 "The
Lord asked Elijah, 'What are you doing here?'
And he said, 'I have been very zealous for the Lord, the God of hosts; for
the sons of Israel have forsaken Thy covenant, torn down Thine altars and
killed Thy prophets with the sword. And I alone am left; and they seek my
life, to take it away.' 1 Kings 19:10
It can be a crushing experience to give your very best and still fall short.
Elijah had been discouraged with God's people. Thinking he had failed, he
fled Jezebel and begged God to take his life.
The Scripture tells us that "hope deferred makes the heart sick" (Prov.
13:12). Elijah desperately wanted to see the nation awakened in repentance,
but he did not understand the role God would have him play. Perhaps Elijah's
main mistake was that he was personally shouldering the burden of Israel's
revival. Not knowing his own place, he assumed the place of God.
When the heart becomes sick with disappointment and discouragement, it is
easy to lose perspective. We must remember, apart from the cooperating work
of the Holy Spirit, no man can truly change another person's heart. Much
of Elijah's discouragement came from the false expectations he had placed
upon himself.
In his dejection, alone and hurting, Elijah withdrew into a cave on Horeb.
For us, self-pity can also become a spiritual cave. It can trap us in a
dark hole of loneliness and pain. In this place of isolation we fail to
hear the encouragement of God; all we really hear is the echo of our own
voice magnifying and distorting our problems.
Calling Elijah out of the cave, the Lord told him, "Go forth, and stand
on the mountain before the Lord" (v. 11).
As Elijah stepped out of the cave's darkness,
an awesome event occurred.
The Lord was passing by! And a great and strong wind was rending the mountains
and breaking in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in
the wind. And after the wind an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the
earthquake. And after the earthquake a fire, but the Lord was not in the
fire; and after the fire a sound of a gentle blowing. (1 Kings 19:11-12)
A New Revelation of God
There are times when the Lord must expand our understanding of His will,
actually liberating us from the container of our previous experiences. The
Lord was passing by, but He was not in the wind, the earthquake, or the fire,
all of which were familiar symbols to Elijah. The Lord who caused these
mighty manifestations was not in them.
For Elijah, mighty manifestations had been signs of God's approval. But
something new was at hand that required a fresh submission to the living
God. A new anointing - a "double portion" - was coming! This new work of
God would eventually end the reign of Jezebel and destroy Baal worship.
The distinguishing characteristic of this new anointing would not only be
seen in supernatural manifestations but in greater wisdom and compassion.
As the last of the signs ended, we read, "After the fire a sound of a gentle
blowing" (v. 12). This sound was not the voice of God - it was the prelude
to God's Presence. Elijah recognized the holy silence and "wrapped his face
in his mantle" (v. 13), lest he look upon God.
Perhaps it was near this very site that Moses, 500 years earlier, hid when
the Lord passed by. Now it was Elijah's turn. Entering this eternal stillness
was the Person of God.
Seeing Him Who is Unseen
Earthquakes, fires, and storms - the signs which accompanied Elijah - are
the signs of our times as well. But to enter this new level, we must recognize
God's nearness when there are no "earthquakes" or "storms" to capture our
attention. He demands we enter a more refined relationship with Him - one
that is based on His love and whisper of His word, not merely the issues
of our times.
Thus, we must learn to hear the voice of Him who rarely speaks audibly and
observe the actions of Him who is otherwise invisible. Elijah would gain
the courage to endure Jezebel's wrath the same way Moses faced the rage
of Pharaoh: "He endured, as seeing Him who is unseen" (Heb. 11:27).
We also endure by seeing Him who is invisible. But before we can truly
discern the Presence of God, we must recognize the gentle blowing that precedes
His Presence. What is this spiritual phenomenon? It is the Holy Spirit subduing
the activities of earth in preparation for the Lord's approach.
