Chapter 2

The

Three

Elijahs?

As we have just seen there were THREE MEN who would be used with the name Elijah; the original Elijah and the other two men in their appointed times. The last two would only be in the spirit and power of the original Elijah, as we can see from what the father said of John:

“He (John) will also go before Him (Jesus Christ) IN the Spirit and Power of Elijah ...” (Luke 1:17; II Kings 2:15).

Background and Mission of the Three Elijahs

At this point we will review some background of the original Elijah, and the two who would follow at different times in the ongoing history of Israel and mankind. In so doing more will be discovered about them and their missions, here and there in the thread of the story, as well as those of the end-time Elijah.”

Elijah the Prophet —

Scripture reveals very little about his background and earlier life. What little is known is found in only one Scripture when he makes his appearance before King Ahab:

And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead ... (I Kings 17:1).

He was a native of Tishbe, a village in Gilead.

The New Bible Dictionary, Page 363

“Even this reference is obscure. The MT suggests that while Elijah resided in Gilead his birthplace was elsewhere (perhaps Tishbe of Naphtali. ... A Tishbe of Gilead. Josephus seems to concur.”

Therefore we cannot be sure as to which tribe of Israel he belonged. Other references seem to indicate he could have been of the tribe of Manasseh (United States) or Naphtali (modern day Sweden).

This is all that is revealed about the background of this ancient and very important prophet of God in the ongoing history of Israel.

John the Baptizer —

John the Baptizer was born into the priestly tribe of Levi to the childless and aged Zacharias and Elizabeth. His miraculous birth was much like that of Isaac who was born to aged parents well beyond the age of child-bearing (Luke 1 and 3, plus).

He knew his very special role and mission in life would be as a prophet of God and that he would be in the same Spirit and Power of Elijah in fulfilling his particular mission. How did he know? Undoubtedly, his parents reminded him of this numerous times as he grew into adulthood (Luke 1:17, 76-79). 

However, John also knew he was NOT the endtime Elijah the Jewish people were looking for during that time; just as they also were looking for the Messiah as He will come the second time.

Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, “Who are you?” He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, “I am not the Christ.” And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not” ... (John 1:19-21).

Even the Disciples of Christ were looking for the endtime Elijah without realizing that John was also to be in the same Spirit and Power of that prophet who had served God in his mission to Israel many years before.

And His disciples asked Him (Jesus Christ), saying, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first (that is before Christ returns the second time, Matthew 16:27)?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed Elijah is coming FIRST and will RESTORE all things. 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.” Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.” (Matthew 17:10-13; Mark 9:11-12).

These Scriptures speak very clearly that there would be another Elijah to come at the endtime to restore all things (verse11)! One should also know that John had already been martyred with his head having been cut off at the order of Herod. By reading carefully about his mission it can also be seen that John did not restore anything.

Part of the realization of John’s special mission was in knowing he was a NAZARITE from birth and would be all of his life, as were Samuel (I Samuel 1:11) and Samson (Judges 13:3-5). Being a Nazarite would always be a constant reminder to him of his mission from God to mankind. It would also set him apart from others, and as such attract attention, as would his way of life.

“... 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. ...” (Luke 1:13-17, Numbers 6:3). 

John’s diet and dress would also serve as a continued topic of wonderment about him as to what his mission would be in their time.

And John himself was clothed in camel’s hair, with a leather belt around his waist; and his food was locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:4).

The garment spoken of here that John wore was an outer garment, the kind the prophets of God wore, signifying they were prophets (II Kings 2:8, 10; Zechariah 13:4). Though it was a coarse mantle or robe it was not a cheap or bedraggled looking one.

And unlike all of the other prophets of God, who were to have short hair, as well as all of the true people of God (I Corinthians 11:14), John, and all others who would have this Nazarite vow, could never cut their hair as long as they had the vow: “... no razor shall come upon his head ... (Numbers 6:5). In John’s case he was born a Nazarite, and was all the years of his short life of 31 years, so his hair must have been very long.

