Introduction

The Bible contains stories of many of the greatest men and women the world has ever known. They do not fall into any one category: but come from every strata of human society: kings, governors, scholars, scribes, builders, farmers, shepherds, fishermen, publicans and tent-makers. What was the secret of their greatness? What common factor did these individuals possess that set them apart from ordinary mortals? How is it that they accomplished so much to qualify for a mention in the greatest book of all time - The Bible? In short, what was it that made the Bible greats - great?

Was it their intellect, their education, their wealth, possessions, appearance, social status or talent? Or was it a definable something that is freely available to all mankind? I trust that this morning we will discover part of their secret. It is, of course, impossible in one sermon to analyze the lives of several people; so I have chosen just one man for close scrutiny - Elijah the Tishbite. Why have I chosen Elijah? The answer is because Elijah is like a spiritual icon who calls to mind everything a last-day servant of YaHuWaH should be. To me Elijah is one of the greatest believers that ever lived: and though he never wrote a single book in the Bible, Elijah's message is what the Scriptures are all about. The Elijah message concerns every soul on earth, especially believers living in the closing days of this age. In this sermon I will briefly mention well-known facts concerning Elijah and then attempt to look behind the man at the special possession that made him great the - Elijah Message!

We live in a world where people judge by appearances. I must confess that I am no exception to this trait: for I have often made the mistake of judging people by their appearance. And yet how wrong I have been. The Almighty commented to the prophet Samuel, "Man looketh on the outward appearance." How true. What did Elijah look like? How tall was he? What was the color of his hair, his eyes, his skin? Was he handsome, rich, educated? These are the things that mostly concern the people of this world. But they are unimportant considerations. In the Day of Judgement they will count for nothing. When asked about Elijah's appearance, some observers answered as follows:

This tells us very little about the man or his message, so I will move on to discuss the important qualities Elijah possessed over and above the norm.

The first quality I notice about Elijah is that he had courage. Courage to openly practice the truth at a time when most feared to do so: courage to stand up to the hundreds of false prophets of his day: courage to rebuke an angry monarch to his face. Elijah had that kind of courage.

Elijah overcame his fear and courageously went to meet king Ahaziah, to deliver a message concerning the king's sins and subsequent punishment - death! Yes, courage is a mandatory requirement for every servant of the Lord in these last days. Every prophet, priest and disciple must have courage: courage to face, overcome and rebuke sin which is becoming increasingly fashionable all over the world.

Elijah possessed a good measure of faith in YaHuWaH. Bear in mind that his name 'Elijah' means 'my Elohim is YAH.' YAH is the short form for YaHuWaH, the Elohim of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. We see Elijah's faith expressing itself in his experience at Zarephath during Israel's three and a half year drought and famine.

To take the last morsel of bread from a starving widow was an act of faith in YaHuWaH 's ability to provide thereafter. Elijah was not displaying selfishness in this act. Instead he was demonstrating strong faith in his Elohim YAH. Elijah firmly believed that her barrel of flour and bottle of oil would not run out till the rains came. That is why he made that unusual request. Elijah believed, but did she? The widow's faith proved as strong as his. This widow prefigures the obedient people of YaHuWaH in the end-time when for three and a half years the church will be miraculously sustained in the 'wilderness of the peoples.' The widow of Zeraphath rose to the occasion, just as the church will, and shared her last morsel with Elijah.

Now we come to what I believe is Elijah's most important holding - his message. The Elijah message calls people to obey the commandments of YaHuWaH the Almighty Elohim of Israel: particularly those commandments which relate to sexual conduct and pagan festivals.

• The Physical Plane
  On the physical plane they are YaHuWaH 's commandments relating to adultery, fornication, prostitution, homosexuality, incest and rape.
• The Spiritual Plane
  On the spiritual plane they are YaHuWaH 's commandments relating to His weekly and annual Sabbath days.

When accused by king Ahab of being a trouble-maker, Elijah's answered as follows:

Baalim is Hebrew plural for Baal the god of nature and fertility.

Elijah spoke out against the worship of Baal and Ashtoreth. He fearlessly condemned sexual sin and the worship of nature and pointed to YaHuWaH the CREATOR of the mighty universe: the one and only Elohim who, in the final analysis, controls the fertility of the earth and the womb. Over and over again Elijah taught that obedience to YaHuWaH 's commandments was the only acceptable route to fertility and that man's sexual conduct must be governed by the Torah, not by human desire. Why, even the widow burst out:

When Elijah called for a three and a half year drought, he was, in fact, demonstrating to Israel that his Elohim YAH was the only true Elohim: and that it was on YaHuWaH 's authority that all productivity depended. He alone can give meaningful increase in basket and womb, and this blessing comes in direct response to faith and obedience. This is the message of the Bible. This is the Elijah Message.

The world is fast approaching a state that existed in the days of Elijah. Sexual perversion is now the norm. Fornication, Adultery and Homosexuality are openly advocated by the many modern priests and priestesses. Sin has become fashionable! But don't be deluded: these sins are simply a sophisticated 20th century version of Baal and Ashtoreth worship! What is even more tragic is that the collapse of sexual standards is reflected in the church's rejection of YaHuWaH 's weekly and annual Sabbath days which are the divinely appointed memorials of the Creation.

