The Spirit of Elijah
The angel who appeared to Zechariah alluded to Malachi's prophecy and applied it directly to John (Luke 1:17). Jesus Himself confirmed it—" 'If you are willing to accept it, he [John] is the Elijah who was to come' " (Matt. 11:14, NIV; see also 17:11-13).
Elijah stands tall among the great prophets of the Old Testament. He called on King Ahab and the people of Israel, who were steeped in idolatry and apostasy, to return to God and reform their ways. The test on Mount Carmel, where he stood up for God against the pagan prophets, is one of the watershed moments in the entire Bible.
The "Elijah message" is a phrase deep with meaning for Seventh-day Adventists. Ellen G. White parallels the tasks of Elijah, John the Baptist, and God's end-time people. She describes the "Elijah message" simply as " 'Prepare to meet thy God.' "—Ellen G. White Comments, The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 4, p. 1184.
THE ELIJAH MESSAGE | ||
Elijah | John the Baptist | God's End-Time People |
| Called to reform Israel and call them to obedience to God's laws. He delivered a message of judgment to King Ahab and a chance of repentance to Israel. | Preached repentance and the principles of the kingdom of heaven. Delivered a message of judgment to religious leaders and people. Prepared people for Jesus' first coming. | Reformers who preach righteousness by faith call people to worship God, repent, and obey His commandments. Message: " 'The hour of his judgment has come'" (Rev. 14:7, NIV). Prepare people for Jesus' second coming. |
The apostle John wrote about three angels with special messages to proclaim to the world (Rev. 14:6-12) at the end of time. These messages include a call to worship God (because His judgment has come) and to remain faithful to Jesus. The gospel is central to this warning message. Ellen G. White wrote, "Several have written to me, inquiring if the message of justification by faith is the third angel's message, and I have answered, 'It is the third angel's message in verity.' "—The Review and Herald, April 1, 1890.
Read Revelation 14:6-12, the three angels' messages. Where do you see warnings, as well as hope, mingled? In what sense was John's message both warning and hope? How can we use warnings to point people toward hope?
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