Query: 

Malachi 4:5-6

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: 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”.

The first Elijah was one man, John the Baptist was one man, so following that pattern is the Elijah that prepares us for Jesus’ return one man, and the 144,000 the 7000 “others” that haven’t bowed the knee to Baal?

Answer:

The “Elijah” that God promises is one man, because all the movements in the past have been started by one man, John the Baptist, Luther, Knox, Miller etc.  I don’t think a group has ever gone to the church with a new message.  And that’s the real point, “Elijah” has always come to the church first, not the world.  After that they can go to the world, and the 7,000 who have not bowed the knee to Baal will be in the vanguard.  However, many will start out in the loud cry, but only a remnant will survive it.  Note 1.

Of course, Elijah will soon be joined by others so a group will develop, and, I believe, all will come under the umbrella of the everlasting covenant.

However, the Laodicean message tells us that the majority in the last church do not have the wedding gown on (Matthew 22:12-13), which is the white robe of righteousness (Isaiah 61:10), and therefore the majority in the church have listened to a false gospel and are not reborn.   This began to occur very soon after the great disappointment.  Note 2.

Jesus says to us, “Because you say, ‘I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing’; and know not [refuse to believe] that you are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and NAKED: I counsel you to buy of Me gold tried in the fire [a strong faith], that you may be rich; and white raiment [the righteousness of Christ], that you may be clothed, and that the shame of your nakedness do not appear; and anoint your eyes with eyesalve [the Holy Spirit], that you may see”.  Revelation 3:17-18.  

Telling the church this today will require a lot of courage and faith in God’s word, which is why the first Elijah is the pattern.  He walked unhindered into the palace past all the guards, and told the king that because of the condition of the people there could be no (latter) rain.  “And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, ‘As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word’.”  1 Kings 17:1. His was physical, ours is spiritual, but the effect is the same.

We could also use the words of God through Malachi in our situation today, for he too spoke to a church which was in the Laodicean condition.  It was the last of the Jewish system and even a man like Nicodemus was ignorant of the great truth when told of the new birth.  “Nicodemus answered and said to Him, ‘How can these things be?’  Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Are you a master [teacher] of Israel, and know not these things?  Verily, verily, I say to you, We speak that we do know, and testify that we have seen; and you receive not our witness’.”  John 3:9-11.

Like the priests of old, the majority (but not all) of the priests/pastors of our time are responsible for this situation.  God says to them, “A son honours his father, and a servant his master: if then I be a Father, where is My honour?  And if I be a Master, where is My fear [obedience]? says the LORD of hosts to you, O priests, that despise My name.  And you say, ‘Wherein have we despised Your name [character]?’  You offer polluted bread upon My altar; and you say, ‘Wherein have we polluted You?’ In that you say, ‘The table of the LORD is contemptible’.  And if you offer the blind for sacrifice, is it not evil?  And if you offer the lame and sick, is it not evil?  Offer it now to your [earthly] governor; will he be pleased with you, or accept your person? says the LORD of hosts”.   Malachi 1:6-8. [They really did not know their condition!]

They “knew not” and stayed that way because they refused to be taught.  Note 3.

It was to a church like that that the second “Elijah” came.  “And as they [some of His disciples] departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John, ‘What went you out into the wilderness to see?  A reed shaken with the wind?  But what went you out for to see? A man clothed in soft raiment? Behold, they that wear soft clothing are in kings' houses.  But what went you out for to see?  A prophet?  Yes, I say to you, and more than a prophet.  For this is he, of whom it is written, “Behold, I send My messenger before Your face, which shall prepare Your way before You”. [Malachi 3:1.] . . . And if you will receive it, this is Elijah, which was for to come.  He that has ears to hear, let him hear”.  Matthew 11:7-14. [It is the spirit and power of Elijah which is being spoken of here, not a reincarnation.]

“And the child grew, and waxed strong in spirit, and was in the deserts [outside of the church system] till the day of his showing to Israel.”  Luke 1:80.  Before the birth of John, the angel had said, “He shall be great in the sight of the LORD, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink; and he shall be filled with the Holy Ghost.”  Luke 1:15.  God had called the son of Zachariah to a great work, the greatest ever committed to men.  In order to accomplish this work, he must have the LORD to work with him.  And the Spirit of God would be with him if he heeded the instruction of the angel.   

