Anticipation of Elijah's Visit

It’s difficult for modern societies to envision a time when they were under the rule of another nation, like the British Empire. India became independent in 1947, nearly two decades before I was born. Until then, it was under the British Empire. My parents and grandparents knew that time. Although the Empire was benevolent, the country and the people weren’t free!

Israel struggled with centuries of colonialism after its kings stopped ruling in 586 BC. From that time onward, the Assyrians, Babylonians, Persians, Greeks, and Romans ruled. They wished for God to rule them again, often called “the kingdom of God” or “God’s rule.”

There was one condition: Elijah must return before God’s kingdom could be restored. Malachi prophesied this.

See, I will send to you Elijah the Tishbite before the great and mighty day of YHWH arrives, who will restore the hearts of the father to the son and the hearts of people to their neighbors. Until then, I will not strike the land with complete destruction (Mal 4:5–6, LXX).

So, the Israelites waited for Elijah to come. It wasn’t, however, the historical Elijah but a figurative Elijah, who was John the Baptist. The Lord Jesus explicitly said it. After the transfiguration, they were coming down from the mountaintop. The disciples asked, “Why do the scribes say that Elijah must come first before the kingdom is restored?” (Matt 17:10). The Lord said, “Elijah must come and restore (αποκαθίστημι) all things. But I tell you: Elijah has already come. Yet the people didn’t recognize him and did what they wanted with him” (17:11–12a). He was speaking about John the Baptist. He further said, “The Son of man will suffer many things in the hands of those people” (17:12b).

That was why the disciples asked him, “Lord, is this the time when you will restore (αποκαθίστημι) the kingdom to Israel?” (Acts 1:6). The Lord didn’t answer that exact question about the kingdom of Israel; instead, he talked about the kingdom of God (1:3). The rest of Acts will explain how God’s kingdom wasn’t only for the Israelites but also for all the nations.

Even today, God rules the nations regardless of who is in power. This is comforting as governments come and go.