An analysis of the biblical and prophetic case for both John the Baptist and Jesus' mission. John the Baptist came ?in the spirit and power of Elijah? and prepared the way for the Lord, preaching repentance and forgiveness of sins. The scriptural case for John the Baptist being the Old Testament Elijah himself is analyzed and compared to the expectations of the time surrounding the second comings of Jesus and Elijah. The complex case for why the fulfillment of these prophecies was not clear until they occurred in history demonstrates the intricacy and brilliance of God's plan.