John was to go forth as the LORD's messenger, an “Elijah”, to bring to men the light of God.  He must give a new direction to their thoughts.  He must impress them with the holiness of God's requirements, and their need of His perfect righteousness.  Such a messenger must be holy.  He must be a temple for the indwelling Spirit of God.  In order to fulfil his mission, he must have a sound physical constitution, and mental and spiritual strength.  Therefore it would be necessary for him to control his appetites and passions.  He must be able so to control all his powers that he could stand among men as unmoved by surrounding circumstances as the rocks and mountains of the wilderness. 

It was in response to the Laodicean message of his time that he baptised, for this was a picture of the need for them to receive the gift of God, the new birth, the white robe, as it still is today.  They must be “dead, buried, and resurrected” to a new life (spiritually) even though they were in the church.

All the personal information we have on the first Elijah is that he was a Tishbite from Gilead which probably means that he was a layman from one the tribes of Reuben or Gad or even Manasseh who lived in that area.  (Numbers 32:1; 32:33.)  It does not appear that he had been active in church affairs before he was given his mission, but he was certainly concerned at the state of the church and prayed longingly that God would be able to do something about it.  (Click here for a site where you can follow all the Bible records concerning him.)

Like Isaiah, he was told that he could be God’s instrument.  Isaiah wrote: “Then said I, ‘Woe is me!  For I am undone; because I am a man of unclean lips [saying one thing and doing another], and I dwell in the midst of a people of unclean lips: for my eyes have seen the King, the LORD of hosts’.  Then flew one of the seraphims to me, having a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with the tongs from off the altar [of incense/prayer]: and he laid it upon my mouth, and said, ‘Lo, this has touched your lips; and your iniquity is taken away, and your sin purged’. [You can talk clearly now.]  Also I heard the voice of the LORD, saying, ‘Whom shall I send, and who will go for Us?’ Then said I, ‘Here am I; send me’.  And He said, ‘Go, and tell this people, ‘Hear you indeed, but understand not; and see you indeed, but perceive not’.  Make the heart of this people fat, and make their ears heavy, and shut their eyes; lest they see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and understand with their heart, and convert, and be healed’.” [Don’t expect too much, for the majority will reject your message.]  Isaiah 6:5-10.  This is/was the norm, for when Isaiah asked, “‘LORD, how long?’ And He answered, ‘Until the cities be wasted without inhabitant, and the houses without man, and the land be utterly desolate, and the LORD have removed men far away, and there be a great forsaking in the midst of the land’.”  Isaiah 6:11-12.

Moreover, although all the redeemed will become priests of the order of Melchisedec in the new world, Elijah and the rest of the 144,000 are typified by the high priest Zadok and his followers who, though only one part of the priesthood, stayed at their post in the middle of a crisis. (2 Samuel 15:24-29.)

God says to all the Christians, “You also, as lively [living] stones, are built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices, acceptable to God by Jesus Christ.  Wherefore also it is contained in the scripture, ‘Behold, I lay in Sion a chief corner Stone, elect, precious: and he that believes on Him shall not be confounded . . . But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a peculiar people; that you should show forth the praises of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvellous light: which in time past were not a people, but are now the people of God: which had not obtained mercy, but now have obtained mercy”.  1 Peter 2:5-10.

There were two groups of priests: “And the Levites that are gone away far from Me, when Israel went astray, which went astray away from Me after their idols; they shall even bear [the result of] their iniquity [which is the first death].  Yet they shall be ministers in My sanctuary [after the resurrection], having charge at the gates of the house, and ministering to the house: they shall slay the burnt offering and the sacrifice for the people [spiritually, Hebrews 13:15-16], and they shall stand before them to minister to them.  Because they ministered to them before their idols, and caused the house of Israel to fall into iniquity, therefore have I lifted up My hand against them, says the LORD GOD, and they shall bear their iniquity.  And they shall not come near to Me, to do the office of a priest to Me, nor to come near to any of My holy things, IN THE MOST HOLY PLACE: but they shall bear their shame, and their abominations which they have committed.  But I will make them keepers of the charge of the house [the first room], for all the service thereof, and for all that shall be done therein. 

