Future Stuff – The return of Elijah
Luke 1: 1 – 17
Many of you know that the prophet Elijah did not die. He was taken into Heaven in a fiery chariot. We read this in chapter 2 of the book of 2 Kings, “ 1 And it came to pass, when the LORD was about to take up Elijah into heaven by a whirlwind, that Elijah went with Elisha from Gilgal. 2 Then Elijah said to Elisha, “Stay here, please, for the LORD has sent me on to Bethel.”But Elisha said, “As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So they went down to Bethel. 3 Now the sons of the prophets who were at Bethel came out to Elisha, and said to him, “Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?” And he said, “Yes, I know; keep silent!” 4 Then Elijah said to him, “Elisha, stay here, please, for the LORD has sent me on to Jericho.” But he said, “As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So they came to Jericho. 5 Now the sons of the prophets who were at Jericho came to Elisha and said to him, “Do you know that the LORD will take away your master from over you today?” So he answered, “Yes, I know; keep silent!”
6 Then Elijah said to him, “Stay here, please, for the LORD has sent me on to the Jordan.”
But he said, “As the LORD lives, and as your soul lives, I will not leave you!” So the two of them went on. 7 And fifty men of the sons of the prophets went and stood facing them at a distance, while the two of them stood by the Jordan. 8 Now Elijah took his mantle, rolled it up, and struck the water; and it was divided this way and that, so that the two of them crossed over on dry ground. 9 And so it was, when they had crossed over, that Elijah said to Elisha, “Ask! What may I do for you, before I am taken away from you?” Elisha said, “Please let a double portion of your spirit be upon me.” 10 So he said, “You have asked a hard thing. Nevertheless, if you see me when I am taken from you, it shall be so for you; but if not, it shall not be so.” 11 Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.”
So, when is he coming back? Is he one of the two ‘witnesses’ that we read about in the book of Revelation. Let us take a look at what it says in Scripture. Today, we are going to look at the first 17 verses of the book of Luke which talks about the prophet Elijah.
1 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us, 3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed. 5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years. 8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord. 10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 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.”
Luke was a companion of the apostle Paul. Imagine how over many years he would hear not only the sermons that Paul would give but he would have special one on one time to ask him all about the past. In addition, Luke was a very good investigator. He probably would have had a TV show that would visibly display his investigation into true facts. Look at the passage in chapter 2 again, it says,
“1 Inasmuch as many have taken in hand to set in order a narrative of those things which have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and ministers of the word delivered them to us.”
If you review the book of Acts you will read how Paul and Luke traveled with a young man by the name of Mark. Does his name sound familiar? The second gospel in the bible bears his name. You see, Mark obtained his information directly from the apostle Peter.
At the time Luke penned his gospel not only was Mark’s Gospel already in circulation but so was Matthew’s. He could use these Gospels as reference material but what he also had was the opportunity to interview eyewitnesses.
When you look at the other four gospels Luke is the one who went to Mary, Elizabeth, and Zacharias and go over the details with them. Imagine, how John the Baptist’s parents would share the information about their son who gave his life. And what about spending time with our Lord’s mom, Mary.
His interview with them affected him so much, that he was the only writer who gives us this valuable information of Jesus’ and John the Baptist’s birth.
3 it seemed good to me also, having had perfect understanding of all things from the very first, to write to you an orderly account, most excellent Theophilus, 4 that you may know the certainty of those things in which you were instructed.
Theophilus means ‘lover of God’. The way Luke addresses him points out that this guy was an important figure who was interested in Christ Jesus. By writing to him and giving Theophilus a good background from the time of our Lord’s birth, this information could be used to further the ‘Good News’.
5 There was in the days of Herod, the king of Judea, a certain priest named Zacharias, of the division of Abijah. His wife was of the daughters of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless. 7 But they had no child, because Elizabeth was barren, and they were both well advanced in years.
