 And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
Prophecy relating to Elias as forerunner of the Second Coming
Mal 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 6 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:
(2 Peter 3:10 But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.)
Elijah of the Old Testament
Origin Origin and Appearance: (Elijah/Hebrew alliteration/Old Testament: Elias/Greek alliteration/New Testament) Nothing is known of his parentage. He is one of the most unique and dramatic prophets of both the Old and New Testaments. Rugged in appearance and dress, he is a prototype of John the Baptist. 2Ki 1:8; Matt 3:
First Event: Appeared before the idolatrous king, Ahab, announced a drought lasting throughout the days of Elijah’s prophesying 1 Ki 17:1
Second Event: In the wilderness by divine command, beside the brook Cherith, Elijah depended on unclean birds to give his food 1 Ki 17:2-6. His faith was tested by the drying up of the brook. (ch 17:7)
Third Event: Elijah was sent by God to the famine stricken city of Zarephath to be fed by a widow who had supplies enough for one more meal. (ch17: 8,9). On arrival he begged for a drink of water and a piece of bread. She told him she only had a handful of meal and a small amount of oil in a cruse, (ch 17:12). Elijah told her to ‘fear not’ and promised her plentiful supplies through the famine, (ch 17:13,14)
Fourth Event: In the loft of the widow’s house at Zarephath, her son was dead as a result of the famine. Through mighty prayer, Elijah brings the boy back to life (ch 17:17-24)
Fifth Event: Idolatrous King Ahab summoned the false prophets to Mount Carmel by command of Elijah. (ch 18: 17-19)
Sixth Event: (1)The prophet called the people to a decision about God, and challenged the prophets of Baal to a fiery test, (ch 18: 20-24) (2) The false prophets fail the fiery test (vs 26-29)
Seventh Event: Drought ended after Elijah prayed for rain (ch 18:41-46)
Eighth Event: Elijah fled the wrath of Queen Jezebel. Rested under a Juniper tree..discouraged.. exhausted.. desired to die, but was fed by an angel ..then went to Mount Horeb (ch 19: 1-8)
Ninth Event: Complained to the Lord and was given a better revelation of the divine character and methods (ch 19: 9-13) Commanded by God and anointed two perspective kings..as well as his own successor (ch 19:15-17)
Tenth Event: On a farm at Abel-meholah…Elijah found Elisha plowing and cast his own mantle on him to show Elisha was called to be the successor of Elijah. (ch 19: 19-21)
Eleventh Event: In the vineyard of Naborth, as wicked Ahab came to claim the possessions of Naboth whom he murdered, Elijah pronounced doom on wicked Ahab and his wife. (ch 21: 17-24)
Twelfth Event: Elijah called down fire from heaven which destroyed two companies of soldiers sent by the king of Samaria to capture Elijah.(2 Ki 1: 1-12) Later, Elijah pronounced the doom of the idolatrous king. vs.16
Thirteenth Event: Elijah traveled with Elisha to the Jordan River where he smote the river with his mantle…and the two passed over on dry ground. They stood conversing and Elisha asked and received a double portion of anointing from Elijah. Afterwards..a chariot of fire separated the two and took Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind. (2 Ki 2: 1-11)
Elijah (Elias) of the New Testament (John the Baptist)
(Both the preaching of Elias as John the Baptist and the preaching of the two witnesses (one of which is Elias) fulfill Matthew 24:14 “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in all the world for a witness unto all the nations; AND THEN SHALL THE END COME.” The spiritually deaf and blind remnant of Israel have never heard the gospel until they are ‘restored’ by the prophesying (preaching) of the ‘two witnesses'(one of whom is Elias). These were blinded from the time of Isaiah and were kept from the Gospel until the time of their restoration. Isaiah 6: 9-13.
Matt 3: 1 “In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judea, 2 And saying, Repent ye : for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. 3 For this is he that was spoken by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. 4 And the same John had his raiment of camel’s hair, and a leathern girdle about his loins; and his meat was locusts and wild honey. 5 Then went out to him Jerusalem, and all Judea, and all the region round about Jordan. 6 And were baptized of him in Jordan, confessing their sins.”
Mal 3:1Behold, 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.
Mal 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 6 But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner’s fire, and like fullers’ soap:
Elijah (Esias) in the person of John the Baptist was the forerunner Messiah at Christ’s First Coming. Elijah (Esias) was translated to Heaven in a Chariot of Fire and held in store to complete his forerunner office before Christ’s return in the Second Coming. Elijah surely is one of the two witnesses in Revelation chapter eleven who are preaching the kingdom message of Messiah to the covenant people of God who have never ‘heard’ the gospel. The ‘remnant’ are those chosen of God who were closed to the hearing and receiving of the Gospel according to Isaiah 6: 9-13 “And he said, Go, and tell this people, Hear ye indeed, but understand not; and see ye indeed, but perceive not. 10 Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed. 11 Then said I, Lord how long? And he answered, Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, 12 And the Lord have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land. 13 But yet in it shall be a tenth, and it shall return, and shall be eaten: as a teil tree and as an oak, whose substance is in them, when they cast their leaves: so the holy seed shall be the substance thereof.’
