What Did Jesus Mean By the Term ‘Restore All Things?’

In Matthew 17:9-13, the disciples ask Jesus some critical questions as they leave the Mount of Transfiguration. They had just seen Moses and Elijah and Jesus reminded them not to tell anyone. Then they ask about Elijah coming before the Messiah.

And as they were coming down the mountain, Jesus commanded them, “Tell no one the vision, until the Son of Man is raised from the dead.” And the disciples asked him, “Then why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come?” He answered, “Elijah does come, and he will restore all things. Matthew 17: 10-11

We must understand what is going on in these verses. The key to understanding is to ask, “Why is Elijah returning before the Messiah?” What is meant by the question, “Restore All Things?” 

One thing I must say in the beginning is that Christians do not believe in or practice reincarnation. We expect that when Christ returns believers will be raised from the dead and receive a new, glorified body. The Old Testament righteous will be resurrected also at some point. See Daniel 12. 

So, we ask “Is Jesus saying that Elijah will actually return? But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him but did to him whatever they pleased. Matthew 17:12 What did Jesus mean that Elijah had come and many didn’t recognize him?

Then the disciples understood that he was speaking to them of John the Baptist. Matthew 17:13. So Jesus was referring to John the Baptist and his ministry. John was misunderstood because he preached a hard repentance message and the religious leaders could not tolerate him. Ultimately he was martyred at the hand of a false King and his wife because John spoke out against the adultery that took place between them.

John was very radical indeed, perhaps more so than any other prophet before or after. He was in fact Jesus’ cousin and was considered to be the forerunner or the one who prepared the way for Jesus, the Messiah. But, what does that mean? It was the work of John to preach repentance so the people would turn toward God and be ready to receive what Jesus would teach and do. 

What did John restore? There were so many things that were lost at that time, we have to begin with the work of Elijah. To say that John was Elijah is not to say Elijah came back but that the same spirit that rested on him has returned. It was a spirit of repentance and it required people to turn to God with their hearts and not their minds. 

To repent is to forsake one’s sins. In those days people obeyed the law but they were far from God. The religious leaders were more interested in keeping every letter of the law and didn't care if someone was hungry on the Sabbath or was sick and needed their prayers. 

But, Jesus mentioned something about restoring all things. That actually sounds like something only He could do. To understand what Elijah did we need to return to 1 Kings 18:37 which reads Answer me, Lord, answer me, so that this people may know that You, Lord, are God, and that You have turned their heart back.” 

The words “You have turned their hearts back” speak of a repentant heart or one that has turned back to God. Then why did the prophet in Malachi say that Elijah would restore children to their fathers (parents) and visa versa? Because the younger generations' hearts were turned away from the older ones and perhaps even God. 

They came to God in their own way but grew apart because each generation is different than the previous one. That is quite obvious today. When a generation becomes disconnected from another we see many areas that become separated from God and what He expects. In Elijah’s day, the people had turned to Baal and Ashteroth. There were a few that hadn’t. The younger people followed after Jezebel’s gods while the older one’s for the most part, probably continued to serve God. 

But we don’t know. But we do know Eliaj is supposed to restore all things and that didn’t take place with John. Christians have been waiting for Jesus’ return for over 2,000 years. John began the process that Elijah and all of the prophets had begun. 

Is Elijah Returning Before Jesus Returns? 

As I previously discussed it is not Elijah that is returning but the Holy Spirit will be operating and manifesting the same way as He did in Eijah’s day. He will be calling on people to repent, and accept now we come to the Father through Jesus. But, you can still say Elijah will precede the Lord’s return. The Holy Spirit is already working the hearts and lives of many to bring restoration as Jesus promised.

Many are bringing restoration to parents and their children, and many, who are prodigals and have gone the ways of the world or sought a different Jesus than the one true and living Jesus, son of God. But estranged relationships are not all that needs restoring.

Restoration of ‘All” Things?

When Jesus told His disciples that Elijah would come and set things right he meant what He said. Jesus said all things would be restored. Now, that is a lot. How will it be restored before Messiah’s return? I thought that was His job. Perfect peace and tranquility is the picture of the Millenial kingdom of the earth under Jesus’ rule.

But, Jesus promised restoration before He returned and so we should expect it. How will it be accomplished is the subject of another day. But for now, let’s look at what needs restoring. Since the fall of our parents, Adam and Eve in the garden, everything has been lost and God has been bringing restoration.

The entire story of the Bible through today is God’s story of restoration. We see it at the end of teh Book of Revelation where there’s a river and trees for healing and cities of jewels and gold. That all sounds a lot like Eden to me.

What Needs Restoring?

• The earth

• Mankind

• The nations

• Families

• Relationships

• Businesses

• Health

• Governments

• Finances

• Israel

• Our total being

One of the fastest-growing areas of ministry is in the area of deliverance and inner healing. That’s because when we come to Jesus we are a mess. Many think that we get cleaned up immediately and we are supposed to be perfect when we are still full of a lifetime of open doors to junk and stuff that was meant to destroy us.

Money and health are also at the top of the list. Our food helps determine whether we will be healthy or not. More and more people are turning to organic food without preservatives. Then we see more people cutting back on spending and saving more.

We see many groups attempt to bring world peace, which is not working. They struggle to provide a cleaner earth and often it goes too far in the wrong direction. Individual lives and families are destroyed every day by bad choices. 

Now we live in a nation where teaching the principles of the Bible is wrong and not accepted. More and more people are turning away from God to try to fix the world’s problems with the world’s tools.

To see anything restored we have to follow the pattern outlined in God’s word. Since everything was destroyed by sin, only the fix to sin can restore it. That of course is Jesus.

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

Elijah's spirit is to bring people back to God through prayer and repentance and filling them with the Word of God. This is set to occur before the great and terrible day of the Lord which is still future, I believe. 

That is why there is a need for preparation before the great and terrible day of the Lord. Otherwise, He will have to smite the earth with a curse. The people must return to God and allow Him to begin restoring all things before it’s too late.

What needs restoring in your life? Now is the hour to get rid of bitterness, idolatry, and many other areas of bondage that keep you from living ready and prepared for the return of the King. Surrender and repent and renounce those areas that are unyielded to Jesus. That is the work of Elijah now.