Elijah's Return

Intro

At the Jewish Passover meal, an extra place is set, a cup is poured and the door is opened in expectation of an important guest. Who is this guest and will he return? I’ll be back in a moment with the prophetic perspective on “Elijah’s Return.”

Message

Hello, this is Cody Francis with Prophetic Perspectives. He was perhaps the greatest of the Old Testament prophets. Elijah was the man for the hour—determined and courageous in a wicked generation, standing alone for the God of heaven when the entire nation followed Baal, and fearful in his denunciation of sin. It was this man of unswerving allegiance to the God of heaven that Jews have looked for to return for thousands of years. A place is set at the Passover meal for Him. A cup is prepared for him to drink and at a certain time the door is opened to see if he is coming. And it is true that according to the Bible, Elijah will return. How will he return? What will be the purpose of His return? Has he already come? Let us turn our hearts to the Lord in prayer as we investigate, Elijah’s return.

Outline

I.        Elijah faithfully gave God’s message for His time w/power.

A.     Elijah rebuked the merge of church and state.

1.      Ahab married Jezebel – 1 Kings 16:31-33

2.      Jezebel feeding false prophets – 1 Kings 18:19

3.      Jezebel declaring death to God’s prophet – 1 Kings 19:2

4.      Jezebel was force behind the throne

5.      Elijah’s very presence rebuked this corrupt alliance

B.     Elijah foretold of disasters.

1.      No dew nor rain – 1 Kings 17:1

2.      Israel became blasted desert land

C.     Elijah was protected by God.

1.      God prepared a place by Cherith – 1 Kings 17:3, 4

2.      Directed to Zarephath to preserve life of the widow & son

D.     Elijah exposed false worship.

1.      Elijah pointed to Baal worshippers as troublers – 1 Kings 18:17, 18

2.      Choose whom you will serve – 1 Kings 18:21

3.      Mount Carmel challenge proposed

4.      Fire descends from heaven in answer to Elijah’s prayer

5.      Baal worshipers slain

6.      False worship exposed to be built upon nothing

E.      Elijah was taken to heaven alive.

1.      Chariot descends from heaven

2.      Elijah not permitted to be taken in death

F.      Elijah will return

1.      Before great & dreadful day – Mal. 4:5

2.      Spirit & power of Elijah – Luke 1:17

3.      John Baptist was an Elijah messenger, but more

II.     Elijah’s return will be God’s remnant doing the work of Elijah.

A.     God’s remnant will rebuke the union of church & state.

1.      Fatal union of church & state foretold again – Rev. 17:3

2.      God’s remnant called upon to rebuke & call out of – Rev. 18:1-4

B.     God’s remnant will foretell of disasters.

1.      God’s remnant warns of disasters upon disobedience – Rev. 18:8

2.      God’s remnant warns of 7 last plagues

C.     God’s remnant will be protected by God.

1.      Bread & water sure – Is. 33:16

2.      Come my people – Is. 26:20

D.     God’s remnant will expose false worship.

1.      Call to worship Creator – Rev. 14:7

2.      Warn against worshipping Beast – Rev. 14:9

3.      Keep commandments – Rev. 14:12

4.      Warn against commandments of men – Mark 7:9, 7

5.      Call into keeping God’s Sabbath day – Is. 58:12, 13

E.      God’s remnant will be translated to heaven alive.

1.      Alive & remain caught up in clouds – 1 Thes. 4:17

2.      Cloudy chariot w/angels & fire of God’s glory

F.      Do you want to be a part of God’s remnant?

1.      Deliverance among God’s remnant people – Joel 2:32

2.      Commandments & Faith Jesus – Rev. 12:17

3.      Behold send Elijah – Mal. 4:5