ot1kings18

Caution to students of God's Word - Please remember two things when using our studies: #1. Our commentary is not God's Word. It is only our interpretation or understanding of "His Word" and even though we try our best to be accurate we may or may not be correct. #2. The King James translation, or any other translation, of the original Hebrew text has some words which were given different translations at different places probably because of the interpreters preconceived ideas of what they think God meant to say. For example: According to the notes in the "Drake's Annotated Reference Bible" the Hebrew word hayah in the KJV is Trans. (became) 67 times, (becamest or came to pass) 505 times, (become) 66 times, and (come to pass) 131 times, but for some reason in Genesis 1:2 it is translated (was)! That sure changes the way a person perceives the original creation of the earth, doesn't it? Gen. 1:2 And the earth was (became) without form, ... Having said that, let us continue with our "Key Knowledge" lessons. These are pamphlets containing knowledge, we believe, you must have to fully and accurately unlock and understand the Word of God.

John 15:26
But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:

John 16:13-14
[13] Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come. [14] He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall shew it unto you.

This Bible Study was originally written by Roger Christopherson,
published at http://www.theseason.org/

Without the leading by the Holy Spirit, there is no understanding of the truths, for all the truth of the Scriptures are revealed to us by God's Spirit.

"Elijah's Mission to Ahab [1-40]."
"Elijah's Message [8-16]."
"Elijah's Proposal to Ahab [19-40]."
"Conflict with the False Prophets [21-38]."
"Promise of Rain [41-46]."

I Kings 18:1 "And it came to pass after many days, that the word of the Lord came to Elijah in the third year, saying, "Go, shew thyself unto Ahab; and I will send rain upon the earth."

This is the last year of the three and a half years that God told Elijah that it would not rain. This is a very dangerous thing that God is instructing Elijah to do, because Jezebel is after Elijah's head. She wants all prophets of God dead. She has already killed over two thousand prophets for their attack on her prophets of Baal. She has put all the blame of everything that is going on, back on Elijah. Ahab would also like to see the draught ended because the people as well as the animals have really had a hardship. Ahab had sent his servants all over the kingdom trying to find this prophet, and they simply had no clue where Elijah was.

I Kings 18:2 "And Elijah went to shew himself unto Ahab, And there was a sore famine in Samaria."

It hadn't rained for over three years, and things were pretty sore all over the land of Israel. "Samaria" means "Watch mountain" in the Hebrew, and it was suppose to be the high point to watch for God's Word, and be on the alert. It was the new capital of the house of Israel. However there was a sore famine for truth, as well as the rain, because of the apostasy [falling away from the truth] that had been brought on by Jezebel, the wife of Ahab.

I Kings 18:3 "And Ahab called Obadiah, which was the governor of his house. (Now Obadiah feared the Lord greatly:"

Obadiah was a believer in the True God, and while Jezebel was killing off most of the Prophets of God, Obediah wanted nothing to do with such wickedness. He was the head servant of the palace that Ahab and Jezebel lived in, and when he witnessed such a thing, he tried to help those that he could.

I Kings 18:4 "For it was so, when Jezebel cut off the prophets of the Lord, that Obadiah took an hundred prophets, and hid them by fifty in a cave, and fed them with bread and water.)"

Obadiah loved God, and when the prophets of God were being killed, Obadiah took one hundred of the prophets and divided them into two groups, and hid them separately in two caves. There they stayed under Obadiah's protection, being fed and receiving water.

This is the first record of civil law ruling over religious law: Of man's law over God's law. This is where the civil authority tried to eliminate God's authorities in God's law. This is as it is even today, for as we see what is going on in our land today, we see that as long as a church fills out the proper documentation for the government, and stays within the stated bounds of the tax requirements, and files on an annual basis, they may continue their practice of religion. However, in the bounds of civil authority, you can't pray in schools, or in public, and daily these Jezebelian rules are growing.

You don't have to pray out loud, and God can read your mind; so when the authorities put their many restrictions on you, pray in silent prayer. Continue to bring your petitions before the throne of God. God hears all your prayers, every one of them are recorded where they count in heaven. My fellow Christian, you don't have to go into that bondage that the Jezebel's of today are trying to place on you. You can pray where ever you want to, in school, in court, or on any street corner in our land or around the world. It comes down to a matter of common sense and using your head on the matter when you pray.

