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Are We Living Up To Our Calling?
In Malachi 4:5-6, the Bible says, “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD: and he shall turn the heart of the fathers to the children, and the heart of the children to their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse.”
Although Jesus said, “For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John. And if ye will receive [it], this is Elias, which was for to come,” implying that John the Baptist was Elijah of which Malachi predicted to come, yet it was not the complete fulfillment there of. There was yet a time in the future when Malachi’s prophecy would be completely fulfilled. Although John turned the heart of the fathers to the children and the heart of the children to the their fathers, it was not the dreadful day of the Lord.
Here the prophet describes the character of the work. Those who are to prepare the way for the second coming of Christ, are represented by faithful Elijah, as John came in the spirit of Elijah to prepare the way for Christ's first advent. The great subject of reform is to be agitated, and the public mind is to be stirred. Temperance in all things is to be connected with the message, to turn the people of God from their idolatry, their gluttony, and their extravagance in dress and other things. The self-denial, humility, and temperance required of the righteous, whom God especially leads and blesses, is to be presented to the people in contrast to the extravagant, health-destroying habits of those who live in this degenerate age. {Counsels on Health, page 72}
As you see, we are to be in the spirit of Elijah, but what does that mean? From Ellen White’s quote, we have a list of specific characters that can identify if we are in the spirit of Elijah or just playing church. And if we find ourselves just playing church, the good news is that we can choose to be in the spirit of Elijah.
The Character Of Elijah
First and foremost, once we choose to be Christ's, there is but one thing to be living for: preparing for the second coming for we are to be “Looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of God” (2 Peter 3:12). That is not just ourselves, but we will constantly be thinking of spreading the Word to help others to be there. For we are to “take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee” (1 Timothy 4:16). We would seek to contribute both time and money to God's cause for we are to “lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal: For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” (Matthew 6:20-21). We would be horrified at the thought of pampering ourselves with worldly items.
For example, as John demonstrated with his clothing in rebuking society, we ought to be careful to have only what we need and not so much that we annually give “old” clothing to Goodwill and buy more. We should buy clothing and use it until it needs replaced because it no longer functions. We ought not to be buying clothing so as to keep up with fashion.
Additionally, the thought of indulging in wasteful spending is also inclusive of; smoking, jewelry, makeup, movies, movie rentals, cable, etc. all are indulges that are not necessary and are actually wasteful of God’s money, not to mention time.
Second, reform will be on the mind of Elijah type people. Again, John’s clothing as well as Elijah’s clothing was a rebuke to fashion and trends. Today, there is a greater rebuke that is necessary. Society accepts short shorts, see through clothing, plunging necklines, tight clothing, and a lot more, or should we say a lot less. Revealing is in, and modesty is out. And it is bad enough that even our own people go out in public that way but to bring it into the house of God is as bad as the nakedness before the calf at the time of Moses (Exodus 32:25). Let us give you a hint. If we can see your knees, it is too short. If we can see the least bit of cleavage, it is too low.
In addition to reform of dress, there is the diet. Both Elijah and John the Baptist rejected society’s acceptance of rich deserts, fancy meals, and overall gluttony. How is diet reform in your life? If we mention a Vegetarian diet, are you ready to fire off an e-mail or note in the mail to be removed from our list? When you hear the minister, who is commanded to keep the diet reform before the people, speak from the pulpit on the subject, are you ready to corner the minister and use the world’s science in declaring meat is a requirement to survive? Are you upset with the minister? All of these reactions are not conducive of being in the Spirit of Elijah. In fact, they are even anti-Elijah. And if anti-Elijah, do you really think you are a servant of God? Just remember what the lost will say on that glorious day. “Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?” (Matthew 7:22). God does not care that you are the greatest contributor to His cause. God does not care that every Sabbath you go door-to-door knocking and inviting people. God does not care that you hand out the most amount of literature. God does not care about all the offices you hold and execute flawlessly. If you are rejecting any reform, including diet, it is all for naught.
For the minister, “Reform, continual reform, must be kept before the people, and by our example we must enforce our teaching. True religion and the laws of health go hand in hand” {Counsels on Health, page 480}.
And as for God blessing those teaching righteousness, listen to what the Bible says in Psalms 106:3, “Blessed [are] they that keep judgment, [and] he that doeth righteousness at all times.” Did you catch that? All the time is when righteousness is done. That leaves no room for selfishness of any sort, any time.