King David developed the ‘courses’ of priests. He took all the priests and put them into 24 groups. These ‘courses’ took turns in staffing the Temple services with each course taking a week serving two times a year. Not bad work if you can qualify for it. You work two weeks a year.
Now please notice that both he and his wife were children of priests. We will come back to this point in a moment. But let us continue to talk about the service that occurs in the Temple. There are many chores to do, wood, the slaughter of animals, cleaning, etc. There was however, a special privilege given to a priest which only happens possibly once in a lifetime. This service was the offering of the incense in the Temple. Some priests may work all their lives and never be picked to do this special service.
Our Lord Is Great in arranging things when He Is about to do something miraculous. He picked Zecharias to do this unique ministry.
8 So it was, that while he was serving as priest before God in the order of his division, 9 according to the custom of the priesthood, his lot fell to burn incense when he went into the temple of the Lord.
Upon researching this priestly duty, I found some interesting facts. You see there were actually three priests selected out of hundreds. One would be in charge of making sure the golden lamp stand was properly taken care of. In addition, this priest would change the 12 loaves of bread on the table of Showbread. The other priest would take a silver plate and take some charcoal from the altar. He would then switch the charcoal into a golden bowl and take this bowl into the Temple and place it on the golden altar and leave. Now it was Zecharias turn. He would put in a golden bowl the special incense created for just this ministry and enter the Temple. Now no one else is in there except him.
Inside the Temple before the curtain separating him from the Holy of Holies. t coals. He would then begin a prayer called the Shemona Essray, which consisted of 18 prayers. These prayers consisted of pleas to Jehovah Elyon – Our Lord Most High – to send His promised Messiah. When this was completed he would place the incense on the hot coals.
Now look at what happens.
10 And the whole multitude of the people was praying outside at the hour of incense. 11 Then an angel of the Lord appeared to him, standing on the right side of the altar of incense.
Now I personally have not seen an angel but from listed records they appear to be quite startling. In some reports they are said to be over twelve feet tall.
Now picture yourselves being Zecharias. Here he is in his one day of a lifetime, inside the Temple, all alone offering the prayers of all the people before God Almighty. And then, he senses that he is not alone. He glances down and sees at the right hand of the altar the angel Gabriel. So, what does he do? He was about to pass out.
12 And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him.
Now please pay special attention to the following words of Gabriel.
13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 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.”
Now what did the angel tell Zecharias? He told him that his prayer was answered - 13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John.”
Upon first reading some might say that his prayer was about him and Elizabeth having a baby. But that is not the correct answer. Remember, what was he praying for? He was praying for El Shaddai to send forth His Messiah. This is the prayer that is answered. What is amazing here is to see our Lord’s perfect ways. The name Zecharias means ‘Yahweh Remembers’. I do not know about you but I think that is so neat. Here our Lord has remembered the prayers of His people and has now agreed to answer there prayer request. And don’t miss the name our Lord gives Zacharias’s son. The name John means ‘The Lord Is Gracious.’ Here our precious is going to use this couple’s son to be the forerunner to announce to the world God’s Anointed – The Messiah!
Now here is another great point that you do not want to miss. Please notice that their son will be who? The answer is that he will be the promised return of the prophet Elijah.
Over 400 hundred years have passed since our Lord had communicated. In the book of Malachi, which is the last book of the Old Testament we read in chapter 4, this “5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. 6 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.”
Now what does it say here again in chapter 1 of Luke regarding John – “13 But the angel said to him, “Do not be afraid, Zacharias, for your prayer is heard; and your wife Elizabeth will bear you a son, and you shall call his name John. 14 And you will have joy and gladness, and many will rejoice at his birth. 15 For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. 17 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.”
Are you ready for this, the name Malachi means ‘My Messenger’. Here in the first chapter of Luke after a silence of 400 years our Magnificent Lord sends His angelic messenger Gabriel to announce that He is now appointing a new ‘Messenger’ who will announce the coming of the Messiah. Wow!