When we couple all of this together with the people of the hill country where he was born, and their knowing of his miraculous birth, it would make possible in a much greater way his God-given mission to be heard with great anticipation by many of the Jewish people (Luke 1:65-66).

John’s Baptism of Repentance

In addition to preaching a message of repentance, he baptized the repentant people of Judah (Matthew 3:5-6).

Baptism among the Jews was considered to be the washing of polluted persons prescribed by the law. The baptism of a proselyte implied legal uncleanness the washing away of the Gentile pollution, and being transplanted into the religion of the Jews. The Gentile proselytes were also circumcised and obligated to perform the law of God. 

John’s baptism, however, was one of repentance from having broken the laws of God.  

It is in this light that the Sanhedrin (the Supreme Court of Judea), having heard of many Jewish people being baptized by John, wanted to know from whom he had received this authority to baptize Jewish people? Since John had disclaimed any connection with the Christ, Elijah, and that Prophet, they wanted to know who had given him that authority.

And they (priests and Levites (verse 19), asked him, “Why then do you baptize IF you are NOT the Christ, NOR Elijah, NOR the Prophet” (John 1:25)?

The Jews did not understand that the PROPHET was in reality referring to Christ Himself! (Please write and request an article on the subject of “THAT PROPHET” showing Scriptural proof that Christ and THAT PROPHET are One and the Same.)

Having all of this attention from the officials and the people of Judea would also make possible a much wider audience for John to proclaim the announcement of the long-awaited coming of the Messiah, who they were expecting at that time (Daniel 9:24-27)!

John’s parents had told him numerous times that one of his responsibilities would be to prepare the way before Jesus Christ, so he was well aware of what he was to do in making this known.

Because of his experience with Gabriel, the special angelic messenger from God, Zacharias remembered very vividly the day and time when he was visited by the angel! He also clearly remembered what Gabriel had said regarding John preparing the way before the coming Savior. It was on his mind continually, as though it was just yesterday that Gabriel had said to him:

“... He will also go before Him (the Messiah) 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 for the Lord. ...” (Luke 1:13-17).

Almost immediately following the six months of his mission, as he and others were gathered at the Jordan River, John saw the Messiah walking toward him to be baptized. Knowing this man was indeed the promised Messiah, very God in the human flesh, John, realizing his own humanity, reluctantly baptized Him.

The following day John saw Christ again and pointed Him out to those gathered around him as the One all Judea was expecting at this time due to the 70 weeks prophecy found in Daniel (9:24-27).

The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world! This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me. I did not know Him, but that He should be revealed to Israel, therefore I came baptizing with water.” And John bare witness, saying, “I saw the Spirit descending like a dove, and It remained upon Him. I did not know Him, but He who sent me to baptize with water said to me, ‘Upon whom you see the Spirit descending, and remaining on Him, this is He who baptizes with the Holy Spirit. And I have seen and testified that this is the Son of God’” (John 1:29-34).

Though John knew he personally was in the Spirit and Power of Elijah, he also knew he was not the one that was prophesied by the prophet Malachi yet to come. It is with this understanding in mind that he told those who asked him if he was the Elijah to come and he said he was not:

... And they asked him, “What then? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not” .... (John 1:19-28).

We can see from the context of this writing the Jewish people were looking for the Elijah spoken of by the prophet Malachi to come in their time even as they were expecting the Messiah (Malachi 4:4-6). 

In fact many of the Jews are still looking for him yet today. In many of their homes there is the customary practice of having a place setting on their dining tables, set apart for Elijah at the time of the Passover meal, which they observe each year, called by them sedar. It is my understanding they are looking for him to return in possibly a fiery chariot to do a mighty work as he did in Israel of old (II Kings 2:11-12).

The Jewish leaders were blinded to the recognition of the Messiah; and they have been blinded to the Elijah who was to come! Just as they were in the presence with the Messiah, and even conversed with Him without any real recognition as to His true identity, so have they with the Elijah of our time, even though he spent many friendly hours with them in Jerusalem. There was even a little park there that is named after him.

