Africa 2003 -- Hope for Our Troubled World

#15
The Elijah Message

For years our world has been bombarded with strange religious teachers claiming to be Jesus Christ. Or Elijah. And I’m sure the same sort of thing happens here in Africa as well.

Many Americans remember Jim Jones of the People’s Temple in San Francisco, who led 913 followers to Guyana and committed mass suicide. They drank cyanide-laced Kool-Aid. Was he Elijah?

In Uganda they remember Credonia Mwerinde who was responsible for so many deaths there in the flames of her church.

One of the strangest false prophets in America was a man named Herf Applewhite. He convinced his followers to all commit suicide, promising them that they would get to ride a comet to a higher level of existence – something like heaven. Thirty-nine people committed suicide with him. Was Applewhite Elijah? Was the Hale-Bopp comet his fiery chariot to take him and his followers up to heaven?

As we begin today’s study of Bible prophecy, we open the Bible and turn to the Old Testament book of Malachi. We’re all going to read some mysterious verses together. The last two verses of the last chapter in the last book of the Old Testament. Malachi 4:5-6. Please read it out loud with me if you have your Bible.

“Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord. And He will turn the hearts of the fathers to their children, and the hearts of the children to their fathers; or else I will come and strike the land with a curse.”

Here, in one of most unusual predictions in all the Bible, it says in language too clear to be misunderstood that Elijah the prophet will return to this earth again before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord! What does this mean?

Will a man with a long white robe and a beard, white hair and a shepherd’s crook appear on television in Nairobi? Or, show up with Nelson Mandela in Johannesburg? Elijah lived 2800 years ago. He mysteriously appeared in history at a time of extreme crisis, did a special work for God, then mysteriously disappeared again. You don’t hear about him again until the last book, last chapter, and last verses of the Old Testament where it says Elijah the prophet will re-appear before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord! Most scholars agree that’s the Second Coming of Jesus!

Who is this “Elijah?” There’s a man who’s been attracting the attention of hundreds of thousands of people. Rev. Sun Myung Moon of Korea. He lives in multi-million-dollar homes; his followers are called “Moonies.” Some claim that he’s Elijah. Is he?

Let me explain what I believe this means. Then take your Bible, and decide if I’m right! But of course it’s not who’s right, but WHAT’S right.

I believe this prediction does NOT refer to the coming of a man at all. But rather, I believe it refers to the coming of a MESSAGE – similar to Elijah’s...to appear two times in history. First, to prepare people for the first coming of Christ. And second, a special message (similar to Elijah’s) to prepare people for Jesus’ second coming.

You say, “Where did you hear that?” By “eavesdropping” on a conversation between Christ and His disciples.

You see, the disciples were perplexed about this same question. Puzzled over this Old Testament text regarding the coming of Elijah. Turn to Matthew 17.

First, a little background: One day Jesus took three of His closest disciples up onto a mountain.

<Matthew 17:2, 3>
“...He was transfigured before them. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light.”

God gave Jesus special affirmation and encouragement just before His death on the cross.

<Matthew 17:5, 6>
“While he was still speaking, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Hear Him!’ And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid.”

This was in effect a glorious mini-demonstration of the Second Coming. It was so bright and glorious the disciples were convinced beyond the shadow of doubt Jesus was Messiah! But suddenly it ended and it was gone. Speechless, they descended the mountain. Jesus told them not to tell anyone. But now they were in an awful dilemma. You see, the disciples were taught since they were children that before Messiah, Elijah must first come.

<Matthew 17:10>
“...And His disciples asked Him, saying, “Why then [If you’re Messiah, and we believe You are] do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” (If You’re Messiah, where’s Elijah?)

<Matthew 17:11, 12>
“Jesus answered and said to them, ‘Indeed, Elijah is coming first and will restore all things.
But I say to you [WHAT?] that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise, the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.’”

[READ TOGETHER]
<Matthew 17:13>
“Then the disciples understood that He spoke to them of [WHOM?] John the Baptist.”

Clearly John the Baptist was the “Elijah” of Christ’s day. But people hadn’t recognized him!

The Elijah Message that was sent to prepare the way for Christ’s first coming – was through John the Baptist.

Now the conclusions we’re about to reach are so important, we want to make absolutely certain we’re correct.

