The greatest of all prophets, Elijah, was taken up to heaven in a whirlwind while he was still alive (2 Kings 2:11). God stated the following, which was written by the prophet Malachi: "See, I will send you the prophet Elijah before that great and dreadful day of the LORD comes" (Malachi 4:5). This is a prophecy that Elijah would return again, in the future, just prior to the period known as the "Day of the Lord"--the final portion of the final seven years of the age (the 70th Week).

Elijah, along with Moses, was seen by Peter, James, and John at the transfiguration of Jesus (Matthew 17:1-4). John the Baptist was a "type" of Elijah, because he proclaimed the coming of Jesus (17:10-13). Elijah and John the Baptist even dressed the same way (2 Kings 1:8; Matthew 3:4). However, neither of these were the prophesied coming of Elijah prior to the Day of the Lord.

Most (including myself) believe that Elijah will be one of the two witnesses of Revelation 11:3-12). I suspect that Moses will be the other witness, although some believe that it will be Enoch who, like Elijah, was taken away alive (Genesis 5:24). The two witnesses will prophesy for 1,260 days--the final 3½ years of the 70th Week. During that time (at the opening of the Seventh Seal), the great and dreadful Day of the Lord will begin.

Notice that one of the things the two witnesses will do is to destroy their enemies with fire (Revelation 11:5). Similarly, Elijah was able to bring fire down from heaven and destroy 2 captains and 100 men (2 Kings 1:10,12). At the end of that 3½-year period (which also will be at the end of the final 7 years), at the blowing the Seventh Trumpet, Jesus will return to earth to rule and reign (Revelation 11:15-17).