Just wanted to share this Scripture- 2Ki 2:9 ¶ And it came to pass, when they were gone over, that Elijah said unto Elisha, Ask what I shall do for thee, before I be taken away from thee. And Elisha said, I pray thee, let a double portion of thy spirit be upon me.
10 And he said, Thou hast asked a hard thing: nevertheless, if thou see me when I am taken from thee, it shall be so unto thee; but if not, it shall not be so.” Awesome! We need some Holy Spirit fire baptism’ today. John the Baptist is my Hero besides Jesus. May Blessings from the Most High God rest upon you.
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Thanks for stopping by :smile:. Thanks for the scripture reference. POWERFUL! Reminds us that the New Testament promises were in effect in the Old Testament.
Joh 15:7 If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
Elijah knew all he had to do was ASK!
AWESOME.
Carolyn
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[…] Elijah(Elias)/John the Baptist […]
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Do you think that when Elijah comes again before the Second coming of Messiah, that it will be Elijah hisself, or by spirit in an individual (like it was with the John the Baptist), or could it be a group of people, filled with the spirit of Elijah, declaring and making ready for the restoration of all things?
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Thanks for stopping by, ashupert2. I do think in the case of the two endtime witnesses, that one will be Elijah himself. Some speculate that Enoch might be one of the two since he, too, was translated and did not see physical death before being translated. Of course, one could not be translated and not be ‘changed’ from mortal to immortal…from corruptable to incorruptable. But I believe the two witnesses of Revelations chapter 11 is Moses and Elijah (Elias) since they were both seen in recognizable form at the Mount of Transfiguration with Christ. We know like Enoch, that Elijah was translated. And God buried Moses and his body was never found. I believe God is holding Moses in store for the end time phrophecying to the covenant remnant of Israel…those of Isaiah’s 6:10-13 prophecy concerning their spiritual deafness and blindness ‘to this day.’ In 2005 when God allowed me to experience hearing either the real voice of Elias…or either the manifested voice of Elias, I was blown away by the revelation it brought about the relationship between Elias the forefunner and his Savior…his Christ. Elias was and is an instrument of God in the office of forerunner of Messiah. In the annointed person of John the Baptist…he was an individual .As forerunner, the office is too holy, too specific, too prophetically urgent to be spread out within a group of people…in my opinion. The power he will be operating with comes from the throne of God and is sufficient to accomplish what it is intended….allowing the deaf and blind of Israel to finally have understanding that Christ, indeed, is Messiah. In Revelations 11 only two witnesses are disignated to preach the eye opening Gospel of the Kingdom to the deaf and blind remnant of Israel. During the time of their supernatural prophecying/preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom….at the very last moment….just as the sky is opening…the remnant will again be open to Grace and REv. 11:13 says, ‘ And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven.’ God does work in mysterious ways His wonders to perform. How He loves those whom He concluded in unbelief to accomplish greater purposes for many men. His ways are not our ways. As to whether or not the witnesses might be a group with the Elias spirit…I do not believe so. Elias is chosen, designated, held in store for the time of the end…to appear supernaturally…visibly…and authoritatively whose annointing from God will open the ears and ears of the remnant so they be healed and converted. I’ve not seen anything in scripture that would indicate anything other than the ‘two’ witness…and the description clearly indicates Moses and Elijah. Jude 1:9 makes it more interesting as to why Michael the archangel was taking charge of the body of Moses. I believe it was to prevent its corruption…decay since he seemingly is held somewhere..some way…somehow to return to earth in a supernatural and annointed form to preach the final gospel to the covenant people of God…deaf and blind of Israe;.
Again, thanks for visiting.
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I find it interesting how (Romans 11:4) —-> “But what saith the answer of God unto him (Elias)? I HAVE RESERVEDTO MYSELF SEVEN THOUSAND MEN, WHO HAVE NOT BOWED THE KNEE TO THE IMAGE OF BAAL.” may be talking about Elijah/Elias and the same seven thousand men in (Rev. 11:13) —> “And the same hour there was a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven”.
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Both prayed for no rain:
ELIJAH — (I Kings 17:1) –> “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” ELIJAH — (I Kings 18:1) –> “And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year (of no rain), saying, Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and will send rain upon the earth.”
ELIAS — (Luke 4:25) –> (Jesus said)”But I tell you the truth, many widows were in Israel in the days of Elias, when the heaven was shut up three years and six months, when great famine was throughout all the land;”
ELIAS — (James 5:17) –> “Elias was a man subject to passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.”
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Both prayed for fire from heaven:
ELIJAH — (II Kings1:10) –> “And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.”
ELIAS — (Luke 9:54) –> “And when his disciples James and John saw this, they said, Lord, wilt thou that we command fire to come down from heaven, and consume them, even as Elias did?”
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For my Facebook friends –> According to the Bible, Elias was another name for Elijah. “And he shall be before him (John the Bapist) in the sprit of Elias,…” (Luke 1:17).
