Holy Week Convergence: Spirit and Power of Elijah

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: Malachi 4: 5

During this holy season of Passover, Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday, Holy Shabbat and Resurrection Sunday, the debate still rages in some quarters if Christians should be celebrating Jewish festivals like Passover.

We must not forget, however, that Passover, the first of the seven Festivals of the LORD, are just that—the modeim (appointed times) of YHVH. They belong to Him and to all the people of the Book who call upon his name.

My husband and I were privileged to lead a Passover seder this year on the Eastern Shore of Virginia in Cape Charles, sponsored by various partners including the Baptist Church, a real estate businesswoman and members of our own family.

In all the years that our ministry has conducted Passover seders throughout Israel, in Egypt and in Jordan, we’ve never seen more beautiful catering! Can you imagine—each of the 40 participants received his or her own seder plate!

The fact that Christians are discovering that the Last Supper of Jesus was an actual Passover meal is a grassroots movement all over the world, full of revelation. Some Jewish people think this is cultural appropriation, but no, it is necessary and timely revelation.

While the Passover eternally belongs to the Jewish people, we also must consider that Passover is the first of Seven Feasts of the LORD. The Feasts belong to the LORD himself and tell the entire story of redemption. If we appreciate the Hebrew Scriptures we appreciate the entire history of redemption. Every believer needs to absorb into his or her worldview the festivals of the LORD.

Some Christians think that followers of Yeshua have no reason to celebrate a Passover Seder since Christians are no longer "under the law."

However, as the Hebrew for Christians website points out, the image of "Christ our Passover Lamb" (המשיח פסח שלנו) will extend forever and unto eternity itself, when the Lamb of God is fully glorified and enthroned, as Revelation 7: 17 says: "For the Lamb on the throne will be their Shepherd. He will lead them to springs of life-giving water. And God will wipe every tear from their eyes."

"And the city has no need of sun or moon, for the glory of God illuminates the city, and the Lamb is its light." (Revelation 21: 23)

The Apostle Paul used Passover terms to describe our new life in Messiah by admonishing us to: "purge out the old leaven, that you may be a new lump, since you truly are unleavened. For indeed Christ, our Passover, was sacrificed for us. Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, nor with the leaven of malice and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth." (1 Cor. 5:7-8)

A cup and an empty chair are set at Passover seders because of Malachi 4: 5, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.”

Many believe the Last Days will see believers empowered with an Elijah-like anointing to preach repentance, confront evil, and demonstrate God’s power.

Malachi 4:5-6 states:
"Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers, lest I come and strike the land with a decree of utter destruction."

This prophecy is often interpreted in the context of the "last days" or the end times, pointing to a figure or movement operating in the spirit and power of Elijah, the prophet known for his bold confrontation of idolatry, miracles, and calling Israel to repentance.

Key Interpretations:
John the Baptist as a Fulfillment: In the New Testament, Jesus identifies John the Baptist as fulfilling this prophecy in a preliminary sense (Matthew 11:14, Luke 1:17). John came "in the spirit and power of Elijah," preparing the way for Jesus by preaching repentance and turning hearts back to God.

End-Times Application:
Many Christian eschatological views hold that the Malachi prophecy also points to a future fulfillment before the Second Coming of Jesus. This could involve:
A specific individual: Some believe the literal prophet Elijah (or a figure with his anointing) will appear to prepare the world for Christ's return.

A prophetic movement:
Others interpret it as a broader work of the Holy Spirit, where believers operate in the "spirit of Elijah." This includes:
Bold preaching against sin and idolatry.
Calling people to repentance and reconciliation with God.
Restoring relationships (e.g., turning hearts of fathers and children).
Demonstrating God’s power through signs, wonders, or miracles, as Elijah did.

In some Christian teachings, particularly in charismatic and Pentecostal circles, the "spirit of Elijah" is seen as an anointing or calling on believers in the last days to proclaim truth fearlessly, like Elijah confronting Ahab and Jezebel. These believers operate in spiritual authority to combat demonic forces or false teachings. They facilitate revival and reconciliation, aligning with Malachi’s emphasis on restored relationships.

Relevant New Testament Connections:
Luke 1:17: The angel Gabriel described John the Baptist’s ministry as going “before him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just.”

Revelation 11: Some associate the "two witnesses" with Elijah-like figures due to their miraculous powers (e.g., calling down fire, stopping rain), though this is speculative and debated.

Summary:
The prophecy in Malachi suggests that before the "day of the Lord," God will raise up a person or movement in the spirit of Elijah to call people back to Him, restore relationships, and prepare the way for Yeshua’s return. While John the Baptist partially fulfilled this role, many believe the last days will see believers empowered with an Elijah-like anointing to preach repentance, confront evil, and demonstrate God’s power.

Photos below: Peter Darg temporarily sitting in Elijah's chair at our seder in Cape Charles, VA, 11 April. It was a health victory for us. It was one year ago that my precious husband was so viciously attacked by a blood clot but he has lived and recovered to offer the praise due to our LORD! In the second photo he and I are together presenting a Powerpoint teaching. To contact us concerning our ministry, please click here