The Abiding Gift of Prophecy

The God of Elijah Vindicated

In a prayer remarkable for simplicity, brevity, and appeal, Elijah said: AGP 95.4

“Lord God of Abraham, Isaac, and of Israel, let it be known this day that Thou art God in Israel, and that I am Thy servant, and that I have done all these things at Thy word. Hear me, O Lord, hear me, that this people may know that Thou art the Lord God, and that Thou hast turned their heart back again.

“Then the fire of the Lord fell, and consumed the burnt sacrifice, and the wood, and the stones, and the dust, and licked up the water that was in the trench. And when all the people saw it, they fell on their faces: and they said, The Lord, He is the God; the Lord, He is the God.” 1 Kings 18:36-39.

The tremendous contrast between the true God of Israel and the false God of the pagans had been clearly revealed. On the one hand stood the lone prophet of Jehovah, and on the other the eight hundred fifty prophets of Baal; and the great test had AGP 95.5

been made in the presence of the king and all Israel. The prophets of Baal had utterly failed. Their God gave them no answer. No fire came; the sacrifice remained untouched. But Elijah’s prayer, offered in calm, quiet assurance, was answered. His God gave plain, open evidence that He was the living God, that He could hear, and that He was able and anxious to do great things for those who would choose Him. AGP 96.1

Now that the heathen religion brought into Israel by Jezebel and Ahab was openly discredited, the prophets of Baal—those men of Israel who had wickedly sold themselves to do this great evil against God’s people—were slain. Then, having executed this terrible penalty, Elijah said to Ahab, “Get thee up, eat and drink; for there is a sound of abundance of rain.” 1 Kings 18:41. AGP 96.2

Then Elijah gave the people further overwhelming evidence that Israel’s God was the true and living God. He “went up to the top of Carmel; and he cast himself down upon the earth, and put his face between his knees,” and prayed for rain. In answer to his thrice-repeated prayer there arose “a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand.” At this sight, Elijah said to his servant, “Go up, say unto Ahab, Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not.” AGP 96.3