Lessons

The lesson on April 18, 2010 was a study on the prophet Elijah.  The scripture reading was in Malachi 4:4-6 KJV “4 Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgments. 5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord: 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.” In learning about Elijah the Tishbite, we find he played an important role in challenging the nation of Israel to worship God instead of Baal.  He demonstrated is autohority in a challenge to show the people of Israel which prophet was in communication with God.  Elijah did not die but rather he was translated to heaven on a chariot of fire.  The last verses in the Old Testament say that Elijah will return to Israel before the Day of the Lord and restore Israel.  Some think that this was John the Baptist.  Well when an Angel of the Lord appeared unto John’s parents, the Angel said in Luke 1:13-17 KJV “13 But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. 14 And thou shalt have joy and gladness; and many shall rejoice at his birth. 15 For he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother’s womb. 16 And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. 17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.”  The Angel said he would come in the spirit and power of Elijah… but did he restore Israel.  When asked if he was Elijah in John 1:19-21 KJV “19 And this is the record of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, Who art thou? 20 And he confessed, and denied not; but confessed, I am not the Christ. 21 And they asked him, What then? Art thou Elias? And he saith, I am not. Art thou that prophet? And he answered, No.”  When the Disciples asked Jesus about Elijah, here is what He said in Matthew 17:10-13 KJV “10 And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? 11 And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. 12 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. 13 Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.”  John the Baptist would have fulfilled the prophecy of Elijah if Israel would have responed to his ministry but they did not.  The lesson explains why he is still coming.  Be sure to listen and download the handouts.