Turn to John 1:19-23. Let’s ask John the Baptist what he thinks about it. Did he admit to being Elijah? [Notice Verses 19 and on]

“Now this is the testimony of John, when the Jews sent priests and Levites from Jerusalem to ask him, ‘Who are you?’ [Where are your credentials? Who pays your groceries? What authority do you have?] He confessed, and did not deny, but confessed, ‘I am not the Christ.’ And they asked him, ‘What then? Are you Elijah?’ He said, ‘I am not.’ [Uh-oh! Jesus said he was! John says he wasn’t. They press him further:] ‘Are you the Prophet?’ And he answered, ‘No.’ [Are you confused?] Then they said to him, ‘Who are you, that we may give an answer to those who sent us? What do you say about yourself?’ [READ Vs. 23 TOGETHER] He said, ‘I am the voice of one crying in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord.’”

I’m not Elijah in person. I am a “voice.” Similar to Elijah’s. I bring a message (similar to Elijah’s) to prepare the way for Christ. To make straight the way of the Lord.

The next text clears up any mystery with absolute certainty.

Luke 1:17 is the special message the angel Gabriel gave John the Baptist’s father Zacharias before John’s miraculous birth. Notice first though, Verses 15 and 16:

“For he [John] will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God.”

Now notice carefully:

<Luke 1:17>
He will also go before Him [Who’s this? Messiah.] in the [what?] spirit and power of Elijah, ‘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.”

Where did we read that before? In Malachi 4:5-6.

So John wasn’t Elijah – in person. He came in the spirit and power of Elijah! This isn’t talking about reincarnation. It’s talking about a MESSAGE similar to Elijah’s, and if you receive it, it becomes Elijah to you! Jesus Himself verifies this in Matthew 11:7, 10, 14,

“As they departed, Jesus began to say to the multitudes concerning John: “What did you go out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken by the wind?...For this is he of whom it is written: ‘Behold, I send my messenger before Your face, who will prepare your way before you.’...And if you are willing to receive it, he is Elijah who is to come.”

May I have you look this way for a moment? We found in our first text in Malachi that Elijah must come before the Second Coming of Christ – “the great and dreadful day of the Lord.” But we clearly see there was also a parallel fulfillment of that prophecy at Christ’s first coming. John the Baptist was the “Elijah Message” preparing the way for Christ’s first coming.

But the PRIMARY emphasis of Malachi is that just before the Second Coming of Christ, Elijah will first come!

Question: Why, oh why did God choose to call His last-day message to prepare a people for the Second Coming, the “Elijah Message”? Why not call it Isaiah’s message? Peter’s? Daniel’s? Everything in the next few minutes will answer that question!

You see, just as a special “Elijah Message” before the first coming of Christ prepared the way for Messiah, so a message similar to Elijah’s will prepare the way for the Second Coming! A major last-day-book-of-Revelation call for decision and reformation and repentance, just like Elijah’s. And you know what?

Such a message is found right in the heart of Revelation – God’s Last Call – strikingly similar to Elijah’s.

But back to my question. Why call it the Elijah Message? What was Elijah’s Message? Let’s go back to the Old Testament and discover what Elijah’s message was so we can identify exactly what that Elijah Message is today.

Elijah lived 400 years before Malachi. But Elijah did a work similar to John the Baptist. In fact, his dress, his attire, his speech were identical. And he spoke with the same power. John the Baptist’s message was a call to return to holy living. Remember? “You snakes and vipers, Pharisees – get back to keeping God’s Commandments! Reform, repent, get baptized. It’s decision time. Choose today! Because Messiah is coming, with fire and judgment. Repent!”

Let’s notice Elijah’s message:

<2 Kings 17:13-16>
“Yet the Lord testified against Israel and against Judah, by all of His prophets, every seer, saying, ‘Turn from your evil ways, and [what??] keep My commandments and My statutes, [there it is: that’s the “message”] according to all the law which I commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets.’ Nevertheless they would not hear, but stiffened their necks, [became stubborn] like the necks of their fathers, who did not believe in the Lord their God. And they [what?] rejected His statutes and His covenant that He had made with their fathers, and His testimonies which He had testified against them; they followed idols, became idolaters, and went after the nations who were all around them, concerning whom the Lord had charged them that they should not do like them. [Note Vs. 16 – ALL TOGETHER READ] So they left all the commandments of the Lord their God, made for themselves a molded image and two calves, made a wooden image and worshiped all the host of heaven, and served Baal.”

“All the host of heaven” means the sun, moon, and stars. They became sun worshipers. Ra the sun god. Moon worshipers. Star worshipers. Baal the storm god; Ishtar the fertility god of harlots and prostitutes. El and Amon. The cow goddess Hathor. Osiris the crocodile god. “They worshiped all the host of heaven.”

You say, “We don’t worship the sun, moon, and stars today. We’re enlightened. So why call the last final message “The Elijah Message?”

One more scripture!

