Study 8: Elias Shall First Come

(1) What Scripture teaches the priority of Elijah’s coming, in connection with the establishment of the Kingdom of Heaven? Page 249, par. 1

(2) Explain Malachi 4:5, Page 249, par. 2

(3) How was Malachi’s prophecy (especially the last verses of Chapter 4) regarded by the Israelites? Page 249, par. 3

(4) Was this prophecy fulfilled at the first advent? Nevertheless, what purpose was served by Christ’s presentation to Fleshly Israel? What is the difference between the position and work of John the Immerser and the real Elijah? Page 250, par. 1

(5) What are the evidences that Elijah has come and has failed? Page 250, par. 2

(6) By what method of reasoning do we conclude that John the Baptist represented the real Elijah? And who is the real and greater Elijah? Page 251, par. 1; Page 252, par. 1

(7) Is the view that the real Elijah is the Christian Church in the flesh in contradiction to the teaching that God does not intend to convert the world during the Gospel age? If not, why not? Page 252, par. 2

(8) In what manner is the true Church at the present time doing a work corresponding to that of John the Baptist with respect to the presence of the Lord? Page 253, par. 1

(9) To what class did John the Baptist truly do an Elijah work? And for whom does the Church now perform a similar work? What relation did John bear to the Prophet Elijah? Page 253, par. 2

(10) Explain the question of Jesus’ disciples, “Why then ay the scribes that Elijah must first come?” and the significance of our Lord’s reply, “Elijah truly shall come and restore all ” (Matt. 17:11) Page 254, par. 1

(11) When is the figure of a woman used to symbolize the Church? And when is the opposite figure of a man used to represent the Church, as for example, Elijah? Name several other instances in which a man represents the Page 255, par. 1

(12) In view of the class which Elijah represented, how do we interpret the vision on the Mount of Transfiguration? Page 255, par. 2

(13) Cite eight instances in the life of Elijah the Prophet, which find parallels in the history of the true Page 255, par. 3, and Diagram on Page 256

(14) What conclusions and consequent inspiration do we draw from the foregoing coincidences? Page 257, par. 1, 2

(15) Why is the present little season a most favorable time for Christian work and personal growth? Page 257, 3; Page 258, par. 1

(16) To what class, and at what period of time, does the following statement of the Apostle refer: “The time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine”? (2 4:3) Page 258, par. 2; Page 259, par. 1

(17) While it is even now true that none but the “orthodox” can “buy or sell” in the common marts or synagogues, what have the truly consecrated learned with respect to the necessary surroundings and accompaniments of true worship? And what deeper significance may the future reveal in the statement of 13:17? Page 259, par. 2

(18) What thoughts respecting the last days of the Church are suggested by the closing scenes in the life of Elijah? Page 260, par. 1

(19) What was the special message of John the Baptist? And how does his testimony find a parallel at the present time? Page 260, par. 2

(20) How does John’s statement regarding the “increase” and “decrease” of the Kingdom of Heaven find its counterpart today? Page 261, par. 1

(21) What was the result of John’s reproof of the king (Matt. 14:4) and what is the antitype? Page 261, par. 2

(22) What are the parallels with respect to the persecuting power in the cases of the type and antitype? Page 261, par. 3

(23) In the coming struggle between the classes and the masses, what will be the probable and natural course of many conservative, religiously inclined persons? Page 262, par. 1

(24) Who will probably be the only exceptions to this course? And what will be their experiences in consequence thereof? Page 262, par. 2; Page 263, par. 1

(25) What argument will probably be used by the “powers that be” to restrict liberty of expression on religious subjects? And how would this give a deeper significance to the words of the Apostles Paul and John (2 Tim. 4:3; Rev. 13:17); and also furnish a parallel to the final experiences of Elijah and John? Page 263, par. 2

(26) What two lessons may be drawn from the foregoing predictions, whether future developments shall prove the correctness or incorrectness of our interpretation of prophecy? Page 264, par. 1, 2

(27) Give a resume of our findings with respect to the antitypical Elijah What is the meaning of the name Elijah? Page 264, par. 3

(28) What was the most notable incident in Elijah’s career? And why does Elisha seem to represent a certain class of Christians? Page 265, par. 1

(29) What is the meaning of the name Elisha? And what does it signify with respect to the antitypical Elisha’s work? p, 266, par. 1, 2