The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make straight in the desert a highway for our God. Isaiah 40:3
And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. Matthew 17:10-13
Thoughts on the life of John the Baptist, the 2nd Elijah:
No school on earth with which he could connect.
Learning was obtained away from the cities.
Old Testament and nature his study books.
Fitted by God for the work of preparing the way of the Lord.
Simple vegetarian food.
Customs and practices of men were not part of his education.
Worldly engrossment acted no part in formation of his character.
He did not feel strong enough to stand the great pressure of temptation he would meet in society.
He feared his character would be moulded according to the customs of the Jews.
He chose to have his mind properly educated and disciplined from God's book of nature.
In the wilderness he could more readily deny himself and bring appetite under control.
He dressed in accordance with natural simplicity.
Nothing in the wilderness to take his mind from meditation and prayer.
His habits of life were so pure and natural that he could discern the foe in any guise. Satan could not move him from his integrity.
He had strength of spirit and decision of character to resist Satan.
He sought the favour of God and the Holy Spirit rested upon him and kindled in his heart a glowing zeal to do the great work of calling the people to repentance and to a higher and holier life.
He fitted himself by the privations and hardships of his secluded life to so control all his physical and mental powers that he could stand among the people as unmoved by surrounding circumstances as the rocks and mountains of the wilderness that had surrounded him for 30 years.
He could stand unmoved before earthly monarchs, because he had bowed low before the King of Kings.
As the third Elijah we have the same role that the first and second were given in their missions.
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. Malachi 4:5
Common characteristics of the 3 Elijahs:
They arise in a time of crisis in Israel and the world.
They live their life in a country setting, separate from the world around them.
They wear modest clothing.
They eat simple, healthful food.
Each have a message that is present truth for the time in which they live.
All suffer persecution.
They feel alone and discouraged at times.
Their life and message call for a decision.
Each one knows the Lord personally and follows His instructions.
1.Elijah Messenger - Elijah, John The Baptist, Remnant/144,000
2.Political/Civil Power* - DRAGON - Ahab, Herod, UN
3.Unlawful marriage - Unholy woman/Impure church - BEAST - Jezebel (behind the scene), Herodias (behind the scene), Papacy (behind the scene)
4.Deceiving Power - Dancing - FALSE PROPHET - Priests of Baal, Salome, USA
5.Death Decree – Jezebel, Herodias, Papacy - *No.2 totally shocked by this unexpected demand of the Beast/No.3
6.Outcome for Messenger - Translated, Beheaded - Martyr, Beheaded - Martyr/Translated
Prepare ye the way of the LORD. Isaiah 40:3
But the end of all things is at hand: (Romans 13:12, 2 Thessalonians 2:2, Revelation 1:3, 22:10) be ye therefore sober, and watch unto prayer. 1Peter 4:7
Your time has come!
