John the Baptist completed the great "handoff" in his preparation for the coming MESSIAH! The prophecies concerning John the Baptist were FULFILLED to the very letter including the one that said "Elijah" was coming. When Jesus Christ arrived on the scene the prophecies were FULFILLED which prophesied his coming. Jesus also made it clear that John (the Baptist) was the "Elijah" whom the prophet Malachi declared would come. It is totally awesome how the Old Testament flows beautifully into the New Testament. The Bridegroom is Jesus Christ and the church (both Jewish and Gentile believers) are the Bride! Hallelujah!