This was also true with the disciples of Jesus Christ. They knew John as a prophet of God but their knowledge went no further for they also were looking for the end-time Elijah.

Jesus Christ identified John the Baptizer as the second Elijah to His disciples. Based on these Scriptures, hardly anyone outside of John and his parents knew he was fulfilling his role and mission in the Spirit and Power of the prophet of ancient times, Elijah.

(A note in passing: One should also know that John was the last of the prophets of the Old Testament, Luke 16:16).

Identifying the End-time Elijah

When we bring to mind this world as it is now in its deplorable moral condition, with its unsolvable problems, and the ever-present threat of nuclear extinction since the 1950s, and then seriously think about how God used Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong, there should be no real question but that he was the very man prophesied by the prophet Malachi to be on the world scene at this perilous end-time.

Think! There has been no other man to come on the scene before or since his death that has done even on the same level what he did in fulfilling that commission from Jesus Christ. And time is fast running out for this present age. 

Though Mr. Armstrong was not aware of it at the time, God began preparing him in the early years of his youth for the mission he would perform later on in his life (Please read his Autobiography, volume 1). 

It was God’s intention that Israel in particular, and the world in part, would hear the Good News of mankind’s incredible potential along with the Warning message over the 54 years of his ministry. Though it began small like a tiny mustard seed it continued to grow over the years until he was reaching the world through the use of radio, television, and the printing press before his life came to an end. 

There were also the personal appearances he made before the leaders of other nations during the last few years of his life.

Rather than writing much about the background of Mr. Armstrong at this point I will refer the reader to his Autobiography.

Parallels of Missions Made Known by God

Though we do not know exactly how and when God made known to Elijah his mission to King Ahab and Israel, it is interesting to see the parallels of how God made known to John and Mr. Armstrong what their special missions to His people Israel and Judah would be.

God’s special messenger angel, Gabriel, was sent by Him to the parents of John to make known the miraculous birth, role, and mission their son was to perform (Luke 1:11-17).

Both in his Autobiography, volume 1, pages 203-205, and in his book, MYSTERY OF THE AGES, pages 15-17, Mr. Armstrong wrote of A VISION his wife had of an angel coming to them and making known their special calling while preparing the way for the coming of Jesus Christ back to this earth.

To summarize what Mrs. Armstrong saw and heard in that vision: Mr. Armstrong wrote that it seemed to his wife that Christ had descended and placed His arms around the both of them, He then told them He had a very important work for them to do in preparing for His return to this earth.

Though Mr. Armstrong did not put much stock in this at the time, he came to realize that this was indeed a true vision from Christ in view of what He was using them to do in this endtime.

One might ask what part his wife performed in this great work of the endtime. I have personally seen and heard Mr. Armstrong, while giving a sermon, look down at his wife sitting in the front row, and say with tear-filled eyes and choked voice, that she had been fifty percent of the Work in helping him.

Since there was no one else that saw this vision, we have to take his written word for it. Yet, knowing them very well, as many of us have, and being close to them on a day-to-day basis for some years, we can vouch for their character and know what she saw was true. Their integrity is also known well by the Work they did and the fruits from it.

When we seriously think about where we are in time and how Jesus Christ used him for over 50 years, there is no question but that he was the man God used in this end-time role.

Even knowing all of this, there are the many who deny that he was the man sent by God to Israel.

A Denial by Mr. Armstrong

Mr. Armstrong fought against anyone in the early years that might even suggest that he was the Elijah to come in the endtime. I remember the time, possibly 1955 or 1956, that I took copies of articles to be printed to Pacific Press in Los Angeles for the printing of the Good News Magazine. One of these articles I read while waiting for the person to whom I was to give the articles.

The article was written by Dr. Herman L. Hoeh in which he made known that Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong was fulfilling the role of the end-time Elijah. Upon getting the articles back for proof reading, Mr. Armstrong read the article and became very upset about it. He would not let it be printed.