First, will you look this way again, please? God put Israel in that strategic narrow neck of land in the Middle East to witness for Him. But instead of witnessing to the heathen, they tramped off after other gods and became like the heathen. Geographically, Israel was surrounded with sun worship!

To the North = Phoenicians
To the South = Egypt and the pyramids
To the East = Edom/Petra

King Ahab, one of God’s chosen royalty, instead of marrying a young, God-fearing Jewish girl, went North and married a Phoenician princess named Jezebel.

How many of you mothers named your daughter Jezebel? Why do we smile? Because Jezebel represents everything wicked! Jezebel didn’t just pack her wedding clothes. She brought 450 pagan prophets of Baal and 400 heathen sun-worshiping prophets of the groves and fed them with the king’s groceries! Soon the whole country tramped off in apostasy. Israel began worshiping Baal, the god of storms and water and winter rains and lightning.

What did God do? He sent Elijah with a message to Israel: “All right, Israel. Because you are worshipping rain gods and have forsaken the commandments of God, Jehovah has sent me to tell you...

<1 Kings 17:1>
“As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, except at my word.”

You worship Baal, the god of storms and rain and lightning? Jehovah says there will be no rain, no water, no storms, not even any dew for 3½ years, except by my word.” Elijah knew how to pray for God to shut off the tap. Then Elijah disappeared and hid. And there was no rain; everything dried up. Crops dried. Food became scarce. Livestock died. Elijah was the most wanted man alive, hunted by Ahab’s soldiers. Then suddenly Elijah shows up after 3½ years and appears at the palace with a message for Ahab. Well, Ahab couldn’t get angry with him because Elijah might do something worse.

<1 Kings 18:17-20>
“Then it happened, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said to him, ‘Is that you, O troubler of Israel?’ And he answered, ‘I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father’s house have, in that you have forsaken the commandments of the Lord and have followed the Baals. Now therefore, send and gather all Israel to me on Mt. Carmel, the four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal, and the four hundred prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table.’ So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mt. Carmel.”

Before we read verse 21 let me point out, this was essentially a big contest. And Ahab agrees to the conditions. “Yes, Jezebel and I will bring all our prophets and magicians and tricksters to Mt. Carmel.” Elijah says, “You build an altar and put a sacrifice on it. I’ll do the same. We’ll each call on our gods of fire and rain to ignite a fire to burn up the sacrifice! Call on your sun-god – or better, Baal your ‘storm god.’ But no trickery.”

And Elijah watched carefully as they cried and danced all day long. (Is your god on holiday? Sleeping?) The bedlam got louder and more violent as they shrieked and hollered, “O Baal, hear us!” They cut themselves with knives. Finally when they were exhausted and hoarse at evening, Elijah came forward. He quietly rebuilt an altar to the Lord: laid wood and a sacrifice on it. Then he dug a trench. And ordered 12 barrels of precious water to be poured over it. Then he prayed a simple 90-second prayer. And instantly fire flashed like Lighting. It burned up the sacrifice and the wood, disintegrated the stones, and even licked up the water and the dirt in the trench! (For He who made the atom knows how to control it!) Then our text,

<1 Kings 18:21>
“And Elijah came to all the people, and said, ‘How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him.’ But the people answered him not a word.”

Ladies and gentlemen, Elijah’s work was essentially to call people away from heathen sun worship back to the commandments of God. But, you say, why does God call His last message the “Elijah Message”? We don’t worship the sun – or, DO we?

In many Christian countries around December 25 you see a lot of Christmas trees and manger scenes with shepherds and a cradle with a baby. It seems to fit. Christmas is supposed to represent the birth of Christ.

But what about Easter? Do you have Easter eggs and bunny rabbits? What on earth do Easter eggs and rabbits have to do with the Resurrection of Jesus? The answer is: absolutely nothing!

But here’s the story behind some of our holiest Christian traditions – it comes straight from Elijah’s day! I referred to this book once before called, “The Two Babylons,” by Alexander Hislop.

