Elijah: Prophet of Fire, Shadow of the Messiah and Witness of the End Time

 

Elijah: Prophet of Fire, Shadow of the Messiah and Witness of the End Time

We all know who the prophet Elijah was. His story is recorded primarily in the books of 1 and 2 Kings, with supplementary mentions in Chronicles. He was one of the most prominent prophets of the Old Testament, known for his zeal for God, his opposition to idolatry, and the prodigious miracles performed through him. However, Elijah's role transcends his time, for both the first and second comings of the Messiah foretell the emergence of an "Elijah" who prepares the way.

1. Where did Elijah come from?

Elijah the Tishbite was a native of Tishbe in Gilead (1 Kings 17:1), a mountainous region east of the Jordan. We are not given many details about his family background, but his appearance is sudden and powerful, announcing a drought as God's punishment for the idolatry prevailing in Israel.

2. In what era did he live? Who were the kings of that time?

Elijah's ministry took place during the reign of King Ahab of Israel (874–853 BC) and his wife Jezebel, a Phoenician woman who promoted the worship of Baal. It was a time of great spiritual decline for the northern kingdom. Later, he also interacted with Ahab's son Ahaziah. During these years, Jehoshaphat and his son Jehoram reigned in Judah.

3. Prodigious miracles performed through Elijah

Elijah performed multiple powerful signs that demonstrated God was with him. He declared a drought that lasted three and a half years (1 Kings 17:1; Luke 4:25), raised the son of the widow of Zarephath from the dead (1 Kings 17:22), and challenged the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel, where fire came down from heaven (1 Kings 18:38).

One notable episode is that of his sustenance by the Brook Cherith . Traditionally, it is taught that he was fed by ravens (1 Kings 17:6), however, linguistic studies of the original Hebrew reveal that this may have been a translation error . The Hebrew word ערבים (arabim) can mean either “ravens” or “Arabs,” depending on the vowels, which were not written in the ancient text. It makes more logical and cultural sense for God to have sent a group of Arabs—desert dwellers—to bring him bread and meat twice a day. This fits better with the biblical context, especially considering that ravens were unclean animals (Leviticus 11:15) and unfit to interact with food that a prophet of God would consume . The error was possibly introduced by the Septuagint translators into Greek by incorrectly rendering the vowelless word .

This detail also harmonizes with the later episode, when God sends him to the widow of Zarephath: “Behold, I have commanded a widow there to feed you” (1 Kings 17:9). It is the same formula used when he says: “I have commanded the Arabs to feed you . ”

4. The children of the prophets and the schools

During Elijah's time, there were groups known as the "sons of the prophets," who met in prophetic communities or schools (2 Kings 2:3-7). These were disciples who received spiritual instruction , possibly about the law, prophecy, and repentance. They were a kind of seminary or spiritual training center. Elijah and Elisha played an important role in these schools.

5. Elias's transfer and the letter sent 20 years later

Elijah was taken up by a whirlwind (not by a chariot of fire as is often said, but the chariot was with him; 2 Kings 2:11). This event has been interpreted by many as a transfer to heaven, but the Bible shows that years later, he sent a letter to King Jehoram of Judah (2 Chronicles 21:12-15), which indicates that Elijah was not taken up to God's heaven where the Father dwells, but to another place on Earth where he lived until his natural death. The letter harshly rebukes the king for his apostasy.

6. Malachi's prophecy: One or two Elijahs?

Malachi prophesied that before the coming of the Lord, God would send the prophet Elijah :

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” (Malachi 4:5)

This was partially fulfilled by John the Baptist, who came “in the spirit and power of Elijah” (Luke 1:17), preparing the way for the first coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ. Jesus himself said, “If you are willing to receive him, he is Elijah who is to come” (Matthew 11:14). However, there also remains a future fulfillment, for the “great and dreadful day” refers not to the first coming but to the final judgment (cf. Malachi 4:1).

7. John the Baptist: Type of Elijah

John wasn't literally Elijah, but he was his antitype, a prophetic figure who echoed his mission: to confront the people with their sin, call them to repentance, and prepare a way for the Lord. He didn't perform miracles (John 10:41), but his message had the same fire as Elijah's, confronting the powerful and calling for a change of heart.

8. The Elijah of the End Times: One of the Two Witnesses?

The Book of Revelation speaks of two witnesses who will prophesy at the end of time (Revelation 11:3-12). Many scholars see in them a representation of the prophetic ministries of Moses (plagues) and Elijah (closing the heavens), since one of their powers is to prevent rain from falling during their prophecy, as Elijah did (Revelation 11:6). These two witnesses could also symbolize the two olive trees that feed two lampstands or living churches with spiritual oil (Holy Spirit) in the end of time, which will be illuminating this dark world with the preaching of the Kingdom of God, and the two olive trees that feed the lampstand or church that will be involved in the rebuilding of the Temple of Jerusalem as written in Zechariah 4:3-14), and they could have a literal and a symbolic fulfillment.

9. The two witnesses will be killed

Revelation 11:7-10 tells us that when they finish their testimony, the beast that ascends from the Abyss will kill them. This world power (possibly a political-religious system) will hate their message and eliminate them. But after three and a half days, God will publicly resurrect them, causing fear among the nations (Revelation 11:11-13).

10. He will restore family relationships

Malachi 4:6 concludes with a restorative function:

“He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a curse.”

This ministry of reconciliation—familial, spiritual, and generational—will be a central part of the message of this final “Elijah,” preparing the people to receive the Messiah and preventing the world from falling into total judgment.

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