Finally, Recognition by Mr. Armstrong

It was in the latter years of his ministry, while looking back, thinking about it and possibly the vision revealed to his wife, along with all that God had used him to do, he could, upon reflection, no longer deny the plain and very clear fact of the role and mission God had given him. He then knew he was indeed the Elijah to come (Mystery of the Ages, pages 9-10).

I have read where some who were close to him toward the very end of his life say that he sometimes expressed doubts as to whether he really was or was not. It is easy to see where he would have doubts at times and yet at other times he would not deny it as can be heard in some of his last taped sermons and in his writings.

He was a human being who thought he was going to live all the way to Christ’s coming, and as he drew near to the time of his death, and realizing Christ was not yet here, he then would wonder whether or not he was fulfilling that role. Yet when he really thought about it he knew there was no other answer.

Consider excerpts from his own writings and sermons in which he acknowledged the truth of what God used him to do in this end-age.

Admission by Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong's own Statements

Regarding His Role as the End-Time Elijah

In the Good News Magazine of April 1980, pp 25-26; Worldwide News March 6, 1981, pp 10-11; Co-worker Letter, March 19, 1981; excerpts from sermons he gave, and other writings, some here and some there, he acknowledged in the latter years of his life that he had indeed fulfilled the role of the endtime Elijah.

Reflecting on those Scriptures regarding the Elijah, and based on how God had used him over his long years, and also considering the endtime in which we now live, he could come to no other conclusion.

Mr. Armstrong also came to realize that John the Baptizer was a type and forerunner of the Elijah to come, who would be used in restoring and preaching those foundational truths of God in a spiritual wilderness while preparing the way, not for a physical Jesus, but a glorified Jesus Christ!

Looking back to his youth, he wrote that he never had any idea that God was guiding his life from birth to the time the true teachings of God would be revealed to him; and also guide him in the needed training that would be necessary for him to PREPARE for the Work in preparing the way for the coming of Jesus Christ back to this earth. 

He further wrote that sometimes one has to look back on fruits in order to see some things that one could not see in advance before the fruits had been performed.

Bible prophecy made known that God was going to raise up SOMEONE who was going to prepare the way for the Second Coming and calling of the elect people, and preaching the Gospel of the Kingdom of God.

That's exactly what Elijah did physically. He reminded them that they had gotten away from the Kingdom and the GOVERNMENT OF GOD, and needed the RESTORING OF THE GOVERNMENT OF GOD. And now before the Second Coming, as John the Baptist had fulfilled his role that led to the coming of the Messiah, someone had to prepare the way for the return of Jesus Christ, and began building the Spiritual Temple.

It should always be remembered, as Mr. Armstrong reminded us at the time of his writing, “… Christ is the One who is doing it. God has built it, but He has used me. Do you think that has happened? Do you think we're near the time of the coming of Christ? Has anyone proclaimed the Gospel of the Kingdom of God? Has anyone proclaimed the law of God? Has anyone been calling on them to repent? The job God has called me to do is a prophesied job.”

The gospel was prophesied to go to the world as a witness before Jesus Christ will return. From his writings, Mr. Armstrong asked the question whether or not this was done by God’s Church? 

Further, he asked, “Did God raise up a one-man leadership to be used by Him in proclaiming, after 1,900 years, the true gospel of the Kingdom of God in all the world – to even go to kings (Revelation 10:11) and bring the Church back to the faith once delivered to the saints (Jude 3)?” 

Brethren, for those of us who have been blessed to be members of God’s Church for many years should know this is very true for we have witnessed it.

In view of all of this, Mr. Armstrong asked the questions: “HAS THIS HAPPENED, IN YOUR DAYS, AND HAS GOD BROUGHT YOU INTO THIS PROPHETIC FULFILLMENT AS A PART OF IT? HAS ANYONE ELSE DONE IT?"

