In the Spirit of Elijah

By John Thiel

Our present message is to understand how the Elijah people will function under the spirit of Elijah.

Malachi 4:5 Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 6 And he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.

In our previous study we came to an appreciation of how the Bible qualifies the people of Elijah at this time just before the great day of the Lord. This speaks of the time we now live.

Mathew 24:44 Watch therefore: for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come. 43 But know this, that if the goodman of the house had known in what watch the thief would come, he would have watched, and would not have suffered his house to be broken up. 44 Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. 45 Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his Lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season?  46 Blessed [is] that servant, whom his Lord when he cometh shall find so doing. 47 Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

To give them food, spiritual food at the right time, there needs to be wise servants at such a crucial time just before the storms of destruction fall upon this planet. Can’t you see them already storming? The scientists tell us there will be tornados and destructive floods. Before it really comes loose, the angels are holding back those storms because Gods people need to be prepared to survive that time. It is a group of ministers, my faithful and wise servant, who will give the correct message. The correct food for such time. It’s going to catch you by surprise, it will come suddenly upon us. Only those who are watching will be ready for it. We have previously identified the parable of the wise and foolish virgins.

Matthew 25:6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the bridegroom cometh; go ye out to meet him.

There are wise virgins who are watching and who are giving the message, now is the time, get ready to meet the bridegroom. Come and join the bridal party. This ministry is the living church that is constantly watching by studying the Scriptures.

The attitude of watching is to designate the church as God’s people indeed. By this sign the waiting ones are distinguished from the world and show that they are pilgrims and strangers upon the earth. {2T 205.2}

As you study the prophecies of the last days you know many have been fulfilled and you’re waiting for Jesus to come and it’s been delayed. Many churches have said Jesus is coming and he hasn’t come and people begin to mock. There is a church that continues to tenaciously provide meat in due season and is not asleep like the wise and foolish virgins but awake and with the bridegroom constantly. The attitude of watching is to designate the church of God as Gods people indeed. Who is the church? The ones who are watching. God’s faithful watching people testify they are watching. They will be identified as Gods faithful servant by giving meat in due season.  They are not Elijah himself. Why are they called Elijah in Malachi 4? Why are they called my prophet Elijah? It is the same reason the way Jesus spoke about John the Baptist;

Luke 1:17 And he shall go before him in the spirit and power of Elias, to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just; to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.

John the Baptist was called to make a people ready for the coming of Jesus at the first advent. The Jewish nation as a whole wasn’t ready. When Jesus had to go through what was prophesied, they rejected him. Only a few received the message. Likewise today. John the Baptist was the Elijah of that time. The wise servant giving meat in due season today is the Elijah of today as they are coming in the spirit and power of Elijah. When Elijah was ready to go up in the chariot of fire, Elisha asked him what he will give him an double portion of his spirit. Although he was Elisha, although John the Baptist was John the Baptist, we may be identified with Elijah. We are to be identified with him by his spirit. Examine what his spirit was like that we can examine ourselves whether we have it now or what we must do to have it. As a human being, was Elijah different to us?

James 5:17 Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months. 18 And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

Was he any different? Are you a passionate person, do you feel grieved, angry, temptations of lust, do you feel all those things? Elijah was exactly like you and me. We will examine this man of like passions as we and yet with a spirit upon him that we need to have if we will be the Elijah people. If we are of the spirit of Elijah, we will experience similarly as he did. As we examine his experiences, we’ll be encouraged. Observe the spirit that animated Elijah.

1 Kings 17:1. And Elijah the Tishbite, [who was] of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, [As] the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.

Who was he speaking to? The king. The king commanded his soldiers to take him but before he could, he was gone. Don’t you think Elijah’s human nature could have quavered under that? He had like passions but he was under a spirit that caused him to go boldly to say there is not going to be any rain except by my word.