If we are to attain the power needed at the end of this age, we must learn
to detect without great signs, the still small voice of God. He will not
fight for our attention - He must be sought. He will not startle us - He must
be perceived. It took no special skill to "discern" the earthquake, the
fire, or the great storm. But to sense the gentle blowing of God, our other
activities must cease. In our world of great pressures and continual distractions,
the attention of our hearts must rise to the invisible world of God's Spirit.
We must learn to "see" Him who is unseen.
A New Beginning
In the quieting of Elijah's heart, the Lord appeared. Again the Almighty
asked, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" (1 Kings 19:13)
Elijah repeated his former answer: "I have
been very zealous for the Lord...and I alone am left; and they seek my life"
(v. 14).
Restoring Elijah's perspective, the Lord
assured him there were 7,000 Israelites who had not bowed to Baal.
A new commission was about to come. The Lord told Elijah to anoint Hazael
as king over Syria, and Jehu as king over Israel. He also was to train Elisha,
who would be his successor (1 Kings 19:15-16). At Horeb, God released a
"double portion" of spiritual power. Although God gave the anointing to
Elijah, it would be Elisha who would walk in it.
Indeed, under this powerful new anointing, Elijah's successor, Elisha, would
do twice as many miracles (2 Kings 2:9-14). More than a prophet of judgment,
Elisha's works would actually resemble Christ's. Elisha multiplied bread
(2 Kings 4:42-44); he captured an enemy's army with kindness; he established
peace between Israel and the bands of Aram (2 Kings 6:14-23); he healed
Naaman, a Syrian general (2 Kings 5:1-14); and anointed Jehu to destroy
Jezebel and Baal worship in Israel (2 Kings 9-10). He also presided over
the closest thing to revival the northern ten tribes would ever experience
(2 Kings 10:28, 30).
"We Too Shall
Receive a 'Double Portion'"
Elijah did not personally bring national restoration. Yet, he did receive
a greater understanding of his place in God. His call was to "go before"
and prepare the way for greater things to come. Many of us are destroying
ourselves trying to bring revival. Perhaps our call is more to prepare the
ground for that which is coming after us.
Elijah was so successful at "preparing the way," his spiritual anointing
was apportioned to John the Baptist as a herald to both Christ's first and
His second coming (Mal. 4:5-6; Matt. 17:11). Ultimately, God brought Elijah
to heaven in a flaming chariot and a whirlwind, which were familiar manifestations
to Elijah's heart.
As this age ends, God's promise to us is that, like Elisha, we too shall
receive a "double portion" (Isa. 61:7; John 14:12). What can this mean but
that the Lord is going to reveal Himself to us in glories we have never
known before. But first He must stop our un-anointed activities and the
striving of our flesh. He must bring us to the end of our strength and the
beginning of His. As we cease trying to take God's place, we shall, instead,
find our place in Him.
Even though the spirit of Jezebel has been blatantly manifest in our world,
its days are numbered. Our task is to be still and know that Christ is God.
He shall triumph over all His foes. He will be exalted in all the earth
and to abide in Him is to dwell in the Stronghold of God.
Oh, Master, how easily I fall into dead religious habits and spiritual
dullness. Lord, I long to know Your ways, to have eyes that really see and
ears that clearly hear. Teach me, Lord Jesus, the intimacies of God. Remove
the mystery surrounding Yourself, that I might truly know You.
Forgive me for looking for signs instead of listening for Your voice. Oh,
God, how I long to truly know You as Moses did, to abide in Your glory.
Restore to Your church the double portion You have promised and guide us
into the fullness of Your power. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Adapted from the book
The Stronghold of God.
A service of Frangipane Ministries, Inc. Copyright (c) 2004 All
rights reserved.
Francis Frangipane
http://www.frangipane.org/
comments@frangipane.org
____________________
IN CHRIST'S IMAGE TRAINING:
We are now taking registrations for our
July 2, 2004 term!
Registration for this Level 1 term closes June 24, 2004.
Visit our website for more information.