Sermon, October 2, 1982:

"Jesus said the Elijah shall yet come and restore all things. [The original] Elijah did not restore what was taken away. The government of God was taken away. It was to be restored. God raised me up to restore it. God raised me up to restore the government of God. But it is only restored so far in the Church.

I have no authority from God, no ability, to restore the government of God any further than just over you brethren in the Church. But that has been done. That has been done, brethren. You go back and read Malachi 3:1-5 and Malachi 4. [And] where Jesus said, 'Elijah truly shall come'-even after John the Baptist was put in prison, he was yet to come. He [the Elijah] was to restore. John the Baptist didn't restore. You'd better realize what this Church is and what you are behind when you say you are behind me 100 percent."

Please also read: Mystery of the Ages, 1985, pp. 9-10, 290-291:

Last Sermon, Feast of Trumpets, Sept. 16, 1985:

"There was an Elijah to come and to restore things in the Church. THAT HAS HAPPENED and what has been restored is the GOVERNMENT OF GOD-and many of the truths, at least 17 or 18 principal, vital doctrines of truth, have been added to about the three that had survived in the Sardis era of the Church."

John and the Endtime Elijah,

UNKNOWN BY
 Their Own People

In view of the promised Elijah of our time, it is also interesting to realize that the same thing is true today as it was at the time of John the Baptist. Though the people thought of John as a special prophet, it would appear they, and even the very disciples of Jesus Christ, did not know for sure that he was the second Elijah until Christ made it known to them (Matthew 17:12-13). 

Though virtually all of the ministry in the Church of God admitted that Mr. Armstrong was an apostle, a very special man used by God, it is very rare to find, even among the ministry of the Church of God in our time, any real recognition and acknowledgment of the real identity of this man who powerfully fulfilled the role of the end-time Elijah.

It is difficult to understand why the very top ministers purchased as a gift “The Cup of Elijah” and presented it to Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong while he was alive, yet only one to my knowledge acknowledges that he was in actuality the man God chose to fulfill the end-time role of Elijah.

I can only ask WHY did they do it if they did not believe he was fulfilling that role?

Perhaps part of the answer is found in what Jesus said, “... a prophet is not without honor except in his own country and in his own house” (Matthew 13:57).

This has been a troublesome problem for all of God’s prophets and apostles over time.

The Fallibility of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong

Sometime ago, I wrote a document with Scriptural proof that Jesus Christ only used His apostles  to establish His doctrinal teachings within His Church. And further, I also showed that He used His late apostle to restore His doctrinal teachings within the Church in this end-time.

I mailed this to the leaders of the United Church of God. There was only one response and it was from the leading man on the doctrinal research committee. By way of justifying their position, he said to me, “Mr. Armstrong was not infallible.”

This can be said about all of the great men God used including the prophet Elijah, as recorded by the apostle James. Even so, God used these imperfect men to fulfill His will through them, as can be seen from the following Scripture:

“Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain; and it did not rain on the land for three years and six months. And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth produced its fruit” (James 5:17-18).

Based on those very clear Scriptures, this minister, and all others who think as he did are lacking in understanding of the Holy Scriptures by judging Mr. Armstrong in this manner rather than by the fruits God bore through him.

It is my prayer and hope that this man and all others like him will come to true understanding and will correct the errors they have made in their teachings that are not in alignment with the truth and what they themselves once taught and supposedly believed.

A Letter of Concern

Consider a recent letter sent to me by a leading member who recognizes that Mr. Armstrong indeed fulfilled that office, and wrote of the problems found with most of the dissenters because of their not recognizing that office and mission:

“Greetings _____________,

“I would like to urge you to not let down your guard concerning the vital Elijah understanding. Those who no longer believe that Mr. Armstrong was the Elijah have accepted many doctrinal errors.

