 |  |
Elijah's ministry of restoration was future when John the Baptist was dead. "M."
says:--
"It is noticeable that the Lord connects John's ministry with the prophecy of Malachi."
The Scripture, speaking of that coming for which the `messenger" prepared, says,
"But who may abide the day of His coming, and who shall stand when He appeareth?"
(Mal. 3: 2)--words that do not describe the Advent of Christ as unfolded in Matthew's
Gospel, but which look onward to the second coming. Malachi continues:--
"I will come near to you in judgment" (Mal. 3: 5).
"Behold, I send unto you Elijah the prophet (which is John the Baptist, according to
"M." unconditionally), BEFORE THE COMING OF THE GREAT AND DREADFUL
DAY OF THE LORD" (Mal. 4: 5).
Joel says:--
"The sun shall be turned into darkness and the moon into blood, BEFORE THE
GREAT AND THE TERRIBLE DAY OF THE LORD COME" (Joel 2: 31).
This is the second test. "M." opens the chapter with an enquiry as to time. That
terrible day is still future. John the Baptist's preparatory ministry is divided from the
event by nearly 2,000 years. This can by no argument be made to fit with the meaning of
the word translated "before". A similar objection is found in the reference to the sun and
moon--these signs are still awaiting fulfillment. The so-called "postponement theory"
instead of receiving a refutation is very much strengthened by these passages.
When the Lord said, "Elias is come already", the disciples "understood that He spake
of John the Baptist" (Matt. 17: 13); and seeing that He had previously prefaced His
words concerning John with a condition--"If"--they were able to understand His
meaning. When John was questioned, "Art thou Elias?" he answered, "I am not". Shall
we quote our brother and say,
"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"?
No, that will not do here, "M." is in possession of a secret that was hidden even from
John the Baptist himself. John the Baptist did not know that he was Elijah which was for
to come! We quote:--
"In perfect keeping with this was it for him to take the question of the Jews as
referring to Elijah the Tishbite, as doubtless it did in fact. Therefore John could
consistently and truthfully answer `No'."
We fear that our own understanding of the meaning of Yea, Yea and Nay, Nay will not
allow us to follow the subtle reasoning here manifest. We do however most certainly
believe that John the Baptist would have scorned such casuistry. As well say that when
he said that he was Not the Christ he was mistaken.