The sin that Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego committed in the book of Daniel was that they would not bow to an image standing 66 feet high. This is symbolic type for the image of the beast of the end times. They trusted in the Almighty God, and they did not rely on any man made for of religion or it's idols for their protection. So don't ever let anybody restrict you from praying anyplace you want to or need to. We are to be wiser than the serpent, and the serpent's people. You have power over the serpent, and Satan nor any of his people can not touch you nor read your mind.

So even though it appears that civil law over rules religious law, what this is saying, is that no civil law can overtake religious law. This is because we have the authority over civil law, Satan, and his entire world system. However it does not give us the authority, in righteousness to break civil law. We are to live by the laws of the land, and to use common sense in practicing our religious rights in seeking the Father.

I Kings 18:5 "And Ahab said unto Obadiah, "Go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts."

This was going on during the three year draught, and so the people would be where ever the water was. Ahab was sending Obadiah out to where ever the people were gathered and try find grass to feed the animals. This documents that the drought was having its toll on man and animals alike.

I Kings 18:6 "So they divided the land between them to pass throughout it: Ahab went one way by himself, and Obadiah went another way by himself."

I Kings 18:7 "And as Obadiah was in the way, behold, Elijah met him: and he knew him, and fell on his face, and said, "Art thou that my lord Elijah?"

As Obadiah was on his journey searching for the grass to feed the animals, he came across Elijah, on his way back to see Ahab the king.

I Kings 18:8 "And he answered him, "I am" Go, tell thy lord, `Behold, Elijah is here.'"

Remember that Ahab had already searched all over the land, and had his signed statement from the people, that they had not seen Elijah anywhere. Now this is going to put Obadiah in a bad light before the king, when now he would tell the king that Elijah is coming and wants to see you.

I Kings 18:9 "And he said, "What have I sinned, that you wouldest deliver thy servant into the hand of Ahab, to slay me?"

I Kings 18:10 "As the Lord thy God liveth, there is no nation or kingdom, whither my lord hath not sent to seek thee: and when they said, `He is not there;' he took an oath of the kingdom and nation, that they found thee not."

Ahab and Jezebel looked high and low in every land around Israel in search of Elijah, and they could not find him. Remember where God hid Elijah", The first location was beside the brook Cherith, where the ravens fed him. Elijah's second place that God sent him was in the loft of the widow woman that was so poor that she was about to die. Than the third hiding place that God sent Elijah was right in the heart of Jezebel's own land, in the land of the Zidonians, in Zarephath, right under the Kenites own noses. and of all places that would have been the last place that they would have looked. These places were types of how God is going to protect his elect during the time when Satan rules the earth in the end times. Then at the appropriate time, God will release his elect to be brought up to speak those things that the Holy Spirit of God places in their mouth. Jesus told us of this, how it would be, in Mark 13:11.

Mark 13:11 "But when they shall lead you, and deliver you up, take no thought before-hand what ye shgall speak, neither do ye premeditate: but whatsoever shall be given you in that hour, that speak ye: for it is not ye that speak, but the Holy Ghost."

God already said that the draught would be three and a half years, and now at the end of the three and a half years, God is sending Elijah forth to say those words that the Spirit of God will place in his mouth, before Ahab and the false prophets. So; It will be at the end of the apostasy, at the end of Satan's rule on earth "that they shall lead you, and deliver you up", that is the time that God's elect will be challenged by the false prophets.

I Kings 18:11 "And now thou sayest, `Go, tell thy lord, `Behold, Elijah is here.' ' "

I Kings 18:12 "And it shall come to pass, as soon as I am gone from thee, that the Spirit of the Lord shall carry thee whither I know not; and so when I come and tell Ahab, and he cannot find thee, he shall slay me: but I thy servant fear the Lord from my youth."

