Elijah2come

Some people falsely believe that the prophet like Elijah has already come, and that he was John the Baptist. This view comes from the following scriptures:

And if you are willing to accept it, he is the Elijah who was to come.
(Matthew 11:14)

The disciples asked him, "Why then do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?" Jesus replied, "To be sure, Elijah comes and will restore all things. But I tell you, Elijah has already come, and they did not recognize him, but have done to him everything they wished. In the same way the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands." Then the disciples understood that he was talking to them about John the Baptist.
(Matthew 17:10-13)

But notice that in Matthew 17 Jesus said that Elijah "comes and will", suggesting a future coming! The New King James Version of the Bible is even clearer by saying that Elijah "is coming"! The King James Version says Elijah "shall" come. The Revised Standard Version says "Elijah does come". The Today's English Version of the Bible (also known as the "Good News" Bible) and the New Living Translation both say "Elijah is indeed coming".
Also, John the Baptist said that he was not the Elijah that is coming! Look at how John the Baptist responds when asked about this:

They asked him, "Then who are you? Are you Elijah?" He said, "I am not." "Are you the prophet?" He answered, "No."
(John 1:21)

However, even though John the Baptist denies being the Elijah, he quotes a Bible verse that links himself to Elijah in John 1:22-23. Also, Jesus clearly says that John the Baptist is the Elijah in Matthew 11:14. These, combined with what Jesus said in Matthew 17:12 above that "Elijah has already come", suggests that John the Baptist was a "type" or an example of a later Elijah. Therefore, just as John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus' first coming, so also a prophet will prepare the way for Jesus when he comes again.
Notice What Malachi says about this prophet:

"See, I will send my messenger, who will prepare the way before me. Then suddenly the Lord you are seeking will come to his temple; the messenger of the covenant, whom you desire, will come," says the LORD Almighty. "But who can endure the day of his coming? Who can stand when he appears? For he will be like a refiner's fire or a launderer's soap."
(Malachi 3:1-2)

This never happened when John the Baptist was here! Jesus' first coming was more passive as a redeemer. But prophecy says that when Jesus returns he will come bringing the wrath of almighty God! When Jesus returns we will ask "who can endure the day of his coming?". Malachi clearly refers to a prophet that prepares the way for Jesus' second coming!