He was the Messenger of the Lord sent to prepare the way (Matthew 11:10) for the Messiah, Jesus Christ. John preached repentance and baptized in the name of the Lord, thus preparing the way for Jesus’ first advent. But the Messenger who comes “suddenly to the Temple” is Christ Himself in His second advent when He comes in power and might (Matthew 24).
Alikuwa Mtume wa Bwana aliyetumwa kuandaa njia (Mathayo 11:10) kwa ajili ya Masihi, Yesu Kristo. Yohana alihubiri toba na kubatiza katika jina la Bwana, na hivyo kuandaa njia kwa ajili ya ujio wa kwanza wa Yesu. Lakini Mtume ajaye "ghafla kwa Hekalu" ni Kristo mwenyewe katika ujio wake wa pili wakati atakapokuja katika uwezo na nguvu (Mathayo 24).