Elijah is telling Obadiah that God's Spirit led him those places that he hid out, and it was not of Elijah's planning. Sure there was food to eat, and water, but as we saw, it took miracles to perserve Elijah for the time that he was to be delivered up to allow God to speak through him. Are you starting to see how this is a type for God's elect? He may hide some by the brook, or in some way out loft, or even in the middle of the land of the Kenites. However, where ever it is, know that it is "The Spirit of the Lord that shall carry thee", no matter where it is.

Here Obadiah is letting Elijah know that he has always loved and respected God all his life. His mom and dad brought him up that way, and taught him will. Obadiah was a man that could be trusted and had character, and that is why Ahab and Jezebel had placed him over all the servants of the palace. Obadiah knew that it may cost his life, to say what Elijah is requesting him to do; however as a prophet of God, if you tell me to tell Ahab this, I will do it.

I 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?"

Now Obadiah was reminding Elijah of what a good servant to Lord he was, in saving the hundred prophets of God, when Jezebel was trying to kill them all. Obediah is asking Elijah that I have already done my part, so why have you chosen me to do this thing? This may cause my death in fulfilling your wish, and asking this matter of Ahab.

I Kings 18:14 "And now thou sayest, `Go tell thy lord, `Behold, Elijah is here:' 'and he shall slay me. "

I Kings 18:15 "And Elijah said, "As the Lord of hosts liveth, before Whom I stand, I will surely shew myself unto him to day." "

Elijah is taking an oath before the Lord, that he will present himself before the king today. This assures that Obadiah would not be killed for bringing the message to Ahab. We know that Elijah would show up because God told him to go. Elijah was a very common man, but when God told him and instructed him to do something, Elijah followed God's instructions to the letter. Elijah was an obedient servant.

I Kings 18:16 "So Obadiah went to meet Ahab, and told him: and Ahab went to meet Elijah."

It hasn't rained for three years, and it is dry every where. Obadiah went to Ahab and set up the meeting between Ahab and Elijah. Ahab is anxious to hear what Elijah is going to say.

I Kings 18:17 "And it came to pass, when Ahab saw Elijah, that Ahab said unto him, "Art thou he that troubleth Israel?" "

"Art thou he that troubleth Israel?" Stop and think for a moment what Ahab has just said. Is Elijah causing Israel all it's trouble? What was the reason in the first place for the rain to stop, that brought on the draught? Remember how the 16th chapter ended, with the rebuilding of the city of Jericho, and Joshau warned that a curse would come to whom ever did such a thing. It was Ahab that had the city rebuilt, and also married the Kenite, or Zidonian woman Jezebel. He turned Israel over to her and she had Ahab build the altars to Baal, as well as the groves. It was Ahab that provoked the Lord God to anger.

I Kings 16:32-33; "And he reared up an alter for Baal in the house of Baal, which he had built in Samaria," "And Ahab made a grove; and Ahab did more to provoke the Lord God of Israel to anger than all the kings of Israel that were before him."

Editor's Note: Is it not a fact that most of us don't recognize our own sins, but are quick to blame our troubles on someone else.

It was the sinning Ahab, and those kings before him that through their sins provoked God to anger, that cause the rains to dry up. Elijah didn't marry that heathen Kenite woman Jezebel, nor did Elijah build the temple to Baal. Elijah didn't force God's people to bow down to idols, and we know that Ahab did all these things. Elijah is about to set Ahab straight as to who the real trouble maker is.

I Kings 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."

Elijah let Ahab know that it was he himself that caused his own trouble, and his father Omri before him. They are the ones that defiled and forsook the commandments of God and brought in all the idolatry of Baal.

How can anyone or any of our current so-called Christian churches expect to be blessed when they bring in the traditions of men, and allow those traditions to take the high ground over the Word of God. They never seem to get around to teaching God's Word, but always seem to get off on their side tracks, and things that have nothing to do with God's Word.

