THE COMING OF ELIJAH In every stage of earth’s history God has appointed messengers to lead His people in the way of truth and righteousness. Men such as Moses, Nehemiah, Isaiah, and Daniel were among those who stood firm for God and fearlessly proclaimed His messages. One of the most outstanding was the prophet Elijah whom God used to bring about the greatest revival Israel had seen up to that time. Elijah is used as an illustration in prophecy to represent a message that would turn people to God and His truth in the last days. {3T 62.1} Those who are to prepare the way for the second coming of Christ are represented by faithful Elijah, as John came in the spirit of Elijah to prepare the way for Christ's first advent. The great subject of reform is to be agitated, and the public mind is to be stirred. Temperance in all things is to be connected with the message, to turn the people of God from their idolatry, their gluttony, and their extravagance in dress and other things. {3T 62.1} Those who are to prepare the way for the second coming of Christ are represented by faithful Elijah. To bring this into context let’s begin with Mal 4:5-6 Malachi 4:5-6 KJV [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. Here is the promise that God would send Elijah the prophet for a special purpose, to turn the people back to God and bring in a Christian revival amongst His people. Notice the time period:– “Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.” Or in other words, in the last days just before the second coming of Christ. “The great and dreadful day of the LORD” is at the end of the world, not at Jesus 1st Advent. Come over to Joel 2:31 and see a parallel time period Joel 2:31-32 KJV [31] The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come. [32] And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered: for in mount Zion and in Jerusalem shall be deliverance, as the LORD hath said, and in the remnant whom the LORD shall call. Before the second coming of Jesus there will be signs in the sun and moon. We have all studied and know of the “Signs of Christ’s Coming”. We have seen how these events have already occurred to usher in the prophetic period known as the “TIME OF THE END”. Matthew repeats the prophecy of Joel. Matthew 24:29-30 KJV [29] Immediately after the tribulation of those days shall the sun be darkened, and the moon shall not give her light, and the stars shall fall from heaven, and the powers of the heavens shall be shaken: [30] And then shall appear the sign of the Son of man in heaven: and then shall all the tribes of the earth mourn, and they shall see the Son of man coming in the clouds of heaven with power and great glory. After the period of the dark ages – days of tribulation – these signs in the heavens appeared. The next great event is Christ’s second coming. The coming of Elijah the prophet precedes the coming of Jesus to prepare a people for this great event. Just as John the Baptist prepared the way for Jesus, so too there will be a people to prepare the way of the LORD. They are the Elijah people. They will like the previous Elijah’s they will warn the people The Bible gives us some awesome scenes just before Jesus comes. Let’s look together: Luke 21:25-28 KJV [25] And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; [26] Men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken. [27] And then shall they see the Son of man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. [28] And when these things begin to come to pass, then look up, and lift up your heads; for your redemption draweth nigh. The greatest meteor shower ever to be recorded in history was observed on the night of November 13, 1833 over the USA. This was right at the time William Millar The heavens seemed ablaze over North America and as far south as Mexico and the island of Jamaica. Men became sober believing the day of judgment had arrived. 1755 was the time of the great Lisbon earthquake. This was followed by the darkening of the sun and moon on May 19, 1780. These events have taken place in the past. Bible Prophecies that have been fulfilled. Revelation 6:13-17 KJV [13] And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. [14] And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. [15] And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; [16] And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: [17] For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand? Now back to ELIJAH and his message and what it meant. WHO WAS ELIJAH? The thrilling story of how God used Elijah to bring about a revival in Israel is found in 1 Kings chapters 17 and 18. He lived about 900 years before Christ at a time when Israel had apostatized and gone to worship Baal, the sun God. The king of Israel, Ahab had unlawfully married Jezebel, daughter of the king of Zidon and high priestess of Baal worship. There was compromise between God’s truth and the pagan practices and beliefs of sun worship. This lead the people to forsake the commandments of God. Somewhat similar to today…… Wouldn’t you say. After a drought which lasted 3½ years, Elijah challenged the king to put Baal to the test. On Mount Carmel a contest was arranged between the prophets of Baal and Elijah. With no human aid …… fire was to come down from heaven and consume the sacrifices that had been placed on the altar. The prophets of Baal tried all day without success. Then Elijah prayed to God and miraculously fire came from heaven and consumed the sacrifice, and the water poured over it, and even melted the rocks of the altar. The people were convinced and recognised the God of heaven as the true God. There was a tremendous revival. What then is the significance of Malachi’s prediction concerning the return of Elijah? The work of Elijah was to prepare a people to meet their God. The Bible reveals a repetition of the work of Elijah on two different occasions. The first message was to prepare a people to meet Jesus when He first came to the earth. The second message of preparation is