Second coming of Elijah - How God Brings back prophets of old?

[Shafique]

An interesting line of discussion arose with Jude who asked me for a logical explanation for the second coming of Jesus.

I stated that logic says God will use the same method He used before to fulfil prophecies of the second coming of a Prophet.

The only example I could think of was John the Baptist (Yahya) fulfilling the prophecy of the second coming of Elijah which was required before the Messiah for the Jews could arrive.

Jesus says in the Bible that John the Baptist was the fulfilment of this prophecy.

When we look at the descriptions of Elijah and John the Baptist - we see that both shared characteristics, such as both being preachers, living in the wilderness and wearing animal skins.

God's ways don't change, would be logical view. What do you think?

Cheers,
Shafique

[shaad_lko]

the statement "God's ways dont change" - doesnt mean that God is incapable of a miraculous intervention. Rather it is used in the context of how God deals with nations - He rewards those who obey His Messengers and punishes those who are rebellious.

[Moonlight]

An interesting line of discussion arose with Jude who asked me for a logical explanation for the second coming of Jesus.

I stated that logic says God will use the same method He used before to fulfil prophecies of the second coming of a Prophet.

The only example I could think of was John the Baptist (Yahya) fulfilling the prophecy of the second coming of Elijah which was required before the Messiah for the Jews could arrive.

Jesus says in the Bible that John the Baptist was the fulfilment of this prophecy.

When we look at the descriptions of Elijah and John the Baptist - we see that both shared characteristics, such as both being preachers, living in the wilderness and wearing animal skins.

God's ways don't change, would be logical view. What do you think?

Cheers,
Shafique

Salaam shafique ^^

This is a weird case cause the prophecy does say that he will come on the day of judgment

“For indeed the day is coming, burning like a furnace, and all the arrogant evildoers will be chaff. The coming day will burn them up,” says the Lord who rules over all. “It will not leave even a root or branch. But for you who respect my name, the sun of vindication will rise with healing wings, and you will skip about like calves released from the stall. You will trample on the wicked, for they will be like ashes under the soles of your feet on the day which I am preparing,” says the Lord who rules over all.
“Remember the law of my servant Moses, to whom at Horeb I gave rules and regulations for all Israel to obey. Look, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord arrives. He will encourage fathers and their children to return to me, so that I will not come and strike the earth with judgment.” (Malachi 4:1-6 NET)

What I find intresting is how the people reacted when they found out that Jesus didn't come to destroy the Romans and to restore Israel and build the temple as it was told on the OT.

To be fair, the Jews did the right thing to reject both Jesus and Elijah as being john because this isn't in there scripture. And the last prophecy in Malachi says that all this will take place on the last day which is why everyone was mega happy that the Christ came and that he said john Is Elijah that was to come.
But after he told them he must go back to the father they got angry and depressed and acussed him for being a wizard or something.

I like your view and it makes sence. But how can we rely on the scriptures if the writers are turning the tables around and changing everything that the OT says?

[jude3]

The only example I could think of was John the Baptist (Yahya) fulfilling the prophecy of the second coming of Elijah which was required before the Messiah for the Jews could arrive.

Jesus says in the Bible that John the Baptist was the fulfilment of this prophecy.

Where does Jesus say this?

[Shafique]

Matt 11:13-14 Jesus says:

For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 Whoever has ears, let them hear.

The Jews of Jesus' day expected Elijah to come before the Messiah; indeed, some modern Jews continue to await Elijah's coming as well, as in the Cup of Elijah the Prophet in the Passover Seder. This is why the disciples ask Jesus in Matthew 17:10, 'Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come?.' The disciples are then told by Jesus that Elijah came in the person of John the Baptist,

"Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands." Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist". — Matthew 17:11-13
(Cutting and pasting from Wiki to save time)

"Now this was John's testimony when the Jews of Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, "I am not the Christ." They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the Prophet?" He answered, "No." - John 1:19-21

So John denies being same Elijah that was alive many years before - but Jesus says John was the prophecised second coming (the one yet to come).

QED

So, God prophecised that a prophet would return and fulfilled this in the person of a new prophet who happened to share the same traits as the earlier prophet (in this case, they both lived in the wilderness and wore animal skins - for example).

Cheers,
Shafique