Elijah Shall Come First

Elijah Shall Come First

Bro. Lee Vayle - ?? - ?? - 1970

a. Happy to here tonight with you and trust the Lord will bless us together in the study of the Word. I think maybe what we'll do is take something quite simple. I like to get into some portions of Scripture I know that a little deeper in giving us revelation, but I definitely felt led of the Lord to come over here and to speak on the basic simple truth of why there must first of all be Elijah come and what his ministry will do.

And then a little later on I hope to get back, or perhaps Bro. Ned Iverson can come though, he's a very fine brother, a former Presbyterian minister greatly used in youth work, and all things like that, he's a pastor…rather a chaplain in the Marines. A very fine brother, believes this Message to the exclusion if all else and he come by and if you care to have him come, open up also the Word to you in various facets.

b. But, just felt that I should just start with the fact that Elijah first must come and go into Scripture to show you that has to come to the Gentiles. Many people are very confused on this subject. and I think if we can just take quite a few Scripture tonight. And then tomorrow we might work in two or three services, depending how, not knowing how much you can sit. And so just depends on how much I can preach. I never got over my throat being bad when I was down in the Carolinas I didn't know the gentleman, the old gentleman was deaf had a hearing aid, and he wouldn't turn his hearing aid up, and he kept doing this to me…[demonstrates] …and I kept yelling louder until I just about croaked myself and never had recovered that strain.

And so, just depend on how much we can take between us I guess, and depends on how long we can study together. But, perhaps we can take three services tomorrow, and that will give me four times on this subject, I want to cover it as thoroughly as I can.

c. So, let's bow our heads in a word of prayer again, ask the Lord to bless this Word.

Gracious Father, we're going to read Your Word now, Lord, and speak on it. We know that there isn't anybody who is able to do that of himself, and do it right. We could all try to do it, and maybe even do a little bit that's right. But we never do it alright, because we know it's revelation. So, we ask you now, Lord, to help us at this time by your Holy Ghost that was given to us for this very purpose that we the truth. To take the things that You have for us and make them available by revelation.

God, grant tonight that our hearts and minds be very, very sober and we be very sincere to just even get the sincere milk of the Word to understand some of few things, Lord, and then go on and on, until we come into a very enlightened place in this darkened age. So, Lord, we commit ourselves into Your hands, believing you'll give us the Word to say Lord, with understanding, and ears also that might apprehend those same the words in the Spirit of God to reveal them to the people. We ask this in mercy now in the Name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

1. Now, the subject is, 'Elijah Must First Come', and of course we'll go to Matthew 16: verse 28, and then we'll continue in Chapter 17:

(28) Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, (they won't die) till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom.

[Matthew 17:]

(1) And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,

In other words, bring up as literally bear up in his arms, and never walk. They're literally Raptured up, carried up.

(2) And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.

(3) And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and (Elijah) talking with him. (Elias of course is the Greek for Elijah, in the Hebrew talking with them.)

(4) Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for (Elijah).

(5) While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear (you) him.

(6) And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

(7) And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.

(8) And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

(9) And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, (see, it's a vision is what they had) until the Son of man be risen again from the dead.

(10) And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that (Elijah) must first come?

(11) And Jesus answered and said unto them, (Elijah) truly shall first come, and restore all things.

(12) But I say unto you, That (Elijah) 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.

2. Now, the test is in verses 10-11.

(10) And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that (Elijah) must first come?

(11) And Jesus answered and said unto them, (Elijah) truly shall first come, and restore all things.

Now, of course the text tonight, is a question and an answer to the question. Now, the disciples asked Jesus why the scribes had already taught that Elijah had to come before the Messiah, and here the Messiah had already come. Now, they knew that Jesus was the Messiah, because the vision left no doubt in their minds that this was He who was to come and bring the glory of God down to earth.

3. And also of course, Peter had formerly had the revelation in chapter 16: there when he said, "Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God." [Mt 16:16] Now, in this vision they had actually seen by vision the Kingdom of the Son of man come, and Moses and Elijah and Jesus were in It. And they were puzzled how it was that the scribes taught that Elijah must come before this Kingdom and yet, they saw Him already in this Kingdom. (See?) Remember, He said, "Some of you here are going to see the Kingdom of the Son of man come in power. You're going to see It set up on earth here, yet you're going to see it." Well they saw it, after they saw Jesus and Moses in the Kingdom.

So, the scribes have been teaching that Elijah has to precede this Kingdom. And they had seen nothing of Elijah preceding the Kingdom. So, they said, "Well, why do the scribes teach that Elijah has to come before this very thing that we see demonstrated before us? And of course, that would make anybody ask that question. I'm sure we would too. We’d ask our teachers, and so why was it said that Elijah got to first come? And where we see him already in this Kingdom with the Messiah. And He's supposed to be the head of you. I knew it was the Messiah, It was Jesus, you see.

4. Now, you notice what Jesus said about this. Because this is the picture we've got to have in our minds. We just can't go off and say, "Well, the scribes say Elijah must first come." And then Jesus said, "Elijah truly has got to first come, and turn around and say he has already come." That's what many people do. (See?)

And they say, "He already came as John the Baptist, he'll not come." (See?) That's not it, that's not it at all. He said, "Some of you here will not die till you see the Kingdom come." [Mt 16:28] They saw It come. (See?)

Then they said, "Why do the scribes say Elijah's got to come before this very thing we're seeing here in the vision?" He said, "Sure, he’s it's got to come." Yes sir, he'll precede this Kingdom? Will definitely come. (See?)

Now, He said, "Elijah shall surely come and restore all things." [Matthew 17:11] Now, notice what he said. (See?)

The scribes said, " that Elijah must first come."

He said, "That's right." Then he told what he would do, he will come and restore all things before this Kingdom is set up on earth, before this Kingdom could come. (See?)

5. Now secondly, you'll notice Elijah had already come and they knew him not. (See?) It was John the Baptist, after that Elijah had was already come. Now, the fact that John came does not obviate the fact that Elijah must still come before that Kingdom. (You follow me?) Because this is your whole picture, so don't get carried away here, because I know preacher after preacher that just says, "Well, John fulfilled it." Now, that's not true. That's not true. Because Jesus said, Elijah will still come before this Kingdom is filled up. He'll forerun it. (You follow me?)

Now, why did Jesus say that Elijah was to first come and restore all things? It's what I've been talking about. Because of that vision. (See?) Now listen, "Verily I say unto you, 'There'll be some standing here which shall not taste of death for they'll see the Son of man coming in His Kingdom." Then the Son of man we'll see in His Kingdom, after six days Jesus takes James and Peter, John, up a high mountain apart from anybody else, and there Jesus was transfigured before them. Absolutely, went through a physical change in His body. His face did shine as the sun.

6. Now, you know that's the Book of Revelation. His face does not shine as the sun, until He comes down here to claim His own. (See?) "Behold He comes with clouds; every eye shall see him, ..." [Rev 1:7] His face as it were the sun, His feet like brass refined in a furnace. (See?) And His raiment was white as light." That never did occur on earth, not even after His Resurrection. His garments where not seen to be like white light, neither did His face shine as the sun. And neither was Moses and Elijah with Him. And they were transfigured with Him. (See?)

Now, there is your picture. The story is, the Son of man will be seen coming in His Kingdom, and the picture, the literal vision was fulfilled before them. It was seen. It was a Kingdom of glory, they were glorified beings. That's what it was. It was a Kingdom of glory, it was glorified beings.

7. Now, what is that Kingdom? Well, that Kingdom is found back over here in Isaiah 9: (See?) Now, let's look at Isaiah 9:6…well, let's read verse 6 too.