“But the priests the Levites, the sons of Zadok, that kept the charge of My sanctuary when the children of Israel went astray from Me, they shall come near to Me to minister to Me, and they shall stand before Me to offer to Me the fat and the blood, says the LORD GOD: they shall enter into My sanctuary [the second room], and they shall come near to My table, to minister to Me, and they shall keep My charge”.  Ezekiel 44:10-16.

One of the jobs of an Elijah is to polarise the stand taken by the people of the church.  They could either follow the LORD of peace or the lord of force.  “And Elijah came to all the people, and said, ‘How long halt [hesitate] you between two opinions?   If the LORD be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him’.  And [most of] the people answered him not a word [for they couldn’t make up their minds, but they did accept the use of force in religion for they were willing to kill those who had led them astray]”.  1 Kings 18:21.  Note 4.

It was in this way that he turned “the hearts of the fathers to the children” – he brought about a unity between some which had not been there before and this started a reformation (which didn’t last for long unfortunately for God.) Note 5. 

Centuries later, speaking to the people of Europe who lived under the Catholic principle of a self-willed “woman/church” who got her own way (the same principle which will cause the world to persecute Sabbath-keepers in the future), Jesus said,

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Revelation 2:

18 And to the angel of the church in Thyatira [the period between c. 538AD-1517AD] write; These things says the Son of God, who has His eyes like to a flame of fire [filled with zeal], and His feet are like fine brass [for He has walked on earth]; 19 I know your [first] works [Wycliffe, Huss, Jerome etc.], and charity, and service, and faith, and your patience, and your [last] works [Luther, Knox etc.]; and the last to be more than the first.

20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against you, because you suffer [allow] THAT WOMAN JEZEBEL, which calls herself a prophetess [she claims to be on God’s side], to teach and to seduce My servants to commit fornication [being active in politics and worldly things], and to eat things sacrificed to idols. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication [1260 years in the past, (3½ yrs in the future)]; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed [of her choosing], and them that commit adultery with her [those that form unions of church and state] into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. 23 And I will kill her children with death [I must allow them the result of their choice]; and all the churches shall know that I am He which searches the reins and hearts [the motives]: and I will give to every one of you according to your works. 

24 But to you I say, and to the rest in Thyatira [speaking to His own], as many as have not this [false] doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.  25 But that which you have already hold fast till I come.   

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I believe that the “Elijah” of that time was Martin Luther, for where a “Jezebel” is there will also be an “Ahab”, an “Elijah”, and many priests of Baal the god of force.  “And Elijah said to them, ‘Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape’.  And they took them: and Elijah brought them down to the brook Kishon, and slew them there”.  1 Kings 18:40.  Next time, however, the “Elijah” and his companions will not kill the false priests/prophets for they will not believe in the use of force in religion!

Like Jesus, the last Elijah and his companions would willingly lay down their lives to show their understanding of God’s character, but it will not be required of them, for Jesus did that at Calvary.  Their job is to stay alive through all the Sunday law decrees by listening and obeying God.

Conclusion:

The “Elijah” that God promised for the last days will be like John the Baptist, one whom the Spirit can use to energise the people.  He will be unlike the original in that he and his companions will not desire the death of those who follow the false god.

Who wants to add (or subtract!) from these thoughts? I won't argue as I have stated, but I will publish your Scriptures so that we may review all the words of God on the subject.

Next query. To be discussed from March 1st 2011,

Revelation 18:1-5.

And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory. 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. 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”.

And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, My people, that you be not partakers of her sins, and that you receive not of her plagues. For her sins have reached to heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities”.   

Why is the 4^th angel presented to us in Revelation 18 and not in Revelation 14 where the other six are?

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Look in the Spiritual "Dictionary"

Some long paragraphs have been split, and some emphasis supplied.  Also I have added the comments in the smaller brackets, [like this].

