Bible Discussion Thread

Was John the Baptist Elijah? In John 1:19-28, John the Baptist is asked if he is Elijah, and he denies that he

is Elijah (or the Prophet or the Christ). Yet in Matthew 11:14, Jesus says that John the Baptist

is the "Elijah who is to come," Who was right?

Hi Lollyman.

I concur with Brother Chris.

The disciples were looking for the Messiah to set up the kingdom hereonearth. ( which is yet future)

As mentioned Isaiah 40:1-5 is one of the scriptures is why they expected this order of events.

"Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

Speak ye comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her warfare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: for she hath received of the LORD'S hand double for all her sins.

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.

Every valley shall be exalted, and every mountain and hill shall be made low: and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough places plain:

AND THE GLORY OF THE LORD SHALL BE REVEALED, AND ALL FLESH SHALL SEE IT TOGETHER: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.

( This haven't happened yet. )

This concerns the restoration of Israel when Christ sits on David's Throne.

Matthew 17:11-12 "And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. ( Still future. )

But 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. ( John the baptist was the forerunner. He was to announce the King.) They rejected John and they rejected their King. ( John 19:15.)

During the tribulation they will be driven to seek their Messiah and he shall come. ( Matthew 23:37-39.)

God bless.

alex1939...Hi Lollyman 7...Good question But i don't think that Jesus was refering to any man being a 2 nd Elijah...Or another John the baptist...God cannot put any trust in man...John the baptist doubted in the end sending 2 of his disciples to ask Jesus if he were the Christ or look for we for another...John doubted...And i dont judge that great man of God...But this last Elijah has to be the H.G. As Jesus said in John 16:13 When he the spirit of truth is come ( the H.G. ) he will guide you into all truth...He cannot speak of himself simply b/c he has to be born in us...He is just a spritual infant and infants cannot speak for a while...Only God the HG. can lead us into all truth Thus this 2 nd Elijah has to be the Spirit of truth...As Jesus is saying in John 16:13 that is gona lead the whole world....Reprove the whole world of sin and Righteousness and judgement...No man cd fulfill that task it wd have to be God himself...Isaiah said he looked this way and that way but he found no man thus his own arm brought him salvation etc

.....Thats all i had to say thank you lollyman 7

alex1939..Hi Lollyman 7..Good Question..But i think they are both right...Jesus was speaking in the Spiritual realm of a heavenly Elijah which is the H.G. that is gonna turn folks hearts to the Children which are spirits...Jesus said that the good seed are the Children of the Kingdom...And that which is born of the spirit is spirit which are the Children of Promise which are born in us via his good seeds...Thats y he has to know us...Our hearts need to be turned to the H.G. the Child of Promise...Jesus was still on the cross when he was calling for Elijah... Matthew 27:46...But some said he was calling for God...Which is the H.G. that heavenly Elijah that will lead us into all truth...When he that spirit of truth is come ( the H.G. ) He will lead you into all truth...

..... Zechariah 13:7...Smite the shepherd and the sheep will be scattered...The Cross ...His death..Then i will turn my hand to the little ones his Children...When a seed dies it multiplies thus his Children of Promise...Behold me and the Children the Lord has given me...Are they not for signs and wonders Which are spirits as he said that that which is born of the spirit is spirit which are his Children...Our New Heart and New spirit...Its God himself that wants to turn our hearts to the Children which is the H.G...God swore by his very self when he made that promise of multiplication...Thus the Children the H.G. that is gona be born in our hearts and minds...But all this was hid from the wise and prudent but is gona be revealed unto babes...the H.G...When that BOOK is opened that has the words of life...That he wrote with his own blood...Plz note the Kingdom does not come till the Woman is in Child birth ( the Children that are gona be born in our hearts)...Unless you receive the KINGDOM as a lil Child you will in no wise enter there in...And whosoever receiveth one such child in MY NAME receiveth me...There is a CHILD in your future which is the H.G. That Child of Promise...An Israel of God The H.G..

Hi Lollyman7. There are several Scriptures that speak of this 'coming of Elijah'. Those which you quoted: John 1:19-28 and Matthew 11:14. You can also see this in the earlier prophecy of Elijah, found in Malachi 4:5,6, & then we see Elijah with the Lord & Moses in Matthew 17:1-8, with the answer to this dilemma found in Luke 1:13-17. And to quote this in part: "And he (John) shall go before him (Jesus) in the spirit and power of Elias (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."

So, as we consider these Scriptures in entirety, we should conclude that John the Baptist wasn't the physical Elijah who was earlier translated instead of dying & then in those days appeared with the Lord Jesus. But John was the one selected & prepared of God to receive the same spirit that was found in Elijah to speak to the people with prophetical authority & drive & to be the "voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias (Isaiah)." ( Isaiah 40:3). So, John the Baptist could never say that he was a resurrected Elijah, whom the leaders were expecting, but his message & authority came with the same strength & prophetical voice as that of Elijah.

Amen Brother Chris.

In Matthew 17:11-12 Jesus pretty much says it all.

Vs 11. "And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things.

( Meaning yet future)

Vs 12. But 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. ( Speaks of John the Baptist Earlier ministry)

God bless.