We could actually be this close..?

[guyver]

That only means he is not alone in his error.

I noticed you thought it was an error when he said John could have been Elijah , but charles was right.
If John had been excepted as Elijah and Jesus as the messiah then it would have been game over , with no future Elijah or coming messiah or any saving of the world.

When Jesus said , I tell you he is coming , hes is referring to Elijah in the future , then he says , but I tell you he has already come , he is obviously talking about John.

As far as Israel is concerned , neither have have shown up , so they wait.