Tim McHyde's post on the two witnesses/ Elijah got me thinking.  The study of Elijah and Elisha has facinated me for years.  I have always found it particularily interesting to note how  the "types",  from old Testament to New Testament times, undergo such a radical change.
   In the OT, Elijah is a "father" to Elisha, the "son"; in other words, the two are "separated " by one generation.   In the New Testament, John, who walked in the spirit of Elijah, is a contemporary of Jesus, who was a "type" of Elisha.  This time around, not only are they of the same generation (only 6 months apart) their first encounter takes place BEFORE birth, in the wombs of Mary and Elizabeth!  In  other words, in the movement towards redemption, the "types" begin to merge. Is it then  possible, that in the "3rd day", the "types" of Elijah and Elisha  merge even further...perhaps into "one" womb?  After all, we are moving back into "oneness", in the process of redemption.  And could this provide some clues into interpreting the prophetic events in our time? I think it does!
    I have made the observation that many students of prophecy sometimes forget to factor in the movement towards "Oneness"and the expansion of the redemptive process, in their interpretation of scripture.  The Word is a living, moving Entity and yet we often interpret it as something static.  While the Word cannot change, it can and will,  expand, and if we are not expanding with it, we will miss what "it" has to tell us.  The ""language"  encoded in our dna,  at a celluar level does not change and yet its full expression will look quite different at birth, than it did at conception.(and again  through the various stages to full growth)  So too, the 1st, 2nd and 3rd "days"  look radically different in each phase, as they play out in the redemption of creation.
  Most of the revelation of the 3rd day has been hidden within the "womb" of Scripture and  only those who "know" our Bridegroom, in the most intimate manner,  will recognize the "child" when it has been birthed.  "It is the glory of God to conceal a thing; but the honor of kings to search out a matter."  In the time of Christ, it was those who were still focused on the word in "cell" form,who persecuted the Word in its "expansion"...or  the Word made Flesh.  So too, I believe,  will persecution come to the sons made manifest in the 3rd day, by those who did not allow the Word to grow and become Flesh within them.
    What would be God's purpose in the  merging of the  two types of Elijah(John) and Elisha(Jesus) so that in the "2nd day", they come onto the world scene, in the same generation, meeting each other for the first time, within the wombs of their mothers?  Why not have a father type of "Elijah" prepare the way for the Lord's entrance on the scene, in keeping with the OT "type"?  The main reason, I believe, is that God had a good reason for changing the typology of events...which could serve to place a big marker pointing  towards  a "final" merger into one.  This merger, I believe, could be one of the most important keys to understanding the next phase in God's purposes on earth.
    Let's look at some facts.  Both Elijah and John the Baptist, who walked in the spirit of Elijah, were born under the Law.  They were both prophets.  Luke 16:16 states: "The law and the prophets were until John; since that time, the Kingdom of God is preached and every man presseth into it."  Jesus came to fulfill both the law and the prophets....so whomever comes as Elijah who "RESTORES ALL things"... must be a person/s in Christ, with Christ in him/them, walking in the Spirit of Christ.   The spirit of prophecy is the testimony of Jesus Christ and we are His living testimonies, His witnesses.  If Christ (who is a type of Elisha) is now indwelling the Elijah who comes....this would be the final merger of the two types.  Is there a "picture" of this merger, in the New Testament?...I think there  is!   It takes place during the Feast of Tabernacles (which is the feast where man, in its final fulfillment,  is RESTORED to ALL the fulness of his inheritance)  Moses (who represents the law) and Elijah (who represents the prophets) ...both of which Jesus Christ came to fulfill...are seen with Christ(the "type" of Elisha), by his disciples, on Mt. Tabor, the Mount of Transfiguration. The word "transfiguration" can also be interpreted, "transferal" and it was when, I believe, the official transferal of the Kingdom of God to earth, took place. (remember, the law  and the prophets  were UNTIL John; since that time THE KINGDOM OF GOD is preached....)  Peter wanted to build tabernacles(booths) for all three on the mount...one for Jesus, one for Moses and one for Elijah...but at that time, a cloud enveloped them, and a voice from the cloud said "This is my Son whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to HIM"(in other words, never mind Elijah and Moses, it  was HIM they were to listen to). The two had disappeared and only ONE remained...the One who came to fulfill both the Law and the Prophets .  Question...Has anyone ever considered that only One Person is qualified to "restore ALL things"?  Doesn't this seem like an overstated job description for someone walking in Elijah's shoes?  Unless of course, we haven't seen the whole picture behind this person(s) we have all been waiting for.   More on the next post.  Kathryn LeCorre