Winter 2005
The Need For An Elijah Ministry
Joseph Nieves

 

Elijah was a man “apprehended” of God. 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 confirms the importance of his ministry.

The word Elijah means “Jehovah is God.” Jehovah is the covenant name for the God of Redemption, the self-existing God.

“Know therefore that the Lord your God He is God, the faithful God, which keeps covenant and mercy with them that love Him and keeps His commandments to a thousand generations.” Deuteronomy 7:9

There are those in this present generation, who love the Lord, and are in a covenant relationship with Him, who will be used in this time of the end, as Elijah was in his generation.

“And Elijah the Tishbite, who was of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, As the Lord God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall not be dew nor rain these years, but according to my word.” I Kings 17:1

Elijah is a type of a “prophetic end-time ministry,” that speaks with power and authority.

Elijah is called the “Tishbite” because he came from a place called Tishbe, which means, “being a sojourner, or a prisoner.” We see in his name the totality of commitment in being a “love slave” (Deuteronomy 15:12-18). Paul referred to himself as the prisoner of the Lord, and as being a “servant." In the original language, the word “servant” is “doulos,” which means, “love slave."

Paul is saying that he is a “love slave” - one who has willingly given up his freedom, or choice of circumstances, and has come under 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 to the Lord. Because of the importance of the hour in which we presently live, the Lord is especially seeking those who will make a commitment, such as this.

Due to the urgency of the time in which Elijah lived, the Lord sovereignly called and used him. Elijah appeared out of nowhere; and came on the scene suddenly. He was a wilderness dweller and walked “alone” with the Lord. 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 man sent 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. He came on the scene during the reign of King Ahab, who was married to a wicked woman, Jezebel. This was during a time when Israel was backslidden, and had fallen into immorality. Many false prophets were prophesying at that time (I Kings 16:29-33).

Elijah was thrust into this situation, as 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.” Ezekiel 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 ministered for a period of three and a half years, and did eight miracles. James 5:17 says it did not rain for three years and six months. He paralleled this to the ministry of our Lord Jesus Christ.

In Revelation 11:2, the two witnesses prophesied forty-two months. In Revelation 12:6, the woman fled into the wilderness where she was fed a thousand two hundred and three score days. Verse fourteen mentions a time period of “times and times and a 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 as Elijah’s 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 to them Moses and Elijah talking with Him ... And Jesus answered and said to them, Elijah truly shall first come, and restore all things.” Matthew 17:3,11

He is to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, and the children to the fathers. This speaks of the restoration of the family and home, which is 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 (Ephesians 4:11). I Kings 18:44 speaks of a cloud the size of a man’s hand. This speaks of a hand ministry; Apostle, Prophet, 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 as “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” will 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 began 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?” I Peter 4:17

We are living in the time of the beginning of the judgments of God. Everything will be judged or shaken; so that 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. May we become one of these.