We are to study God's word for our direction, and then when we follow the instruction of God's Word, God blesses us. Today the standard saying is that "all you have to do is just believe", yet those dear souls are not given the Word to believe in, but only traditions that are created by man and within their religious system. That is not God's way. That is man's way. You listen to God through His Word only, and seek the truth from the manuscripts. That is why we have teachers that will search the manuscripts for the truth. Today there are many that have sat for decades in the same pew of a church and still do not know the most simple parts of the plan of God. Then they wonder why God never blesses them. They have no idea in the world of God's true emotions and feelings; what He thinks on serious matters, or what is important to Him. God does care for, and He loves you. Our Father wants to give you good things, but He wants you to love Him, and care for Him in return. God wants you to learn about Him, seek forgiveness from Him, and ask for favors from Him, in His Son Jesus the Christ's name. It is up to you to seek that path out the path to God, and you do it through His Word.

I Kings 18:19 "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." "

Elijah is reminding Ahab that sitting at the table back home, before his wife Jezebel, is eight hundred and fifty false prophets of Baal and grove worship. Evidently those prophets that directed what went on in the grove, those sexual religious ritual, were closer to Jezebel than the prophets and activity at the altar of Baal. The grove priests did not go up to accept Elijah's challenge, but all of the Baal priest came to mount Carmel. Mount Carmel is a mountain range that rises about 1800 feet above sea level, however there was a well there, that was covered with a roof. Of course this well is dried up today. There was always about eight feet of water in the spring fed well, and that is why Elijah had the Baal prophets come to this location. The test that Elijah is about to do required a lot of water. Remember also that all Israel will also come up on this mount to witness the test that Elijah is about to do. They also will need water.

The reason that I explain this fact here is that many so-called "higher critics" doubt what is said in this chapter, because they say there was no water there. This location was about eighteen miles from Jezreel; and sixteen miles from the sea. Though this well at Kishon is dry now, it was filled with a foot deep perennial spring, that filled the eight foot deep well at that time. Those higher critics geography and knowledge of the facts of the area is just not that accurate.

I Kings 18:20 "So Ahab sent unto all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together unto mount Carmel."

I Kings 18:21 "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."

Notice how Elijah asked this question before the people, for in the challenge to the Baal prophets, is the form of a question to the People as well. "How long halt ye"; how long are you going to "limp along" between these two opinions? Those two opinions are who is the true God; The God of Israel, or Baal. How long are you going to limp along on both legs, and be double minded in your thinking.

Opinions are made in the mind of each individual, for each person has their own opinion. Your opinion is what you believe to be true about a matter. The people wanted to please God, and serve YHVH, and serve the Living God, yet at the same time they enjoyed their trips to the Baal worship, and especially their trips to the groves and their sex orgies. So the people tried to split the difference, and mix the two so that they could have the best of both, in their minds.

It is the same today, in this 21st. century. The place where most of us pro-claiming Christians have become crippled, is in our minds. We have become double minded. Though we say that we want to please God, by our following man's traditions we never get around to the study of God's Word, nor do we care to live in God's ways. Sure our God is a loving God, but He is still a jealous God. Any time you pick up the traditions of men, you have become double minded; whether it be Baal, the rapture doctrine , celebrating Ashtaroth/easter "The queen of Heaven"; Ashtaroth, the queen of heaven. We worship her with Easter eggs and quick-like-a-Easter-bunny. in place of our Lord's passover; or we choose another form of worship that is not of God or His Word. It is your duty to know where those religious ceremonies come from before you make them part of your spiritual life.

I Kings 18:22 "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."

The masses of people are all around on this mount Carmel, and before them are Elijah, Ahab the king, and these four hundred and fifty prophets of Baal. The people know exactly who the Baal prophets are, for that is where they have been worshipping for the past three years. Elijah is reminding the people that he is the only man that represents the True Living God, and all these other men are the ones that have been causing all their trouble. Speaking in today's terms, Elijah is saying, you have four hundred and fifty of those one verse reverends of Baal. If you would take a popularity poll at this time, Elijah would lose, by today's standards.

I Kings 18:23 "Let them therefore give us two bullocks; and let them choose one bullock for themselves, and cut it in pieces, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under it: and I will dress the other bullock, and lay it on wood, and put no fire under:"

Just so there can be no excuses from the prophets of Baal, they make the choice of the bullocks to be offered, they can arrange the wood, and prepare their altar to their god Baal. This is a contest to see who is the best, and there can only be one winner. The bullock is the meat offering that is made to God, and the one that God chooses is consumed by fire. God is going to provide the fire, not man.