Note 1:  Elijah is a person

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{1SM 412.2}  (Emphasis supplied)

The Lord says, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord” (Malachi 4:5). SOMEBODY is to come in the spirit and power of Elijah, and when he appears, men may say, “You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures in the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message.”   BACK

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Note 2:  The Laodicean condition

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[FROM THE REVIEW OF JUNE 10, 1852.]

As I have of late looked around to find the humble followers of the meek and lowly I, my mind has been much exercised. Many who profess to be looking for the speedy coming of Christ are becoming conformed to this world and seek more earnestly the applause of those around them than the approbation of God. They are cold and formal, like the nominal churches from which they but a short time since separated. The words addressed to the Laodicean church describe their present condition perfectly. (See Revelation 3:14-20.) They are “neither cold nor hot,” but “lukewarm”. And unless they heed the counsel of the “faithful and true Witness,” and zealously repent and obtain “gold tried in the fire,” “white raiment,” and “eye-salve,” He will spew them out of His mouth.  {EW 107.2}

The time has come when a large portion of those who once rejoiced and shouted aloud for joy in view of the immediate coming of the Lord, are on the ground of the [professed Christian] churches and the [unbelieving] world who once derided them for believing that Jesus was coming, and circulated all manner of falsehoods to raise prejudice against them and destroy their influence. Now, if any one longs after the living God, hungering and thirsting for righteousness, and God gives him to feel His power, and satisfies his longing soul by shedding abroad His love in his heart, and if he glorifies God by praising Him, he is, by these professed believers in the soon coming of the Lord, often considered deluded, and charged with being mesmerized or having some wicked spirit.  {EW 108.1} 

Many of these professed Christians dress, talk, and act like the world, and the only thing by which they may be known is their profession. Though they profess to be looking for Christ, their conversation is not in heaven, but on worldly things. “What manner of persons” ought those to be “in all holy conversation and godliness,” who profess to be “looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God.” 2 Peter 3:11, 12. “Every man that hath this hope in him purifieth himself, even as He is pure.” 1 John 3:3.

But it is evident that many who bear the name of Adventist study more to decorate their bodies and to appear well in the eyes of the world than they do to learn from the Word of God how they may be approved of Him.  {EW 108.2}  BACK

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Note 3:  The effect of the Elijah message:

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{EW 269.1 - EW 271.2}  Published 1882.

I saw some, with strong faith and agonizing cries, pleading with God. Their countenances were pale and marked with deep anxiety, expressive of their internal struggle. Firmness and great earnestness was expressed in their countenances; large drops of perspiration fell from their foreheads. Now and then their faces would light up with the marks of God's approbation, and again the same solemn, earnest, anxious look would settle upon them . . .

As the praying ones continued their earnest cries, at times a ray of light from Jesus came to them, to encourage their hearts and light up their countenances. Some, I saw, did not participate in this work of agonizing and pleading. They seemed indifferent and careless. They were not resisting the darkness around them, and it shut them in like a thick cloud. The angels of God left these and went to the aid of the earnest, praying ones. I saw angels of God hasten to the assistance of all who were struggling with all their power to resist the evil angels and trying to help themselves by calling upon God with perseverance. But His angels left those who made no effort to help themselves, and I lost sight of them.

I asked the meaning of the shaking I had seen and was shown that it would be caused by the straight testimony called forth by the counsel of the True Witness to the Laodiceans. This will have its effect upon the heart of the receiver, and will lead him to exalt the standard and pour forth the straight truth.  Some will not bear this straight testimony. They will rise up against it, and this is what will cause a shaking among God's people. 

I saw that the testimony of the True Witness has not been half heeded. THE SOLEMN TESTIMONY UPON WHICH THE DESTINY OF THE CHURCH HANGS HAS BEEN LIGHTLY ESTEEMED, IF NOT ENTIRELY DISREGARDED. This testimony must work deep repentance; all who truly receive it will obey it and be purified. 

