That’s a very interesting thought but I am not sure that the verses that you base it on will really support the line. Even in the OT there is Jer. 15:1 though it’s generally considered that popular belief in life after death came pretty late to Judaism.

Acts 1:9-11 does not imply that Jesus is therefore now going back to being ‘alive’ in God’s mind. I think the NT as a whole shouts out something different.

Math 24:28 should not be taken as an isolated “odd man out” statement for it fits within its context envisioning the stark truth of opportunism taking greatest advantage when people are most vulnerable (as they would be in a tribulation). The two metaphors, ‘thief in the night’ and ‘in the clouds with great glory’ do not require multiple parousias (though I agree with you that that may indeed happen) but simply could be that one saying stresses the surprise element while the other highlights the triumphal aspect.

Coming to Elijah-JTB, Jesus is spoken of as a prophet like Moses, a high priest like Melchizidech, the second Adam…I just think that these are a Hebrew way of expressing fulfilment and need not have any more ‘literal’ meaning assigned to them.

A more supportive conversation is found in Mk 8:27-28, where the disciples report that many people believe that Jesus could be John, Elijah, or “one of the prophets”, indicating that people believed that these men could indeed reappear.

Live to serve : Serve to live