(6) For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The ever- lasting Father, The Prince of Peace.

Now, you know that He was called the first two, wonderful, counselor, if you read John 17: but He never was called the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace.

(7) Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and o establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.

Now, who is this Person? This is Jesus, what's He going to have? He's going to have a Kingdom. Now, what was that Kingdom? What is that Kingdom? It tells you, you shall not taste death until you see that Kingdom brought before you in a vision. And what was it? It was full of glorified people. Is that, right? Well, is that right, come on, look at your Bibles. I'm not trying to sell you a bill of goods, and I'm not trying to stump you. The thing is this, is it right, or is it not right? We have no place to wonder of what we think is right. This is what the vision said it would be. Israel made a mistake here.

They thought the Kingdom was going to be Messiah a bunch of earthly people. Human flesh and blood people. This is not what the Bible teaches. The Bible teaches this one is Isaiah 9:6-7, this is what His Kingdom is, it's full of glorified beings. Human beings don't go along with their faces like the sun and their garments white. You can't find that in the Bible. This is supernatural. This is when the Kingdom of God comes down from heaven on earth. "Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven." [Mt 6:10] (See?) This is glorification.

8. Let's go to Luke 22:28-30, I'm dealing with this for a purpose, very strong purpose.

(28) Ye are they which have continued with me in my temptations.

(29) And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;

What did the Father appoint unto Him? We saw that Kingdom back there is Matthew 17:

(30) That (you) may eat and drink at my table in my kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Now, when are you going to judge people? You're going to judge people at the end of the Millennium, (right?) when the Second Resurrection takes place and everybody is up there in a resurrection according to Daniel. There's His Kingdom. He said, "You'll be sitting there with Me, you'll be on special thrones. You'll be judging the ones that come out of the graves at the end of the Millennium." This is His Kingdom.

9. Let's look at John 18:36

(36) Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: …

Now, He told you flat, "My kingdom is not of this world," it is not a continuation of worldly governments, because the stone made without hands coming down from the top of the mountain grinds to powder every world system, and everything. Which is a brand new government when God manifested in the glorified person with Son with the redeemed are upon earth. Now this may seem to knock a hole in theory of what the Millennium is like. I don't care if it does, because not interested in theories, I'm interested in what the Word says. Because this was upon earth, not in heaven. And this Kingdom must come down to earth. And He said,

(36) (And He said is not of this earth) of this world: …then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence. (My kingdom does not come from this kind of setup, it's absolutely different and on its own.)

Now, that's what He said It was. (See?) The Bible teaches that. (See?)

10. Now, this Kingdom cannot come about without the First Resurrection. (See?) This Kingdom cannot come about without the First Resurrection, (See?) because you see Moses and Elijah, and in it they type those who come up in a resurrection, and those who come up without resurrection, because Elijah did not die, but Moses did. And they both have glorified bodies. That's right. See, they won't taste death till they see it.

There's no death in His Kingdom, His Kingdom does not have death. No sorrow, no tears, so on. You're looking forward to New Jerusalem coming down when that's going to be fulfilled in a great assent. But, in the mean time we see the picture here of the glorified being and they are those who come up through resurrection and those who come up by means of the end time Rapture.

11. Now, let's go to the Book of Revelation 20: that we might see this perfectly, and we read in verses 4-6.

(4) And I saw thrones, (there it is again, that's Luke 22:) … and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.

That's right. Now, what is this? These which he speaks of being beheaded, are those who refuse to take the mark of the beast all through the Seven Church Ages. They have never been in organization. They had never had anybody organized. They have never bowed to hierarchy. Just like this Seventh Church Age, it's ending in the harvest of ecumenicity which will ban the whole world, because the world doesn't know what it's going into. This year they're changing their name from World Council of Churches. And this year for the first time, you can join them, and you don't have to sign any creed that you believe, you can believe any want, as long as you join them.

This will make everybody happy, especially the Pentecostals, because they're the greediest of the works. Why, I speak roughly, because I'm a former Pentecostal. I've got a right to talk and I know what I'm talking about. They are the greediest of all, I believe. They want everybody, because they feel they've got the most to give. So, they'll walk in lock, stock and barrel, and the minute they sign they have doomed themselves to the lake of fire. (See?) They all through the Church Ages, these are the ones who would did rather worship the beast, or take its mark. They will not come under anybody, but Christ Who of course is here today by the Holy Spirit.

12. Now listen:

(4) …they lived and reigned with Christ one thousand years.

(5) But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished…

What happened to these folks? They came up out of the dead.

(5) … This is the first resurrection.

(6) Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (See?)

What is His Kingdom? It is a Kingdom of God brought down upon earth, which is people by glorified beings, because you've got to be there in a resurrection to make it. (See?) That's what he saw in chapter 17. It's as clear as can be.

13. Now, notice with this in 1 Thessalonians 4:14-16

(14) For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring…

No, that's a wrong translation. God will bring forth. He's going to bring them forth, which is to give them glorified bodies with Him.

(15) For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not (precede) them which are asleep. (Those that die, that's the physical body die.)

(16) For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:

(17) Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so, shall we ever be with the Lord.

Then what happens? After the tribulation period, of course they come down to this earth, because this is where that Kingdom is set up for that one thousand years. Now, who is in the Kingdom? The resurrected Saints of God are in that Kingdom. That's what makes up the Kingdom. That is why the will of God is so perfect. And the reigning and ruling of course is the exact reigning and ruling that Adam and Eve had upon earth, which is when they had power and jurisdiction over the earth where they power over the fish of the sea, the fowl of the air, the animals upon the land, they shall prune the various shrubs and the trees of the earth, they can plant and till.

As the Bible said, "You will plant and another man shall not eat. You will build a house and others shall not inhabit." [Isa 65:21] Why? Because the people will be living out the thousand years which no man ever lived out, up until this time. Because we've got to have that say, because that day of the Lord was never ever utilized. Man went into sin, and man never did have his thousand year, with God. And he's going to have that, but he's going to have it as God brings forth the children out of the dust, and then give glorified bodies to those here that are standing upon earth.

14. Now, you can see right here what Matthew 13:1-3 is all about. (See?) It's that Kingdom. It's that Kingdom of the Son that's coming. (See?) He's coming back my brother my sister as a glorified person. He's not coming back as flesh and blood. He said, “Handle me and see, a spirit does not have flesh and bone”. He didn't say flesh and blood. (See?) He's coming back, and those who come with Him will be upon this earth ruling and reigning with Him for that thousand years. And remember, the reigning is not in throne set up, until the end. The reigning is exactly Adam and Eve restored, because that's what's got to happen.

Now, since they saw what is coming, and these three did not taste death, Peter, James and John, and that is what comes to the living here after, there is going to be somebody standing here who won't die either, then Elijah … (listen now) …Elijah has to come before the Rapture, (that's right) and restore what needs restoring in order to bring about a Rapture.

15. Now, (do you follow that?) you see the picture, your picture here? Very faithfully watch it in Matthew, and don't let anybody budge you from it. He said, "You're going see the Kingdom that we're going to have." (See?) That Kingdom was given to them in a vision of glorified people.

Now listen, that Kingdom according to Revelation 20: is going to be given to those who are in the election of Almighty God and have not taken that mark of the beast, over these two thousand years, they're going to reign, and rule with Him. They're going to be in a glorified condition.

Now, you see, if this takes place and Elijah has got to precede it, then Elijah has got to come before the Rapture. (See?) He's got to come before the Rapture. He's got to come before the First Resurrection, whenever that takes place he's got to come before. (See?) Because that was the question. Why did the scribes say, "Elijah must first come?"

