IN THIS ISSUE: Days of Elijah

IN THIS ISSUE

DAYS OF ELIJAH

On September 30, 2000, our congregation closed its Feast of Trumpets worship service by singing an inspiring contemporary hymn called ``Days of Elijah.'' Here are the words of this song, which is especially popular today in Messianic circles:¹

These are the days of Elijah,

Declaring the Word of the Lord.

And these are the days of Your Servant Moses,

Righteousness being restored.

And though these are days of great trials,

Of famine and darkness and sword,

Still we are the voice in the desert crying

Prepare ye the way of the Lord.

Chorus:

Behold He comes, riding on the clouds,

Shining like the sun, at the trumpet call.

So lift your voice, it's the year of Jubilee,

Out of Zion’s hills salvation comes.

And these are the days of Ezekiel,

The dry bones becoming as flesh.

And these are the days of Your servant David,

Rebuilding a temple of praise.

And these are the days of the harvest,

The fields are white in the world.

And we are the laborers in Your vineyard,

Declaring the Word of the Lord.

(Repeat chorus)

``Days of Elijah'' is rich with familiar biblical imagery related to the fall festival season. One of the scriptures brought to mind by this song is the prophecy of Malachi 4:5-6, in which God promises to send ``the prophet Elijah'' to ``turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.'' This issue of Grace and Knowledge includes a discussion of that sometimes controversial prophecy. In the article ``Who is the End-Time Elijah?'', I argue that the fulfillment of Malachi 4:5-6 involves more than the work of John the Baptist and his as-yet-unidentified end-time antitype. More broadly, the complete working out of this prophecy can be viewed as a process stretching through the centuries between those two great individuals, a process in which all Christians can participate.

There are many ways to strengthen families and communities by turning ``the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers.'' When we think of the millions of unborn children who are murdered each year in abortions, it is clear that there is a great need for the hearts of parents to be turned toward their children. Those involved in pro-life efforts advance this important cause.

It is also essential that we educate our children in the ways of God. In his inaugural address, U.S. President George W. Bush indicated the importance of passing on strong values to the next generation by saying that we should ``turn the hearts of the children toward knowledge and character.'' The new President rightly emphasizes the role of individuals and faith-based organizations in achieving this goal.

One individual who sets a wonderful example of service to our children is Secretary of State Colin Powell, whose work with the America's Promise network of organizations has given new hope and opportunity to many children. During the Feast of Tabernacles last October, my son Andrew and I were privileged to hear a lecture by Secretary Powell. A report appears in the current issue of Grace of Knowledge.

At Grace and Knowledge, we endeavor to be part of the ``Elijah work'' in at least two specific ways. First, we strive to promote an understanding and appreciation of the Hebraic roots of Christianity. By emphasizing the foundations of our faith in the Hebrew scriptures and the unity of God's revelation and purpose, we hope to point our readers toward our spiritual father Abraham and thus toward a greater understanding of the mind and will of our heavenly Father. Second, we investigate the rich legacy of our forefathers in the Christian faith and celebrate the central beliefs of Christianity.

This issue of Grace of Knowledge contains articles related to both of these goals. The Jewish foundations of our faith are highlighted in articles on the significance of the Feast of Trumpets and the Year of Jubilee. In addition, our series on the Apocrypha continues with an introduction to the book of Second Maccabees. As Jared Olar explains, 2 Maccabees tells the story of Hanukkah with inspiring accounts of God's miraculous deliverance of His people. It also relates the examples of courageous martyrs who gave their lives for the sake of God and His ways.

Two foundational tenets of Christianity are the messiahship and divinity of Jesus of Nazareth. In the article ``Who Did Jesus Say He Was?'', we look at how Jesus asserted these truths in His references to the Hebrew scriptures. Two further doctrines about Jesus-the certainty of His return and His role as judge of all mankind-are also affirmed in the latest installment of our series on the Apostles' Creed.

In early January, my wife Sherry and our son Tim began putting the back issues of Grace and Knowledge online at our new website, http://graceandknowledge.faithweb.com. By the time you receive the print version of this issue, all nine issues should be viewable there. We are grateful for the opportunity to make this magazine available to a wider audience. If you have internet access, stop by the website and check out the online version of Grace and Knowledge .

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Footnotes:

File translated from T_E X by T_TH , version 2.79.
On 29 Jan 2001, 17:58.