1 Kings 18:13 Was it not told my Lord what I did when Jezebel slew the prophets of the LORD, how I hid an hundred men of the LORD’s prophets by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water? 14 And now thou sayest, Go, tell thy Lord, Behold, Elijah [is here]: and he shall slay me. 15 And Elijah said, [As] the LORD of hosts liveth, before whom I stand, I will surely show myself unto him to day. 16 So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah.

Elijah had been hiding. Elijah came to Obadiah, I’m here I want to see him. Obadiah says, hang on I’m going to be killed if you want me to tell the king that. Here is Elijah, here I am king. The spirit of Elijah did what was meant to be done.

1 Kings 18:17 And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, [Art] thou he that troubleth Israel? 18:18 And he answered, I have not troubled Israel; but thou, and thy father’s house, in that ye have forsaken the commandments of the LORD, and thou hast followed Baalim. 19 Now therefore send, [and] gather to me all Israel unto mount Carmel, and the prophets of Baal four hundred and fifty, and the prophets of the groves four hundred, which eat at Jezebel’s table. 20 So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel. 21 And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD [be] God, follow him: but if Baal, [then] follow him. And the people answered him not a word. 22 Then said Elijah unto the people, I, [even] I only, remain a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets [are] four hundred and fifty men.

Notice his spirit, I’m not the trouble maker, you are, now do as your told. What did Ahab do? He went along and did what Elijah’s spirit demanded. What a big undertaking, to gather all the people of Israel unto Mt Carmel. What a strong spirit, there was this crowd of people standing before him. Elijah said why are you standing between the world and the Lord? If we were to be spoken to like that, you would be offended. Consider the spirit of Elijah. Elijah was in the minority. The Elijah people are in the minority. The Elijah spirit is bold as a minority. There’s no peer pressure in Gods church.

1 Kings 18:44 And Elijah said unto Ahab, Get thee up, eat and drink; for [there is] a sound of abundance of rain.

The sky was clear blue but Ahab did what he was told.

1 Kings 18:42 So Ahab went up to eat and to drink. And Elijah went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees, 43 And said to his servant, Go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up, and looked, and said, [There is] nothing. And he said, Go again seven times. 44 And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare [thy chariot], and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.

He prayed six times and there was no rain. What would you have done after the second or third time? What was the spirit of Elijah? Remember, he was a man of like passions like you and I. He put his head between his knees and he prayed.

1 Kings 18:45 And it came to pass in the mean while, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. And Ahab rode, and went to Jezreel. 46 And the hand of the LORD was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel. 

With the slaying of the prophets of Baal, the way was opened for carrying forward a mighty spiritual reformation among the ten tribes of the northern kingdom. Elijah had set before the people their apostasy; he had called upon them to humble their hearts and turn to the Lord. The judgments of Heaven had been executed; the people had confessed their sins, and had acknowledged the God of their fathers as the living God; and now the curse of Heaven was to be withdrawn, and the temporal blessings of life renewed. The land was to be refreshed with rain. Get thee up, eat and drink, Elijah said to Ahab; for there is a sound of abundance of rain. Then the prophet went to the top of the mount to pray. {PK 155.1}

It was not because of any outward evidence that the showers were about to fall, that Elijah could so confidently bid Ahab prepare for rain. The prophet saw no clouds in the heavens; he heard no thunder. He simply spoke the word that the Spirit of the Lord had moved him to speak in response to his own strong faith. Throughout the day he had unflinchingly performed the will of God and had revealed his implicit confidence in the prophecies of God’s word; and now, having done all that was in his power to do, he knew that Heaven would freely bestow the blessings foretold. The same God who had sent the drought had promised an abundance of rain as the reward of rightdoing; and now Elijah waited for the promised outpouring. In an attitude of humility, his face between his knees, he interceded with God in behalf of penitent Israel. {PK 155.2}