to make a people ready for His second coming. Matthew 17:10-14 KJV [10] And his disciples asked him, saying, Why then say the scribes that Elias must first come? [11] And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things. [12] But I say unto you, That Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. Likewise shall also the Son of man suffer of them. [13] Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist. [14] And when they were come to the multitude, there came to him a certain man, kneeling down to him, and saying, The coming of Elijah does not mean the prophet will appear in person, for Jesus clearly indicated this. John the Baptist proclaimed a message of preparation to make way for the first coming of Jesus. Luke 1:16-17 KJV [16] And many of the children of Israel shall he turn to the Lord their God. [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 not Elijah in the flesh, but he was called Elijah because he did a similar work. Elijah called people to repentance – so did John the Baptist. So John the Baptist was a TYPE of Elijah …… Matthew 11:10-11 KJV [10] For this is he, of whom it is written, Behold, I send my messenger before thy face, which shall prepare thy way before thee. [11] Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he. Notice in verse 10 …… “who shall prepare Your way before You”. Notice John is called a messenger. This is the important issue. It is not so much the person, but the message that really counts. One thing you ought to know is that “Elijah the prophet” is a symbol for a message, not a person in this case. And the message was: “who shall prepare a way for Jesus before Jesus comes”, both, the 1st time and the 2nd time. Let us take another look at Malachi 4:5 Malachi 4:5 KJV [5] Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: The message of Elijah is to be repeated again, before the great and dreadful day of the Lord, to prepare a people to meet Jesus. The Bible signs predict the soon return of Jesus to our world, therefore we must expect that the Elijah message is being proclaimed now. But how can we find the Elijah message today? An investigation reveals a parallel between Elijah's day, and the message being presented at this time. First of all we will examine Elijah’s message in his day. Now – during Elijah’s day there was a king called Ahab. 1 Kings 16:30-31 KJV [30] And Ahab the son of Omri did evil in the sight of the LORD above all that were before him. [31] And it came to pass, as if it had been a light thing for him to walk in the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, that he took to wife Jezebel the daughter of Ethbaal king of the Zidonians, and went and served Baal, and worshipped him. One big mistake king Ahab made was to marry a heathen woman -- Jezebel. This was contrary to God’s command. The second big mistake growing out of the first was Baal worship. Instead of worshipping the Creator, Israel followed their leader and began worshipping the sun, moon and stars. A good example why you should not follow any leader. You can see this in 2 Kings 17:16. 2 Kings 17:16 KJV [16] And they left all the commandments of the LORD their God, and made them molten images, even two calves, and made a grove, and worshipped all the host of heaven, and served Baal. Turn now to James 5:17 James 5:17 KJV [17] Elias [Elijah] 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. A tremendous drought came upon Israel, both physical and spiritual (1 Kings 17:1), which lasted 3½ years. After the drought Elijah appeared with a message. What was the nature of this message? Elijah’s message in essence called for a return to the commandments of God. 1 Kings 18:17-18 KJV [17] And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, Art thou he that troubleth Israel? [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. Elijah’s message called for a return to the commandments of God. 1 Kings 18:21 KJV [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. The message of Elijah called for decision. The message we are to give today calls for a decision also. Then in 1 Kings 18:26-39 we see Elijah exposing false worship and positively proclaiming true worship. 1 Kings 18:26-39 KJV [26] And they took the bullock which was given them, and they dressed it, and called on the name of Baal from morning even until noon, saying, O Baal, hear us. But there was no voice, nor any that answered. And they leaped upon the altar which was made. [27] And it came to pass at noon, that Elijah mocked them, and said, Cry aloud: for he is a god; either he is talking, or he is pursuing, or he is in a journey, or peradventure he sleepeth, and must be awaked. [28] And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them. [29] And it came to pass, when midday was past, and they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that there was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. [30] And Elijah said unto all the people, Come near unto me. And all the people came near unto him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD that was broken down. [31] And Elijah took twelve stones, according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, unto whom the word of the LORD came, saying, Israel shall be thy name: [32] And with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD: and he made a trench about the altar, as great as would contain two measures of seed. [33] And he put the wood in order, and cut the bullock in pieces, and laid him on the wood, and said, Fill four barrels with water, and pour it on the burnt sacrifice, and on the wood. [34] And he said, Do it the second time. And they did it the second time. And he said, Do it the third time. And they did it the third time. [35] And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water. [36] And it came to pass at the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice, that Elijah the prophet came near, and said, LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that thou art God in Israel, and that I am thy