____________________
UPCOMING EVENTS:
May 13-14: Wasilla Assembly of God, Wasilla, Alaska
907-376-5732
July 8-10: "In Christ's Image Training" Impartation Seminar, Cedar Rapids,
IA. Sorry, ICIT students only.
Visit our
website for more information concerning Francis' traveling schedule.
______________
 |
"Journal of the Unknown Prophet"
Legacy to a Renegade Generation
by Wendy Alec
$18.00 Book |
 Rory
and Wendy Alec, GOD TV founders, are
Europe's leading Christian broadcasters and have a potential of
120 million viewers in 212 nations.
Wendy Alec's calling to the body of
Christ, to work in the area of Creative Evangelism in the media, has
been integral in the pioneering and establishing of Europe's first Christian
Television Network - GOD TV. Wendy had originally intended to keep her
identity as the 'Unknown Prophet' anonymous - hence the lack of an author's
name on the front cover. She explains: "I sensed during the writing
of the journal that I dare not touch His Glory, that these are not my
words - this is not my work." That her identity is revealed here is
for reasons of accountability alone.
"The prophetic
writings contained in this Journal were received on three specific occasions:
the first being over ten days in the autumn of 1999, the second in the
spring of 2000, and the third in January of 2002. On account of recent
events unfolding on the world stage, we felt it important that the Babylon
prophecies were accurately dated.
"The presence of the Lord Jesus Christ was so tangibly manifest at these
times. His terrible grief for His church and those here on earth, mingled
with His great mercy and compassion, almost overwhelmed me. But by far,
precious reader, His most compelling cry was that of His indescribable
love and adoration for His Father that we too might know Him.
"There are many subjects addressed through these pages, and in the editorial
process we seriously considered splitting up the Journal into different
sections, but felt checked by the Holy Spirit that it was to remain
as one work.
"My prayer, dear friend, is that His Holy Spirit will be your guide as
your eye falls upon what the Master would impart to you in these crucial
end time days." - Wendy Alec |
Order
Online
OR by phone (1-8.6.6-881-0477)
http://www.elijahshopper.com/detail.aspx?ID=1231
 "We
are riveted (and riveted might be an understatement) by the contents.
So much so, we feel inadequate even endorsing a work that so obviously
bears the fingerprint of God. The 'Journal of the Unknown Prophet'
is
a timely word of comfort to the comfortless, hope to the hopeless, light
to those lost in the dark tangle of religion and an urgent tender rebuke
to us all. Read it and hear the voice of Jesus whisper in your ear."
- John and Lisa Bevere, Founders, John Bevere Ministries
"Just
as Jesus spoke prophetically and specifically to churches in the first
century (Revelation 2-3), so He continues to speak today. Then, His
words healed the hurting, but also rebuked and corrected the wayward.
Similarly, Wendy allows the Spirit of Jesus to direct the words of this
Journal without concern for man's opinion. While many will desire to
read 'Journal of the Unknown Prophet', it will be most appreciated by
those who let it 'read them'." - Francis Frangipane, Senior
Pastor, River of Life Ministries
 "In
an age where written material abounds, few books have touched me like
the 'Journal of the Unknown Prophet'. I highly recommend this book..."- John Paul Jackson - Founder, Streams Ministries International
 "Inspired
by the Holy Spirit, I believe the 'Journal of the Unknown Prophet'
is
a challenge to every believer and minister of the Gospel, especially
in the times we are living in right now. God has truly anointed Wendy
as a prophet in these last days." - Rodney Howard Browne - Founder,
Revival Ministries International
 "This
Journal was life to me and spoke directly to several things that were
going on in my life in such a way that I know that it is a 'Living Word'.
As a daily devotional, I believe that 'Journal of the Unknown Prophet'
would be a tremendous blessing to any believer in Jesus Christ."