Let me take you back to the earliest days of civilization. To Old Nineveh, on the Tigris-Euphrates rivers near Baghdad, the ‘cradle of civilization.’ The ancients worshiped life and anything reproductive. They worshiped the bulls. Fertility. Sun. Moon. Stars. Rivers. Trees. But especially the female egg. Well, legend had it (it never happened, but pagans believed it) that an egg of wondrous size fell out of heaven into the River Euphrates. Fish nosed it up on the bank. Doves settled down upon the giant egg, and out hatched the goddess Ishtar. According to the legends, Ishtar had a baby boy without a father. Centuries before Jesus, Satan counterfeited the virgin birth in heathen mythology! The Bible speaks of Tammuz, Ishtar’s husband. It specifically warns against worshiping him. Tammuz was born around the 25th December! Ever hear of that day? He was killed by a wild boar in spring. But then in the legend, he was resurrected every spring on the first day of the week following the vernal Equinox, or at Easter! Just before his resurrection the people would weep and fast and sing sad songs. Ever heard of 40 days of fasting we call “Lent?” I’m not finished! Every year these pagans went to the top of the highest hill to watch for the resurrection of Tammuz at a sun-rise service. Then the Bible says in Jeremiah 7:18,

“...the women knead dough, to make cakes for the queen of heaven...and to other gods...”

Please don’t misunderstand! There’s nothing morally wrong with eating a chocolate egg at Easter or singing carols at Christmas. Everyone knows Jesus was NOT born December 25. And you can go to any hill for a sunrise service as long as you’re not worshiping Tammuz or the sun. Thank the Lord for Christmas! And there’s nothing morally wrong with fasting 40 days. These are not moral issues. You’re not saved or lost by eating a chocolate egg. But here’s my point:

If Christianity is so thoroughly riddled with the remnants of sun worship in areas that DO NOT matter morally – could it be that Christianity today is infected and affected with sun worship in areas that DO matter morally? The answer is yes!

Next week we will see some shocking ways that has happened. The best prophecy meetings are still ahead, when God’s Voice of Prophecy SPEAKS! Don’t miss them.

But we’re now ready to better understand God’s Elijah Message for us today! Right in the heart of Revelation 14:6-12, 14. It should be a message about getting back to God’s commandments.

Please notice: Here we have the same “Elijah Message” in its current setting just before Christ’s Second Coming.

So this has to do with you and me! The Elijah Message just before the “coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord!” That’s us. In fact, jump ahead two verses and notice in verses 14-15 the most glorious picture of Christ’s Second Coming!

“Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man,
having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. And another angel came out of the temple, crying with a loud voice to Him who sat on the cloud, ‘Thrust in Your sickle and reap, for the time has come for You to reap, for the harvest of the earth is ripe.’”

Immediately before these verses of the Second Coming of Jesus, John described the “Elijah Message” for our day – an identical message should call us away from sun-worship and paganism – back to God’s Commandments! What does your Bible tell us? Notice each verse.

<Revelation 14:6>
“Then I saw another angel flying in the midst of heaven, having the everlasting gospel to preach to those who dwell on the earth to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.”

“Angel”: John saw an angel with the everlasting gospel. Did God give the business of preaching to angels or people, which? (Angels would do a better job!) But remember this is a symbolic book. An angel in prophecy simply signifies a “message” or “messenger” bringing God’s message to the whole world. So this is a world-wide message of what?

The “Everlasting Gospel”: Not something new, strange, or man-invented. No. The same Gospel given to Adam, to Noah, Jesus, the Apostles – in its current setting for 2004 and for these last days! A message of salvation in Jesus Christ (not by works) that goes to every nation, tribe, tongue, and people.

Could that have been fulfilled 100 years ago? No. Many countries were closed up tight.

But what happens in Baghdad or Johannesburg today is known all over the world minutes later – transmitted by satellite! What we are doing here in Lusaka is being seen instantly thousands of miles away. The Gospel “Message” could be finished overnight. Verse 7 says this is the last message. That’s why it’s the Elijah Message:

<Revelation 14:7>
“...saying with a loud voice, “Fear God and give glory to [whom?] Him, for the hour of His judgment has come; and worship Him who made heaven and earth, the sea and springs of water.”

Judgment has come! That’s quoting the Ten Commandments. So here’s the Elijah Message. Do you see how relevant this Elijah Message is? A present message for our last days about judgment.

Get back to the Commandments and “Worship Him who made...by millions of years of evolution...from ooze and slime…and through the reign of tooth and fang and claw?” No! Worship who? The Creator! This message is the heart of the Sabbath commandment, which is the 4th Commandment in particular.

Now notice, there are Three Angels’ Messages here that make up the “Elijah Message” for our day.

The Second Angel says, “Babylon is fallen.” Not Baghdad, but spiritual Babylon. Remember. In God’s Word, Babylon represents confusion.

<Revelation 14:8>
“And another angel followed, saying, ‘Babylon is fallen, is fallen, that great city, because she has made all nations drink of the wine of the wrath of her fornication.’”

In other words, all man-made efforts at religion add up to nothing! It’s saying most churches, most denominations, most man-made philosophies have become confused! Babble. Babel.