“[One top leader] _______ long believed and privately taught that one of the Two Witnesses, not Mr. Armstrong, would be the final Elijah—and most today have no idea that he believed this! During the apostasy, [he] ______ accepted an avalanche of other false doctrines. Although he never made it out of the WCG — his false theory did! Certain ministerial “followers” have promoted his private teachings. Teaching, "we don't know" when it comes to the End Time Elijah question, yet in the same breath referencing the Two Witnesses as a possibility. In turn, these followers have trained their own disciples in his false counter-theory. Such ministerial "followers" have helped [him] _____ successfully discredit Mr. Armstrong’s role by continuing to spread his theory. Satan wins when “the blind follow their blind” leaders into either ditch.

“God’s enemies always attack His greatest servants, while loudly asserting that they are not! Those who no longer believe that Mr. Armstrong was the Elijah or subtly claim "we don't know" have accepted many additional doctrinal errors. Many today are blind to the grave danger of rejecting the Church’s previous understanding, large numbers seem willing to believe that Mr. Armstrong’s fulfillment was little more than a theory. Losing the vital Elijah understanding is the door into Laodicea.

“Regarding the End Time Elijah, Christ prophesied that this man would “restore all things.” If Mr. Armstrong was this man, then all the PROVEN truths he restored must be retained — held fast. To reject his role, after PROVING these RESTORED TRUTHS is nothing less than utter deceit! Sadly, so many who want to “hold fast to the truth” have exempted this profoundly great doctrine.

“I urge all who "know and know that they know" to teach others with all patience and understanding, maintaining a balanced approach, as to Mr. Armstrong’s role and its implications. Do not slander and attack confused brethren on this matter.

“Do not reflect the unsound, unlearned, untrained, unbalanced, unteachable and ungovernable attitudes obvious in so many splinters and splits that have lost this vital understanding and important doctrine.

“This is a far weightier matter than merely who was the Elijah. It may be that many could yet have an opportunity to come to their senses—with God’s help—if they “anoint their eyes” as Christ instructed (Rev. 3:18).

“In brotherly love,

_____ _____ ”

The Elijah – One of the Two Witnesses?

It is also difficult to grasp that the very top leaders, who were there at the very headquarters of God’s Church, saw how God used this man, and who knew the Scriptures as well as they seemed to can believe and lead others to believe the Elijah to come could possibly be one of the Two Witnesses!

It is very plain and clear that Elijah and the endtime Elijah were to be sent to the house of Israel! It would appear that John, the second Elijah, only performed his mission to Judah, which was one of the Tribes of Israel. However, his mission was recorded in holy Scripture and made available to all the tribes of Israel; so, in reality, his mission was for all Israel as well as just Judah.

Both Elijah and the endtime Elijah were to go to Israel, as Scriptures make known.

To make this point, one among many, please consider the last Book of the Old Testament, the Book of Malachi. The introductory opening reveals it is an endtime book for Israel: The burden of the word of the LORD to Israel by Malachi (Malachi 1:1).

Chapter 3:1-3, speaks of the way being prepared for Jesus Christ to come to this earth both times, first by John, and the second time by the endtime Elijah. Verses 6-7 address the house of Jacob, meaning all his sons, the 12 tribes. And in chapter 4, God says to REMEMBER the Law of Moses My servant, which I commanded him in Horeb (part of the mountain range of Mount Sinai) with the statutes and judgments.

Question: Was it the Gentiles God was speaking to when He said to REMEMBER what He did and where He did it? Absolutely not! It is perfectly clear that He was speaking to Israel, for they were the ones there before Him in Mount Horeb when He gave those laws (Galatians 4:8-10; Ephesians 2:11-13).

In addition, Scripture reveals it was very rare when God sent a prophet to any Gentile nation.

No! God is WARNING Israel BEFORE the time of Jacob’s trouble comes upon him (Jeremiah 30:4-7), and He sent a very special messenger to bring REMEMBRANCE of God and His laws to Israel, His chosen nation, before calamity befalls them.

Remember – means, bringing back to mind something that was once known.

Always God was sending prophets to Israel and Judah with warnings of their sins and pleading with them to repent before He would be forced to punish them! Why would it be different here at the very endtime – before the Great Tribulation? It is not logical nor does it make sense.