Important lessons are presented to us in the experience of Elijah. When upon Mt. Carmel he offered the prayer for rain, his faith was tested, but he persevered in making known his request unto God. Six times he prayed earnestly, and yet there was no sign that his petition was granted, but with a strong faith he urged his plea to the throne of grace. Had he given up in discouragement at the sixth time, his prayer would not have been answered, but he persevered till the answer came. We have a God whose ear is not closed to our petitions; and if we prove His word, He will honor our faith. He wants us to have all our interests interwoven with His interests, and then He can safely bless us; for we shall not then take glory to self when the blessing is ours, but shall render all the praise to God. God does not always answer our prayers the first time we call upon Him; for should He do this, we might take it for granted that we had a right to all the blessings and favors He bestowed upon us. Instead of searching our hearts to see if any evil was entertained by us, any sin indulged, we should become careless, and fail to realize our dependence upon Him, and our need of His help. {2BC 1034.7} Elijah humbled himself until he was in a condition where he would not take the glory to himself. This is the condition upon which the Lord hears prayer, for then we shall give the praise to Him. The custom of offering praise to men is one that results in great evil. One praises another, and thus men are led to feel that glory and honor belong to them. When you exalt man, you lay a snare for his soul, and do just as Satan would have you. You should praise God with all your heart, soul, might, mind, and strength; for God alone is worthy to be glorified (RH March 27, 1913). {2BC 1035.1}

The servant watched while Elijah prayed. Six times he returned from the watch, saying, There is nothing, no cloud, no sign of rain. But the prophet did not give up in discouragement. He kept reviewing his life, to see where he had failed to honor God, he confessed his sins, and thus continued to afflict his soul before God, while watching for a token that his prayer was answered. As he searched his heart, he seemed to be less and less, both in his own estimation and in the sight of God. It seemed to him that he was nothing, and that God was everything; and when he reached the point of renouncing self, while he clung to the Saviour as his only strength and righteousness, the answer came. The servant appeared, and said, Behold, there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand (RH May 26, 1891). {2BC 1035.2}

I know the experience of waiting and praying and waiting and praying. If there was no rain it would have been death for the whole Israel. We’re living in a world of fast foods and fast magical healing and we can’t wait can we. But God says, in my time, but trust me. That’s what he did as he was praying there. The spirit of Elijah. Can you see if you’re going to be the people of Elijah what we will have in our experience? Are you prepared to go through with that? Now comes the parallel to us in a very special way. The prophets of Baal, who are they today? Do you know? Who are the people who halt between two opinions? Who worship God at the same time they worship Baal? What is Sunday? The day that was name after Baal. The Sun God. What do Christians around us do on the Sunday? They claim to worship God don’t they? Can you see how long halt yet between two opinions? The Bible tells us the Baal prophets of today.

Revelation 13:3. And I saw one of his heads as it were wounded to death; and his deadly wound was healed: and all the world wondered after the beast. 11 And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon. 12 And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed. 13 And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men, 14 And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by [the means of] those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live. 15 And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed. 16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:

This is speaking about another power. Isn’t that apostate Protestantism and America uniting with the papacy? They are working together now. The whole world is now under the influence of America the prophets of Baal, the priests of Baal. Where is Elijah in this experience?

Revelation 14:6 And I saw another angel fly in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach unto them that dwell on the earth, and to every nation, and kindred, and tongue, and people, 7 Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters. 8 And there followed another angel, saying, Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication. 9 And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive [his] mark in his forehead, or in his hand,

Its time, can you see Elijah warning? Can you see Elijah here warning the people? The angels are holding back the winds of strife.

Acts 2:17 And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams: 18 And on my servants and on my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit; and they shall prophesy: 19 And I will show wonders in heaven above, and signs in the earth beneath; blood, and fire, and vapour of smoke: 20 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before that great and notable day of the Lord come: 21 And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

If you boldly declare this today, what is the threat upon you if you vilify any church organisation? There are vilification laws that you must not even say homosexuals are condemned. If you were to say homosexuals are to be condemned, you’d be before the courts.  Is this already happening? The signs, blood, fire, and smoke? Have you seen pillars of smoke? An atomic explosion? In Malachi it says palm trees of smoke. Here is the true outpouring of the Elijah. Remember who we are, men of like passions as Elijah. How will you feel? Are you going to testify of the corruptions of the world? Yes, they go forward under spirit and power of Elijah.