The keeping of Easter (Ashtaroth's fertility festival) and Christmas (The birthday of the Sun god) are high level examples of Astaroth and Baal worship! These are stunning facts, which you must know and take heed to. (If you have not already done so, be sure to read our booklet, The Festivals of the Elohim of Israel, which is available online.)

The Elijah message calls people back to the commandments of the Most High. On both the physical and the spiritual planes it challenges the teachings of Balaam the mercenary prophet who advocated sexual license as a tool to overthrow YaHuWaH 's people. Balaam was unable to curse Israel, even though he was offered large sums of money by king Balak. Balaam knew that the only way Israel could be overthrown was by getting the nation to sin. So he instructed king Balak to invite the men of Israel to Moab's heathen festivals at which sexual sin was at its height. Balak followed Balaam's advice and the invitations went out. The men of Israel walked straight into the trap and grievously sinned. The curses written in the law of the Most High began to take effect. The story of Balak and Balaam is found in Numbers chapters 22 to 25. The record goes on to tell of a holy war between Israel and Midian: a war which, itself, was a dramatized prophecy of the end-time attack against the powers of evil. In that war the prophet Balaam was put to death.

To preach the Elijah message in these days requires faith and courage; because it will upset millions: especially the religious authorities who disregard the Almighty's Sabbath days. Like the ancient priests and priestesses of Baal and Ashtaroth, they detest the Elijah message. It troubles them. It angers them. They would rather hear smooth words which keep clear of sexual sin and Sabbath-breaking: those low and high level sins which are currently sweeping the earth. But the Most High is not mocked. His judgements will - yea already have - begun to take effect.

Those who proclaim the Elijah message do not fight human beings.

Our battle is against sin, not people. Like Elijah we must speak out against sin:

• The low level sins of the flesh: fornication, adultery, prostitution, homosexuality, incest and rape.
• The high level sins of the spirit: unbelief, paganism, commercialism in the churches and Sabbath breaking.

Elijah taught the Truth: and he backed it up with breath-taking power. He even raised the dead!

The Elijah message will be preached by the Two Witnesses and the 144000 servants of YaHuWaH with great power. This power will become apparent shortly after the 6th Seal of Revelation bursts open. Its effect on mankind will be spectacular:

John the Baptist was not a reincarnation of Elijah. But like all the true prophets of YaHuWaH, John preached the Elijah message: Turn away from sexual sin and keep the commandments of YaHuWaH. John was a message, a voice in the wilderness, calling people back to the commandments of YaHuWaH. When asked by the Jewish leaders:

The story of Elijah's victory at Carmel is well known. The prophets of Baal miserably failed to bring down fire from heaven, whereas Elijah succeeded. There is, however, coming a time when the 'False Prophet' will be able to bring down fire on the Earth in the sight of men. Be prepared for such miracles. They will come.

Miracles, on their own, however, are no proof of truth. Satan, the Antichrist, the False Prophet and hundreds of prophets of all the religions of the world are well able to do breath-taking miracles! But miracles of themselves are no proof of truth. Truth is found in YaHuWaH 's Word - the Torah. If a miracle-backed doctrine is not in agreement with the Torah, then it is false: however spectacular or appealing it may otherwise happen to be. Remember this vital fact.

Elijah was totally exhausted after his Carmel experience and marathon run to the entrance of Jezreel. But there were still several lessons for him to learn: lessons about himself, his fellow believers and about his Elohim Yah. These lessons are described in 1 Kings 19.

Lessons about Himself

Exhaustion / Depression

verse 4

... and he requested for himself that he might die; and said 'It is enough, now O YaHuWaH, take away my life ...

Humility

verse 4

... for I am not better than my fathers.

The Need for Supernatural Nourishment

verse 6

... And he looked, and, behold, there was a cake baken on the coals, and a cruise of water at his head. And he did eat and drink, and laid down again. 7: And the angel of YaHuWaH came again the second time, and touched him, and said, arise and eat; because the journey is too great for thee. 8: And he arose, and did eat and drink, and went in the strength of that meat forty days and forty nights unto Horeb the mount of Elohim.

Lessons about YaHuWaH

verse 11

"... And, behold YaHuWaH passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before YaHuWaH ; but YaHuWaH was not in the wind: and after the wind and earthquake; but YaHuWaH was not in the earthquake. 12: And after the earthquake a fire; but YaHuWaH was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice. 13: And it was so, when Elijah heard it that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering of the cave. And behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here Elijah?

Duties to Perform

verse 15-17

Anoint kings and a successor (Elishah).

True Believers Elijah knew nothing of

verse 18

Yet I have left Me seven thousand in Israel, all the knees which have not bowed unto Baal, and every mouth which has not kissed him.

Elijah was unable to pass on his spirit to Elisha. That was - and still is - a matter for only YaHuWaH to decide. He does so, after weighing the evidence of holiness, zeal and ability which He alone can detect in individuals.

His message: 'Fear YaHuWaH and keep His commandments' is alive today: being proclaimed around the world.