servant, and that I have done all these things at thy word. [37] Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that this people may know that thou art the LORD God, and that thou hast turned their heart back again. [38] Then the fire of the LORD fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. [39] And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The LORD, he is the God; the LORD, he is the God. This is what you and I are to do today. We are to expose false worship in all its forms. We are to proclaim the Gospel in all its telling truth. Before the miracle on Mount Carmel it seemed Elijah was alone …… Even after the victorious event on the mount he felt alone again, but God revealed to him that there were 7,000 in Israel who had not bowed the knee to Baal. 1 Kings 19:14, 18 KJV [14] And he said, I have been very jealous for the LORD God of hosts: because the children of Israel have forsaken thy covenant, thrown down thine altars, and slain thy prophets with the sword; and I, even I only, am left; and they seek my life, to take it away. [18] Yet I have left me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which hath not kissed him. 7,000 seems a large number, but it was only a minority compared with those who rejected the message. 1 Kings 19:1-3 KJV [1] And Ahab told Jezebel all that Elijah had done, and withal how he had slain all the prophets with the sword. [2] Then Jezebel sent a messenger unto Elijah, saying, So let the gods do to me, and more also, if I make not thy life as the life of one of them by to morrow about this time. [3] And when he saw that, he arose, and went for his life, and came to Beersheba, which belongeth to Judah, and left his servant there. Elijah’s life was threatened by this wicked Queen. This woman was a representation of the false church at the end of time that keep false worship alive as she did with people of her time. This false church would do to God’s people like Ahab and the his wicked wife tried to do to Elijah. Immediately Elijah had proclaimed his message, persecution followed. Immediately we proclaim our message in all its telling force persecution follows also. Part of Elijah’s message embraced warning of the judgment of God against the false system of worship. This is mentioned in 1 Kings 21:18- 19,23. 1 Kings 21:18-19, 23 KJV [18] Arise, go down to meet Ahab king of Israel, which is in Samaria: behold, he is in the vineyard of Naboth, whither he is gone down to possess it. [19] And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, Hast thou killed, and also taken possession? And thou shalt speak unto him, saying, Thus saith the LORD, In the place where dogs licked the blood of Naboth shall dogs lick thy blood, even thine. [23] And of Jezebel also spake the LORD, saying, The dogs shall eat Jezebel by the wall of Jezreel. That judgment came to pass in the gory deaths of Ahab and Jezebel. We as SDA’s also announce Judgment under the 3rd Angel’s message. And the death of the false worship systems now in the world will be terrible as well. 2 Kings 2:11 KJV [11] And it came to pass, as they still went on, and talked, that, behold, there appeared a chariot of fire, and horses of fire, and parted them both asunder; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven. When Elijah’s work was completed he was translated without seeing death. So, when our work is completed we too will be translated without seeing death if we are faithful. WHAT IS THE PARALLEL OF ELIJAH’S MESSAGE FOR TODAY? In the early days of the Christian church after the death of the apostles, the church compromised its principles with paganism, just as Ahab compromised his principals by marrying Jezebel which lead to Baal worship. Symbolically Christianity wed paganism. As Ahab, king of Israel, married his wicked sun-worshipping wife, Jezebel. Sun-worship entered the church in the form of heathen customs such as Easter, Christmas, Sunday sacredness, idols and strange customs not mentioned in the Bible. Then followed a spiritual drought of 3½ prophetic years or 1260 days, just as Elijah spent 3½ literal years in the wilderness their was a spiritual drought of 3½ prophetic years from 538 AD to 1798 AD. The 3½ prophetic years of the Dark Ages was akin to the 3½ years Elijah spent in the wilderness thru the drought. The woman of Revelation 12:6, and 14 fled into the wilderness for 3½ prophetic years. Revelation 12:6, 14 KJV [6] And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. [14] And to the woman were given two wings of a great eagle, that she might fly into the wilderness, into her place, where she is nourished for a time, and times, and half a time, from the face of the serpent. There was a spiritual wilderness for the lack of the truth and the Word of God. In the Babylonian era: TIME = 1 YEAR TIMES = 2 YEARS ½TIME = ½ YEAR This adds up to 3½ years – that is 3½ prophetic years. The Bible used Jewish years. So, we need to calculate using the same. There are 360 days in a Jewish year. So 3½ times 360 = 1260 days. Since a prophetic day = 1 year then this would represent 1260 years. Revelation 12:6 MKJV [6] And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she had a place prepared by God, so that they might nourish her there a thousand, two hundred and sixty days. This is the period of Papal supremacy between 538AD to 1798 AD (1260 years). This was a time of spiritual drought for the word of God, paralleling the literal drought of 3½ years in Elijah’s day which 1260 literal days. The Elijah message for today is the 3 Angels Messages: Revelation 14:6-14 KJV [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, [10] The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: [11] And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. [12] Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus. [13] And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them. [14] And I looked, and behold a white cloud, and upon the cloud one sat like unto the Son of man, having on his head a golden crown, and in his hand a sharp