The ministry of Elijah was taken as a model for Christ's fore-runner, John the Baptist who would go in the Spirit of Elijah.
This was predicted in Mal 4:5, 6 -
Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of
the great and awesome Day of the LORD. And he will turn the hearts of
the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their
fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.”
Thus, the predicted "Elijah" the prophet would do the same reforming work as the original Elijah. This was fulfilled, in the NT, in the person of John the Baptist as recorded in Matt 17:10-13 -
The disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must
come first?”
Jesus replied, “Elijah does indeed come, and he will restore all
things. But I tell you that Elijah has already come, and they did not
recognize him, but have done to him whatever they wished. In the same
way, the Son of Man will suffer at their hands.”
Then the disciples understood that He was speaking to them about John
the Baptist.
[See also Mark 13:11-13.]
Note the words of the Angel to Zechariah about John in Luke 1:17 -
And he will go on before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah,
to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the
disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people
prepared for the Lord.”
This is further confirmed by Jesus in His speech about John recorded in Matt 11:7-14 -
As John’s disciples were leaving, Jesus began to speak to the crowds
about John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed
swaying in the wind? Otherwise, what did you go out to see? A man
dressed in fine clothes? Look, those who wear fine clothing are found
in kings’ palaces. What then did you go out to see? A prophet? Yes, I
tell you, and more than a prophet. This is the one about whom it is
written:
‘Behold, I will send My messenger ahead of You, who will prepare Your
way before You.’ [Matt 3:1]
Truly I tell you, among those born of women there has risen no one
greater than John the Baptist. Yet even the least in the kingdom of
heaven is greater than he. From the days of John the Baptist until
now, the kingdom of heaven has been subject to violence, and the
violent lay claim to it. For all the Prophets and the Law prophesied
until John. And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who
was to come." [Mal 4:5]
