Elijah: An Answer to a New Believer's Questions on Studying Mark

by Jim Ratzlaff⁽²⁾

Our family ministry has had the joy of seeing a new believer come into the family of Christ recently through our music ministry praise and worship nights. She has a friend who she does bible studies with, and I invited her to ask me any questions they may have from their lessons that might need clarification. I will share one of our exchanges with you starting with her question:

Hello Jim,

During our study last night, we came up with a few questions and thought we would ask Pastor Jim for some guidance. So here ya go:

We were in Mark 9 thru 13.

When Moses and Elijah appeared on the mountain with Jesus we began to discuss Elijah and the history behind him. We found that Elijah had been taken up to heaven without having to endure death. We would imagine he is the only prophet this has happened to. Our question lies in the idea that Elijah returned by means of John the Baptist. How does this work? Not reincarnated of course, but his spirit was within John? We were a little confused here, so offer up your input and I am certain it will clear things up!

We ended our study with Mark 13 after Jesus' prophecy of the end. When the disciples asked him to explain 'when these things will happen', were they asking when Jesus would be killed and rise again so they could share with all their experience with Moses and Elijah on the mountain? If so, why is it that Jesus instead told them of the end of the age? It seemed odd that Mark jumped from healing and miracles to predictions of His death, to the predictions of the end of age. Does Jesus speak of the end of age in other gospels? Just curious since John's gospel didn't mention the end of age.

Thanks for your time, I look forward to the response. God Bless, Christa

Jim’s answer to Christa ************

Now to the questions, and thanks for giving me the privilege of being a part of your learning curve.

About Elijah. Yes, he is the only prophet whom the Lord took to be with Him in such a totally unique way. And by the way, as you study the Scriptures, particularly the Old T., you will begin to appreciate an awesome way of seeing pictures in the Old T. that explain passages in the New T. The Old is like a picture book of things written in the New. Jesus, after His resurrection was speaking to two guys who were disillusioned about what had happpened to the One who they believed was THE Messiah. And Jesus, it says, opened their eyes as He taught them all the things concerning Himself from the Old T. Scriptures. Now that's a bible study any of us would have loved to be at. Elijah, being taken up to heaven like that, is a picture of how living Christians(in contrast to those who have died in Jesus)will be " caught up " (1 Thessalonians 4:17)to be with the Lord (all He'll need to say is " Come " --and those who have repented of their sin and call Him Lord of their lives--will be out outta' here!).

(Our question lies in the idea that Elijah returned by means of John the Baptist. How does this work? Not reincarnated of course, but his spirit was within John? We were a little confused here, so offer up your input and I am certain it will clear things up!)

Please check 2 Kings 2:15

“Now when the sons of the prophets who [were] from Jericho saw him, they said, " The spirit of Elijah rests on Elisha. " And they came to meet him, and bowed to the ground before him.” Notice, they didn’t say that Elijah was back, but they recognized in Elisha the trademark of Elijah: a man who was God’s choice to be His prophet, and when he spoke, he did so with the same power and authority bestowed on Elijah and now observe in his mentor.

In the same way, John the Baptist had the same anointing as Elijah. And he spoke in such a way that God acted according to what was coming out of his mouth. It was the same spirit-the Spirit of God.

If you study Jewish thinking, you will find that they truly believed that before Messiah would come (for them, the first time) (for us, the second time!) Elijah would appear. That’s why, when they celebrate the Passover (Seder) they at one point, have one of the children go to the door to see whether Elijah is there. That will explain further references in Mark to the Elijah comments by Jewish people.

To Jesus, John the Baptist was that Elijah who came before Him, preparing the way for His ministry, His coming and presenting Himself to the nation of Israel .

Most sincerely, Jim

Article submitted Friday, January 22, 2010 & read 390 times.

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» left by Teresa^(1,652) (2 years 18 days ago.)

Hi Jim, It's good to have you share here, I appreciate this approach. Very good perspective and explanation. Not only for these wonderful sisters in the Lord, but for all who will come across this article. Well done and welcome to World Wide Bible Studies. I look forward to your next post. Blessings to you! Teresa
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» left by shelley coleman from eugene oregon (2 years 16 days ago.)

it is so great to get detailed explanations like this. i had the priviledge of being there when our new sister was prayed into the kingdom! she has been asking great questions ever since- so thanks for your answers--we ALL look forward to more! i love you and am blessed to call you my dad.

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