He said, "Elijah shall truly come and restore all things." [Mt 17:11] (See?) Now, there's your picture, there’s a Kingdom, Christ coming back in His corporal body, glorified, His face at though it were the sun, coming in clouds, His feet like pillars of brass. (See?) Coming back in that glorified condition as the Judge descending upon earth. Son of God coming down amongst men. And who did He come amongst? He'll be with His Own Elected, and they will be like Him, because the Bible says, "That we shall be like Him, because we shall see Him as He is." And It also, "Where He is, there we will be also." [Jn 14:3b]

16. So, this must precede the First Resurrection and that Rapture. But notice, Jesus said in the next breath, "Elijah has already come." And what happened? The disciples knew that this was John the Baptist of whom Jesus spoke. And it was only at this point which was over a year later that they understood what Jesus said in Matthew 11: so, let's go back to Matthew 11:2-3

(2) Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,

(3) And said…Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

Now, listen this is strange, that this one the Elijah before Jesus that was full of the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb, actually went into a tailspin. That brings us to a question, what kind of a man would you look for to be the Elijah in this day? Would you look for somebody so super, super, super, super, supernatural that you would have to look for God Himself to satisfy you? Or somebody came on the scene today as Elijah, and showed the same fallibility as John, would you be willing to stick with him? Or say, "I couldn't go for that guy." And if you're that kind of a person, (pardon me for saying it) I don't want to hurt your feelings because you're a hypocrite, because you believe this without batting an eyelash, then you'd reserve yourself the right to judge a man, it wouldn't be one bit different from this fellow, because he's born of a woman.

17. You don't mind me saying do you? You shouldn't anyway if you're a real Christian, I’m just kind of bringing the point home, and we need to have it brought home. Because we're too glib when we read the Bible. We're just like those scribes and Pharisees, too many of us anyway, who when they realized that their forefathers had made a mistake. They garnished the tombs of the prophets that their forefathers killed, then they themselves turned right around and killed the very God they were looking for. I don't want to be in that group anyways. I don't want to be that kind of Bible reader, that kind of Christian.

I want to be able to read this, and the man comes on the scene, and that man should show that he's got Jesus Christ, because he is just a man, he's not Jesus Christ. Because Christ said, "Which of you can convinceth Me of sin?" [Jn 8:46a] Or in the Greek is 'confute', and that means 'just one word'. They couldn't do it. (See?) This man John was a great man, but he was fallible.

18. I'm willing to accept a man like David as a prophet, who could speak in the first person, "They wounded my hands, and feet. [Ps 22:16b] All my bones stare at me, (see?) they gave me vinegar and gall." And yet David speaking in the first person, as Peter so beautifully said, "The Holy Spirit by the mouth of David spake." Yet I'm willing to accept a man like David who after having several hundred wives of his own, lusted after his neighbor's one little wife. And he nearly raped her, because who would deny the king what he wants, and then murdered her husband? I'm willing to accept that kind of a man. Are you? Just a thought. See, we get pretty raw now. But God may send Elijah this day who just wouldn't please the people. And they say, "Well, I think." Just never mind your thinking, let's get to the facts. Right? I don't know?

[Matthew 11:]

(3) And said…Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another?

Imagine that. Then did Jesus live up to the criteria of the people? Certainly, couldn't have. Because this man full of the Holy Ghost from his mother's womb, suddenly had some misgivings about this Jesus who is the Messiah, I wonder what Jesus was doing? Oh, I think maybe, let's put it very bluntly, I think He was sitting in the shade fanning his brow, when a lot of folk thought he ought to be going around like a whirling dervish, or at least six caravans motorized, like a Panzer division, [WW II German armored division] when He starts there just fanning His brow, thinking.

19. I think many people would call Him a lazy bum. In fact, in my library I got a volume called 'The Artco' volume which seems to shred their thinking. And His own parents thought He was a bit lazy, and couldn't figure why He didn't do something more for the family. And His own relations said, "Why look it, nobody claims to be a great man of Scripture around your mother. Who cares about it, get out there and so something if you're the son you say you are?" He sat there fanning His brow. So, I don't think Jesus would cut much ice today and much mustard.

So, not along side of the ecumenical society and these tongues talking whirling dervishes. Oh, I don't think He'd do much at all. In fact, I don't think He's doing much at all. I think the majority of folk would think they're getting born again and full of the Holy Ghost, when the majority, are not at all. I don't want to be a killjoy now. I'm afraid that most people that sign their names on the dotted line and join a church have no more salvation than a dead horse. I fact I'm positive. See, I don't think that God is doing very much today at all. After a while He may do something He could have stopped Stalin, and He could have stopped Hitler. There's no doubt about it, He could stop the red coats from falling off when it comes to go too. But He's not going to.

20. So, you see I just threw that in, that's not part of the subject, just thought I’d say it, just to get a reaction. I hope I got one. (Uh?) I don't need tough living. No, I'm not, call a spade a spade. And Jesus He didn't fly off, He just said go and tell John.

[Matthew 11:]

(4) (He just said,) Go and (tell) John (show John) those things which (you) hear and see:

(5) The blind receive their sight, the lame walk, lepers are cleansed, the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, he poor have the gospel preached to them.

(6) And blessed is he, (notice this here…oh this is so cute, I love this because I hate it, [Bro. Vayle chuckles] not really, but you get the meaning; now watch this:) And blessed I he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.

He's the easiest one to get offended. He is really. Why doesn't He answer quicker? Why does He start doing it? Why doesn't He stop? (Uh?) Oh yeah. See, you get offended with God. Oh sure.

(7) And as they departed, Jesus began to say unto the multitudes concerning John, What went (you) out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?

(8) But what went (you) out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.

(9) But what went (you) out for to see? A prophet? (He said, "Oh yeah, that's what you went out to see,") yea, (now He said, I agree with you, but) I say unto you, and more than a prophet.

(10) For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee.

Do you know what they were seeing when they saw John? They saw the Word of God come to Light. That's right, they saw the Word of God fulfilled. God's Word fulfilled. Well, He said, "Let there be light." And there was light. "Let the water's separate." Separate. "Let the dry land appear." It came up. "Let the fruit come forth." It came forth. They saw the same Word of God brought into full manifestation and there stood that Word of God materialized. But He did a spin on them. Now, say again. (Uh?) The very Word of God materialized.

21. Verse 11

(11) Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.

Now, you might wonder what that’s all about. I think the simple explanation is the fact that Jesus was the least of all, He took the place of a servant, and He was greater than John. So, never, never mix up with this man. If there's a man, if there's a man like Elijah appears and he does great things and no doubt he would do great things to prove who he was. Remember, he couldn't be Jesus. He couldn't be anybody but just a man, because the great One is Jesus.

(12) And from the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence, and the violent take it by force.

(13) For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.

(14) And if (you) will receive it, this is (Elijah), which was for to come.

(15) He that hath ears to hear, let him hear.

Now, they knew that Jesus said that. And yet Jesus was bringing to their attention a year and a half later, about a year later, and telling them that John was already Elijah had already come.

Now then, we have seen something here that is very evident if we can follow Matthew 11:15 along with Matthew 17:11. And that is, there are two comings of two Elijah's. Two separate comings and two separated Elijah's, and in each case an Elijah precedes the two comings of Christ to His Own. He comes to His Own in both cases. You notice in the Kingdom that's all you saw was the resurrected One. That's all I know were there. So, that had to be as far as I'm concerned, that's the picture.

