Elijah to Come

"Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?" (Mt. 17:10) This book specifically addresses the proposal that just as Elisha picked up where Elijah left off with a "double portion" of his spirit, the "Elijah to come" will pick up in the Second Coming to complete what John the Baptist in the character of Elijah began, but with a "double portion" replaying the continuation of Elisha. The point where both John the Baptist and Elijah ended their ministries on the other side of the Jordan, Elisha so begins, and replays a series of spiritual events mirroring Joshua's literal conquest of Israel. Elisha has to deal with the issue of the rapture, the cleansing of the waters at Jericho, persecution because of Elijah's rapture, and several following events, all of which metaphorically speak of reconciling Israel spiritually with her Messiah through the restoration of the Word. Whereas most orthodox conservative Evangelical commentators are in near universal agreement that a revival among ethnic Israel is a key feature of God's prophetic Word which must still take place, there is no consensus as to who, when or how this will come about. Although many favor scenarios involving either the 144,000 sealed in Revelation 7 or the Two Witnesses of Revelation 11 assuming the lead in these roles, the only figure in Scripture who is specifically assigned this task is Elijah. While Elijah's ministry parallels that of John the Baptist in the First Coming, Elisha assumes the mantle and immediately mirrors what "Elijah to come" will transact in the Second Coming. In other words, the life and ministry of John the Baptist reflects his role in the First Coming, and just as he picked up and finished that ministry, Elisha characterizes this role in the Second Coming, yet with a "double portion" of effectiveness to fully complete what was initially begun where Israel is concerned.