Elijah was similar to John the Baptist in the sternness and power of his reproofs (Luke 9:8). According to Matthew 11:11, John the Baptist was the EliYah that "was to come" (Matt. 11:11,14). In John (Yahanan) the Baptist, one can see EliYah: we see "the same connection with a wild and wilderness country; the same long retirement in the desert; the same sudden, startling entrance on his work (1 Kings 17:1; Luke 3:2); even the same dress, a hairy garment, and a leathern girdle about the loins (2 Kings 1:8; Matthew 3:4)."

 [For I, Yahweh, change not:    Malachi 3:6]

The Jewish people have been in anticipation for the forerunner of the ruling monarchy to come.  They expect this individual each year as they set a cup for EliYah at the Passover Seder service.  The events that will precipitate this advent must follow an established criteria dictated by Almighty Yahweh.  “I am Yahweh, I change not.”  Malachi 3:6   Can anyone be the EliYah messenger, or is there an established pattern that must be followed?  The above comparative similarities reveal a striking paradigm.  EliYah and Yahanan were of priestly families, the tribe of Levi.  They both had the short form of Yahweh’s’ name as part of their personal identity.   And a very important point that cannot be overlooked; the temple was standing during both of their lives on earth.   "Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me; and the Master, (Adonai) whom you seek, will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, behold, he comes!" says Yahweh of Hosts.  (HNV) Malachi 3:1.  So the rebuilt temple must be standing!

So many individuals have proclaimed to be the EliYah messenger that is to come before the advent of the Messiah, and many have assumed the identity of the EliYah to come.  But; is this true, and; how could they prove this claim?  Is this a self arrogation and false claim?  What does the scriptures teach concerning this subject?  "And answering, Yahshua began to say to them, Be careful that no one lead you astray.  For many will come in My name, saying, I AM! And they will lead many astray."  Mark 13:5-6   And they asked Him, saying, Teacher, then when will these things be? And what will be the sign when these things are about to happen? And He said, Watch that you not be led astray. For many will come on My name, saying, I AM! Also, The time has come! Do not go after them."  Luke 21:7-8 (LITV)

Yes; many will come and lead astray those not watching or searching the scriptures for the answer concerning this doctrinal enigma.  Some will say "I Am' the messenger, the voice in the wildness crying aloud, but; are they?  There is a long list of deceased individuals that claimed to be the EliYah messenger that was to come.  But; they are-DEAD! How can this be?  They also claim that the time has come, the time is short!  But; can they prove this, being dead?  What about those who are alive making this same assertion?

When men proclaim that the Messiah is with us, as they are so fond of saying, can this be proven?   Currently there are many individuals and organizations laying claim to the EliYah messenger title either by direct assertion or vicariously, such as you must recognize them as such!  And; they will of course give you a superfluity of clues (not even subtle) and or illusions to help you exclaim; you are the EliYah to come!!!  Are these delusional minded people really the end time messenger?  Hardly!  These false prophets are only wearing the hairy mantle to deceive those that are stupid enough to follow them!

"And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he prophesies; neither shall they wear a hairy mantle to deceive:
but he shall say, I am no prophet, I am a tiller of the ground; for I have been made a bondman from my youth."  Zechariah 13:4-5

 "Now in those days Yahanan the Baptist came preaching in the deserted places of Judea,  and saying, Repent! For the kingdom of Heaven has drawn near.  For this is he spoken of by Isaiah the prophet, saying: "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: Prepare the way of the Master! Make His paths straight!" (Isaiah) 40:3  And Yahanan himself had his clothing from hairs of a camel, and a belt of leather about his loin. And his food was locusts and wild honey.  Then Jerusalem and all Judea went out to him, and all the neighborhood of the Jordan, and were baptized by him in the Jordan, confessing their sins."  Matthew 3:1-6

This is/was the EliYah messenger and this is/was the message.  Notice the clothing that Yahanan wore.  Would you say that his clothing had the hairy mantle concept?  Also notice that Yahanan was in the wilderness; "Yes and you, child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High: For you shall go before the face of Yahweh to make ready his ways;  To give knowledge of salvation unto his people In the remission of their sins, Because of the tender mercy of our Elohim, Whereby the dayspring from on high shall visit us, To shine upon them that sit in darkness and the shadow of death; To guide our feet into the way of peace.
 And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts till the day of his showing unto Israel."   Luke 1:77-80

What are the clues in this passage?  Where was Yahanan living?  Where did Yahanan begin his announcements?  Yahanan was in the desert (wilderness) dressed in rough garments, and the land in which all of these events took place was; ISRAEL!  Yes the original EliYah dwelt in Israel, Yahanan (EliYah number two) dwelt in Israel!  Now where shall the final EliYah live?  What people will be delivered the message first?  "Yahweh also shall save the tents of Judah first, that the glory of the house of David and the glory of the inhabitants of Jerusalem be not magnified above Judah. "Zechariah 12:7  Also: "For I am not ashamed of the evangel: for it is the power of Yahweh unto salvation to every one that believes; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek."  Romans 1:16  Do we recognize the signs, the voice of Messiah?  Or do we follow thieves and robbers? 

"To him the porter opens; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calls his own sheep by name, and leads them out. When he hath put forth all his own, he goes before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice. And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers. This parable spoke Yahshua unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spoke unto them. Yahshua therefore said unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.
All that came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.
I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and go out, and shall find pasture.  The thief comes not, but that he may steal, and kill, and destroy: I came that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.  John 10:3-10

How can you recognize the voice of Yahshua speaking?  How would we recognize Yahshua's voice?  Yahshua the Messiah left us with plenty to think about.  Yahshua left us with an adequate amount of clues to help us avoid being deceived.  "Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly are ravening wolves. By their fruits you shall know them. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so every good tree brings forth good fruit; but the corrupt tree brings forth evil fruit. A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. Every tree that brings not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. Therefore by their fruits you shall know them."  Matthew 7:15-20

"For who has stood in the council of Yahweh, that he should perceive and hear his word? who hath marked my word, and heard it? Behold, the tempest of Yahweh, even his wrath, is gone forth, yes, a whirling tempest: it shall burst upon the head of the wicked. The anger of Yahweh shall not return, until he have executed, and till he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days you shall understand it perfectly. I sent not these prophets, yet they ran: I spoke not unto them, yet they prophesied.  But if they had stood in my council, then had they caused my people to hear my words, and had turned them from their evil way, and from the evil of their doings."  Jeremiah 23:18-22

Yes; these pseudo (false) prophets grabbed the hairy mantle of deception and ran with it!  What would be the council of Yahweh?  What exactly would the true EliYah be teaching, and; where would he be teaching it?  And what fruits would the true Prophet of Yahweh bear?  More to come... 

PART TWO

Yours in Yahshua, Hawke

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