There’s a big difference between believing and receiving. The Gospels identify John the Baptist as Isaiah’s “Voice” (Isaiah 40:3) and Malachi’s “Messenger” (Malachi 3:1 & 4:5, 6; Mark 1:2, 3; John 1:23). John came in “the spirit of Elijah” but was not Elijah, in a real sense (Matthew 11:7-14; John 1:19-34).
Jesus said, “All the prophets and the law prophesied until John, and if you will receive it, this is Elijah that was to come. He who has ears to hear, let him hear.” (Matthew 11:13-15)
So, is Elijah yet to return, physically? The Jews certainly expected him (Matthew 16:14). John came “in the spirit of Elijah” and those who were waiting for him to come physically missed out. It’s the same today in relation to the Kingdom of God. It is yet to come in the fullest sense but here already, spiritually.
All Christians believe in the Kingdom of God, but many see it as being a future kingdom. But for 2000 years others have believed it to be present spiritually, and in so doing have received and enjoyed its many blessings.
“Whatsoever you desire, when you pray believe that you receive it and you shall have it.” There can be a time gap between asking and having, but there’s none between asking and receiving. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) There’s no “gap” in God-given faith.
“If you will receive it” Jesus said. (Matthew 12:15) Are you a believer AND a receiver? Before my first ministry visit to the Philippines, the Lord gave me a word of wisdom that helped believers in name only to become Christians. The word was “Turn believers into receivers.” The key was John 1:12. “But to as many as received him he gave the right to become the sons of God…” When I asked Filipinos whether they believed in the Virgin Birth, the Crucifixion, and the Resurrection, they answered “Of course!” Then I asked them if they had ever received the Lord in whom they by their own confession believed. They responded quickly, and their spiritual condition quickly changed from nominal to phenomenal.
God is Good and Jesus is Lord!