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The gospel of Mark adds some further information. When Jesus'
disciples asked if Elijah must come before the kingdom comes,
Jesus
says this.
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And they seized upon that statement, discussing with
one another what rising from the dead might mean. And
they asked Him, saying, “Why is it that the scribes
say that Elijah must come first? And He said to them, “Elijah
does first come and restore all things. And yet how
is it written of the Son of Man that He should suffer
many things and be treated with contempt? But I say
to you, that Elijah has indeed come, and they did to
him whatever they wished, just as it is written of
him.” (NKJV) Mark 9:10-13
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Does this mean that John the Baptist was wrong?
The answer is buried in Jesus' expression "if you care
to accept it." The answer is also buried in Jesus' statement
that the "
Son of Man should suffer many things and be treated with contempt."
Jesus is implying that Elijah was to come before the Messiah
and then before the kingdom. The explanation to both of these
statements comes later in the gospel of Matthew when Jesus
tells His disciples that Elijah had come and was still to
come.
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And His disciples asked Him, saying, “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. (NKJV)
Matt. 17:10-13
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Conclusion:
John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah preparing
the way for the Messiah (Mal. 3:1-2). He was not Elijah in
the flesh because the real Elijah comes before the kingdom
- the millennial kingdom. John the Baptist's ministry was
carried out in the spirit of Elijah's. Elijah
himself will come before the Day of the Lord which is the
final half of the Tribulation.
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Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before
the coming of the great and terrible day of the LORD.
(NKJV) Malachi 4:5
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