While
considering the House of Israel at the time God sent Elijah to them
and the nation now, we see different people, languages and
leadership, but it is the very same family of Jacob, who was renamed
Israel, that God chose to be His people.
And except for the tribe of Judah, called Israel today, the other nations of Israel are almost completely unaware of their real identity that was lost to them some years after their captivity and removal into other lands by Assyria in 721-718 B. C. (II Kings 17:1-23).
However, Jesus Christ knew where they were located and sent His apostles to those tribes to preach the gospel to them (Matthew 10:5-8). The apostles James and Peter addressed them in their letters (James 1:1; I Peter 1:1).
Their true identity became known to Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong in the very early years of his ministry. Aside from this discovery by Mr. Armstrong, only the very few understood their identity from Scripture, some by considering their names and characteristics, others by having traced their migrations from the land of their captivity in Assyria to where they are today.
Though the books written by the authors on the identity of the lost 10 Tribes for the most part are reasonably accurate they have been found to be in error in their speculations about them.
The Identical Grievous Sins
Another very important factor to consider in regard to their identity is they are committing the same grievous sins today as they did in former times. (This has already been made known in the earlier writings of this book.)
Because of their grievous problems explains why Jesus Christ sent the two men who would follow the original Elijah – two men who would also be in the same Spirit and Power of Elijah, though NOT known by the name of Elijah, but rather their own names (Luke 1:17).
Though many generations separate the prophet Elijah, and the end-time Elijah, the same troubling times, if not worse, would be encountered by him.
Because
of the same grievous sins, the LORD God brought a severe famine on
ancient Israel, and the same God is soon bringing a much worse famine
on Israel of today.
Why was it important that the people of ancient Israel recognize God’s Prophet Elijah? Simply stated, because they did their lives were spared for many years from captivity and death. And this recognition opened their minds to the true God as opposed to the false Baals.
B
y
recognizing the man who was used by Jesus Christ in this end-time in
fulfilling the office and mission of the end-time Elijah, could also
prove to be very meaningful regarding the continuation of life as did
the Israelites of old.
Due to the fruits and all that Jesus Christ used Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong to do in his life-time ministry for over 50 years, there is no question but that he was the man especially SENT in this end-time to fulfill the mission of the promised Elijah, to preach the gospel, the Ezekiel warning message, and preparing the way for the coming of Jesus Christ back to this earth.
Not one of the leaders of the larger corporate Churches of God has been used by Jesus Christ in this manner, nor has anyone else.
The Promised Blessings of Knowing and Believing
Those who do recognize the office that God used Mr. Armstrong to fulfill in the role of the end-time Elijah could have the blessing of being spared from death from the prophesied famine by Joel and also from the Great Tribulation (Luke 21:36).
This would of necessity require clinging to God and Jesus Christ in a close and abiding relationship; in addition to fully believing the restored doctrinal teachings that also includes obeying the government of God. He also had the office of an apostle who was used by Jesus Christ to begin the Philadelphia Church Era in which he was used to RESTORE fully those original doctrinal teachings within it.
Failure in recognizing his God-given mission strongly implies either spiritual blindness or stubbornness of not wanting to recognize and honor his offices while seeking their own fame and gain.
The Elect people of God and Jesus Christ do recognize the Elijah and his mission in this end-time. Because of this recognition, Scripture makes known that only the ELECT will be found worthy by Christ to go to the place of safety— all others will suffering the horrors of the Great Tribulation!
The Elect are members of the Philadelphia Era of God's Church, and are persevering faithfully and not denying the name of Jesus Christ.
Ministers and Members Off-Track
F
rom
personal conversations with ministers and members who do not
acknowledge Mr. Armstrong as the Elijah to come in our time, it is
clear they have gone off-track with their own variations of
disbelief of the doctrinal teachings that Jesus Christ used His late
apostle to RESTORE within His Church as well as the rulings he made.
There are few if any exceptions.
As the result, they have made changes to church doctrine to conform to Baalism – better known as Protestantism and/or their mother, the Catholic Church symbolized by the ancient Jezebel (Revelation 17:1-6 18; CC 51, Page 6).
U
nless
their eyes are opened with submissive repentance and obedience to God
and Jesus Christ, those who do not believe the doctrinal teachings
will NOT be counted worthy of being taken to the place of refuge –
hidden from the horrors soon to come on this world. Not
totally because of rejecting him as the Elijah, but also due to their
disbelief of some of the fundamental Church teachings!
By removing those true teachings and accepting Protestant ones in their place these Churches have been led into further spiritual darkness.
Based on Scripture, these ministers and members can no longer be thought of as spiritual virgins, for they are no longer pure in belief and worship!
Revelation 14:1, 4-5 Then I looked, and behold, a Lamb of God standing on Mount Zion, and with Him 144,000, having His Father’s Name written on their foreheads. . . . These are the ones who were NOT defiled with women FOR THEY ARE VIRGINS. These are the ones who FOLLOW the Lamb wherever He goes. These were REDEEMED from among men, being FIRSTFRUITS to God and to the Lamb. And in their mouth is NO deceit, for they are without fault before the throne of God.
