Spring 1998
The Need For an Elijah Ministry
Joseph Nieves

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

The word Elijah means "Jehovah is God." Jehovah is the covenant Name of thethe God of Redemption, the self-existing God. "Know therefore that the LORDthy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy withthem 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 untoAhab, 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 atype 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 thetotality of commitment in being a "Love Slave" (Deut 15:12-18). Paul referredto himself as the prisoner of the Lord. Paul, a "servant." The Greek word forservant is "doulos," which means "love slave."

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

Elijah appeared out of nowhere; he came on the scene suddenly. He was awilderness dweller and walked "alone" with God. Aloneness with God is not thesame as loneliness. Elijah was always "available" to the Lord. Therefore, hecould be sent with a specific message at the opportune time. The Bible says ofJohn 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 toIsrael (Luke 1:80). Elijah represents a special ministry for special times.

Elijah came on the scene during the reign of King Ahab. King Ahab wasmarried to a wicked woman, Jezebel. This was during a time when Israel wasbackslidden, and had fallen into immorality. Many false prophets of Baal wereprophesying 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 peoplewho have character built within them, a holy people. "And I sought for a manamong them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me forthe land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none" Ezek 22:30. The Lordis 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. Heministered for a period of three and a half years. James 5:17 says it rainednot for three years and six months. He paralleled the ministry of our LordJesus 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 twohundred and three score days. Verse 14 mentions a time period of "times andtimes 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 theProphet before the great and dreadful day of the Lord. "And, behold, thereappeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him ... And Jesus answered andsaid 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 thechildren to the fathers. This speaks of the restoration of the family and homethat is so desperately needed today. John the Baptist came in the spirit andpower of Elijah (Luke 1:13-17). There is yet another coming of an Elijahanointed ministry for the last days. Acts 3:19-21 tells us this will happenprior 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 ofApostles, Prophets, Evangelist, Pastor, and Teacher. Note that on the Mount ofTransfiguration there appeared Moses and Elijah. This speaks of the Apostolicand 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 anointedones stand before the Lord of the whole earth. The Lampstand is a type of theChurch. God is building His House, whose house we are. Verse 7 tells us thatthe Headstone shall be brought forth with shoutings of Grace, Grace. Westarted by Grace, we shall conclude with Grace. Jesus is the Head of theChurch, 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 thatjudgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, whatshall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?" 1 Peter 4:17. Theseare days of the judgments of God. Everything is being judged or shaken, sothat which is unshakable will be established.

6. A ministry of prayer. James 5:17. Elijah was a man of prayer. He wasone with the Lord and His Word. He was able to say, "There will be no rainaccording 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.