I Kings 18:24 "And call ye on the name of your gods, and I will call on the name of the Lord: and the God That answeredth by fire, let Him be God." And all the people answered and said, "It is well spoken." "

There can be no doubt just who the contest is between. It is between the gods of Baal, and the true God, YHVH the Father. Now that the rules of the contest are explained to the people, they all spoke out in agreement with Elijah. The preachers are going to be put to the test.

Again know this, that God has already instructed Elijah exactly where the challenge is to take place, What to do after they arrive at that location, What the rules of the contest shall be, and that is why Elijah can be so bold. He knew the outcome before the contest has even started. It had been given by the Father directly to His servant Elijah. There is really no contest at all, for the outcome is known before it even starts. It is like taking bets before you start to watch a video tape of a game that has already been played, when only one person has already seen the finish. It reminds me of Monday night football, when I would call my brother out in the State of Washington. Though the football game was over in the Midwest, it was still in the first half in the tape delay that was being watched in Washington.

The people had seen these preachers in action before their altars of Baal, and they can count the four hundred and fifty against one. To them it seems like a landslide on the side of Baal. Remember that God and you make a majority, no matter how many are on the other side.

I Kings 18:25 "And Elijah said unto the prophets of Baal, "Choose you one bullock for yourselves, and dress it first; for ye are many; and call on the name of your gods, but put no fire under."

Elijah is even giving these prophets of Baal the first shot at bring down the fire.

I Kings 18:26 "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."

These Baal prophets called on their traditions of men from early morning till noon. This is an old fashion revival meeting, where all the emotions are drummed up to bring all the spirits that are in the area. You have the altar and the sacrifice, the music and any other thing that can be thought of to bring their results. Yet there on the altar are those fresh pieces of cut meat, laid out so beautiful and and so religious, the wood under them, and no fire. As time went by they leaped all the more, as they jumped over the altar to draw their gods attention, yet those pieces of meat just lay there. In all that they did there was no answer because their god is no god, but just and image in their mind. When you dream up all those traditions that make void the Word of God, then there will be no one to answer any prayer that you make in the name of that tradition. Here it is noon, and they have preached themselves out.

I Kings 18:27 "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." "

Old Elijah is watching as all this is taking place, and watching the people in their reaction to it all. Elijah just could not hold himself back, and he had to needle them a little to mock the things that they were doing. Edge them on to be a little more serious in their presentation to their gods of Baal. Elijah told them, "cry aloud", you have to cry louder, you have to make more noise. For this god is a god [notice the lower case with the letter "g"], remember, just like in our so-called Christian churches today, that these people are double minded for they wanted to have the best of both the True God, and also Baal.

Sure they liked the True God but they liked their traditions also. [They like the Passover and Communion, yet they like their Easter and the heathen traditions that their church celebrates along with them]. There is no difference between what goes on now, as to what Elijah was up against. Sure they like to take the cup and the bread, but they also like their Easter eggs, their bonnets, and their early morning service to greet the sun god during the feast time of Ishtar. You can apply this also to the many other traditions that have been formed, that cause God's people can carry out their double mindedness.

So then Elijah tells them, maybe he is talking to himself [meaning maybe he is a little off, and likes to talk to himself]? He is probably not listening, you have to get his attention. He is muttering off there in the darkness. Elijah is really jabbing them where it hurts. This has gone on for many hours and they haven't said anything that made sense.

Then Elijah needles them a little more, and tells them maybe their god is "pursuing", and this word only appears here at this one place in the whole bible. In the Hebrew text it means "looking for a private place", in other words, going to the toilet. Maybe your Baal god is out taking a potty break? he just can't be bothered at this time, for he is trying to relieve himself. Here these four hundred and fifty preachers are going at it, and giving it all they have, and old Elijah is standing there in the shadow of the heat of the day making fun of them.

