Matthew 17 - The Mount of Transfiguration

While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. Matthew 17:5-6.

The Pharisees had asked Jesus for a sign from heaven proving He was Messiah, but He refused, stating that the only sign to be given Israel was the sign of Jonah. Fortunately, for three of the disciples, Peter, James and John, they were about to witness an amazing sign from heaven that would've made the Pharisees salivate! On the Mount of Transfiguration, Jesus was transfigured before them as the God-man, His face and clothes brighter than the whitest white, just as the prophets of old had seen in visions and dreams! And what's more, even Moses and Elijah appeared and spoke with Jesus. What an amazing opportunity for these three men!

Peter, in his zeal to worship the Lord, made the mistake of putting Jesus on the same level as Moses and Elijah. As he was proclaiming his seemingly wonderful plan to build three tabernacles, the Heavenly Father interrupted his speech, declaring, "This is my beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!"

What a wonderful message that is so true for us Christians today. We are to listen only to Jesus, for He is the exact representation of God the Father. Moses and Elijah are wonderful, but they are not on the same level as Jesus; instead, they point to Jesus! They represent all the Law and Prophets, which lead us to the person of Jesus. Praise God for that!

Jesus is the most wonderful gift that the Heavenly Father could ever give mankind. Sadly, there are many who are blind to this truth and needlessly suffer in sin, condemnation, and death. That's why it is so important for born again believers to advance the kingdom and share the good news of the Gospel!

Matthew 3 - John the Baptist, the return of Elijah

In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight. Matthew 3:1-3.

The prophet Malachi warned Israel that before Messiah came, Elijah would return and prepare a way for His coming. We see in Matthew that John the Baptist came dressed like Elijah, acting and speaking like Elijah, baptizing people for the repentance of sins, basically fulfilling Isaiah's prophecy of the "Voice crying out in the wilderness."

But Jesus later told his disciples that John fulfilled much more than this - he in fact was the promised Elijah who was prophesied to come and warn Israel to repent, get back to the law, and prepare for the Messiah and the new kingdom.

This was the predominant understanding of the church up until the mid 1800s when the futurist or "left behind" view came into vogue. There does not appear to be any biblical evidence that Elijah the Tishbite will return to earth and prepare the way for Messiah. Jesus claimed that Elijah has already come in the person of John the Baptist, and of course, we already know that Messiah came, was crucified, buried but was raised up to glory!

Take a fresh look at Scripture and decide for yourself whether Elijah has indeed come, just as the Lord promised!