In the Gospel that carries the name of the Apostle John, it is said, speaking of another John; "There was a man sent from God, whose name was John." What a statement - to those who understand the relationship this is to another prophecy concerning the second coming of Christ.
John the Baptist was a prophet in the spirit of Elijah, he was more than a prophet because his job was to introduce Christ, the Messiah, to that Jewish generation. The Scripture goes on to say he came to bear witness of the Light, that all men could see Truth and trust in it and believe.
JOHN'S MINISTRY WAS...
John the Baptist's ministry was such that many thought He was the Light, but he declared that he was not and only sent to bear witness of that Light. This would be the true light, the genuine, perfect, steadfast Light that would illuminate every person. According to Isaiah 40:5, He would be the Glory of the LORD revealed, for all flesh to see.
This one who John spoke of, that was greater than him and would come after him, was the Creator of all things, by His pre-incarnation work. However, while in the creation of the world made by Him, the people did not know Him, even after John had introduced Him. The Great One whom the prophet was sent before, was not welcomed or received by those that He was specifically sent to, and should have known Him.
A REPEAT OF THE SAME TODAY
In this our day, we have had the same thing repeat. On the Ohio river in 1932, a light appeared over the head of William Branham while he was in the water, and the following is his account of what happened.
55-0117 HOW.THE.ANGEL.CAME.TO.ME.AND.HIS.COMMISSION_ CHICAGO.IL - I was baptizing down on the river, my first converts, at the Ohio River, and the seventeenth person I was baptizing, as I started to baptize, then I said, "Father, as I baptize him with water, You baptize him with the Holy Spirit." I started to put him under the water.
And just then a whirl come from the heavens above, and here come that Light, shining down. Hundreds and hundreds of people on the bank, right at two o'clock in the afternoon, in June. And It hung right over where I was at. A Voice spoke from there, and said, "As John the Baptist was sent for the forerunner of the first coming of Christ, you've got a... have a Message that will bring forth the forerunning of the Second Coming of Christ." And it liked to scared me to death.
Unquote: If that part has been fulfilled, than will the fulfillment of his ministry, to introduced Christ second coming, not be receive? There is a parallel with this coming of Elijah as it was with John.
There will be those that will believe Christ's fullness has come among us, maybe just a few, as it was in that first coming of Christ.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: 13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
There was a man sent from God... What a statement, but more importantly, do we believe His message, Christ the fullness of the Word has come?
Pastor Bill Ivy - Living Word Tabernacle, Campbell Missouri USA - Our services are archived - www.livingwordtabernacle.com