In about 5 B.C., events began to unfold that would change the world forever. The wife of an Aaronic priest, though long past child-bearing age, gave birth to a son. He became known as John the Baptizer. His preaching and life were “in the spirit of Elijah” (Luke 1:17 cf. John 11:11-14). John was a restorer (Matthew 17:11-13). He tried to turn his people back to their proper relationship with God and with each other (Luke 1:17; 3:10-14, 19).
The purpose of John’s restoration was “to make ready for the Lord a people prepared” (Luke 1:17). He announced that the One so long expected—One great beyond comparison—was arriving (Luke 3:15-16; John 1:30, 34). The King’s reign was about to begin.
THE KINGDOM IS AT HAND.
John the Baptist came preaching in the wilderness of Judea, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” … Then Jerusalem and all Judea and all the region about the Jordan were going out to him, and they were baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. (Matthew 3:1-2, 5-6)