A Pair of Elijahs

Let's return to the poker table conversation we had about Elijah.  An elderly woman told us Jesus cannot return until Elijah "comes back from heaven."

This admittedly is a complicated Bible puzzle to address.  For starters, it apparently was a common idea 2,000 years ago as well, when Jesus walked the earth....

As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, "Don't tell anyone what you have seen, until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead." The disciples asked him, "Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" - Matthew 17:9-10

Elijah was one of the greatest Old Testament preachers and prophets.  His "departure" was as unique as hitting a royal flush on the flop....

As they were walking and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.... And Elisha saw him no more. - II Kings 2:11-12

Many believers, then and now, take these verses to mean Elijah currently lives in heaven with God.  But is there a verse of Scripture they're overlooking?

No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven -- the Son of Man. - John 3:13

This verse is so contrary to mainstream Christian teaching that many ministers jump over it, never quoting it.  But the Lord who came from Heaven to Earth declared no one has ever gone to Heaven!  This would have to include Elijah.  So if he disappeared in II Kings 2, he may have landed elsewhere on Earth and eventually died there; the Bible admittedly doesn't provide that detail.

Wherever Elijah went, notice how Jesus answered the disciples' question about him:

Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things.  But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished...."  Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist. - Matthew 17:11-13

An angel explained to the father of John the Baptist his son would go "in the spirit and power of Elijah...." (Luke 1:17) The angel never said John WAS a second coming of Elijah; that would be a form of reincarnation, which is a concept the Bible does not support.

(Some Christian groups think the "Elijah" in verse 11 refers to still another person - not the Old Testament prophet, but someone at the end of our age.  But that's very speculative, and also lacking in complete Biblical support.)

So to sum up all this: an ancient Elijah went to heaven.  Some teachers (past and present) say he has to come back before the Messiah comes.  But Jesus said a "type" of Elijah came, in the form of John the Baptist -- born six months before Jesus was born to Mary.

Jesus already has fulfilled what the teachers of the law predicted.  It's the second coming of the Messiah (Christ) which should have our attention.  Are you watching for that - and ready to see it?