22. Now, notice what I said: Elijah precedes the two comings of Jesus. To (t-o) His Own for the Elect. Now, let's check this out in Scripture, because we've got to have Scripture for it. Otherwise, I'm drawing a wrong conclusion from Matthew 11: and Matthew 17: We have to go back to Malachi 3:1-3, and also Malachi 4:5-6. Okay, let’s start with Malachi 3:1-3

(1) Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the LORD, whom (you) seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom (you) delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.

(2) But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:

(3) And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.

Now, you notice from this Scripture here that there are two comings of Jesus. It tells you that. "Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom you seek, shall suddenly come to His temple, even the messenger of the covenant."

23. Now actually, although I am willing to place the messenger of the covenant with the First Coming of Jesus Christ, you will find the messenger of the covenant actually refers to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Put them both if you want. I can see where they both fit. But, you've got two comings of Christ here, because It says, "Whom may abide the day of His Coming?" Well, could they abide the day of that coming when He came before John? Well, certainly they killed Him. They had no trouble. He said who He was, and they said, "You're a liar."

He said, "I did the works of God."

They said, "By Beelzebub."

He let them know that He was that One, they took Him out and crucified Him. Could anyone abide His day? Anybody could abide His day. The Roman soldiers could tie a rag around His eyes and smite Him and say, "Prophesy who hit You." Trying to make a cheap trick out of it. Hang Him upon a cross.

"Well, if You're that great One, come on off the cross." He could have, but He couldn't do it, or Scripture wouldn't have been fulfilled. He has to stay in the framework of the Word of God. (See?) So, whom He abide the day? It tells you there's going to be a messenger before His face. There are two Comings of Jesus in this Scripture here. The First Coming, and the Second Coming. But the day when He Comes, the people cannot abide, this is when He catches away the Bride, and then sends tribulation upon the earth. Says right here, got two of them, not just one.

24. Let's go to Malachi 4:5-6 and see the same thing again.

(5) Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD:

Now this places it, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord, the Coming. Over here in Malachi Jesus said that was John's first coming. That was not the Coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Now, notice what He's going to do in verse 6

(6) …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.

Now notice, you'll notice in here that there are also two comings of Elijah. This time referring to the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

25. Now, the proof of that is in Luke 1:15-16, speaking of John the Baptist.

(15) (And) he shall be great in the sight of the Lord, (was he? Jesus said he was the greatest born) and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; (did he? He was a Nazarite) he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost, even from his mother's womb. (Was he? He certainly was.)

(16) And many of the children of Israel shall (John) turn to the Lord God (of Israel.)

(17) And (John) shall go before (the Lord God of Israel) in the spirit and power of (Elijah. Now, what is he going to do?) to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, …)

Hold your finger there and swing right back to Malachi 4:6

(6) And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, …

But, It doesn't say one single thing about turning the heart of the children back to the fathers. And yet Elijah's got to do it. Now, he didn't do it the first time. When will he do it? The second time he will do it. Do what?

(6) …(turn) the heart of the children to their fathers, …

The first time he did what? Turn the hearts of the fathers to the children. Now, who were the fathers? Peter tells you, the prophets. What do the prophets bring? The Word. Then when he turns the hearts of the children to the prophets what's he doing? He's revealing the faith of the fathers. In other words, the truth of the Word of God which you cannot have true faith, unless you have the true revelation. Like Paul said, "If we say, 'God raised up Jesus and God did not raise Him up, all your faith based in the fact that you believe that God raised Him up, will never work." Never work. If you believe the Bible says one thing, It says another your faith will never work once you put it in. You voided the Word of God by your traditions.

26. You've got to know what the Word says. And John came and said, "Behold the Lamb of God." [Jn 1:36b] He showed them what Jesus was for that day, not way down the road two thousand years what they were looking for and they turned It down. They voided the Word of God. They're faith was vain. You can have vain faith brother/sister. Your faith can be so vain you'll die with it. Nothing but a creed or dogma. (See?)

Now watch this, "He turned the hearts of the fathers to the children, " (that’s verse 17) listen now: 'kai' in the Greek, 'and'. No sir. No sir, not always ‘and’ a conjunction, it's 'even'. And here's another case where it should be 'even'. Even, because he tells you what turning “…the hearts of the fathers to the children did, which was disobedient to the wisdom of the just." [Lk 1:17] Who's the just One? Jesus, God. What's His wisdom? Or what is wisdom? It's applied knowledge, what you do about a situation. What was God's wisdom for that day? "Behold the Lamb of God, that takes away the sin of the world." (See?) Oh my…just hold your finger there for a second, let me see if I can find you something.

27. Over here in the same chapter Luke 1:7, It says;

(71) That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;

(72) To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

(73) The oath which he (swore) to our father Abraham,

(74) That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve (God) without fear,

They thought that was going to be a great kingdom on earth where the Jews would reign over the Gentiles, it hadn't a thing to do with it. It had to do with God delivering, and according to Abraham promised to the sacrifice of the Son and destroying sin from amongst the people so that they can come into the land, and inherit the land of God. Because Israel never once inherited the land, because of their sins. Never once inherited the land, always the enemy was there. It's nothing…see how Israel is fooled. Israel looking for Messiah, Messiah came on the scene, He came according to the Word of God, but not according to their interpretation.

28. And John the Baptist, he was in the spirit and power of Elijah showing what Elijah is, with another man from Elijah himself with the spirit and power of Elijah on him, in some special ministry. And he came and he turned the heart of the fathers to the children, which was the… I won't have one thought about You sending Elijah, because I don't need him. I've got you hallelujah, as a group. (Uh?) Sure. Now, I do this on purpose to let you know who’s for Him tonight. Because I'll challenge any man living to give my one reason why Jesus Christ needed John? I want one reason tonight, why Jesus needed John? You say. "I'll quote you Scripture." No, don’t quote me Scripture, anybody can do that. Give me a reason. Can't do it. Can't do it.

He had to come to make ready the people already prepared. Though a man said he was. Are you ready? I'm prepared. You say, "That's the same thing, can't be here." Because a prepared people there's only one place in Scripture, the whole Bible, and that's in Romans 9: where It says the vessels are for prepared unto His glory, and the Elect were not ready, because they didn't know the Word that pertained to them, so the promise of God could be made sure to them.

29. So, what does he do? This man John by the revelation of the Holy Ghost, a designated ministry to the Elect comes and opens the Scripture to them, and brings out the Word of the prophet to the children of that day and says, "This is your message to Israel."

And they said, "Oh no, no John, no, you don't understand. If we listen to you, now we think you're a fine fellow, we got your history, we know you're a fine fellow, but you're sort of up in the upper story, you haven't got your papers you couldn't qualify. Look bud, this is what is going to happen to you, in Romans we'll take everything we're got, we're looking for a great kingdom. We're looking for something big. Now, do you mean to say that we are going to let you come in here and take over? Why John, if we listened to you, we would lose everything." No, my brother/ sister they lost everything, because they wouldn't listen.

30. Now, you can see here that the portion of Malachi 4:6 was fulfilled. But there is another portion left, and that is that portion wherein the hearts of the children are turned back to the fathers. In other words, they come back to the place of the original concept as they had in the First Church Age. Now, in each case I said here, that Elijah preceded Jesus coming to His own.

Now, notice in here in the first time that Elijah came, (this is John of course with the Spirit upon him before the Coming of Jesus) It said that this man John by the power of God was able to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children with was turning them to the Word of God which gave them the preparedness. What preparedness? The preparedness of the Elect to whom Jesus came. And the same thing of course will happen at the end time, because once more He will turn the hearts of the children back to the fathers and Jesus will come to them and take them away in the Resurrection and in the Rapture.