Or maybe your god went off on a journey and forgot to tell you that he would be gone. He might be gone, far off in some distant place. It would have been great to be there and see Elijah ribbing these priests and they put all that they have into trying to start a fire under their cut pieces of meat, there on the altar of Baal. Then Elijah brings up the fact that just maybe your god has taken a nap, he might be tired and had to lay down and rest a bit, you have to shout louder to wake him up. Elijah is having a great time as it slips off into the late after noon, and it is continuing. All the time, it was God that had told Elijah exactly what to do, and say through this whole time. It is our Heavenly Father that has the sense of humor. There is a lot of irony in this to show the great sense of humor that our Heavenly Father does have; and God allowed Elijah to sit there and taunt those Baal preachers. Through this all, we cansee and have a better knowledge of the emotions of our Father, and what he thinks of those traditions that have worked themselves into the double mind teaching that is going on today.

I Kings 18:28 "And they cried aloud, and cut themselves after their manner with knives and lancets, till the blood gushed out upon them."

Then these Baal priests took their knives and lancets, and began cutting themselves as they jumped around, dancing and screaming to wake up their god. What a bloody mess this must have turned into. All the time the children of Israel are standing by and watching the spectacle that the Baal priests are putting on. Boy, what a church service, what a show, a real spiritual uplift to all the brothers, yet all the time it was nothing but nonsense. Many of our so-called Christian brothers would say of an emotional meeting like this, "It really made us feel good to see it all going on, it gave us an emotional uplift.

However what did it all accomplish? The priest's blood gushing out on the altar, the hoping and shouting was all for nothing, because their gods could not hear or see anything that went on. Their god Baal was just a dead stick off some tree. That is all that man's tradition can accomplish, a side show of emptiness; sore bloody people, with disappointed spirits.

I Kings 18:29 "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."

It went on all day long, and at the time of sundown, all the prophets of Baal had completely lost their voice, bloody and they got to the point where they had just given up on their god. These priests were one sorry bunch of preachers.

I Kings 18:30 "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."

It is time for Elijah to go to work. Elijah wanted all the people to sit up and pay attention to what he was about to do. You get real close so that you know that there is no tricks going on to what I am about to do. So they did; and Elijah repaired the altar of the Lord YHVH, the True God. It has been on well recorded that there was an altar to God at that location. This is the altar to God, not the heathen alter that those four hundred and fifty Baal priest made. That altar was prepared by Samuel way back in the I Samuel 15, and Elijah is going to prepare it. It was set up when the first monarch was to take control over Israel, all of God's people. Many kings have come and gone, and the kingdom had split in two, since that time.

I Kings 18:31 "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:" "

If you want the true knowledge of God's Word, you must have understanding of each of these objects. They are the foundation that must be laid to worship Christ, and even to know who the true Christ is. This is the foundation of understanding, to know the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, for it is through them that the Word of the Lord came. They are God's chosen people that carry the name of Israel.

No, not Israel, as per that little country in the middle east which we call Israel doday in this 21st. century.

Do you kow what "Israel" means? In the Hebrew tongue the full translation means: "The Prince that prevails with God". It is the winner, the one that God allows to win. Those people of the twelve tribes are scattered all over the world, not just that little tribe of Judah in today's middle east, that is heavy mixed with the Kenites, Satan's grandkids, that call themselves "Jews". Today most people have forgotten all the others, including who they are, and all they can think of Jacob, or Israel, is that tiny nation that calls itself Israel today.

"A great nation"! Hosea 1:10 "Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, `Ye are not My People,' there it shall be said unto them, `ye are the sons of the living God.' " Wow! We have counties in the western United States that are greater in size than that tiny nation. While much of the church world has bought into the lie that those people represent God's chosen people. If, you go to that land, you will find that they will not even allow the Name of Jesus to be preached to their people. This is why Elijah took those twelve stones to make up the altar of God, for it is through all twelve of those tribes, nations that carry the name of Israel, i.e. Christian; All twelve, not ten lost tribes, of the house of Israel that the true name of the "Living God" is presented to the world. Are we talking about the Jews? Of course not!

