Malachi 3:23

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I wanted to review Malachi 4:1 (prophecy of Elijah coming before Christ), and … it wasn’t in my NAB. Just learned that the verse citations can vary with translations.

Anyhow …
23 Lo, I will send you Elijah, the prophet, Before the day of the LORD comes, the great and terrible day,
24 To turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the land with doom. Lo, I will send you Elijah, the prophet, Before the day of the LORD comes, the great and terrible day.
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Great and terrible day - Christ’s first or second coming? Or both?
 
It’s all there, it is just that it is added onto chapter 3 and not divided into another chapter.
 
I’m with you, great and terrible day seems very much like the 2nd coming.

So … why did those sent by the Pharisees ask John the Baptist if he was Elijah? Or did the Jews only believe in Christ coming once?

I know this seems elementary but it came up in my bible study last night and I want to give a good answer.
 
Strategery said:
…Great and terrible day - Christ’s first or second coming? Or both?
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According to some, "the prophet may have had the first coming of Christ and the ruin of the city [of Jerusalem] chiefly in view. Our Saviour testifies that the Elias whom the Jews expected was already come, Matthew xi. 14., and xvii. 11., and Luke ix. 8. " [Douay-Rheims Bible, with Comprehensive Catholic Commentary, by Rev. Fr. Geo. Leo Haydock]
 
Strategery said:
I’m with you, great and terrible day seems very much like the 2nd coming.

So … why did those sent by the Pharisees ask John the Baptist if he was Elijah? Or did the Jews only believe in Christ coming once?

I know this seems elementary but it came up in my bible study last night and I want to give a good answer.
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Yes, the Pharisees were looking for the Mesiah to come and overthrow the Roman Empire and establish an earthly kingdom, they never thought that He was to come as the suffering servant and establish a heavenly kingdom.

As for them wondering if John the Baptist was Elijah, John sure fit the profile which made them wonder. Jesus even said that John the Baptist was Elijah, but He meant that in a figurative way. Here is an article that I put together on that subject litteralchristianlibrary.wetpaint.com/page/Was+John+the+Baptist+really+Elijah%3F
 
I agree with you two about the second coming. Consider this passage from the Haydock Bible Commentary on Malachias 4:1. To my knowledge both the Douay-Rheims and the RSV-CE have four chapters in that book.

Ver. 1. Furnace. At the day of judgment, the difference between the just and the wicked will plainly appear. (Worthington) — This sense is most generally given, as well as to those words where our Saviour speaks of the signs of the destruction of Jerusalem and of the end of the world together, Matthew xxiv. 3., and Luke xxi. 5. Yet the prophet may also allude to the punishment of the Jews by the Romans, when all were assembled at the Passover, (Calmet) a scourge which the Christians escaped by retiring to Pella. (Eusebius, History of the Church iii. 5.) — Proud. Septuagint, “strangers.” (Calmet) — Branch. No hope shall remain. (Menochius)

I have highlighted the 2 verses that this passage refers to and they explain in detail what Malachi had forwarned
 
Thanks to you both, very helpful.

I lead two studies in my parish and it’s keeping me jumping. I started one last spring and it got popular enought to add a second one. I’m in John 1 in the spinoff, and John 8 in the original. Total ministry right now is about a dozen regulars, and another 8 or so coming in here and there. It’s taking root in the parish.

Also was just elected to the parish council. In my parish the council’s mission is to guide the spiritual vision for the parish. The PC has no financial or administrative responsibilities. Pretty exciting stuff. The pastor truly considers it the most important committee in the parish.

PS to copland - do you have some reference information for the info below? I’m with you on it, I just want something to refer to as I explain to others. I always want to demonstrate to people in the study that we’re in line with church teaching.
Yes, the Pharisees were looking for the Mesiah to come and overthrow the Roman Empire and establish an earthly kingdom, they never thought that He was to come as the suffering servant and establish a heavenly kingdom.
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followtherabbi.com/Brix?pageID=3393

Here is a helpful link that gives some Biblical support as well as making reference to the Essenes who were probably the ones from the Ded Sea Scroll community. The writings of the Dead Sea Scrolls is a great resource to show the expectation of the Messiah to overthrow the Romans (often referred to as Kittim). The commentary on Habakkuk is very clear. Here is a link to them in English on Googl book search, you will be able to read the book books.google.com/books?id=KXJu5A-MmMMC&printsec=frontcover&dq=dead+sea+scrolls++english#PPR5,M1
 
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