Now, notice Elijah is promised to come before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. That's what It says here. I just go back to It again in Malachi 4: "Behold I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord."

31. All right, what is the great and dreadful day of the Lord? Let's go to Revelation 1:10

(10) I was in the Spirit on the Lord's day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,

Now, John was in the spirit on the Lord's day. And for two and a half years, (about two years, maybe not quite the half) he had visions of the Book of Revelation wherein God is dealing with the end time for the great day of the Lord.

Now, before the Book of Revelation, which is the Sixth Seal, (now I know the whole Book of Revelation is not the whole Sixth Seal, but it’s a day of wrath when the Sixth Seal is opened, see,) that is the day of the Lord, the great and dreadful day of the Lord. It is not simply Him coming on a Mount of Olives like that. No sir. What John saw was not simply coming on the Mount of Olives like lightening proceeds from the east to the west. He saw the Sixth Seal open, in main, which is what the Book of Revelation is about for this day, (that is the events taking place upon earth) which make the great and dreadful day of the Lord. The others, the other parts of Revelation are revelation. They tell you what transpires during the Church Ages.

Now, it is the great tribulation that Malachi, (the Holy Ghost spoke of through Malachi) that Elijah would precede. And this great tribulation of course is the Sixth Seal where three things take place. The earth is purged, the church is purged, (not the Bride, the church is purged) and Israel is purged. Those three things. (See?) The earth and all the people on it. Like they said. The church, because they wouldn't obey, they’ll have to pay in death. For when they realize that they've been caught in a trap they'll back away. Too late, they'll die for. (See?) Thirdly, Israel is purged.

32. Now, let's go to Revelation 6: (and read this on the Sixth Seal)

(12) And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

(13) …the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree (casts) her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

(14) And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

(15) And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;

(16) And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that (sits) on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

(17) For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Now, there it is, the great day of His wrath, the Sixth Seal. "Before the great and dreadful day of the Lord." [Mal 4:5b] Before the Sixth Seal, before the great tribulation. The Bible says, "Elijah has got to come." So, that is all there is to it. (See?)

33. Notice now Matthew 24:29-30

(29) Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened,

the moon shall not give her light, the stars shall fall from heaven, the

powers of the heavens shall be shaken:

(30) And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: then shall all

the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in

the clouds of heaven with power and great glory.

See, there He is. Before that Kingdom comes down to earth. Before the great and dreadful day of the Lord, Elijah's got to come. (See?) He just couldn't miss it.

34. Now, notice further what It says in Malachi 4:6

(6) …lest I come and smite the earth (already) with a curse.

Now, does He smite the earth with a curse? It's under the Sixth Seal that the earth does get smitten with a curse. It’s at that time. (See?) It's the day of the Lord. The great day of wrath. God reputed punishment and justice. It's has got to fall. He has got to smite justice, just as He said He would. And there is only one way that He can avoid smiting mightily utterly, because that's what the Bible teaches. Only one way that He can avoid smiting utterly. (See?) Doesn't say, "not smite." It said, "Utterly smite." That is to send Elijah and he will turn the hearts of the children back to the fathers, which gets them back to that Word. Because that's what John says. Now listen, and watch this coming of Christ to His Own. (See?) Now, I said, "He's coming to His Own." (See?) And Elijah precedes this coming of his own.

35. Now, what is the Rapture but Christ coming to His Own? Certainly, coming to His Own, for the Rapture, He has to, that is the Rapture. According to 1Thessalonians 4:16-17. He descends. He comes to take the Gentile Bride in a Rapture.

Now, let's ask this question: Is the Rapture a curse? Nobody could answer the Rapture is a curse. Nobody could. (See?) So therefore, He's got to precede this Rapture. Because the Rapture is part of the Coming, (isn't that, right?) "He descends and we're caught up to meet Him in the air,) (that's what the Bible teaches) so shall we ever be with the Lord." [1 Th 4:17]

36. Remember, that's His coming, and that's no curse. Now, He said, "I am Coming, but if I don't send Elijah, all I can do is come with a curse. Now, who said the Rapture is a curse? You never make It a curse, it's a blessing that we're looking for. It's the hope of the Saints, because that's what is going to take us up and be with Him, and remain with Him. (See?) So, therefore Elijah must precede the Rapture.

Now listen, after the Rapture what happens? Earth and all are smitten. That's right. Now, there is no one there that will have some of the effect of the curse. They are not anybody, no sir. I don't care who he is. He's going to beat it. You feel it buy pressure, you feel it by famine, you'll feel it by cataclysm in nature. There is no way that anybody will not feel it. In some way, some will see in different mothers, (see?) we'll show you that in a little while.

37. But listen, now at the end of Daniel's Seventieth Week, (which is the last three and a half years coming up in the great tribulation) watch what happens in Zechariah 14:1-5. Now, let's to back here and weave this together, and show you what I got in mind.

(1) Behold, the day of the LORD cometh, and thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee.

(2) For I will gather all nations against Jerusalem to battle; the city shall be taken, the houses rifled, the women ravished; half of the city shall go forth into captivity, the residue of the people shall not be cut off from the city.

(3) Then shall the LORD go forth, and fight against those nations, as when he fought in the day of battle.

(4) And his feet shall stand in that day upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem on the east, and the mount of Olives shall cleave in the midst thereof toward the east and toward the west, and there shall be a very great valley; and half of the mountain shall remove toward the north, and half of it toward the south.

(5) And (you) shall flee to the valley of the mountains; for the valley of the mountains shall reach unto Azal: yea, ye shall flee, like as (you) fled from before the earthquake in the days of Uzziah king of Judah: and the LORD my God shall come, and all the saints with thee.

Now, you know that's coming. The fellow says, “The Lord comes with all His Saints”. The Saints aren't there when that happens. But then the Lord comes down to earth with the Saints after that.

38. Now, just hold it…just go back now to Zechariah 12:1-14

(1) The burden of the word of the LORD for Israel, saith the LORD, which stretcheth forth the heavens, and layeth the foundation of the earth, and formeth the spirit of man within him.

(2) Behold, I will make Jerusalem a cup of trembling unto all the people round about, when they shall be in the siege both against Judah and against Jerusalem.

(3) And in that day will I make Jerusalem a burdensome stone for all people: (she's getting to be a burdensome stone right now. There's going to have to be a mandate over in Jerusalem pretty soon, and there'll be a worldwide congregation again. She's a mess right now) …with it shall be cut in pieces, though all the people of the earth be gathered together against it.

(4) In that day, saith the LORD, I will smite every horse with astonish- ment, his rider with madness: and I will open mine eyes upon the house of Judah, and will smite every horse of the people with blindness.

39. Now, that horse of course is a beast which is power, God is going to disable nations. In other words, its powers that fear the atomic power and anything else that any man's got.

(5) And the governors of Judah shall say in their heart, The inhabitants of Jerusalem shall be my strength in the LORD of hosts their God.

(6) In that day will I make the governors of Judah like an hearth of fire among the wood, (in other word, bring to nothing. No smart general like Dayan going to happen) and like a torch of fire in a sheaf; and they shall devour all the people round about, on the right hand and on the left: and Jerusalem shall be inhabited again in her own place, even in Jerusalem.

(7) (And) the LORD also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem do not magnify themselves against Judah.

(8) In that day shall the LORD defend the inhabitants of Jerusalem; he that is feeble among them at that day shall be as David; and the house of David shall be as God, and the angel of the LORD before them.

