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Isus Hristos este acelaşi ieri, azi şi în veci. Evrei 13:8

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Now we shall move on to the question why Jesus also called him Elijah, although he had answered this question with a clear “No!” and his answer was biblical. Here we are dealing with a typical characteristic of the Old Testament prophecies. Many times things are found in the same verse, but can be two thousand years apart in their fulfilment. In almost every promise, events pertaining to the first and to the second coming of Christ are mentioned in the same context.

When the Angel Gabriel spoke to Zacharias about the birth of John the Baptist, he also referred to the first part of the Elijah-promise in Mal. 4: 5-6, “And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children ...” (Lk. 1: 17). In view of this statement, our Lord said in Mt. 11: 14, “... this is Elijah, who was to come.” The second part of Mal. 4: 6, “... and the heart of the children to their fathers ...” the Angel Gabriel did not mention, because only now does it come to fulfilment. God had spoken in various ways to the fathers through the prophets (Heb. 1: 1). Then came the time to turn the hearts of the Old Testament fathers to the New Testament children . The Apostle Paul taught, “And we declare unto you glad tidings, how the promise which was made unto the fathers, God hath fulfilled the same unto us their children ...” (Acts 13: 32-33). Whoever claims that the promise given in Mal. 4: 5-6 has to be taken literally, as it is now done in some charismatic circles, and engages in family politics in order to reconcile sons with fathers and fathers with sons, has not even recognised the importance of this prophecy, which is connected directly to the last ministry before the return of Christ.

The following examples are provided to explain why biblical prophecies should not be interpreted arbitrarily, but have to be recognised by their placement in the Plan of Salvation and arranged in proper order, according to their fulfilment.

In Isaiah 35: 1-7, details are mentioned that pertain to the first and to the second coming of the Lord. In verse 4 we read, “Say to those who are of a fearful heart, Be strong, fear not; behold, your God will come with vengeance, even God, with a recompense; he will come and save you.” Surely, the Lord God Himself came and brought our Salvation. In verses 5 and 6 it was announced that the blind would see, the deaf would hear, the lame would walk and the dumb would talk. That has been fulfilled, but the part about vengeance and recompense remains in the future.

In Isa. 61 we are told in one and the same verse about the Messiah who would proclaim the acceptable year of the Lord and the day of the vengeance of our God . In Lk. 4 the Lord Jesus read this scripture in the synagogue, but stopped after the first part, “... to preach the acceptable year of the Lord.” (Lk. 4: 19). HE then closed the scroll and gave it back. The second part about the day of vengeance He did not mention. It is still in the future, otherwise He could not have said, “This day is this scripture fulfilled in your ears.” (v. 21).

In Joel 2 we find the promise about the outpouring of the Holy Spirit during the time of grace, and in the same verse we are told about the terrible day of the Lord. “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be delivered; for in Mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the Lord hath said ...” (v. 32). The Apostle Peter referred to this text in his sermon on the Day of Pentecost, “And it shall come to pass that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Acts 2: 21). He also stopped in the middle of the verse, because the second part about the deliverance in Jerusalem and on Mount Zion did not apply to the time of grace including the gentile nations, but rather to the time allotted for Israel (Acts 15: 13-15; Rom. 11: 25-29 a. o.).

The prophets of the Old Testament declared under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit what should take place according to God’s Plan of Salvation. The accurate placing is given to the servants in the New Covenant, who have the privilege of knowing how to correctly divide the Scriptures. Bible prophecy must never be interpreted, but must be seen in its fulfilment and placed accordingly.

It was the task of the forerunner to bridge the Old to the New Testament and to fulfil the first part of the Elijah-promise. When the Lord Jesus was on the Mount of Transfiguration with three of His disciples, Moses and Elijah appeared (Mt. 17: 1-12; Mk. 9: 2-13; Lk. 9: 28-36). Although both of those great prophets were present, the disciples subsequently only inquired about Elijah (Mt. 17: 10). We should ask why? Of course, that we might receive the answer from the lips of the Lord personally, And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elijah truly shall first come, and restore all things.” (v. 11). This statement most certainly referred to the future. In regards to John the Baptist, the Lord said, “... that Elijah is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they desired.” (v. 12).

The hearts of God’s children must now be returned to the “Faith of the Fathers”, back to the beginning, — not to some church fathers, not in private homes to natural fathers, but to our apostolic fathers of the faith that was once delivered to the saints (Jude 3) — right back to Christ, in teaching and in practice. Our Lord gave the answer then and He gives us the same answer now. Arguments are not valid, as they come from reasoning of the mind. We need to accept what our Lord says and believe as it is written. According to the Plan of Salvation, all things must now be restored to the original condition. That is the promise for the Church before the return of Christ; it is the command of the hour . Thus it is written, and that is how it comes to pass.

Now, before the second coming of Christ, the restoration has to take place through a prophetic ministry. God is making history again and His promise to send Elijah is “yea” and “Amen” and has been fulfilled. But as they did with John the Baptist, they did with today’s messenger as it pleased them. Blessed are those who can really believe as the Scripture says, because only to them can it be revealed. God cannot communicate with a person who does not believe what He said and promised. Whosoever bypasses God in his thinking, also bypasses Him in talking and in preaching and altogether. As our Lord said in Mk. 12: 29-30 we are to love God completely, even with our mind. Whoever truly believes what He said also thinks accordingly.

Before the return of Christ, God purposed a total restoration and the return of His Church into the original state. It is Thus saith the Lord. For it is written about our Saviour, “... whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began .” (Acts 3: 21). In verse 19 we are told, “... when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ, who before was preached unto you.” Now it is absolutely clear: the restoration and the refreshing come first, then Jesus will return. Amen! That is the proclamation of the whole counsel of God in our time (Acts 20: 27)! This solves the great mystery of Christ and the Church (Eph. 3)! Many speak about the end-time and about the second coming, but without believing the promise of restoration and therefore not expecting its fulfilment, they will miss it and be terribly disappointed. It is truly one of the most important promises and is now being fulfilled in the Church of Jesus Christ. In Isaiah 28: 11 it says, For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.” In verse 12 we read, “... this is the rest by which ye may cause the weary to rest, and this is the refreshing; yet they would not hear.” The Apostle Paul refers to this verse, but only mentions the speaking in other tongues (1 Cor. 14: 21). This has been taking place since the Day of Pentecost. The second part, the spiritual quickening, the Apostle Peter presented in connection with the promised restitution, directly before the coming of Christ (Acts 3: 20-21). This is now taking place. Blessed are all who have part in it! The last spiritual awakening and quickening must go hand in hand with the total restoration of all things. God’s Word is perfect, it just has to be placed correctly.

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