John Foretold

John the Baptist was the last prophet before Christ. His ministry, like all the prophets, was to point the way to Christ, but in his case this became a physical act.

John 1:23

23)  He said, I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness, Make straight the way of the Lord, as said the prophet Esaias.

He was also foretold, and fulfilled prophecy from the old testament, primarily in Isaiah, and Malachi, but also in the form of Elijah. In fact some believed he was Elijah, though a better way to put it would be that the Spirit of Elijah was upon him, as it was upon Elisha.

Elijah and John

When asked by the pharisees John denied being Elijah (John 1:21). However, he was also said to be Elijah, and as such we recognise Elijah’s Spirit upon him. Jesus said “This is Elias” (Matthew 11:13-14)

Here are just some of the ways Elijah and John were similar:

• Both were hairy, and wore a similar clothing (2 Kings 1:8; Mark 1:6).
• Both had disciples (2 Kings 2:3; Luke 11:1).
• Both preached to the reigning king (1 Kings 17:1; Mark 6:20).
• Both lived in the desert near the river Jordan (1 Kings 17:5-6; Matthew 3:5-6).
• Both preached, and saw repentance from many (1 Kings 18:39; Matthew 3:6).
• Both confronted the reigning king over sin (1 Kings 21:18-19; Matthew 14:3-4).

Prophesied by Isaiah

Isaiah directly foretold the coming of John (Isaiah 40:3-5), and this passage is directly quoted all four of the gospels (John 1:22-23).

• He would be a voice in the wilderness.
• He would prepare the way of the Lord.
• He would witness the glory of the Lord revealed, with the audible voice of God (As happened at the baptism of Jesus).

Looking closely at this prophecy, and its fulfillment, it should be noticed that John was a voice; he was not a mere echo. He spoke with authority because he knew God and His Word intimately. His preaching was a vital message from the Lord. He did not depend on earthly wisdom which may or may not have been good He had a direct revelation from heaven. He voiced the precious Word of God.

Prophesied by Malachi

Malachi first reinforced the prophecy of Isaiah, then gives us more.

• He would be sent by God with a message.
• He would prepare the way of the Lord.
• He would have the Spirit of Elijah.
• He would turn the hearts of the fathers to the children.

This was then repeated direct to John’s dad before his birth (Luke 1:13-17).

All this and more he did in fulfilment of prophecy. John the herald of Christ.