(9) And it shall come to pass in that day, that I will seek to destroy all the nations that come against Jerusalem.

(10) And I will pour upon the house of David, and upon the inhabitants of Jerusalem, the spirit of grace and of supplications: and they shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him, as one mourneth for his only son, and shall be in bitterness for him, as one that is in bitterness for his firstborn.

(11) In that day shall there be a great mourning in Jerusalem, as the mourning of Hadadrimmon in the valley of Megiddon.

(12) And the land shall mourn, every family apart; the family of the house of David apart, and their wives apart; the family of the house of Nathan apart, and their wives apart;

(13) The family of the house of Levi apart, and their wives apart; the family of Shimei apart, and their wives apart;

(14) All the families that remain, every family apart, and their wives apart.

40. Now, notice in here what's going to happen. When Israel is encompassed and about to be destroyed. Jesus Himself will evidently descend veiled in a Pillar of Fire. Because remember, Israel knows the Pillar of Fire. That's all they know, they don't know anything else but that Pillar of Fire.

And that's what 2 Thessalonians said. "When He shall come in Flames of Fire," there'll be Flames of Fire around about Him. And they'll say, "Glory to God, He'll save us." And we can be happy, because God does save them. And then He steps out of that Pillar of Fire and very shortly in the hands of …?..., they'll say, "Oh, oh You just saved us, to kill us.” (You know) He said, "I received these wounds in the house of My friends." [Zech 13:6] You were blinded in order that I get the Gentile Bride. And then you see they go into mourning (See?) And here's your picture there now, of Christ coming to Israel. Now, when Christ descends and unveils Himself to Israel, is this a curse? This is no curse. There again see, this is no curse. Now, hold it now, why is it not a curse?

41. Let's go to Revelation 9: (See?) I want to show you how this can take place. It couldn't take place in any other Age.

(1) And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.

(2) And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.

(3) And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.

(4) And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.

(5) And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should (torment them, so on and so forth.) …

Now, let’s go to [Revelation 11:3-5]

(3) And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days, (that's three and a half Jewish years) clothed in sackcloth.

(4) These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.

(5) And if any man will hurt them, fire (proceeds) out of their mouth, …

Now who did that? Elijah was the one who called down fire. Fire doesn't come out of their mouth like a dragon or something, what it is, it's their word is with power and fire comes as the result of it. As Elijah said, "If I be a man of God, let fire come down and consume the fifty." [2 Ki 1:10] Came down like that. "If I be a man of God," the second came. He said, "If I be a man of God let fire come down." Fire came down. The fire came down and consumed the altar and the sacrifice, the stones and everything else. (See?)

(5) …and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will hurt them, he must in this manner be killed.

42. That's Elijah. (See?) Because why? You can't have ministries repeat out of order. No one else could do this.

(6) These have power to shut heaven, (who did it? Elijah) that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power (now listen, and have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to smite the earth with plagues, as often as they will.

Who did that? Moses. Then who are these two witnesses? Moses and Elijah. Maybe this is the secret is to why God took the body of Moses and buried him Himself. Nobody knows where the sepulcher is. Is there a sepulcher? (See?)

(7) And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that (ascended) out of the bottomless pit shall make war against them, and shall overcome them, and kill them.

(8) And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where also our Lord was crucified.

(9) And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and a half, and shall not suffer their dead bodies to be put in graves.

(10) And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another; because these two prophets (they're prophets, shall men of) them that dwelt on the earth.

(11) And after three days and a half the spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw…

(12) And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; … (in a Rapture. They were Raptured up to where the Bride is already with Jesus. (See?)

43. Now notice, It says here, (which I read) "Don't you dare touch the earth until the 144,000 are sealed with the seal of God in their foreheads. Who does it? The two witnesses. Of one of which is what? Elijah.

So notice, there's a perfect picture here, one is Elijah, and one is Moses. (See?) Notice the perfect picture. Elijah himself descends to come to the Jews, because they alone will listen to a prophet. They have to have a prophet, and he's got to be a Jewish prophet. So therefore, Elijah comes and he diverts the rest of the curse with Christ marked being in His total descent. (See?) He wipes everybody off the earth.

First of all, Elijah comes, (see?) he comes to the Gentile Bride. And he turns the hearts of the Gentile Bride back to the fathers, which is his ministry of restoration. And they caught up, and as they are caught up three and a half years here on earth, the two witnesses are brought down. I really believe they are Moses and Elijah. If they are not Moses and Elijah per se, it will be some-body that's got the same spirit on them exactly, two people, are identical, have the same ministry. You can see yourself, follow your Bible. It says there. And they will be back, and they will seal the 144,000, and they will receive that Word.

44. Now then, Christ Himself, which is defending now, because the armies of the world come against Jerusalem. All but the 144,000 have evidently been in the enemy's camp. Because the rest of the church has purged itself, it died. Because they have come against the antichrist He just destroys them. Just like it says right now in Europe, they've got a Euro mark, (not a Euro mark) but they've got a money system set up right now and the money system is like everyone is going to be under an IBM card. And you'll have so much money given you per month, but you've got to be in the system.

And if they ask the question, and what if you turn down the system? They say, "We have no recourse, but let them starve." It’s as simple as that. You'll die by outside the system. So, the whole church is purged, they die for their folly. What happens to the foolish virgins? They're out there in darkness. (See?) They're in darkness, they get purged in the tribulation.

45. But you see, now with Christ coming in flaming fire and taking destruction, let's go to 2 Thessalonians [1:] and see that, I want to read It to you. See, you got your picture here.

(7) And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

(8) In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that (in flames of fire is what it really is) taking vengeance on them that (what?) know not God, (number one) and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

There you are those two things, that covers the whole thing. Who will obey God at the end time? There is only one group of people, the 144,000, when Jesus comes who have not disobeyed God. They have done their best in their blindness to please God. They have lived up to that Word. By what you call the real conservative Israelites. Call them Jews if you want, that's a bad term. He's an Israelite. Of the 144,000 there in Israel, in the homeland, they have been sealed in. In their blindness, they are doing their best to serve God. They're sealed in by the Holy Ghost through these prophets coming on the scene bringing in the Word deliverance. (See?) The prophets themselves are destroyed.

46. Now, when Jesus comes, because this is the end of the trial of this particular day. He's got to come now and put the world in order. But, what does He do? He comes down, and everybody, keep this in mind it's Scripture now, you can disagree if you want. I cannot see anybody in the Millennium but the Bride and Christ and the 144,000. I can't see anybody else. And I see the 144,000 they are changed, they'll go into the Millennium. I do not believe they'll go in flesh and blood bodies. Maybe you do, but I don't see it. I can't say, I don't know anything about this too much. But I can see here in Scripture so clearly, that the 144,000 say, "Why are they saved?" Because of the Elijah ministry, (see?) that's come down. Just what the Bible said.

Now, these are they who were smitten. They know not God, they know not the Gospel, that covers the whole thing. (See?)

Now, remember what I said back in Luke there about this man John the Baptist would turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, even the disobedience, of the wicked and the just? What were they? The disobedience is that right? Disobedient, these are disobedient too. See, who was it that God had a respect for? The obedient. What was their obedience? Their obedience to the Word. (See?) The new the Age in which they lived. They knew the Word of truth for the day. That day they knew how He is coming. Today we've got to know how He's coming, which we don't have time to discuss it tonight. But, He's coming in a way that the world does not realize that He's Coming.

47. Now, let's go back to Revelation 19:11-16

(11) And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

Notice, He's judging and making war.

