Answering by Fire by H. A. St. John

Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Battle Creek, Mich. · Jun 18, 1872

Answering by Fire.

By H. A. St. John

When ancient Israel had departed far from God, having forsaken his commandments and followed Baalim, their faith in idols was put severely to the test by a famine of three years and a half duration. To their idols, in vain they appealed for rain. The earth became more and more parched, and the famine grew more and more distressing. The word of the true God by the mouth of Elijah the prophet, was out against them, and from it there could be no appeal. At length that memorable period of famine which continued three years and six months in the land of Israel, is measured off, and yet Israel is not reclaimed from idolatry. Now comes a last opportunity for the people of God to recover themselves from the snare of the devil, and to return to the true God whom they once knew, and from whom they had so grievously departed.

All Israel assembled at Mt. Carmel. The prophets of the groves, four hundred, were there, the prophets of Baal, four hundred and fifty, were there, the king and his court were there. The place was conspicuous, the scene, impressive. It was agreed that the God that could answer by fire was the true and living God. The prophets of Baal first prepared their sacrifice, and then from morning till noon, and from noon till night they appeal to their god; first by earnest entreaty, and lastly by confused and fanatical distortions. But there was no voice, nor any answer. Fire did not descend to consume their sacrifice.

Now comes the trial of Elijah’s God. After the prophet has all properly arranged, with a calm and serious earnestness he offers a simple prayer. God hears and answers. Fire descends from Heaven in the sight of all Israel, and consumes the sacrifice, the wood, the stones, the dust, and the water. And backslidden but repenting Israel, while prostrate upon their faces, rend the heavens with their earnest heartfelt confession, “The Lord, he is the God; the Lord, he is the God.” 1 Kings 18: 39.

Thus the people of Israel were brought again to acknowledge the true God, by witnessing a manifestation of his power, the bringing down of fire from Heaven to consume the sacrifice.

As I read this inspired narration, of how the true God was then made known, my mind was directed to Rev. 13:13: “And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men.” This prediction relates to the two-horned beast, and cannot be far from its fulfillment; for that beast is now upon the stage of action, performing his wonders. We look for this miracle to be performed by the power of the devil, through spiritualism, in this country, before the coming of the Son of Man. In this we have an evidence of the increasing power of the devil. What once was to be regarded as conclusive proof of divinity, because beyond the power of the devil, is to be performed by Satan in these last days, to fasten the world in the fatal delusion that spiritualism is of divine origin. But those that stand in the light of truth will be prepared to reject it. Obedience to God’s holy law will be a far better evidence of acceptance with God, than to be numbered with the disloyal multitude, though they be able to bring down fire from Heaven in the sight of men. But it will be a time that will try men’s souls.

The prophets of Baal are on the increase, 2 Tim. 3:13, and soon they will reach the summit of Mt. Carmel, Rev. 16: 13, 14, when a conflict will ensue between the soldiers of the cross and the powers of darkness, the like of which has never been known in the past. But thank God for the sure promise of certain victory. The prophets of Baal will be slain, 2 Thess. 1: 8; 2: 8, and the waiting, hungering and thirsting people of God will be so filled with the fullness of the divine blessing that they shall never hunger nor thirst any more. Reader, hasten unto that day. H. A. ST. JOHN.