Forerunner
Every major prediction or appearance of YHWH's son (i.e., the Messiah, son of God) seems to always include the prediction of a forerunner. The Merriam-Webster Dictionary defines Forerunner as: one that precedes and indicates the approach of another; such as a premonitory sign or symptom; or a skier who runs the course before the start of a race.
The Prophet John the Baptiser was the forerunner in the first coming of Jesus the Messiah. He is described in Matthew 3:2 in these terms:
"This is he who was spoken of through the prophet Isaiah:
“A voice of one calling in the wilderness,
‘Prepare the way for the Lord,
make straight paths for him.’”
He was the one preceding and indicating the approach of the Lord our saviour - Jesus, son of Mary.
Likewise, Hebrews 6:19-20 describes Jesus the Messiah as the forerunner of all who became sons and daughters of YHWH by faith in the sacrifice he made on our behalf.
"We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf. He has become a high priest forever, in the order of Melchizedek."
In this case, Jesus not only preceded our approach as spiritual offspring of YHWH, but also as our symbol, a skier who runs the course before the start of our race. Halleluyah!
The job of a spiritual forerunner is defined. He not only prepares the way, but he makes straight paths for the one coming. In other words, the bumps, obstacles, diversions or any other thing that might prevent, hinder or slow down the course or fulfilment of the purpose of the one coming is smoothed out or removed.
We, as Sons of God in this age, are called to prepare the way for the second coming of Christ our saviour. This is a call for every individual, as well as for groups and ministers of every kind in the kingdom of God. I am to prepare the path of my heart and life for the coming Messiah, as well as that (ministry) and those (people) he has placed in my sphere of influence. This responsibility is mine just as it is yours.
John's job description was further elaborated by the angel that announced his birth and his dad in Luke 1: 17 (permit me to quote the NASB rather than my default NIV; the reason will soon become obvious):
"And it is he who will go as a forerunner before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of fathers back to their children, and the disobedient to the attitude of the righteous, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” NAS
Note the italicised words; they are not in the original literal Greek. The more literal 'Literal Standard Version' (LSV), I believe, does a better job:
"and he will go before Him, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn hearts of fathers to children, and disobedient ones to the wisdom of righteous ones, to make ready for the LORD, a people prepared.”
I believe the idea being communicated is that the older generation will become softened to the message of the coming Messiah, and their hearts will be made ready to receive a promise they might have long shelved; while the younger generation who might have discarded or become disillusioned with the faith of their fathers will return to the God of Israel in the attitude of the righteous Patriarchs.
Why do I believe 'Fathers will become sons and sons will embrace the faith of the Patriarchs (their Fathers)' is the right interpretation? Because the message's context and Malachi 4:6, from which the angel quoted, allude to that.
"And he has turned back the heart of fathers to sons, "" And the heart of sons to their fathers, "" Before I come and have utterly struck the land!” Malachi 4:6 LSV
Therefore, as forerunners of the Messiah's second coming, we have the responsibility, in Christ's meek but non-compromising spirit of love, to individually:
Faithfully embark on the course and run the race he is requesting others to run.
Proclaim the need to prepare a path for the coming King - our Lord Jesus - to those in our spheres.
To make calloused hearts and minds soft and receptive again, becoming once more like the teachable hearts of little children (sons).
Bring back many (lost and astray) in the Kingdom of God to the righteous faith of the Apostles and Patriarchs
John, as a forerunner, prepared the way, but his primary message was for the people to do the preparing. He was a “A voice" calling. His urgent message to all was: ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him!’.
So I implore the older generation, ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him! Become teachable sons once more!
I implore the younger generation to ‘Prepare the way for the Lord, make straight paths for him! Turn from cynicism, turn back to the pure and tested faith of the ancients!
To all, I admonish:
"go on before the Lord to prepare the way for him,
to give his people the knowledge of salvation
through the forgiveness of their sins,
because of the tender mercy of our God,
by which the rising sun will come to us from heaven
to shine on those living in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide our feet into the path of peace.” Luke1:76b -79
Amen.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:1-2
But Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!” Numbers 11:29
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