See You Tomorrow (Matthew 17:10-13)

I am fond of twisting words and turning phrases. One thing I like to say to my staff when I am leaving for a short period of time is, “Ok, see you tomorrow!”

When they first hear this, it always catches them off-guard and the usual reply is, “Wait...you’re not coming back?”

I reassure them that I am coming back within a few minutes. But then I clarify the statement, “But I will see you tomorrow, won’t I?”

It is a true statement but one’s perspective has to be focused upon both the present and the future. “See you tomorrow” means I can see you tomorrow, but it does not preclude that I can see you today.

The Bible is replete with examples of prophecies that are applicable to both the present time the prophecy was given and for the future. In the last two verses in the Old Testament, we are left with Malachi’s prophecy that Elijah will first appear before the return of the Messiah.

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.
Malachi 4:5-6

When John the Baptist arrived on the scene, over 400 years later, he came in the spirit and mold of Elijah. This is acknowledged by our Lord, Jesus Christ.

And His disciples asked Him, saying, “ Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” Jesus answered and said to them, “Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things. But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.” Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of John the Baptist.
Matthew 17:10-13

But although John the Baptist did come in the spirit of Elijah, a still future coming of Elijah will occur, just before Jesus Christ returns again on the Day of Lord, the final judgment of this earth. The original statement in Malachi is true for both for both time frames.

God’s Word is rich and deep in meaning. And although written during a very specific time in history, the message is timeless and points to eternity.

Have you experienced the richness of a relationship with God? Accept His Son, Jesus Christ, as your Lord and Savior. And if you do, someday you will be in His presence and all of the events of history will become clear. They all point to the redeeming acts of God through Jesus Christ.

Praise God!

Love and trust the Lord; seek His will in your life.