Said the angel, “List ye!” Soon I heard a voice like many musical instruments all sounding in perfect strains, sweet and harmonious. It surpassed any music I had ever heard, seeming to be full of mercy, compassion, and elevating, holy joy. It thrilled through my whole being. Said the angel, “Look ye!” My attention was then turned to the company I had seen, who were mightily shaken. I was shown those whom I had before seen weeping and praying in agony of spirit. The company of guardian angels around them had been doubled, and they were clothed with an armor from their head to their feet. They moved in exact order, like a company of soldiers. Their countenances expressed the severe conflict which they had endured, the agonizing struggle they had passed through. Yet their features, marked with severe internal anguish, now shone with the light and glory of heaven. They had obtained the victory [over themselves], and it called forth from them the deepest gratitude and holy, sacred joy. 

The numbers of this company had lessened. Some had been shaken out and left by the way. The careless and indifferent, who did not join with those who prized victory and salvation enough to perseveringly plead and agonize for it, did not obtain it, and they were left behind in darkness, and their places were immediately filled by others taking hold of the truth and coming into the ranks.  Evil angels still pressed around them, but could have no power over them. 

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(MS 173, 1902).    This is also published as: Ms 173, 1902, pp. 3-6. (“Medical Missionary Work in Southern California,” November 20, 1911.)  {1MR 249.2} 

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I heard those clothed with the armor speak forth the truth with great power. It had effect. Many had been bound; some wives by their husbands, and some children by their parents. The honest who had been prevented from hearing the truth now eagerly laid hold upon it. All fear of their relatives was gone, and the truth alone was exalted to them. They had been hungering and thirsting for truth; it was dearer and more precious than life.

I asked what had made this great change. An angel answered, “It is the latter rain, the refreshing from the presence of the Lord, the loud cry of the third angel.”  BACK

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Note 4:  The 1888 message

The church does not have the real gospel regarding the wedding garment, having rejected it in 1888 when Waggoner and Jones laid it out before them.  Instead, it has picked up the Protestant version which is that Jesus did it all for us on the cross.  With this attitude we can see that the Sabbath could soon become superfluous.   

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{TM 91.2 - 94.1} 

The Lord in His great mercy sent a most precious message to His people through Elders Waggoner and Jones [from 1888 onwards].  [SEE APPENDIX.]

This message was to bring more prominently before the world the uplifted Saviour, the sacrifice for the sins of the whole world. 

It presented

[1] justification through faith in the Surety [the gold tried in the fire];

it invited the people

[2] to receive the righteousness of Christ [the white raiment],

which is

[3] made manifest in obedience to all the commandments of God [the eyesalve]. 

[(1) Justification by faith  (2) a pure covering  (3) power to overcome self]

Many had lost sight of Jesus.  They needed to have their eyes directed to His divine person, His merits, and His changeless love for the human family. 

All power is given into His hands, that He may dispense rich gifts unto men, imparting the priceless gift of His own righteousness to the helpless human agent. [He gives us this power – we accept it and stop sinning.  Then the Day of Atonement service can begin.] 

This is the message that God commanded to be given to the world.

It is the third angel's message, which is to be proclaimed with a loud voice [the loud cry], and attended with the outpouring of His Spirit in a large measure.   

The uplifted Saviour is to appear in His efficacious work as the Lamb slain, sitting upon the throne, to dispense the priceless covenant blessings, the benefits He died to purchase for every soul who should believe on Him.  John could not express that love in words; it was too deep, too broad; he calls upon the human family to behold it.  Christ is pleading for the church in the heavenly courts above, pleading for those for whom He paid the redemption price of His own lifeblood.  Centuries, ages, can never diminish the efficacy of this atoning sacrifice.  The message of the gospel of His grace was to be given to the church in clear and distinct lines, that the world should no longer say that Seventh-day Adventists talk the law, the law, but do not teach or believe Christ.   

[There is a story told among church people of a man paying a speeding ticket for one who had broken the law, and thereby saving him from having to do so (or getting him out of the penalty of death row by dying for him.)  But this allows the sinner to carry on doing what he has already done, for his nature is not changed.]

