John the Baptist as the Forerunner
1. John the Baptist → Forerunner of Jesus
📖 Isaiah 40:3 – "The voice of one crying in the wilderness: 'Prepare the way of the LORD; make straight in the desert a highway for our God.'"
📖 Malachi 3:1 – "Behold, I send my messenger, and he will prepare the way before Me."
📖 Luke 1:17 – "And he will go 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, to make ready for the Lord a people prepared."
📖 Matthew 3:1-3 – "In those days John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.’"
🔹 How John was a forerunner:
- Preached repentance to prepare people for Jesus.
- Baptized people as a sign of their turning to God.
- Pointed to Christ, saying, "Behold, the Lamb of God!" (John 1:29).
John is the ultimate biblical forerunner, explicitly fulfilling prophecy and actively preparing the people for Christ.
2. Elijah → Forerunner of John the Baptist & Jesus
📖 Malachi 4:5-6 – "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 the fathers to their children and the hearts of the children to their fathers."
📖 Matthew 11:14 – "And if you are willing to accept it, he is Elijah who is to come."
🔹 How Elijah was a forerunner:
- Called Israel to repentance and faith in God.
- Prepared the way for future prophetic ministry (including Elisha).
- Was expected to return before the Messiah to prepare the people.
John the Baptist fulfilled Elijah’s role (Luke 1:17), but Elijah still acted as a forerunner by calling Israel back to God before a new prophetic era.
3. Moses → Forerunner of the Law & Israel’s Deliverance
📖 Deuteronomy 18:15 – "The LORD your God will raise up for you a prophet like me from among you—it is to him you shall listen."
📖 Exodus 19:9-11 – "Behold, I am coming to you in a thick cloud, that the people may hear when I speak with you... go to the people and consecrate them today and tomorrow, and let them wash their garments."
🔹 How Moses was a forerunner:
- Prepared Israel to receive the Law.
- Confronted Pharaoh and led the people out of slavery.
- Set up the tabernacle system in preparation for greater worship in the Promised Land.
Moses acted as a forerunner of the covenant, preparing Israel for life under God’s rule.
4. Samuel → Forerunner of Israel’s Kings
📖 1 Samuel 3:20 – "And all Israel from Dan to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established as a prophet of the LORD."
📖 1 Samuel 10:1 – "Then Samuel took a flask of oil and poured it on his head and kissed him and said, ‘Has not the LORD anointed you to be prince over His people Israel?’"
🔹 How Samuel was a forerunner:
- Anointed the first kings of Israel (Saul & David), preparing the way for monarchy.
- Called Israel to repentance and obedience before the new kingdom era.
- Bridged the gap between the time of the Judges and the Kings.
Samuel prepared the people for the leadership of kings, particularly David.
5. David’s Mighty Men → Forerunners of the Kingdom of God
📖 1 Chronicles 12:22 – "For from day to day men came to David to help him, until there was a great army, like the army of God."
📖 2 Samuel 3:1 – "There was a long war between the house of Saul and the house of David. And David grew stronger and stronger."
🔹 How David’s followers were forerunners:
- Prepared the way for David’s kingdom by gathering warriors and loyal followers.
- Fought battles to establish David’s rule.
- Represent those who prepared the way for the rise of the true king.
David’s followers set the stage for his rule—just as Jesus’ disciples prepared the way for His kingdom.
6. Zerubbabel & Joshua the High Priest → Forerunners of Israel’s Restoration
📖 Haggai 2:23 – "I will take you, O Zerubbabel My servant… and make you like a signet ring, for I have chosen you, declares the LORD."
📖 Zechariah 6:12-13 – "Behold, the man whose name is the Branch… he shall build the temple of the LORD."
🔹 How Zerubbabel & Joshua were forerunners:
- Led the first wave of exiles back to Jerusalem.
- Rebuilt the temple, preparing the people for worship again.
- Prefigured Christ, who builds the true temple (His Church).
They prepared Israel for renewal, just as Christ later restored true worship.
7. The Apostles → Forerunners of the Church Age
📖 Matthew 10:7 – "And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’"
📖 Acts 1:8 – "You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."
🔹 How the apostles were forerunners:
- Prepared people for Jesus' coming (while He was still with them).
- Established the early Church, spreading the Gospel to Jews and Gentiles.
- Proclaimed the kingdom of God before Christ’s return.
The apostles prepared the world for the kingdom of God through preaching and discipleship.
Conclusion
A forerunner actively prepares the people for what is coming. The greatest forerunners in Scripture include:
- John the Baptist – Prepares for Jesus.
- Elijah – Prepares for repentance & Messiah’s coming.
- Moses – Prepares for God’s covenant and Law.
- Samuel – Prepares for Israel’s kings.
- David’s Mighty Men – Prepare for David’s rule.
- Zerubbabel & Joshua – Prepare for Israel’s restoration.
- The Apostles – Prepare for the spread of the Gospel.
Each of these figures actively paved the way for something greater, preparing people to receive God’s kingdom.
