As They Had in Elijah’s Time

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Jul 27, 1904

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 30, No. 30.

As They Had in Elijah’s Time

“As They Had in Elijah’s Time.”—A brother, whose Christianity we do not doubt, in speaking of a community torn by faction and trouble, concludes, “I have prayed for a test by fire, as they had in Elijah’s day. May it soon come.” Our brother will pray in vain. God does not work in that way. He chooses His own tests, fitted to the occasion. The Baal worshipers were sun worshipers. Fire was an element in their worship. It was characteristic of their god. It was that which he was all the time pouring forth. Therefore that test at that time. There is one test which all have now, the Word of God. An answer by a display of fire would for the time convince the superstitious and credulous, would terrorize the timid, and all through fear might “yield feigned obedience” to God, while the heart remained unregenerate. God’s Word is a hammer to break, and a fire to melt, the flinty rock. Jer. 23: 29. That Word, sooner or later, with its radium rays will pierce and lay bare the innermost recesses of the darkest life. Heb. 4:12. Those who have kept and cherished it, God will keep. Rev. 3:10. Those who turn from it will be deceived. 2 Thess. 2:10-12. It is well to wait God’s time.