Vision 2018: Reviving The Days Of Elijah

Opening illustration/video.

Introduction: Abraham Heschel once wrote, “To be a prophet is both a distinction and an affliction.” Elijah was no exception. Few prophets in Scripture have provoked as many ministers, challenged as many evangelists and inspired as many prophets as Elijah. This man from the desert, who seemed to be, on the one hand, invincible and on the other hand, cowardly, was as much an enigma then as he is today.

He is unique. He could run faster than a horse-driven chariot. He is one of two humans in Scripture taken to heaven before they tasted death. He is the only one, other than Jesus, who; it is prophesied, will return to earth before the “Day of the Lord.” He is one of two who have seen the backside of God as He passed by. If that is not strange enough, he is the only one with an anointing great enough to call down ?re from heaven. He was in the lineage of the ecstatic prophets, whose mere presence seemed to defy human anticipation, and to be determined solely by the Spirit of God rather than themselves.

Yet Elijah was also human, with emotions, fears, doubts and moments of elation, just like you and me. He lived in an era of high occult activity. He was a focal point in the clash between Yahweh and Baal, spurred on by Ahab, who sold himself to do evil, and even more so by Jezebel, who would stop at nothing, including murdering the innocent and worshiping demons, to get her way. Elijah stood up against the odds and proclaimed Mosaic righteousness when decadence was politically correct.

Apparently, the days of Elijah were filled with trials, famine (of the Word), drought, peril, apostasy, Baal worship and discouragement but this did not dissuade the prophet Elijah from doing the work that God assigned him and so must the church (we) today.

How did God impact the days of Elijah amidst great turmoil?

During all this, God has a strategy and makes all things work together for good. He knows to save the remnant. Jeremiah was not a popular prophet during His days as he is today! Nobody wanted to hear him speak about the captivity that was coming to Judah, or say Christians today.

As a matter of fact, most of the leaders and popular prophets of his times scorned and even persecuted him. The children of Israel and her leaders were so confident and couldn’t perceive how God can allow Babylon to take them captive! It did not make sense to most of the children of Israel including their leaders. Nevertheless, to their surprise, captivity came as per the word of Jeremiah. As a result, only a small remnant, the poor and unknown, who believed the prophet, remained in the land. They were provided for while all the rest were taken captive.

May the Lord wake up the Elijah’s to bring the Fathers’ heart to children and the children to the Father God (Malachi 4:5-6). Just because it does not make sense, we should not ignore the words of Jeremiahs and Elijah’s today. He sends his Elijah’s, Jeremiahs and John the Baptists, the forerunners calling out for repentance before His coming. The most awaited coming of the Messiah and popular one among all nations is at hand. Unlike the first coming hardly anyone is going to miss this time. However, the bride must be ready to receive Him. Revival and restoration go hand in hand with repentance!

1. Days of Miracles (signs and wonders)

(i) Elijah is first mentioned in Scripture when he declares to King Ahab that a severe drought would begin immediately to test Israel and its leadership. “Elijah … said to Ahab, ‘As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word’” (1 Kings 17:1). Withholding rain for 3½ years was the first miracle God did through the prophet. This would bring severe famine throughout the kingdom. The purpose of this punishment was to bring the nation to repentance of its idolatry.

(ii) Elijah’s greatest public miracle involved a contest with the 450 prophets of Baal and the 400 prophets of Asherah on Mount Carmel. Elijah invited these false prophets and all Israel to a demonstration to show that Baal had no power at all against the God of Israel. The outcome would demonstrate who served the true God (1 Kings 18:19-40).

(iii) Causing the rain to cease for 3½ years (1 Kings 17:1)

(iv) Being fed by the ravens (1 Kings 17: 2-6)

(v) Miracle of the barrel of meal and cruse of oil (1 Kings 17:14)

(vi) Resurrection of the widow's son (1 Kings 17:22)

(vii) Parting of the Jordan (2 Kings 2:8)

(viii) Prophecy that Elisha should have a double portion of his spirit (2 Kings 2:10)