Elijah’s Message and the Message of Revelation 14
By E. T. RUSSELL
ELIJAH and his message are typical of the threefold message that Seventh-day Adventists are proclaiming to the world. Elijah was earnest in his work. James 5:17. It could be said of him as of the prophet Haggai, that he was “the Lord’s messenger in the Lord’s message,” because of the intense earnestness which characterized his labors. Haggai 1:13. His work was also typical of the work of John the Baptist. Of his work Jesus testified that “Elias is come already, and they knew him not, but have done unto him whatsoever they listed. . . . Then the disciples understood that he spake unto them of John the Baptist.” Matt. 17:12, 13. In regard to his stability, he said, “What went ye out into the wilderness to see? A reed shaken with the wind?” An Elijah message must go to the world before the great and terrible day11of the Lord. Mal. 4:5. In order for it to be truly an Elijah message, it must be similar in character, and the messengers must manifest the earnestness and faith which characterized Elijah. We will now present some points of similarity between his message, character, and experience, and the message and experience of those who are carrying the threefold message of Rev. 14: 6-12:— 1. Elijah’s message was a call from the worship of Baal to the worship of the true God. 1 Kings 18: 21. The call of the hour, as expressed in Revelation 14, is from the worship of the beast (the papacy), and his image, which is to be set up in the United States by the union of church and state, enforcing papal doctrines, to the worship of the God who made the heavens and the earth. Rev. 14: 9, 7. 2. In the days of Elijah there were schools of the prophets where the youth were educated in the things of God. To-day we have our colleges, intermediate schools, and church-schools where our young people are given a Christian education. 3. Elijah’s message was a work of reform, a call for obedience to the commandments of God. 1 Kings 18: 18. Our message is the commandments of God. Rev. 14: 12. 4. In the message of Elijah was Sabbath reform, as the Sabbath is a part of the divine law. Baal worship was the sun-worship of the pagans. The North British Review styles Sunday “the wild solar holiday of all pagan times.” Our message is a Sabbath reform message, calling people from Sunday to Sabbath observance. 5. On account of prevailing idolatry in Elijah’s time, judgments came upon the land of Israel. 1 Kings 17: 1. Because of beast worship and prevailing iniquity, judgments will come upon the world in our day. Rev. 16: 1-21. 6. Elijah was, by Ahab the ruler, held responsible for the judgments in the land. 1 Kings 18: 17. We as a people shall be held responsible for the judgments that are coming on the earth. “Those who honor the law of God have been accused of bringing judgments upon the world, and they will be regarded as the cause of the fearful convulsions of nature and the strife and bloodshed among men that are filling the earth with woe.”—“Great Controversy,” page 614. 7. The woman Jezebel stirred up and controlled Ahab, the head of the civil government. 1 Kings 21: 25. Jezebel is a type of an apostate church. See Rev. 2: 20. Church leaders will stir up the state to oppose our message. “As the controversy extends into new fields, and the minds of the people are called to God’s down-trodden law, Satan is astir. The power attending the message will only madden those who oppose it. The clergy will put forth almost superhuman efforts to shut away the light, lest it should shine upon their flocks. By every means at their command they will endeavor to suppress the discussion of these vital questions. The church appeals to the strong arm of civil power, and in this work, papists and Protestants unite.”—“Great Controversy,” page 607. 8. The death decree was pronounced against Elijah. 1 Kings 19: 2, 3. A death decree will be issued against those who persist in refusing to obey the law of the land, enforcing the observance of Sunday, in opposition to the Sabbath of the Lord. “As the Sabbath has become the special point of controversy throughout Christendom, and religious and secular authorities have combined to enforce the observance of the Sunday, the persistent refusal of a small minority to yield to the popular demand, will make them objects of universal execration. It will be urged that the few who stand in opposition to an institution of the church and the law of the state, ought not to be tolerated; that it is better for them to suffer than for whole nations to be thrown into confusion and lawlessness. The same argument eighteen hundred years ago was brought against Christ by the ‘rulers of the people.’ ‘It is expedient for us,’ said the wily Caiaphas, ‘that one man should die for the people, and that the whole nation perish not.’ This argument will appear conclusive; and a decree will finally be issued against those who hallow the Sabbath of the fourth commandment, denouncing them as deserving of the severest punishment, and giving the people liberty, after a certain time, to put them to death.”—“Great Controversy,” page 615. 9. Elijah fled into the wilderness. 1 Kings 19: 4. God’s remnant people will be caused to flee into solitary places to escape the wrath of their enemies. “As the decree issued by the various rulers of Christendom against commandment-keepers shall withdraw the protection of government, and abandon them to those who desire their destruction, the people of God will flee from the cities and villages, and associate together in companies, dwelling in the most desolate and solitary places.”—“Great Controversy,” pages 625, 626. 10. Elijah was fed by an angel. 1 Kings 19: 5, 7. In the time of trouble, angels will minister unto the saints. “The people of God will not be free from suffering; but while persecuted and distressed, while they endure privation, and suffer for want of food, they will not be left to perish. That God who cared for Elijah will not pass by one of his self-sacrificing children. He who numbers the hairs of their head will care for them, and in time of famine they shall be satisfied. While the wicked are dying from hunger and pestilence, angels will shield the righteous, and supply their wants.”—“Great Controversy,” page 629. 11. Earthly armies could not harm Elijah. 2 Kings 1: 9-15. Earthly armies can not harm the people of God in the time of trouble. “The heavenly sentinels, faithful to their trust, continue their watch. Though a general decree has fixed the time when commandment-keepers will be put to death, their enemies will in some cases anticipate the decree, and, before the time specified, will endeavor to take their lives. But none can pass the mighty guardians stationed about every faithful soul. Some are assailed in their flight from the cities and villages; but the swords raised against them break and fall as powerless as a straw.”—“Great Controversy,” page 631. 12. There was demonolatry in the time of Elijah. King Ahaziah “sent messengers, and said unto them, Go, and inquire of Baal-zebub the god of Ekron whether I shall recover of this disease.” 1 Kings 1: 2. NOTE.—To consult Baal-zebub is to consult the devil. Matt. 12: 24. To-day, through spiritualism, people consult mediums and clairvoyants, which is one form of demonolatry. Isa. 8: 19; Rev. 16: 14. The consulting of spiritual mediums to-day is similar to inquiring of Baal-zebub in the days of Elijah. 13. At the beginning of his experience, Elijah ate flesh food. 1 Kings 17: 6. Those who led out in the beginning of this message ate flesh food. Near the close of his work, God gave him a vegetarian diet. 1 Kings 19: 6-8. Those connected with this message who will be translated when the Lord comes, will be free from the use of a flesh diet. 14. It was known by the people of God when Elijah should be translated. 2 Kings 2: 3, 5, 7. The day and hour of Jesus’ coming will be made known to the saints. “The voice of God is heard from heaven, declaring the day and hour of Jesus’ coming, and delivering the everlasting covenant to his people. Like peals of loudest thunder, his words roll through the earth. The Israel of God stand listening, with their eyes fixed upward. Their countenances are lighted up with his glory, and shine as did the face of Moses when he came down from Sinai. The wicked can not look upon them. And when the blessing is pronounced on those who have honored God by keeping his Sabbath holy, there is a mighty shout of victory.”—“Great Controversy,” page 640. Wonderful appear the points of similarity between the work we are now carrying forward and the work and experiences of Elijah, whose message was typical of ours.