The Prophet Elijah: Key to Fulfilling God’s Prophecy

In the scriptures, the prophet Malachi speaks of a prophecy concerning the return of the prophet Elijah, who is believed by many to be key to turning hearts and averting judgment on the earth. The passage in Malachi 4:5-6 reads, ‘Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. 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. [Malachi 4:5-6]

This prophecy has been interpreted in various ways throughout Christian history. A prominent interpretation is that this event was fulfilled on April 3, 1836, during the dedication of the Kirtland Ohio Temple, where Elijah appeared to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. This event was significant because at the time, there was no Jewish community in the area, and yet the bones of Passover coincided with the dedication. This event supports the Christian perspective that Elijah was indeed the prophet sent before the coming of the Day of the Lord.

In another vision, shortly after this event, the prophet Elijah appeared before Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. The account is detailed in the History of the Church, where Elijah declared, ‘Behold, the time has fully come which was spoken of by the mouth of Malachi—testifying that he [Elijah] should be sent before the great and dreadful day of the Lord come—To turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to their fathers, lest the whole earth be smitten with a curse.’ [13] This further underscores the fulfillment of prophecy.

The Prophet Elijah’s Significance

The presence of Elijah in the scriptures and his role as a prophet is significant not only for Christians but also for Jews and Muslims. For Christians, Elijah is a sign of God's continued involvement in the world and a guarantee of His love for His people. The Greek Septuagint translation of Malachi 4:5 even replaces the Hebrew name YHWH with the word LORD, which was intended to avoid speaking the sacred name but also creates ambiguity, leading some Christians to believe it is a reference to Jesus.

Elijah’s prophesied arrival before the Day of the Lord also aligns with another prophecy in Malachi 4:1, which predicts this coming day: ‘For behold, the day cometh that shall burn as an oven, and all the proud, yea, and all that do wickedly, shall be stubble: and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the LORD of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.’ [Malachi 4:1] This prophecy suggests that Elijah's message is crucial in turning hearts to God and averting judgment.

Other References to Elijah and the Day of the Lord

The prophets repeatedly emphasize the importance of Elijah and the Day of the Lord. In Isaiah 66:24, it is mentioned, ‘And they shall go forth, and look upon the carcases of the men that have transgressed against me: for their worm shall not die, neither shall their fire be quenched, and they shall be an abhorring unto all flesh.’ [Isaiah 66:24] This passage speaks of the severity of sin and the dire consequences of transgression.

Furthermore, the Bible records that the Lord said to Moses, ‘Whosoever hath sinned against me, him will I blot out of my book.’ [Exodus 32:33] This statement from Exodus underscores the importance of faith and obedience to God's law.

Moses, in Malachi 4:4, instructs, ‘Remember ye the law of Moses my servant which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel with the statutes and judgments.’ [Malachi 4:4] Moses, as a faithful prophet, imparts the importance of passing down God’s teachings to future generations.

Other crucial references include, where Elijah is described as an intermediary who will help reconcile the relationship between fathers and children: ‘And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers…’ [Malachi 4:6] This verse from Malachi emphasizes the importance of intergenerational faith and the need for unity.

Instructing the Next Generation

The importance of teaching the next generation is emphasized in the scriptures. In Jeremiah 22:29, God declares, ‘O earth, earth, earth, hear the word of the LORD.’ [Jeremiah 22:29] This command indicates the necessity of passing down God’s word to future generations.

Deuteronomy 31:12 also highlights the duty of instructing the next generation, stating, ‘Gather the people together, men and women, and children, and thy stranger that is within thy gates, that they may hear and that they may learn and fear the LORD your God, and observe to do all the words of this law.’ [Deuteronomy 31:12] This passage teaches that the promise of eternal life and blessings come with a collective responsibility to learn, teach, and obey the law.

For Christians, the appearance of Elijah and his role in these prophecies serve as a reminder of God’s continuous involvement in the world and the importance of passing down the faith to future generations. As the scriptures continue to speak to us, the fulfillment of these prophecies highlights the eternal nature of God and the ongoing relevance of scriptural teachings.