We Are Elijah and John

Mark 9.12, 13

 

Then He answered and told them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and restores all things. And how is it written concerning the Son of Man, that He must suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I say to you that Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him.”

 

Jesus identified John the Baptist as the Elijah who was to come before Him. John’s ministry was to restore all things, that is, in John’s case, to prepare the world for the coming of Him Who would reconcile the world to God and, ultimately, restore all things to Him.

The Church has a similar role as Elijah and John. Jesus is coming again, and we have been given the ministry of reconciliation to prepare the world for His coming. Through the witness of our sacrificial lives, and the preaching of repentance and the Good News of Christ and His Kingdom, we have the ministry work to restore the reconciled world, and to make it ready for the return of Him Who restores all things.

Our work of restoration points to the world to come, where, when Jesus returns, His work of reconciliation and restoration will be complete, when He delivers the Kingdom to the Father, and the new heavens and new earth are created. Are we equipping the people of God for the work of Elijah and John? 

For a more detailed study of this subject, download our free ReVision series, “Restoring the Reconciled World” (click here).