 |  |
#4.
Elijah.
pp. 49 - 52
"M." has a deal to say against the "postponement theory" which we will consider in its
order. One of the obstacles lying in his path is the statement made in Scriptures
concerning John the Baptist and Elijah. We quote from "G.P.K." page 51:--
"We have now to inquire as to the time of the fulfillment of Malachi's prediction of
the coming of Elijah the prophet. For it is held and taught by not a few prominent
expositors that Elijah himself (meaning Elijah the Tishbite) will come during the great
tribulation and will then fulfil Malachi's prophecy by turning many Israelites to the Lord.
In fact this assumption is one of the main props of the post-Kingdom theory. Hence it
challenges scrutiny. The idea that John did not fulfil the Elijah-ministry foretold by
Malachi rests upon a very curious interpretation of Matt. 11: 14. We quote verses 12-15
inclusive:--
`And from the days of John the Baptist until now the Kingdom of heaven
suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force. For all the prophets and the
law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive (it), this is Elias, which was
for to come. He that hath ears to hear, let him hear'."
"M." adds:--
"We believe that the real meaning is simple and obvious." "The name `Elijah' was in
our opinion used in this prophecy (of Malachi) in order that we might have a key to the
unlocking of important truth." "The view we take is, we are confident, sustained fully,
first by the results accomplished by John's ministry in making ready a people prepared
for the Lord."
The connection of the writer is that there is nothing conditional in the Lord's words.
He believes that John the Baptist was Elijah, and that no future Elijah is to be expected.
Hence he speaks of the "Elijah-ministry" of Malachi's prophecy--which of course
Malachi does not, for he says definitely "Elijah the prophet". We will take the writer's
own canon as our guide.
First, the results accomplished.--The writer limits his statement to the preparation of
a people for the Lord, but this will not do. On page 55 he again quotes Scripture, "And
Jesus answered and said, Elias truly shall first come and restore all things". He follows
the full quotation of Matt. 17: 9-13 with the remark:--
"These words are too plain to admit of any misunderstanding on the part of those
whose minds are not occupied by preconceptions. The language is simple and
unambiguous."
We ask "M." one simple and unambiguous question, Did John the Baptist RESTORE
ALL THINGS? The answer is No, he did not. In Acts 3: 21 Peter uses the same word,
when speaking of the second coming of Christ:--
"Whom the heavens must receive until the times of the RESTITUTION of all things,
which God hath spoken by the mouth of all His holy prophets since (the) age."