Now the rays of light penetrate everywhere, the truth is seen in its clearness, and the honest children of God sever the bands which have held them. Family connections, church relations, are powerless to stay them now. Truth is more precious than all besides. Notwithstanding the agencies combined against the truth, a large number take their stand upon the Lord’s side. {GC 612.2}

No human connections will hold them anymore. Like Elijah they will stand up and be counted. Truth is more precious than anything else besides when the test comes and you’re a man of like passions like Elijah.  What did Elijah do when he faced the consequences of what he did?

1 Corinthians 19:4. But he himself went a day’s journey into the wilderness, and came and sat down under a juniper tree: and he requested for himself that he might die; and said, It is enough; now, O LORD, take away my life; for I [am] not better than my fathers.

This is what will happen to us. Didn’t Peter say to Jesus, I’m never going to forsake you?

In this time of persecution the faith of the Lord’s servants will be tried. They have faithfully given the warning, looking to God and to his Word alone. God’s Spirit, moving upon their hearts, has constrained them to speak. Stimulated with holy zeal, and with the divine impulse strong upon them, they entered upon the performance of their duties without coldly calculating the consequences of speaking to the people the word which the Lord had given them. They have not consulted their temporal interests, or sought to preserve their reputation or their lives. Yet when the storm of opposition and reproach bursts upon them, some, overwhelmed with consternation, will be ready to exclaim, Had we foreseen the consequences of our words, we would have held our peace. They are hedged in with difficulties. Satan assails them with fierce temptations. The work which they have undertaken seems far beyond their ability to accomplish. They are threatened with destruction. The enthusiasm which animated them is gone; yet they cannot turn back. Then, feeling their utter helplessness, they flee to the Mighty One for strength. They remember that the words which they have spoken were not theirs, but His who bade them give the warning. God put the truth into their hearts, and they could not forbear to proclaim it. {GC88 608.2}

Elijah went through that experience. Are you in the spirit of Elijah? Are we going to speak under the animation of the truth? It will make us more and more bold. What did Elijah do and how did God help him? Isn’t it true that when you are filled with the beautiful thoughts of God and his ways, you want to see everything pleasing to yourself? I’m going to see Jesus in his great glory. Did Elijah see it that way after he had given his message? Neither will you or I.

The ways of the Lord are obscure to him who desires to see things in a light pleasing to himself. They appear dark and joyless to our human nature. But God’s ways are ways of mercy and the end is salvation. Elijah knew not what he was doing when in the desert he said that he had had enough of life, and prayed that he might die. The Lord in His mercy did not take him at his word. There was yet a great work for Elijah to do; and when his work was done, he was not to perish in discouragement and solitude in the wilderness. Not for him the descent into the dust of death, but the ascent in glory, with the convoy of celestial chariots, to the throne on high. {DA 301.1}

Isn’t God merciful? He did not take Elijah at his word. Do you want to be there with a convoy of celestial angels? There is still a great work for us to do. When we are threatened with death in the courts, don’t run away. Stand up, testify in the courts.  How is God’s work going to be finished? Big public missions? No. When will they listen to you? The stage of the media. When did the people listen to the story of Lindy Chamberlain the Seventh Day Adventist who lost her baby Azaria? How far and wide did that story go? If you will not be afraid under the attack and danger of Jezebel and you stand boldly in the courts. Our work isn’t finished until we stand on that stage of the media. Every true son and daughter of God will be the wise virgins. Are you of the spirit of Elijah? Now’s the time to decide and prepare. God grant us that we will go forth under the spirit of Elijah.

Amen.

Further reading:

http://sabbathsermons.com/category/the-elijah-message/