Some examples include Samuel , Jeremiah , and even Ezekiel . Like his predecessors , John was also simultaneously called to be the prophetic voice of his generation , warning the Pharisees of the wrath to come . ( Matthew 3:7-9 ) Having said that , John was not just any Jewish prophet , but the one whom Malachi spoke of saying :
“ Behold , I send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the Lord …” ( Malachi 4:5 )
This same passage was also quoted by the angel Gabriel when he brought the Lord ’ s message to Zechariah in the Temple ( Luke 1:17 ). Moreover , when Yeshua ’ s talmidim asked Him about Malachi ’ s prophecy , he responded by saying , “ Truly Elijah has come ” in reference to Yochanan ’ s ministry .” ( Matt . 17:11-13 )
Like Elijah , Yochanan came preaching a message of repentance with the aim of turning the hearts of the Israelite nation back to God . As in the days of Elijah , the nation had fallen into spiritual apostasy because of corrupt leadership . Only this time , rather than Ahab and Jezebel , it would instead be Herod and Herodias who also operated in all kinds of perversion . ( Mark 6:22-24 )
Malachi ’ s prophecy specifically states that Elijah ’ s appearance would manifest before the great and terrible day of Adonai . In light of the first century , Yochanan did in fact preach prior to the day of the Lord , which was
M A Y 2 0 2 4 • T I K K U N A M E R I C A R E S T O R E | 2 3