More On The Character Of Elijah
John the Baptist went forth in the spirit and power of Elijah, to prepare the way of the Lord, and to turn the people to the wisdom of the just. He was a representative of those living in the last days, to whom God has entrusted sacred truths to present before the people, to prepare the way for the second appearing of Christ. And the same principles of temperance which John practiced should be observed by those who in our day are to warn the world of the coming of the Son of man. {Christian Temperance and Bible Hygiene, page 39}
Did you see it? Yes, temperance was mentioned again. But in addition to this, what do we have? “Sacred truths” is the answer. Who has/had sacred truths? Of all of Israel, Elijah at that time had the message from God. Sure, seven thousand did not bow the knee to Baal, but Elijah alone had the sacred truths.
John the Baptist was the only one with the truth message at the time, up until he had to decrease, then Jesus had the message.
In our day, we are the only ones with the sacred truths. There is no other church that has the sacred truths. When are we going to realize that all other churches and religions are wrong? When are we going to realize and teach that we are the only people entrusted with all of the truth and are the only ones known as the “very elect”?
When we say that other denominations have truth, it is not to say that they are alright. They use the truth in a deceptive manner, not always intentionally. For example, one church believes in baptism by full immersion alone, and if one is so concentrated on that issue and wants to reject sprinkling, they may not see the rest of the errors as a problem. They then become comfortable. In other words, there is a Sunday keeping church out there that is willing to keep as much truth as you would like without keeping the Sabbath, and that is the deception seeing that it is the last great issue facing the entire world.
And I know when we will finally wake up and identify ourselves as the only remnant church. I know when we will declare ourselves to be the only true church. When it is vivid that the Mark of the Beast is being enforced. Then we will not care if we are called a cult for holding such a belief of uniqueness. Too bad though for anyone today that stays with the ecumenical thought that we are all brothers and sisters in Christ will not be on the right side then. They will be part of the 99% of Adventists who will be sifted out. Remember, this statistic is not something out of thin air, but we are not going to take the time again to prove from the Spirit of Prophecy that 99% of the membership is just playing church and will be sifted out during the time of Sunday Law.
The Faith We Are To Live By
From the book, the Faith I Live By on page 290, we find these words.
The closing words of Malachi are a prophecy regarding the work that should be done preparatory to the first and the second advent of Christ.
Those who are to prepare the way for the second coming of Christ are represented by faithful Elijah, as John came in the spirit of Elijah to prepare the way for Christ's first advent.
Our message must be as direct as was that of John. He rebuked kings for their iniquity. Notwithstanding the peril his life was in, he never allowed truth to languish on his lips. . . .
Is our message direct or are we moving to look like just any other denomination? Do we go into countries not caring if there are non-Christians or Christians or do we consider what areas other denominations have gone to and work only in untouched areas? Believe it or not, there are resources that reveal the latter is true.
But even so, what do you hear from the pulpit today? Sunday sermons? What about prophecy? What about the Three Angels’ Messages? Did you know that hardly a month went by, let alone a Sabbath that a sermon in Ellen White’s day did not contain some reference to such? But today, a year could go by in our church and we may never hear it spoken.
Again, look at John who did not fear what kings would do to him? Instead, we succumb to various accreditation reviews. Our hospitals were not to become just hospitals using the same medications as the world. Our schools need not have the approval of the world, yet we do whatever it takes so that we can become accredited.
Let us hear more of what Ellen White wrote.
In this time of well-nigh universal apostasy, God calls upon His messengers to proclaim His law in the spirit and power of Elias. As John the Baptist, in preparing a people for Christ's first advent, called their attention to the Ten Commandments, so we are to give, with no uncertain sound, the message: "Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come." With the earnestness that characterized Elijah the prophet and John the Baptist, we are to strive to prepare the way for Christ's second advent.
The hour of God's judgment has come, and upon the members of His church on earth rests the solemn responsibility of giving warning to those who are standing as it were on the very brink of eternal ruin.
All can do something in the work. None will be pronounced guiltless before God unless they have worked earnestly and unselfishly for the salvation of souls.
Your duty cannot be shifted upon another. No one but yourself can do your work. If you withhold your light, someone must be left in darkness through your neglect.
