20 Feb 2015
Matthew 11:14
Matthew 11:14: “And if ye will receive it, this is Elias, which was for to come.”
In other words, had the people of Christ’s day received Jesus as their Messiah, then John the Baptist would have instead been Elijah, who was prophesied to return. But that didn’t happen. Instead the people of Christ’s day rejected Him, committing the unpardonable sin. Since they rejected Him, John was just John, not Elijah. The Millennial Kingdom was delayed and Israel spent centuries wandering the planet, a homeless people. Elijah’s return is still in the future, and the kingdom is as well.
Of course, God knew in advance what Israel was going to do. That’s why He sent John instead of Elijah.
One day Elijah will return (just as the Old Testament prophesies), although I suspect it will not happen until after the Rapture.