Hosea 1:10 "Yet the number of the children of Israel shall be as the sand of the sea, which cannot be measured nor numbered; and it shall come to pass, that in the place where it was said unto them, `Ye are not My People,' there it shall be said unto them, `ye are the sons of the living God.' "

My fellow Christian, the "Living God", is "Jesus the Christ", the True Anointed One, the One that arose from the dead and ascended to the right hand of the Father. Here Hosea is telling us how we can identify the Children in the latter days, They will be the nations called "Christians nations". They are the Christian nations of the Americas, and Europe and around that World that identifies themselves with Christ. If you don't have all twelve stones in your foundation of knowledge, you have some rocks missing in your mind.

I Kings 18:32 "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."

Elijah took "the stones and built an alter in the name of the Lord". The dimensions given here means that the trench was about three feet wide, with the twelve stones placed in the middle of altar.

I Kings 18:33 "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."

Then Elijah took the wood and prepared it in the order that you would start a fire. Before the fire, Elijah had the people fill the four barrels with the water from the well, and completely cover the wood, and fill the trench that was around it with the water. For those of the higher critics that say that there was no wood there, wake up, there were forests all around them at that time.

I Kings 18:34 "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."

There is one thing that is certain, and that is that this fire will not light with a match or a blow torch even if they had one. There is no way that any human being could ever light that fire. Elijah is making the odds about right for one man and God to compete against the world system.

I Kings 18:35 "And the water ran round about the altar; and he filled the trench also with water."

I Kings 18:36 "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." "

Elijah waited until the time of the assigned plan of God, there was a certain time that God specified that all His offering would be given and this time was in the evening sacrifice. God's evening oblation or sacrifice is a bit soggy, but it is there and in place. So pay attention to the words that Elijah said at this time.

Did you get that, Elijah "did all these things at Thy Word." "At Thy Word" means at "God's Word". God told Elijah every move to make, and he followed those instructions, even to the time that the offering sacrifice would be made. Most of the so-called ministries of today are out to show the world what a certain super preacher can do, and it is the super preacher that gets the money, and the glory. Let me tell you something, Elijah didn't do it, God did it. What ever God tells you to do, that is what you do, not what the board of elders contrive to do for the sake of increasing the membership roles, or getting the offering plate heavier. Until God gives you instructions, don't make a fool out of yourself. Do you Get the point? Elijah did only what the Lord told him to do.

At first it was to camp by the brook and let the ravens feed you, then to go and live in the loft of the widow woman's house, and then chase off to the land of the Kenites. However, what ever God said, that is what Elijah did. At the appointed time, God told him to go back to Ahab, and at the appointed time Elijah offered the altar sacrifice to God. When Elijah went, God told him what to say and what to do, and Elijah did it as God said. Elijah never doubted for one moment that God would fulfill exactly what He said that He would do.

I Kings 18:37 "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." "

This was Elijah's job; that when the children of God had strayed so far away from God, Elijah was to turn the hearts of the children back to their fathers. It is a two minded way, for there are two fathers, the Antichrist who is Satan, and the True Christ, Jesus Christ. It was the people that watched this all take place that had to make the choice.

We are told in Malachi that it will be the same at the end of this earth age, in the latter days. Malachi 4:5 "Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord." Before that dreadful time of the end when this entire earth will be shaken, Elijah's ministry will come to pass.

Malachi 4:6 "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."

When Satan arrives in his role as the Antichrist, it will be too late, for you will either be sealed before that time, or you will not be sealed. The sealing is in the mind of each individual, and the seal is the understanding of Word of God in your mind. There will be no double mindedness at that time, for you will either be of God, or of Satan.

I Kings 18:38 "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."

This is what happened at the end of Elijah's sacrifice, and it is also what will happen at the end of the Millennium. Hebrews 12:29: "For our God is a consuming fire." God came down and licked up with fire all the sacrifice, including the stones, the wood, and even the stones that the altar was made of. Even the water that filled the trenches was gone instantly. Remember that they were right in the middle of a draught, and the air would have been filled with dust, and even that dust was gone.

I Kings 18:39 "And when all the People saw it, they fell on their face; and they said, "The Lord, He is the God; the Lord, He is the God." "

When all the people saw what happened at the altar of God they fell to their faces on the ground, and they said; "The Lord, He is the God", The only double witness at this time was that God truly is Lord, YHVH, the only True Father. This is history and it happened. It was witnessed by all of the house of Israel, and in our generation, that will be many other things that shall happen also. The word and deeds of Elijah are important to us, because as the Old Testament ends, God warns us that Elijah will return again. The hearts of all God's children will go back to their father, those that have eyes to see with understanding, to the true Father, and those that do not, to Satan, the father of the world system. All of God's Word is written directly to you.