John the Baptist responded that he was not Elias (because he was “John the Baptist.” but with the spirit and power of Elias)
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Thanks for visiting, Bobbie. Encourages my heart to see a brother in Christ who enjoys the prophetic since it has huge relevance to us today. And you are right, Elijah(Hebrew) and Elias (Greek) are one and the same. You are right, too, that John the Baptist was present in the ‘spirit and power of Elias’ in the office of forerunner of Messiah as promised by God and as told by the prophets. And not in the same office Elias held in the Old Testament. But according to Christ’s words…John the Baptist was Elias..
The following is one of the most incredible displays of honor payed to anyone short of Christ. And it comes from the mouth of Christ.
Mt 11:10 For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. 11 Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. 14 And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.
Again, thanks for visiting and for your encouraging comment.
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Bobbie, on the subject of Eljah/Elias/John the Baptist and the Israel connection..see related posts ‘Gathering Israel Home’, ‘Fulness of the Gentiles: Restoration of the Remnant’, and ‘Remnant Can’t Hear the Gospel.’
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I am looking forward to discussing about that and I will get back with you on it when I can.
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What do you see it to mean on Mathew 11:12-That the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force?
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Debbie asked:What do you see it to mean on Mathew 11:12-That the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force?
Wow! Debbie, great question! I had not focused on the verse recently. Immediately, as I thought on it, I read all chapter 11. Then I backed up and read all of chapter ten to be clear on context. Wow. How exciting to be reminded that Light came to reveal darkness…to show darkness for its evil, murder, and hatred of God. And to reveal the Sword (Word/God/Christ) who would destroy its evil heart. A great war has raged from the beginning and it is war…in every sense of the word. To give biblical answer to your question, I will put it in a post. It’s too deep, too broad, and too relevant to us today to give brief response. But to briefly answer, the verse points to the war not between flesh and blood but against ‘spiritual wickedness in high places.’ And the general of the Wicked army is only violent, only forceful, and delights in suffering of all mankind. The decreed will of God does not allow that evil wins. And the desired will of God desires that none perish in the war but that all come to repentance. Yet
the permissive will of God allows some actions to take place….allows Satan the ‘short’ time in which he unleashes his destructive forces.
But ‘until now’ refers to the ‘it is finished’ relevance of Christ’s atoning death. Once that happens the war is won. Only the skirmishes will need to play out so man can ‘choose’ until His return. Thus the verse, Mt 16:28 Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.
The deciples and all of the time of John the Baptist would see the Kingdom of God, in their lifetime, as Christ resurrects, is glorified, and ascends back to the Father. Then He would return in the form of the Holy Comforter to indwell and impower the believers/Body of Christ/Bride who are citizens of the Kingdom of God. ‘Kingdom suffereth violence’ is the essence of ‘in the world but not of the world.’
“Take it by force’ refers to the penalty of death put in place from the Beginning, before Eden, which requires by the very force of its contract that an atonement of Life be given to satisfy death. Deep…deep subject.
Again, great question! It will take a while to gather scripture but your question has pricked my heart to discuss the issue in depth via a post.
Thanks for visiting.
Carolyn
A
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There is only an apparent contradiction between John, saying that he was not Elijah, and Christ, saying that John had the same spirit and power as Elijah. The contradiction resolve itself as a revelation if we have the ears to hear that John spoke about the two in regard to their separate, mortal lives. Christ spoke of them as the same immortal individual. He clearly indicates that not everyone would be able to understand the connection. When Christ brings Peter, John and James up “into the mountain” in prayer, they see John, Elijah and Moses. The disciples ask to make three tabernacles. Christ answers their questions by explaining again that John is Elijah and then tells them not to reveal this until after he comes again. This depth of understanding of the immortal spirit was systematically suppressed by the early church, and hence modern Christians do not teach about reincarnation. This was also wise, as an understanding of reincarnation would not have been possible, nor would it have been spiritually healthy people to be pondering immortality without having attained a glimpse of it directly through inspiration. I have yet to be convinced that reincarnation is denied in any biblical scripture. Nor do I read that Christ himself will return in the flesh, but “in the clouds”. Contradictions in the gospels are only apparent. And faith in their extraordinary accuracy leads me to appreciate how endlessly rich they are.
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Well said on many points. As to reincarnation in the sense that the same soul continues to revisit the earthly existence whether in human or animal embodiment, I suspect that Creator God has enough ‘spirit’ for each offspring to get a fresh/new/individual immortal soul that is subject to its own eternal consequence. However, wonders such as the Trinity (Father/Son/Holy Spirit) where the three are one and the one are three – also the beautiful wonder of John/Elias are likely another subject. God is not limited by time or space as He visits His divine/decreed/permissive will within man’s experience and accomplishes His purpose upon the earth clothed in divine mysteries. I fully appreciate your words, ‘ Contradictions in the gospels are only apparent. And faith in their extraordinary accuracy leads me to appreciate how endlessly rich they are’. Beautifully expressed. Thanks for visiting my site and for commenting.
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https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/all-men-bible/Elias-Elijah
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Thank you for the related discussions and info on Elijah/Elias.
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http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elijah
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http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/05381b.htm
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http://www.keyway.ca/htm2004/20040229.htm
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