The efficacy of the blood [death] of Christ was to be presented to the people WITH FRESHNESS AND POWER, that their faith might lay hold upon its merits.  As the high priest sprinkled the warm blood [of a bullock] upon the mercy seat [on the Day of Atonement], while the fragrant cloud of incense ascended before God, so while we confess our sins and plead the efficacy of Christ's atoning blood, our prayers are to ascend to heaven, fragrant with the merits of our Saviour's character [until there are no more to confess and forsake, and the Day of Atonement ceremony with the goat’s blood can begin.] 

Notwithstanding our unworthiness, we are ever to bear in mind that there is One that CAN TAKE AWAY SIN and save the sinner.  Every sin [action] acknowledged before God with a contrite heart, HE WILL REMOVE. [“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness”.  1 John 1:9.]  This faith is the life of the church. 

As the serpent was lifted up in the wilderness by Moses, and all that had been bitten by the fiery serpents were bidden to look and live, so also the Son of man must be lifted up, that “whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” 

Unless he makes it his life business to behold the uplifted Saviour, and by faith to accept the merits which it is his privilege to claim, the [Christian] sinner can no more be saved [from his transgressions] than Peter could walk upon the water unless he kept his eyes fixed steadily upon Jesus. [Peter was already “washed all over”, now he needed a “foot washing”.]

Now, it has been Satan's determined purpose to eclipse the view of Jesus and lead men to look to man, and trust to man, and be educated to expect help from man. For years the church has been looking to man and expecting much from man, but not looking to Jesus, in whom our hopes of eternal life are centered.

Therefore in 1888 God gave to His servants a testimony that presented the truth as it is in Jesus, which is the third angel's message, in clear, distinct lines . . .

This is the testimony that must go throughout the length and breadth of the world.  It presents the law and the gospel, binding up the two in a perfect whole. (See Romans 5 and 1 John 3:9 to the close of the chapter.)  

[See also note 2.]  BACK

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Note 5:  The short-lived reformation

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{PK 160.1 – 161.1} 

Elijah should not have fled from his post of duty. 

He should have met the threat of Jezebel with an appeal for protection to the One who had commissioned him to vindicate the honor of Jehovah.  He should have told the messenger that the God in whom he trusted would protect him against the hatred of the queen.  Only a few hours had passed since he had witnessed a wonderful manifestation of divine power, and this should have given him assurance that he would not now be forsaken.  Had he remained where he was, had he made God his refuge and strength, standing steadfast for the truth, he would have been shielded from harm.  The Lord would have given him another signal victory by sending His judgments on Jezebel; and the impression made on the king and the people would have wrought a great reformation.   {PK 160.1} 

Elijah had expected much from the miracle wrought on Carmel.  He had hoped that after this display of God’s power, Jezebel would no longer have influence over the mind of Ahab, and that there would be a speedy reform throughout Israel.  All day on Carmel’s height he had toiled without food.  Yet when he guided the chariot of Ahab to the gate of Jezreel, his courage was strong, despite the physical strain under which he had labored.  {PK 160.2} 

But a reaction such as frequently follows high faith and glorious success was pressing upon Elijah.  He feared that the reformation begun on Carmel might not be lasting; and depression seized him.  He had been exalted to Pisgah’s top; now he was in the valley.  While under the inspiration of the Almighty, he had stood the severest trial of faith; but in this time of discouragement, with Jezebel’s threat sounding in his ears, and Satan still apparently prevailing through the plotting of this wicked woman, he lost his hold on God. 

He had been exalted above measure, and the reaction was tremendous.

Forgetting God, Elijah fled on and on, until he found himself in a dreary waste, alone.  Utterly wearied, he sat down to rest under a juniper tree.  And sitting there, he requested for himself that he might die.  “It is enough; now, O Lord,” he said, “take away my life; for I am not better than my fathers.” A fugitive, far from the dwelling places of men, his spirits crushed by bitter disappointment, he desired never again to look upon the face of man.  At last, utterly exhausted, he fell asleep.   {PK 161.1}   BACK

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For more comments on Waggoner and Jones by EGW, click her

For some of Waggoner’s articles at the time, click here.

For some of Jones’

 oooOooo