The Lord has a place for everyone in His great plan.
Where are you in the great plan? Working with the same people you worked with over ten years ago trying to lead them to the truth? If your active list of people is not changing regularly, you are fooling yourself if you think you are part of proclaiming the gospel. It is time to move on, even if they are your family members. Look at Jesus as the example. He did not spend years on any group of people. Those that showed honest interest, He spent time with, such as Nicodemus.
Now we are not advocating avoiding people that you are getting nowhere with. We are advocating that you concentrate your efforts in new areas and methods. The bulk of your time should be on new prospects or promising ones.
Likewise, we should be seeking to actively teach people the Bible truths. Oh, you may not know how? Well by not participating, you will remain not knowing how. You will make mistakes. You will wish you said something different. You will wish you could find it in the Bible faster. Every Bible study is a training session for you. Get into training.
Oh, no one wants to study with you? Ask other people. There is always someone, somewhere willing to study. I, personally, find it easier when events in the world are causing concern. And they are there right now. I could go up to strangers in the store whom I overheard mention something about the events and simply ask, “Did you want to know what the Bible says on that?” I have had an over 75% positive response! You can too.
The problem is, we are not listening for opportunities. We are too busy catching up in our own lives, dealing with our own problems, and simply too afraid. John was not afraid. Neither was Elijah. Do you want the spirit of Elijah or fear? Your choice.
In Short
If you want to know in a sentence what we are to be like as Elijah and John the Baptist, read in the book Education on page 57. The greatest want of the world is the want of men-- men who will not be bought or sold, men who in their inmost souls are true and honest, men who do not fear to call sin by its right name, men whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole, men who will stand for the right though the heavens fall.
The world wants men (and women too). The women’s liberation movement has redefined what a man is to be and the result has been confusion. A true man is hardly found today. Great leaders are all but gone. But the true women’s liberation will be aggressive in liberating fellow women from sin, as is the call of all.
God, in these last days wants men and women who will not be bought or sold. Oh you may not take a bribe, but what of acceptance? Would we, as a people, change in appearance so we will not be called a cult? Actually, we have, especially since the 1950’s or even earlier. Will we change the name of our institutions to become more community accepted? Actually, we have. Gold and silver may not buy us but acceptance sure does. Be different and do the duty without regards to consequences.
God also wants men and women who are actually true and honest. What are we like in our private lives? We can put on a great show in public, but in reality, are we true and honest? All the time? Or do we denounce something in public, especially at church, and then practice it at home?
God is also looking for men and women who will not fear to call sin by its right name. This is why elders ought not to be elders with known sins in their lives. This is even why leaders in our church are to “be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity” (1 Timothy 3:2-4).
How can an elder preach against marriage and divorce if they have been married and divorced? If all ex-wives are dead, then there could be allowance. But if they are still alive, this should not be allowed.
How can an elder preach against alcohol if they are sipping at the bottle? How can an elder preach against coveting and greed when they seek to be rich themselves? How can an elder preach against impatience when they are not in self-control as well? [Keep in mind that holy anger is different.]
Unfortunately, the answer to all of those questions has been simple. They do not touch the subject. So the congregation does not hear the full message and the elder is then ineffective.
God is also looking for men and women whose conscience is as true to duty as the needle to the pole. Or are we distracted from obedience to God and distracted from preaching the gospel?
And here is the big one. God is looking for men and women who will stand for the right though the heavens fall. Or do we take a survey and find out what others believe and do. Despite the whole world being against you, it does not make you wrong. We will one day have to stand alone.
“In the last great conflict of the controversy with Satan those who are loyal to God will see every earthly support cut off” {The Desire of Ages, page 121}.
You Are Called
Somebody is to come in the spirit and power of Elijah, and when he appears, men may say, "You are too earnest, you do not interpret the Scriptures in the proper way. Let me tell you how to teach your message." {Selected Messages, book 1, page 412}
This is arousing the reasoning mind. What can be done to take the place of flesh meat, the people ask. This is our time to work in proper lines, to go forth in the spirit of Elijah, and prepare the way of the Lord. {The Health Food Ministry, page 44}
Those who are to prepare the way for the second coming of Christ are represented by faithful Elijah, as John came in the spirit of Elijah to prepare the way for Christ's first advent. {Maranatha, page 22}
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