The new "Elijah's" message must therefore be "Christ and Him crucified" (1 Çor. 2:1, 2).

God's solemn promise to "send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord" intrigues the people of God worldwide (Mal. 4:4, 5). What will "Elijah" specialize in? Beheading "prophets of Baal"? (We have some, even many, says a widely respected author.)

Undoubtedly, yes; but Malachi says no, "Elijah" will specialize in "turning" hearts that have been alienated from one another and from God. This is clearly stated in the original Elijah's prayer before all the people gathered at Mt. Carmel: "Hear me, O LORD [Jehovah, clearly distinguished from Baal], hear me, that this people may know that Thou art the LORD God, and that Thou hast turned their heart back again" (1 Kings 18:37).

"Turning hearts" is reconciliation, and nothing but the proclamation of the love [agape] of Christ can "constrain" a modern alienated, worldly heart that is infatuated with the world's pleasures and cars and houses and dress and entertainment, yet wants to get ready for the second coming of Christ. All the dire warnings of beheadings to come cannot "turn the heart."

The new "Elijah's" message must therefore be "Christ and Him crucified" (1 Çor. 2:1, 2). Unthinkable as it may be, this will anger the new "Ahab and Jezebel." But "Elijah" will again demand that everyone come out of the closet; the good news is now that those "7000" hiding in the closet will this time have the courage to take their stand with him (on Mt. Carmel not one dared say a word of support). And all together, God's numerous "Elijahs" will proclaim a message that will "lighten the earth with glory."