(12) His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; (Why? Because He's going to put up a Kingdom.) and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

(13) …he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

Who is this? This is the same One that died upon Calvary, coming back to pick up His throne now. Just what He showed in Matthew 17:

(14) And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

(15) And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations:

That's what He's going to do, just smite them. (See?) Now, He's going to smite them, Elijah had to come before this. Why? Because of the 144,000 are going to be saved.

(15) …and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.

That's judgment. That's taking vengeance upon those that obey not God, but know not God, nor obey His Gospel.

(16) And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh… (He's) KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

That's His Kingdom, coming with His Saints to burn them up. And if He does, he's got to be destroyed. But who doesn't get destroyed? The 144,000. Now brother/sister, you can see the picture here. I hope you can see it as clear as I see it, because to me it's so very, very clear, Jesus is coming to His own. He came to His own back in the days when He was upon earth as the Son of man. John the Baptist preceded Him. He's coming to His own in a Rapture where we meet Him in the mid-air, and Elijah precedes the Gentile Bride to turn her back. While then He comes to His own on Mount Olives. (See?) Who is supposed to precede Him there? Elijah, sealing in the 144,000. You can't go wrong.

48. Five times Elijah comes. He came as Elijah in the days of the Tishbite, Elisha, a double portion. John the Baptist, and this say we believe William Branham at the end time, either Elijah himself, (because remember, he was raptured) or another one with that same spirit on him. Five times the spirit of Elijah come to this earth. Five distinct ministries. (See?) And each time, the people do not believe. Each time when Christ is coming to His own, they turn Him down. But, the Elect believed. (See?)

Now, Elijah must first come before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And who will this man be? He will be exactly as It says in Luke 1:15-17. So, let's look at It again, and I'll show you why by Scripture. Well, especially verse 16 and 17 is what we want.

(16) And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God.

Now remember, all Israel though Israel in the flesh is not elect. All Israel is not Israel. But, all Israel shall be saved through Israel. Now, so will the church. The Bride will be turned to Christ and go into the Rapture. But the five foolish virgins which represents the church that doesn't go into the Rapture, because the Bride is the called out…she's called out of the church, just like Israel is called out of Egypt. (See?) They will be purged and die. (See?)

49. Now, in the end time having the faith of John many of the children of Israel, (children of God) return to their Lord their God.

(17) And he shall go before (the Lord God) in the spirit and power of (Elijah) to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, (this case will be the children to the father, even) the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; …

Now, that word in the Greek ‘disobedience’ means 'avoiding a direct confrontation' with the Word. It means to step aside. And they’re doing it today. And leaving the Word today and saying, "Well we all love Jesus." Let me tell you something about this pulpit, you put your foot here, I don't want to think I'm just talking to a smoke screen throwing something here that's not right.

50. In Lebanon, Pennsylvania where I preached the time before last as I was in Columbus, Ohio the last time preaching. A man from New York who is great with teen-town and believes in a great ministry which I am not against, that they are great for great ministries, and he came in and talked with this friend of mine who runs a service station, (in a garage) and he was saying, "How that a nun in the Roman Catholic church and she speaks in tongues and operates gifts and all. (See?) "Well, (he said) now just a minute, (he said) how does that stand with you that she's still in the Roman Catholic church, where she's got to confess to the priest and calls the pope infallible, and he's the vicar of Jesus Christ, where there ain't no such animal?"

"Well, (he said) we just over look those things, because she loves the Lord, she loves Jesus."

See, the smokescreen there? She just loves Jesus, that's okay, everybody loves Jesus. Even the Mohammedan's love Jesus. The hate the Christians, but they love Jesus. They say He was a prophet. Christian Science loves Jesus. They say."He is perfect man, but there's no more efficacy in His Blood shed upon the Cross then there was in the frozen …?... (See?) With that, they went so far as to say, "there's no efficacy in the Blood of Christ than the blood of a rooster."

51. Who hates Jesus? There's nobody who hates Him. We all love Him. (See?) Jesus isn't the stumbling stone. Peter said, "At the end time the Rock of offence would be the Word of God." And that's the whole thing.

Now, what's He doing? He is turning the disobedient. Who’s the disobedient? Those who refuse direct confrontation with that Word. Oh, they say. "We love Jesus, hallelujah, it doesn't really matter what you believe."

He said, "Just a minute now, you know this little nun and this so-called Reverend, Father So, and So, that when he goes ahead and he says, 'Hail Mary', and counts his rosaries, and then takes confessions, that's okay as long as he speaks in tongues? And he's got a miracle ministry, because they do have a miracle ministry, they're doing great things."

I could take you to Notre Dame up here and show you tremendous things going on up there. And when you get to see it, they speak with tongues and say Hail Mary's and count their rosaries for two hours, confess to the priest and say the pope's infallible, and he's the vicar of Jesus Christ."

When they don’t know what they’re saying…which is spiritism. Now where does that leave you? Is this the thing to do? Is this what we're here for? No, brother/sister, John came and he brought them face to face with that Word, and he said, "Listen, here, I'm going to tell you what that Word is for your day. I'm going to tell you what it's all about." Did they believe it? They did not believe. Now, what was that? That was the Gospel. For people to turn down the Word today, will they be safe and secure? Not according to my understanding of Scripture.

52. So, Elijah must first come before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. Now, what would this man be? He will be light as I read here. And now notice, in Isaiah 40:1 (now watch) John the Baptist again.

[John 40:1-3]

(1) Comfort ye, comfort ye my people, saith your God.

Oh my, did they take comfort in what John said? "Oh, (they said) you're going to destroy the whole bunch of us. We can't listen to you, we can't listen to Jesus. (See?)

(2) Speak comfortably to Jerusalem, and cry unto her, that her war- fare is accomplished, that her iniquity is pardoned: (and) she hath received of the LORD's hand double for all her sins.

Now, that word 'double' doesn't mean what people think it is. In the Oriental country when a man owes a debt and he won't pay up, they put his name on a piece of paper in the gate, and they hang it up here: John Jones owes Mr. Smith three hundred dollars." He gets very embarrassed, because his sins are made public and he won't pay it. The day come when he pays the man back, then they double the sheet of paper, so, there's nothing written on it anymore. That's what it means, 'double'. The sins are blotted out. Now listen:

(3) The voice of him that crieth in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the LORD, make straight in the desert a highway for our God.

All right, what is it? The voice of him that crieth.

53. Now, let's go back to Revelation 10:7 After this mighty Messenger, which is Christ is come down on earth with Pillar of Fire.

(7) …in the days of the voice of the seventh (church messenger, …

Because that's the only Seventh Messenger there is in the whole Book of Revelation, there isn’t any more. Those others are angels, they're up in heaven, this man's on earth.

(7) …in the days of the voice of the seventh (messenger,) when he shall begin to sound, (what's sounding? His Voice is sounding) the mystery of God should be finished, …

What's one of the mysteries my brother, my sister? The Rapture. That's right. So, in the days of this man, that's his generation. I'll prove it to you, if you want to by that 6th verse. (See?) Sure, verse 6 explains. Explains Ezekiel 12:25, It says, "The time shall not longer be." That means, the generation that hears the Word of God will have the Word of God fulfilled. And this generation, if this man's in here. the Seventh Church Age mystery of the Rapture takes place. And that's got to be before Rapture is here, because He said, "I'm coming. I'm coming, you bet I'm coming, and no one is going to stop Me. But, I'm going to send Elijah for when I do Come, (and remember that Coming is He that is stopping in midair) come and smite with a curse."