sickle. At the close of the 3½ years Elijah delivered his message of returning to the commandments. Likewise, not long after the close of the 1260 days, the last warning message of the 3 angels of Revelation 14 began to be preached in the world. Just as Elijah called the people back to the commandments of God, so the 3 angels messages does the same and points to God’s people as commandment keepers (Rev 14:12). In Elijah's day there was a call for a decision. A decision to choose God or Baal. At the end of time there too is a call for a decision also. Revelation 18:1-4 KJV [1] And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. [2] And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird. [3] For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies. [4] And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues. Elijah’s message called for a decision, so does our last day message today: Revelation 18 is a call to come out of the false system of worship and join those who keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus as we saw in Revelation 14:12. Also Elijah exposed false worship. In Revelation 14:8-10 - OUR last day message does the same. It exposes false worship too. In Elijah’s day only a minority accepted the message. Revelation 12:17 speaks of God’s remnant – only a small group – a minority only that will accept the truth also. In Revelation 13:15-17 we see God’s people persecuted for proclaiming the message just as Elijah was persecuted for proclaim his. Then in Revelation 14:9-10 we read a warning of coming judgment against the false system of worship. Again, this parallels Elijah’s day. The judgments were delivered then and they will certainly fall in the future. Finally, just as Elijah was translated alive, so in 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17 says that the faithful living at the time of Christ’s second coming will be translated and caught up with Jesus just like Elijah. Let us remember the warning message of the True and Faithful ONE. Revelation 22:12 KJV [12] And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be. After the presentation of the ELIJAH message, Jesus comes to gather His faithful children and grant them the reward of everlasting life. LET’S LOOK AT SOME PARALLELS WITH ELIJAH: I have a small story to relate just before I close: The University Christian Movement, with offices in New York City, voted itself out of existence in 1968. On their door one of the participants posted this sign: And I am afraid that even as the seconds and minutes tick by, that some among God's people are losing their way, and do not know what it is to be a Seventh-day Adventist or To be a Christian in the last-days, or what God’s work for us is. We don't want a sign hung out one day upon our door that says: Gone out of business – we didn’t know what our business was. There is something that you ought to know about being an Elijah People. Before you can bring about reformation in the lives of others, you must first work the work of reform in your own lives. Did you ever wonder what it is that God requires of the Elijah people so He can come and get them. So, they can they be prepared to meet their God. Well I will tell you from the pen of inspiration: Christ is waiting with longing desire for the manifestation of Himself in His church. When the character of Christ shall be perfectly reproduced in His people, then He will come to claim them as His own. {COL 69.1} Yes!!! you too must work a work of reform in your life. You have one more decision to make. Make the decision to unashamedly live the Seventh Day Adventist life as taught by Sister White. Because, it is your duty as modern day Elijah’s to cause the people to do what Elijah did in 1 Kings 18:21. 1 Kings 18:21 KJV [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. Yes - it is this duty. No one can sit on the fence, because Satan owns the fence. There is no place in heaven for fence sitters. You must get off the fence on one side or the other. You must take a stand on one side or the other. Even in the debate of Liberalism & Conservatism in the Church you will have to make a choice. Always stand on the side of truth. Never take the wishy washy way out. We are asked to do what the Israelites of old were asked to do. I would remind you of what the pen of inspiration said: We are, as a people, in danger of giving the third angel's message in such an indefinite manner that it does not impress the people. . . . Our message is a LIFE-AND-DEATH MESSAGE, and we must let this message appear as it is, … Then the Lord will make it effectual. We are to present it in all its telling force. -- Letter 209, 1899. {Ev 230.1} Our message must be: Joshua 24:15 KJV [15] …. choose you this day whom ye will serve; …… To serve Jesus and accept His truth leads to life eternal. God has raised the Seventh-day Adventist church in these last days to preach God’s last warning message to a dying world. The message of preparation for the Lord’s coming should be proclaimed with power at this time. As a result, the faithful remnant are being gathered together, even now, today – they are those that keep the commandments of God and have the faith of Jesus as in Revelation 14:12. There is still time. Now is the time to accept the call of God. Tomorrow may be too late. The Seventh-day Adventist church is not just another church. It is a movement raised by God at a special time to bear a special message to the world. A message of reform, a message to return to God’s commandments. Those in the false churches must come OUT of Babylon. Soon this message will have gone to every nation, and then the end will come. The truth is soon to triumph gloriously. All who now choose to be labourers together with God, will triumph with it. May God keep us faithful to our part and our place in the great work of the Elijah movement. What’s your decision? Will you decide to stand and choose God no mater the cost today? MY RESPONSE TO CHRIST IS: □ YES □ UNDECIDED Email us at: admin@thebiblesays.net