The Mission of the Two Witnesses

By studying chapter 11 of the book of Revelation it is very clear that the Two Witnesses’ mission, yet to be performed, is to go the Gentile nations at a time when the House of Israel will have been conquered and those who survive will be in enslaved in many nations, especially in Europe.

Admittedly, the Two Witnesses will be a type of both Moses and Elijah, as can be seen in the transfiguration, but not in actual fact (Matthew 16:27-28; 17:1-3, 9)! The mission they will perform will be to the Gentile nations and will be almost identical to that of Moses and Aaron going before the Pharaoh of Egypt.

The Two Witnesses’ mission will be during the very last three and one-half years of this age (Revelation 11:3). At the conclusion of their testimony the Beast will succeed in having them killed! This will coincide with the return of Jesus Christ back to this earth (Revelation 11:7-12, 15).

A brief review: Prophecy reveals that after the nations of Israel have been conquered; the survivors will be removed from their countries and transported to Europe by the Beast and his armies!

Upon their arrival the brutal mass killing will then begin taking place as it did with the Jews during World War II! 

The people of Israel who survive will be sold into rigorous slavery! There they will remain for three and one-half years! This is the period of time that prophecy terms the Great Tribulation.

Prophecy also reveals that very near the end of this time will begin the Day of the Lord that will be made known by the beginning of the heavenly signs and will lead into the second coming of Jesus Christ back to this earth (Matthew 24:29-31).

The Two Witnesses will be fulfilling their mission to the Gentiles during that period of three and one-half years (Revelation 11:7-12).

Reviewing the History of Israel
and
The Plan of God

When reviewing the history of Israel it is necessary to keep in mind God’s Master Plan for the salvation of not only Israel but for all of mankind. And an integral part of God’s purpose for fulfilling His plan would be the necessity of selecting and sending the three men who would be used by God to Israel.

The very nation of Israel that God chose above all others would become an integral major part around which His plan would revolve for the saving of all other nations.

Why God chose to use these three men who would be known in Scripture as in the office and power of Elijah, yet not be called by that name, can only be understood by reviewing the history of Israel at the time of the real Elijah, then paralleling it with the time of John the Baptizer who prepared the way for the coming of the Messiah as God in the human flesh, and then with the man of this end-time who was used by God to restore all things and prepare the way for the return of Jesus Christ in all of His awesome glory and power in this endtime (Isaiah 40:3, 9-10; Malachi 3:1; 4:4-6; Matthew 17:11). 

While keeping in mind the overall view of the plan and use of Israel by God, and of the deplorable state of Israel at the time of Elijah, which in reality pictures the sinful state of all of mankind to one degree or another, and carrying that view forward to the time of John the Baptizer there would be the need of the preparing for the coming of the Messiah who would make possible the fulfillment of the purpose for which God created mankind (John 3:16-17). 

The Messiah would be the One who would make payment for sin by voluntarily sacrificing his human life by the shedding of His life’s blood for all of mankind; once true repentance really would come to take place in the hearts of each man and woman who has ever lived or ever will live.

It is as John said to those around him when he pointed out the Messiah to them:

“Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world! This is He of whom I said, ‘After me comes a Man who is preferred before me, for He was before me’” (John 1:29-30).

To understand more fully one has to keep in mind that had not there been a sufficient turnaround with Israel at the time of Elijah, and again here at the endtime, there could have been a terrible and tragic ending for mankind as made known by the prophet Malachi (4:4-6).

By the time this writing is completed, it is my sincere hope and prayer that there should be no question to the open mind as to the identity of this man of the end-time; a man God would use to fulfill such an important life and death role in the lives of all of mankind in our time.

I well realize this is hard to comprehend, but as we review the history of the deplorable state of Israel at the time God sent the ancient prophet to them, and then compare the abominable sins of that nation to the nation of today, it should be much easier to understand.

To be continued