With the coming of Christ, this prophecy found its initial fulfilment. But its ultimate fulfilment awaits the second and glorious coming of Christ. And just as God sent his messenger, John, to prepare the way for the first coming of Christ, calling men to repentance, and just as Christ came preaching the gospel of salvation, so the warning cry of God’s impending judgment and the call to repentance continue to be heard, together with the glorious gospel of salvation. The work that John the Baptist and Jesus Christ began continues through men whom Christ calls and anoints with the Holy Spirit as his messengers.
1 “Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before me. And the Lord whom you seek will suddenly come to his temple; and the messenger of the covenant in whom you delight, behold, he is coming, says the LORD of hosts.