I Kings 18:40 "And Elijah said unto them, "Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape." "

These false prophets of Baal had led thousand of God's children astray, so when the people had opened their eyes to the True God, Elijah told them; "Take the prophets of Baal; let not one of them escape." Even the order to get rid of these false prophets was at the order of God.

I Kings 18:41 "And Elijah said unto Ahab, "Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain."

Elijah told king Ahab, you can head back to the palace to eat and drink for you are going to get an abundance of rain now. The three and a half years are over, and God said it would rain after the three and one half years.

I 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,"

When Ahab and all the people had now gone home, Elijah went to the very top of Carmel and was in complete humbleness before God, waiting upon the Lord. We know that Elijah was giving much praise and thanksgiving to God for keeping His Word. Elijah was now waiting on the Lord to see what he should do next. It still hadn't started to rain, as Elijah promised Ahab that it would

I Kings 18:43 "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." "

This number "seven" means a great deal in biblical numerics, especially to God's election. The "seven thousand" of God's elect includes many hundreds of thousands of all the races that serve God, they are the ones that have the eyes to see and ears to hear with understanding God's Word. "Seven" is the number in biblical numerics that means "completeness".

I Kings 18:44 "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.' " "

Elijah saw the storm starting to form over the sea, off in the distance, and he knew that there would be a great down pouring very shortly. Those dry dusty roads are about to turn into muddy fields, where the chariots could not pass. Even before the order for the seven times came, Elijah knew what God was saying, He was starting to fulfill his promise. The prophecy of a draught was over and it was time for the rain, the heavy latter rain. This was the ending, or the spiritual completeness of this divine intervention of the prophecy that God had promised. God used Elijah to let his children know that He was still on the throne.

I 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."

"Jezreel" in the Hebrew means the "seed of God", and the children of God were about to be scattered.

I Kings 18:46 "And the hand of the Lord was on Elijah; and he girded up his loins, and ran before Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel."

Men wore skirts at this time, and he took his belt and pulled the back side of his skirt to the front and tucked it into his belt to free up his legs. He ran ahead of Ahab to the entrance of Jezreel, and got there before Ahab on his chariot arrived. Elijah ran eighteen miles just like a deer. He outran both horses and chariots. God gave him supernatural speed to get where God wanted him to be, at the appointed time God wanted him there.

We are living in the latter days, and God is going to deal with his election in a divine way. We are to prepare ourselves, for we are going to be delivered up before the false Messiah, so prepare for that time. That time to make ready is coming and it is here now. God's election's hearts are being made ready as we read and study all of God's Word. That is how we become sealed in our minds, for if you are not sealed in your forehead, God is going to turn you over to Satan, to let him have his way with you. You will either become sealed our you will not be sealed. There is no double standard, double opinion or mixture with God's Word, for you either know it, or you do not. That is what determines which father you will run to. Those sealed wait for the seventh trumpet on the True Messiah Jesus Christ, and all other are taken instantly at the sounding of the sixth trumpet, at the coming of Satan with his hoards of fallen angels.

This is why this type is a reality, for remember that Elijah never died. It is the divine physical and spiritual intervention of our Heavenly Father who is on the throne in Elijah's day, just as He will reign throughout all eternity. Where ever God goes, God's throne goes, for Ezekiel 1 documents this. See Live Link to-> Ezekiel 1

To study the Bible is the noblest of all pursuits; to understand it, the highest of all goals. We pray that with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, you accomplish both.

doctrine of many of our Christian churches, (The Man on a White Horse)
political direction of our country, (The Man on a Red Horse)
economic direction our country has taken, (The Man on a Black Horse)
and teaching of our schools and media, (The Man on a Pale Horse)

The Four Hidden Dynasties of the New World Order Revelation 6:1-8
"The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse"
Did you know all four are being ridden by Satan?