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Introduction

In this piece of writing, the testimony of Prophets Malachi and Isaiah about the incarnation of the Messiah and the Savior of the world is discussed.

Elijah, the Forerunner

 “Behold, I will send you Elijah the Prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 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” (Mal 4:5-6).

According to Prophet Malachi, the Savior would not come except Elijah has first come. Many have taken this to mean that Elijah would have to reincarnate to announce the coming of the Messiah. This was the thought of the Apostles, too. They asked Jesus, why has it been written that Elias must first come?  In answering, Jesus said Elias must first come and restore all things, but the truth is that Elias has come already, but they did not recognize him (Mat 17:10-12). The disciples then understood that Jesus was referring to John the Baptist as the Elijah who was to come before the Messiah (Mat 17:13).

It has been written that John the Baptist was six months older than Jesus Christ (Luk 1:36 ) confirming that the Baptist was to come ahead of Christ to prepare His way. It is very probable that some are still expecting the incarnation of Christ Jesus because Elijah has not yet come. It may be too late for them if they have not read the words of Jesus Christ to His Apostles.

The Role and Message of the Forerunner

John the Baptist, the forerunner, referred to himself as “the voice of him that cries in the wilderness” and his message was “prepare the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God” (Isa 40:3). This is evidenced in the Holy Scriptures where it is written:

“In those days came John the Baptist, preaching in the wilderness of Judaea, And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand. For this is he that was spoken of by the prophet Esaias, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight” (Mat 1:1-3).

It was testified by the Prophets that Elijah would precede Christ Jesus and it happened as prophesied. This is one of the areas where the prophets testified about Christ before His birth. The forerunner, being a Prophet,  introduced Christ as the righteous Savior to the world.

Conclusion

The birth and the Ministry of John the Baptist as prophesied by the Prophets are confirmation that the Prophets did testify about the Christ. The church should no longer be looking for another coming of Elijah to precede the coming of Christ Jesus.

Prayer

Thank you, God, for your enlightenment. We pray that you continue to illuminate your children to know you more through the Scriptures. In the name of Christ Jesus our Lord. AMEN!

Introduction

This edition of our Newsletter discusses the Priesthood of Christ Jesus as prophesied by the Old Testament Prophets. The teaching of His Holy Apostles on this subject would also be discussed.

The Old Priestly Covenant

The work of God in the sanctuary was committed to the tribe of Levi. Any other tribe in Israel was considered a stranger as far as the ministration of holy things in the sanctuary was concerned. The Lord God said to Aaron that the priestly assignments in the sanctuary pertain to him and his Children. Aaron´s brethren who belonged to the tribe of Levi was also mandated to serve as the priest of God in the Temple. Those unqualified to serve as the priests under this old covenant did so at their own Peril (Num 18:1-6).

It was further emphasized that Aaron and his children shall keep the priest’s office for everything of the altar, and within the veil, and he shall serve.  God gave the priest’s office unto Aaron as a service of gift, and the stranger that was to come nigh was to be put to death (Num 18:7). This Levitical priesthood was intended to be an everlasting one for Aaron and his descendants (Num 25:12-13). God said His covenant was with Levi and that was a covenant of life and of peace (Mal 2:4). However, Jeremiah prophesied that this covenant would change as detailed below.

The New Priestly Covenant

“Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith the LORD: But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people” (Jer 31:31-33).

Jeremiah foresaw God´s choice of Judah over Levi in establishing a perfect priesthood in Christ Jesus. In explaining the above scripture, Paul writes that perfection did not come by Levitical priesthood under which the Law was given and received, so God promised another priesthood after the order of Melchisedec, but not that of Aaron. For the change in priesthood necessitated a change also in the Law. The Law could not regard any person from the tribe of Judah as a priest. But it is evident that it is from this tribe that Christ Jesus came. Again, it is yet far more evident that after the order of Melchisedec there arises another priest who is not made after the carnal law, but after the power of an endless life. God testifies that Christ is a priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec  (Heb 7: 11-15).

It should convincingly be said that today, the priesthood is for Christ Jesus, the King, and His Descendants. Peter, therefore, writes that all those who are in Christ are His royal priesthood (1Pt 2:9).

Conclusion

Prophet Jeremiah prophesied and testified of the shift in priesthood from the tribe of Levi to that of Judah, and that is seen realized in Christ Jesus, the perfect High Priest, and His children.

Prayer: Dear Lord God, we pray for your wisdom and knowledge with understanding as we study your word, through Jesus Christ, our Lord. AMEN.