William Branham: Malachi 4

William Branham's doctrinal teaching included the core belief that the last few verses of Malachi in chapter four were describing a 20th-Century Prophet. According to Branham's theology, Malachi chapter three referred to John the Baptist, while Malachi 4 referred to a modern-day return of "Elijah the Prophet" from the Old Testament. Using symbolism and fictional events in his Stage Persona, Branham then convinced his followers to believe that he, himself, was this "Elijah".

Once this foundational doctrine was laid, and his followers began to believe that Branham was "Elijah", Branham then began teaching that the modern-day "Elijah" he claimed to be described by Malachi chapter four was "Not A Man But God", "God in human flesh".

But the Elijah of this day is the Lord Jesus Christ. He is to come according to Matthew the seventeen-…Luke 17:30, is, the Son of man is to reveal Himself among His people. Not a man, God! But it’ll come through a Prophet.
Branham, William. 1965, Nov 27. Trying To Do God A Service Without It Being God's Will

The book of Malachi, however, was written to Israel. The title line describes its focal point: "The Oracle of the Lord to Israel by Malachi". The Masoretic transcripts did not originally have the fourth chapter; the six verses from today's chapter four were in the third chapter.

Most Christians understand the prophecy of Malachi describing the "coming Elijah" to be John the Baptist as described in Luke of the Christian Bible.

"The Law and the Prophets were proclaimed until John. Since that time, the good news of the kingdom of God is being preached, and everyone is forcing their way into it.
Luke 16:16

https://william-branham.org/site/topics/malachi_4