God is saying modern and end-time churches have become Babylon and are giving confused signals to the point people are getting spiritually drunk. That’s why God says in Revelation 18, “Come out of her, My people.” Step out and embrace the Truth!

But then, in verses 9-11, the Third Angel swoops down with the most dire warning of all time for Babylon and all the world’s great religions: The Mark of Beast.

“Then a third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, ‘If anyone worships the beast and his image, and receives his mark on his forehead or on his hand, he himself shall also drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out full strength into the cup of His indignation. He shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels and in the presence of the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment ascends forever and ever; and they have no rest day or night, who worship the beast and his image, and whoever receives the mark of his name.’”

You will study the Mark of the Beast at a later time.

But please notice now Verse 12 because here is the fruit of Elijah’s Message – here’s the result. Here’s what God is looking for with the Elijah Message. The same result as the first Elijah. The same result as John the Baptist in Jesus’ day. Only this Elijah Message results in the final climax. A final last-day message of preparation for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ! So God can say to the universe, “Look! Here are My saints. Here are my people,” God’s called out Israel-elect.

<Revelation 14:12>
“Here is the patience of the saints; here are those who keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus.”

Do you see it, friend? God’s “saints” are simply people who “keep the commandments” – and they have the faith of Jesus. Evidently Commandment-keeping and the faith of Jesus go together!

This is profoundly significant. The Elijah Message of the Old Testament, the Elijah Message of Jesus’ day, and the final Elijah Message before the Great and Dreadful Day of the Lord – they’re all the same! The “Elijah Message” is a message that calls for special reformation, special revival just before Christ’s coming.

Just before Jesus comes the same “Elijah Message” calls people back to God’s Commandments and the faith of Jesus. Jesus did specifically say,

<John 14:15>
“If you love Me, keep My commandments.”

Revelation 14:6 says this is the “Elijah Message.” It is to be proclaimed worldwide to “every kindred, nation, tongue and people.” By satellite, by radio, by DISCOVER Bible course, by Internet. God’s Voice of Prophecy to the WORLD! That’s being fulfilled tonight! And this satellite series is helping to do that, friend! Notice the climax, the result, of the Elijah Message. Immediately after this message is given, we have a magnificent picture of the Second Coming of Jesus! Notice Verses 14 and 15:

“Then I looked, and behold, a white cloud, and on the cloud sat One like the Son of Man,
having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle.”

Could anything be clearer? God’s special “Elijah Message” for today is still the same – it’s about God’s Commandments. It is the Three Angels’ Messages that prepare a remnant last-day commandment people for the Second Coming of Jesus!

That’s why the Devil doesn’t want it studied. But nothing’s more important! I know this may be new light to some.

<1 John 1:7>
“But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Friend, we’re living in a world of spiritual darkness, and it’s getting darker. Jesus through the preaching of His Elijah Message is shining light into millions of lives and homes and hearts. And He extends a loving invitation to follow Jesus. Step out of Babylon and spiritual confusion. Start to walk in the light. Be born again. Live for Jesus. Love for Jesus. Follow Jesus. Obey all for Jesus. And begin an exciting new fellowship with others who also believe “The Elijah Message” as you’ve now discovered!

Notice what the text says: The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin IF we walk in light. What’s important is we must respond. We must DO. We must OBEY. We must WALK in the light. Then His blood cleanses and we have fellowship. Then we’re saints!

Suppose I see some truth, but it’s inconvenient, can I disobey? Notice what this text says. If we WALK in the light, as we keep walking, keep obeying God’s truth, the blood constantly cleanses us from ALL sin! What a wonderful promise!

When I was a lad growing up in Canada, we lived on a farm in Saskatchewan. No electricity. No running water. That was okay, but I was afraid of the dark. No lights? No flashlight? But Dad would go out to milk the cows in the barn with a lantern. One day as I followed by his side I said, “Daddy, the light reaches such a little way!” (Ahead were shadows! Looked scary!) He took my hand and said, “Yes, son. But if you WALK in the light you have, it will take you safe to the end of the journey!”

God wants to take you by the hand, friend. His Light leads but one step at a time. He promises to lead you safely to the end of the journey. I invite you to put your hand in God’s. Then listen. Follow. And obey. His still small voice to you right now is a promise.

<1 John 1:7>
“...If we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.”

Tonight I want to invite you to make your decision to follow Jesus. Will you follow? Will you obey Jesus and the Elijah Message for today? Come forward just now as _____________ sings the appeal. Say, “I will follow You, my Savior. I choose to accept Jesus as my Savior; I choose to accept His Ten Commandments and be a part of the Elijah Message. Come just now – right up here to the front.