I do not know if you are familiar with Jewish customs but one you might be familiar with is when Jews celebrate Passover, they leave one chair empty. This one is for Elijah. You probably also are not aware that when a boy is born in a Jewish home they place the child in the designated chair called ‘Elijah’s chair’. Here Zacharias will place his son in this ceremonial chair not realizing that he is placing the ‘Messenger’ come in the spirit of Elijah.
Remember in the Gospel of Matthew chapter 11 we read about the disciples asking our Lord about Elijah. This was His response, “As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind? 8 But what did you go out to see? A man clothed in soft garments? Indeed, those who wear soft clothing are in kings’ houses. 9 But what did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet. 10 For this is he of whom it is written: ‘ Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, who will prepare Your way before You.’ 11 “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. 12 And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and the violent take it by force. 13 For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come. 15 He who has ears to hear, let him hear!”
Now remember, John the Baptist was beheaded. Our Lord Jesus remarks here that John was Elijah the prophet. Yet, we read later on in the Gospel of Matthew, that is chapter 17 that Elijah showed up. Was this now the resurrected John the Baptist or the first Elijah? This is what chapter 17 says, “ 1 Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; 2 and He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. 3 And behold, Moses and Elijah appeared to them, talking with Him. 4 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.”5 While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!” 6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. 7 But Jesus came and touched them and said, “Arise, and do not be afraid.” 8 When they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no one but Jesus only. 9 Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, “Tell the vision to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.” 10 And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” 11 Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. 12 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.” 13 Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.
Well, now we are totally confused. It seems the real Elijah or was it John The Baptist? How, did Peter and the other two disciples know it was Moses and Elijah? Did our Lord Jesus Christ somehow in His interaction with these two guys call them by name? So, how does all this match up? Well here is my version of what is going on.
We read here in chapter 17 and also in chapter 11 that our Lord Jesus said that John the Baptist was Elijah. Was he the real Elijah? I would say no. The real Elijah was taken into Heaven in the fiery chariot. I believe that this is the real Elijah with Moses. Then what is this bit about John the Baptist.
Our Lord responded that Elijah is coming ‘first’ to restore all things. This is the reason for his return. Who would restore ‘all things’? I think we all can know that Elijah personally will not actually restore things. Who would take away the curse of sin by giving His life for all mankind? It is of course our Lord Jesus Christ. John the Baptist came first and it was his job to point out to the world that the ‘Reedemer’ – The Messiah has now arrived. This is what our Lord was explaining to the disciples about the reason for Elijah’s return. He was to be God’s servant to point out the ‘Restorer of All Things – Our Lord Jesus Christ.
Just as then, people miss the point. John came in the spirit and power of Elijah to turn people back to God, to repent of the sins and to turn to the One Who gave His life for them. You see, when the real Elijah came back with Moses, in effect, this was his return. But the significance of the assignment in telling the world about the One Who would restore all things fell to John The Baptist.
Our Lord Jesus at the time of this interaction with Moses and Elijah had not yet ‘Redeemed the world back to God by His sacrifice on the cross. I believe this was part of their discussion on the Mount. The restoration was in the near future.
There are many people both Jews and Christians waiting for Elijah to return. They are thinking that he will come before the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus back to earth. They therefore believe that he will be one of the two witnesses our Lord sends back to earth as revealed in the book of Revelation.
Let me ask you something then. If Elijah returned on the Mount of Transfiguration, is this his second appearance on the earth, or is it a part 2a? If you believe in him coming back during the Tribulation then he has had to come back with a part A and then a part B return, which will occur during the Tribulation. I know I am not the smartest person in the deck but even this position does not make sense to me.
You can say that the real Elijah returned first by appearing on the Mount of Transfiguration, before our Great Redeemer and Restorer went to the cross and gave His life for all of us. This was in effect his return as prophesied. The assignment was passed on to John The Baptist to tell the world of the appearance of God’s Own Son. John was anointed by our Holy Spirit Who gave the same power to him to perform his duties that He gave to the prophet Elijah in his ministry and John successfully completed his assignment. Now, aren’t you glad we cleared this up?
