Fall 1988
The Need for an Elijah Ministry
Joseph Nieves
Pastor, Allentown Penna

Elijah was a man who was apprehended of God with vision, purpose, and direction for his life and for Israel. He is mentioned 68 times in the Old Testament and 30 times in the New Testament, a total of 98 times. This number of references shows the importance of his ministry.

The word Elijah means "Jehovah is God." Jehovah is the covenant Name of the God of Redemption, the self-existing God. "Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations" Deut7:9. He has a people who are in a covenant relationship with Him.

"And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said unto Ahab, As the LORD God of Israel liveth, before whom I stand, there shall not bedew nor rain these years, but according to my word" I Kings 17:1. Elijah is a type of a prophetic end time ministry.

Elijah is called the "Tishbite." He came from a place called Tishbe. Tishbe means "being a sojourner, or being a prisoner." We see in his name the totality of commitment in being a "Love Slave" (Deut 15:12-18). Paul referred to himself as the prisoner of the Lord. Paul, a "servant." The Greek word for servant is "doulos," which means "love slave."

Paul is saying that he has made this commitment to the Lord as a love slave who has willingly given up his freedom or choice of circumstances. Paul gave himself over to the Lordship of Jesus Christ. Hebrews mentions the men of faith who were strangers and pilgrims or sojourners. This speaks of a people who are separated unto Him. The Lord, in our day, is seeking those who will make a commitment such as this.

Elijah appeared out of nowhere; he came on the scene suddenly. He was a wilderness dweller and walked "alone" with God. Aloneness with God is not the same as loneliness. Elijah was always "available" to the Lord. Therefore, he could be sent with a specific message at the opportune time. The Bible says of John the Baptist, who came in the spirit and power of Elijah, "There was a mansent from God." John was in the wilderness until the time of his showing to Israel (Luke 1:80). Elijah represents a special ministry for special times.

Elijah came on the scene during the reign of King Ahab. King Ahab was married to a wicked woman, Jezebel. This was during a time when Israel was backslidden, and had fallen into immorality. Many false prophets of Baal were prophesying at that time. (I Kings 16:29-33).

Elijah was thrust into this situation. He was a man of Faith and Courage. The Church is in need of an "Elijah" ministry today. This speaks of a people who have character built within them, a holy people. "And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none" Ezek 22:30. The Lord is yet seeking such in our day.

Let us consider the characteristics of an Elijah ministry.

1. A supernatural or miraculous ministry. Elijah did eight miracles. He ministered for a period of three and a half years. James 5:17 says it rained not for three years and six months. He paralleled the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ. In Rev. 11:2, the two witnesses prophesied forty-two months. Rev. 12:6, the woman fled into the wilderness where she was fed a thousand two hundred and three score days. Verse 14 mentions a time period of "times and times and half time." These time periods all equal three and a half years. Daniel 12:7 also indicates the same time period of tribulation and distress. There will be a need for a special ministry such at Elijahs' during this time. Let us be prepared.

2. A ministry of restoration. Malachi 4:5,6. The Lord will send Elijah the Prophet before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. "And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him ... And Jesus answered and said unto them, Elias truly shall first come, and restore all things" Matthew17:3,11. He is to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children and thec hildren to the fathers. This speaks of the restoration of the family and homet hat is so desperately needed today. John the Baptist came in the spirit and power of Elijah (Luke 1:13-17). There is yet another coming of an Elijah anointed ministry for the last days. Acts 3:19-21 tells us this will happen prior to the return of Jesus Christ. "I will restore" Joel 2:25, Acts 1:6.

3. A five-fold ministry to the Body of Christ. (Eph 4:11). I Kings 18:44speaks of a cloud the size of a man's hand. This speaks of a hand ministry of Apostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher. Note that on the Mount of Transfiguration there appeared Moses and Elijah. This speaks of the Apostolic and Prophetic ministry of a corporate man. The Apostle, the Word; the Prophet, the Spirit. Jude 12 speaks of certain ministries who are clouds without water. These do not have the anointing of the Word nor of the Spirit.

4. A ministry of the two Witnesses. (Zechariah Chapter 4). Two anointed ones stand before the Lord of the whole earth. The Lamp stand is a type of the Church. God is building His House, whose house we are. Verse 7 tells us that the Headstone shall be brought forth with shoutings of Grace, Grace. We started by Grace, we shall conclude with Grace. Jesus is the Head of the Church, His Body. (Ephesians 2:18-21). The headstone completes the building.(Isaiah 28:16; Matthew 16:18,19; 21:42).

5. A ministry of judgment and deliverance. "For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" 1 Peter 4:17. These are days of the judgments of God. Everything is being judged or shaken, sot hat which is unshakable will be established.

6. A ministry of prayer. James 5:17. Elijah was a man of prayer. He was one with the Lord and His Word. He was able to say, "There will be no rain according to my word." He and the Word had become one through prayer.

The Lord is seeking those in this hour who will become as Elijah was.