Preparing for the Second Coming!

The Drudge Report, today links to report where Pat Robertson of CBN and 700 Club fame is quoted as saying "we 'might be' in the End Times described in the Bible." Fortunately, Pat states,

"I don't have any special revelation to say it is but the Bible does indicate such a time will happen in the end of time."

I was relieved to hear that. However, this does bring to mind a topic near and dear to my heart - "Preparing the church for the return of Christ."

There is a preparation that is necessary. Jesus' first appearance was heralded by angels and sought after by kings and wisemen. Before He began His public ministry and declaration that He was the Messiah, foretold by the prophets, Jesus' way was announced by one who was like Elijah, John the Baptist.

Matt 3:1-3
1 In those days John the Baptist came, preaching in the Desert of Judea 2 and saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." 3 This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:

"A voice of one calling in the desert,
'Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.'"
(from New International Version)

This "Elijah" is prophesied in the last book of the Old Testament, Malachi.

Mal 3:1-4
"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty.

2 But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap. 3 He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; he will purify the Levites and refine them like gold and silver. Then the LORD will have men who will bring offerings in righteousness, 4 and the offerings of Judah and Jerusalem will be acceptable to the LORD, as in days gone by, as in former years.
(from New International Version)


Mal 4:5-6
"See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes. 6 He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse."
(from New International Version)

Elijah must come to prepare the way for the Lord!


He came in the person of John the Baptist before Jesus first coming. Jesus, himself, said so.

Matt 11:11-15

11 I tell you the truth: Among those born of women there has not risen anyone greater than John the Baptist; yet he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. 12 From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it. 13 For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied until John. 14 And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come. 15 He who has ears, let him hear.
(from New International Version)

It is Jewish tradition to set an empty chair for Elijah at the celebration of the Passover. This empty chair represents Elijah who must come to prepare the people for the Messiah.

I believe that it is the same today - that even as there was one who had the spirit of Elijah to prepare the Jews for the coming of the Messiah, so there shall be those raised up with that same spirit of Elijah to prepare the people of God for the second coming of the Messiah.

There must be those who will cry out as John the Baptist did,

"Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near." Matt 3:2 NIV


"'I will send my messenger ahead of you, who will prepare your way before you." Matt 11:10 NIV


It is written in Isaiah the prophet:

"I will send my messenger ahead of you,
who will prepare your way"-

"a voice of one calling in the desert,
'Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.'"

And so John came, baptizing in the desert region and preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. Mark 1:2-5 NIV


And they asked him, "Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?"

Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him." Mark 9:11-13 NIV

Jesus said that Elijah must come to restore all things. This restoration is bringing things back to their original or intended condition, i.e., man being reconciled finally and completely -spirit, soul and body - to God and to his original and intended condition-eternally alive and one with his Creator. Elijah must come to call the people of God to repentance. Repentance from greed, from self-love, for sin, from self-promotion. When Elijah comes, it will be as it always has been. His word and message will be received by the masses. They will be cleansed and restored, prepared for the Bridegroom's coming. While the leadership will attack and deride the man and the message as the Sadduces and Pharisees, the temple rulers and priest did to both John and Jesus.

Therefore be aware. Be alert. Be forewarned. Be vigilant. Repent and be prepared! For no man knows the hour but he will come as a thief in the night!

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