54. Now, you know that the Bride does not get smitten with a curse. For Elijah comes see? It's a Voice, just like John this man will be preaching. Now, who will he be preaching to? Not the world. The world just comes and listens, then they drift away. But, who stays? The Bride stays, you see. See, because the Bible says, "He will turn the hearts of the children back to the fathers. It doesn't say he'll try to do it, because he will do it. And this will prevent the curse hitting the Bride. Then what does he do? It hits in a purge for three and a half years. But what keeps the others from being killed, the 144.000? Elijah, the same spirit comes and seals the 144,000. (See?)

Now, there's your picture. Jesus said to His disciples, "There will be some of you standing here that will not die for you see My Kingdom." [Mt 16:28] And they did. They saw Him glorified. That Kingdom that He guaranteed that they will be in …?... That Kingdom is described in Daniel when the ancient of days …?... and before Him and with Him, thousand, thousand ministering the Bride there with Him. (See?) That Kingdom.

Now, He said, "Before that Kingdom comes, Elijah has got to come just like he came at the First Coming of the Lord Jesus Christ. What does he do? He made ready the Bride, (the people) that will receive Jesus Christ. Christ, coming to His own. (See?)

55. Now, at the end time Elijah once more precedes the Coming of Jesus to set up His Kingdom which is filled with glorified human beings. So, therefore He has got to come before the First Resurrection. Because the Bible says, "Blessed are those who are part of the First Resurrection, on such the second death has no part." And Elijah has got to come before that, because we saw that in Matthew 17:

So, brother/sister, let me ask you a question, (you know the answer) does Elijah come for the Gentiles? He absolutely does. Therefore, the world is foolish. They say, "Now, I don't need Elijah, I'm looking for Jesus." How does that adopt something what we just believe, show up the world, the church world since, about this subject.

There's been a Nazarene paper, (and I've got it at home, I can put my hand on it, and I just know where it is) the question was written, to the man answered the question for the Nazarene. And I don't reject the Nazarene, just happens the way I got it. They said, "What do you think about Elijah coming?"

56.And his answer paraphrased was this, "I don't even take time to think, because I don't go for that nonsense." That's what he said. Why? Because he thought he heard of Dowie, [1847-1907] was supposed to be Elijah. I know Dowie, made a mistake my brother, my sister. For when a man of God supposed lead the people and answer their questions right, I don't think enough about, to even bother with it. I think it’s the heat. Then somebody's wrong, and it's not the Bible, and it's not me either. Because the Bible says, "Elijah must truly come and restore." He's got to restore whatever it is that neither is saying. Elijah has got to do it in order for the Resurrection to take place, because that is what that Kingdom is, it's a Resurrection compass. You saw, just like I did. We're coming to it brother/sister, and Elijah has got to come. And I wondered if, because, Jesus said, "Elijah must first come,"

Now, look, I'm not very stupid. Now just say that this door had a lock on it. And that door has a lock on it. And you wanted to get inside of this door, I would have to say, "First of all you unlock that door, then you unlock this door."

57. He says, "Anybody knows that knows that, in fact, you don't have to belabor it Bro. Vayle, because you must think I'm a perfect fool not to realize if I'm going to get in there, I must unlock that door, that door first." Isn't it strange the people are wise enough to know that. Yet, when Jesus said, "When Elijah must first come, before I come." They regret it, and say, "Well, I don't think we need Elijah, you see after all, you see in the first place Bro. Vayle, you see I've been born again, and I can prove it by my changed life. I've got gifts of Spirit and manifestations. I've also got fruit in my life, and I know it, because I've got a little witness in my heart, see how it is, I'm just looking for Jesus."

Now, you see, right away there's something wrong. Because He said, "You've got to have Elijah first." So, now you see, it’s just one little simple verse. So, brother/sister, I can write a two hundred and fifty, paged book, and it's not just on little verse about Elijah coming. Can't. I wrote one little book, close to a hundred pages. I can write one today two hundred and fifty pages. Lay it all out, point by point. It's not what people think it is. It's a real, definite subject. And whether you… I believe that you know what I preach about. But I only want to lay it out in this word that I've done it. So, you've got a real reason you hope, but, Elijah has got to come brother/sister, first. And anybody says he's looking for Jesus and not looking for Elijah, that's just about like trying put on that ferry boat, without going down the proper landing to get you to the ferry boat. And I think a lot of people are going to hit the water and not the ferry boat, because they are not driving their cars on that gang-way, where they've got that thing to get down, to get on.

58. I've been on a lot of ferry's brother/sister, and every time I hit one, I get a little feeling about it. I do, I can't help it, because I don't want my car in the water. And I'll tell you one thing, I don't want to stand looking for Jesus Christ, without first of all Elijah come, because He said that's I look for first. And there's nobody's got a right to even talk about Jesus Coming, until first of all Elijah has to come to take about how to do it.

Now, that may be putting it pretty blunt, but I've got to do it blunt, because that's the Word of the Lord. That's not Lee Vayle talking, that's "Thus Saith the Holy Scripture'. Elijah must surely first come and restore. Then we'll talk about that Kingdom, that’s made up of what? The glorified saints, living and ruling. And how is it? In the First Resurrection. And how do you get there? We've got to be changed here and caught up, but Elijah then has got to be here before the Rapture.

You say, "Bro. Vayle, maybe the Rapture comes within the Tribulation? No, it doesn't, because He said, "I'll come and I'll curse." See? As soon as He doesn't curse the Bride, no curse is found. But Jesus comes before the Sixth Seal, and Elijah comes before Jesus. You follow me? I've tried my best to make it clear. You've got any questions? Maybe you can write them down and I can try to answer them. I don't suppose there's any man living can make anybody else feel as easy. I see it so clearly, I hope you do too. The Lord bless you. Shall we rise and be dismissed.

Gracious Eternal Father, I praise and thank You, Lord, You've allowed us to gather together tonight, to bring Your Word, Lord, to see not only the truth, but to actually place according to Scripture the fact that Elijah must first come. That someone has got to come, Lord, in order to turn the hearts of the children back to the fathers, Father, lest you come and smite the earth a curse. And we know, Lord God, that You will do that in that Sixth Seal.

So, we praise You that there is no doubt, absolutely without doubt, the fact that Elijah has to come, Lord, before You Come and take Your Bride away. And, Lord, I believe tonight that has already taken place, and it happened just as it did with John the Baptist, the people turned him down. Oh no, it's wasn't the people killing him, no, they didn't drag him out and kill him, that was the government situation did that. But, Lord Jesus, he was taken off the scene and they didn't even know that he was that one which was already fulfilled.

Now, Lord, I believe tonight we’ve had the same thing happen to us. And I pray, O God, but don't let any of us ever forget this truth, and search diligently know those words that were given to us, the Message that was brought to us in order that we may have our hearts turned back. That we may have our faith restored. That we may not be disobedient, but, Lord, we might be a prepared people made ready for You to gather to Yourself.

Lord, as we look around and we see and we do ourselves, looking in our own spiritual mirror. O God, we know that this is a terrible day in which we live. This day, Lord, a concern, no matter how concerned we get with Your Word, how we try to be concerned and just a million things pop up, Lord, it's just like a jet plane circling the earth so fast, we don't even know we've gone twenty-five thousand miles. No sir, it all happens so fast. It's just unbelievable.

And, Lord, here it is today, that this world is so full of things to take our attention. Just trying so hard, putting ourselves down, and hold steady with the Word, a million things comes against us. O God, just in the face of that, how important we know it is to have something lies come in this end time. To get us out of this mess. And so we thank You, Lord, Your Word was sent, and now we're praying, Lord, that Your Spirit will continue to fall upon that Word, and make It real to us… [tape ends]