- Rick Joyner - Founder, MorningStar Ministries
"Travel through time and gaze into
the vast heart of God. The unconditional love of Jesus flows freely
through these pages and demands a response. Reader, what will be your
reply?" - Stephen L Hill - Evangelist, together in the harvest
"'Journal of the Unknown Prophet' carries the distinctive ring of a genuine prophetic word for our times.
The sound of grace, mercy, and hope ring out like a voice crying in the
wilderness. The call of repentance is clear and unmistakable. Here are
strong words gently spoken, mixed with healing words of love and tenderness,
set alongside pronouncements which confront institutions, nations, and
issues of global dimensions. I wholeheartedly commend it to every Christian
leader, worker, disciple, and believer in Jesus. It must also find its
way into the hands of those far away from the One whose heart-cry is
exposed on every page." - Colin Dye, Senior Pastor, Kensington
Temple, London
Order
Online
OR by phone (1-8.6.6-881-0477)
http://www.elijahshopper.com/detail.aspx?ID=1231
|
To donate by regular mail,
use this address:
Elijah List Ministries
(Now a Non-Profit Ministry)
528 Ellsworth St SW
Albany, OR 97321
or call: 1-8.6.6-881-0477
or 1-541-917-0484
If you donate $15 or more to Elijah List
Ministries, we will send you our current tape of the Month NO_CHARGE, as
a token of our appreciation. Any amount over $15 will be tax deductible.
Permission is granted (and
you are also encouraged) to reprint these articles in hard copy form, as
well as sending them to your own email lists and posting them on your own
websites. We ask only that you keep Elijah List website, email contact info,
and author contact information intact.
Thank you and blessings,
Steve Shultz, Publisher, The Elijah List
http://www.elijahlist.com
Subscribe
to the Elijah List Here! |
|
or
unsubscribe
(please allow 2-3 business days to process, you only need to submit an unsubscribe
once)
Cliquez ici pour souscrire à la Liste Elie en français
ElijahElie@qwest.com
Puede suscribirse a La lista de Elias en español al mandar un mensaje de
correo electrónico a:
lalistadeelias@myexcel.com
|
 Book
"Matters of the
Heart"
by Juanita Bynum
$13.99 Book
 Music
CD
"Come to the Waters"
Ancient Paths
$15.00 Music CD
Listen to Samples
Deep
Calls to Deep
mp3
wma
rm
Pool of Peace
mp3
wma
rm
More New Resources...
 Book
Bill Johnson
"When Heaven
Invades Earth"
$13.99
 Book
Joy Parrott
"Parables in
the Night Seasons"
$12.00
More Top Sellers...
(1) "I Know That I Seem Far Away...But
Do Not Despair..." and (2) "I Am Coming For My Korean Bride"
with Catherine Brown and Ras Robinson
(May 17, 2004)
"Resolute and Unstoppable for the Kingdom
of God"
by Victoria Boyson
(May 16, 2004)
"What Causes Barrenness in Church Life?"
by Graham Cooke
(May 14, 2004)
"The Spirit of Heroin Said, 'I Will Be
Your Best and Closest Friend'"
by Patricia King
(May 13, 2004)
"Visitations & Demonstrations of the Spirit
and of Power: A Key to City Transformation"
by Jill Austin
(May 12, 2004)
 Visit
our Online Web
Store
Asia-Pacific
Tape
Distribution
South
African Tape
Distribution
Tape/CD
Duplication
Service for Ministries
Healing
Room
Directory
Words/Prophecy
Archive
Find
a Prophetic
Conference
Near You!
Receive
the Elijah List
Newsletter in Plain
Text
Please
forward this to your friends and your own lists. Please also keep the author
and Elijah List info intact. Others may freely subscribe or unsubscribe to THE
ELIJAH LIST by sending an email to:
elijahsubs@elijahlist.com or
by going to
www.elijahlist.com.
|
The
Stronghold of God
The
Power of One Christ-Like Life
Holiness,
Truth and the Presence of God
The
Days of His Presence
