Another excerpt from “Hard to Believe” by Pastor John MacArthur, p.149. “In Matthew 11: 14, Jesus stated, “And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.” In the Old Testament, Malachi 4: 5 said that before the Messiah came to set up His kingdom on earth, Elijah would come as a forerunner. In Matthew, Jesus wasn’t saying John was actually Elijah, but one like Elijah. John 1 bears this out, when the priests and Levites asked John if he were the Christ, and he said he wasn’t. Then in John 1: 21, they asked, “‘ What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’” We know Jesus’ meaning in Matthew is that someone in the person and character of Elijah had come: a powerful, rugged, Elijah-like individual who was announcing the kingdom. So, according to Jesus, John the Baptist was the greatest mortal who ever lived, yet amazingly Matthew 11:11 says, “He who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.” This is a great truth. Greatness isn’t being like John the Baptist, because his was a greatness of function as herald for Christ. True greatness is not in our function, but in our relationship to God that places us in His kingdom.” How about that? According to The Lord, We are positionally greater than anyone who has ever lived because we are in relationship with the creator or all things. And it all comes from faith in Christ Who makes us right with the Father. You can have a personal audience with God the Father at any time. No appointments required. Use your access well. Love Mel