All others will find the door closed on them in time to come, unless they repent (Matthew 25:10-12; 7:13-14, 21-27).
These
are very sober and critically times in which we now live with the end
of this age now virtually in sight! Think about it.
Sobering Thoughts
In these writings, the possible parallels between the time of Elijah the prophet and our time today, have been researched in Scripture, and also in historical writings that correspond to Scripture.
The famine that began to develop somewhere around the time of Elijah’s meeting with King Ahab, in which Ahab was told there would be no rain or dew these years except at the word of God’s prophet, is a parallel of what God’s Elijah of the end-time also taught. (This will be touched on later in these writings.)
While focusing on these particular Scriptures, one cannot help but see the depth of God’s indictment against this nation and the grievous punishment coming on Israel for its many evils and forgetfulness of Him; as well as to realize the famine on ancient Israel is only a type and forerunner to the one just ahead of us.
The Church of God
At the same time it is even more sobering to think of the state of the Church and realize many thousands of those who consider themselves to be members are going to be adversely affected – unless they begin “CONTENDING EARNESTLY FOR THE FAITH WHICH WAS ONCE FOR ALL DELIVERED TO THE SAINTS” (Jude 3).
Think
about what we have witnessed since the terrorist attacks of 9-11-01
that took the lives of almost 3,000 people; the devastating
hurricanes (Katrina - New Orleans), tornadoes, earthquakes
(tsunamis), racial conflicts, violent deaths that go on all the time
in virtually every city!
None of these have gone away; they are yet ongoing and worsening, records continually are being broken!
We should be sobered with the realization that life will never return to the normal we once knew and not all that many years ago. Instead, it will rapidly become far worse than anything we have ever experienced in our lives.
It is as one news article stated: “There is no safe place anywhere in this country!”
A
headline banner in one news magazine clearly gave a forewarning
of what could be expected right after the terrorist attack on
9-11-01, with many pictures of that tragic day –
America Changed Forever! We are now seeing these
things taking place through the eyes of the News Media.
In view of where we now are, and with the understanding of the greater prophesied events to take place before us, we need to be prepared mentally and spiritually as much as we can for the coming ominous times, for we will soon see the final end-time prophecies being fulfilled before our very eyes.
And
that will come to be like a woman in her final contractions giving
birth (Jeremiah 30:5-7).
God’s prophet, Elijah, was only a human instrument that God used to speak to His people, Israel, as have been all the prophets. It was God speaking through these holy men of old (II Peter 1:16-21).
The same was true with all the other prophets that God used time and time again to WARN Israel of the horrors He would bring upon them, UNLESS they made the necessary changes and would turn back to Him (Jeremiah 35:15).
A
s
an example, consider what God told Jeremiah regarding the kingdoms of
Israel and Judah shortly before Judah was conquered and enslaved by
Babylon (605-586 B. C.):
“Take a scroll of a book and write on it all the words that I have spoken to you against Israel, against Judah, and against all the nations . . . It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the adversities which I propose to bring upon them, that everyone may turn from his evil way, THAT I MAY FORGIVE their iniquity and their sin” (Jeremiah 36:2-3).
Due to Jeremiah being held in confinement at that time, he commanded Baruch, his companion, to take those words into the house of the LORD and read them in the hearing of the people on the Day of Atonement, saying:
“It may be that they will present their supplications before the LORD, and everyone will turn from his evil way. FOR GREAT IS THE ANGER AND FURY THAT THE LORD HAS PRONOUNCED AGAINST THIS PEOPLE” (Jeremiah 36:5-7).
W
hen
this warning was read in the hearing of the king of Judah, he
arrogantly and disdainfully scoffed at the words from God. As soon as
each scroll was read, he cut it up and threw it into the fireplace.
In principle, and in actual fact, the same hard-heartedness, is to be found among the leadership and the peoples today of the House of Joseph, and other tribes of Israel.
Because of there being no real difference in that time and where we are today, the warning message had to be given to both ancient Judah and Israel, just as it was necessary in our time today for over 50 years, and still ongoing through the voice and writings on our websites of the same man Jesus Christ raised up with the hope Israel would hear, fear, and repent.
Because of God’s love, He does not bring on His people any MAJOR disaster without first WARNING His people through His chosen prophets (Amos 3:7).
It
did not happen then, and it has not happened today.
In
the fall of 2005, a priest was interviewed on one of the televisions
stations and was asked whether God might be behind the devastating
hurricanes taking place at that time. He was asked whether God might
be ‘ticked off’ at us for our many problems and
was showing it by permitting this devastation to take place in this
country.
The priest struggled for the answer and then tried to minimize it, by saying, “God is love.”
God is indeed a God of love and has awesome mercy! However, this is shown only to those who remember His covenant and keep His commandments (Psalm 103:17-18).
God’s Wrath
Since the creation of mankind God has revealed His wrath at various times over this almost 6,000 year period due to flagrant disobedience to His holy laws and denial of Him with the desire these corrective punishments would result in submissive repentance and obedience. Jesus Christ is the same today as He was yesterday (Hebrews 13:8); there is no difference today than then. Mankind will soon come to see and experience this truth!
To Israel of today, God sternly spoke through His prophet Ezekiel with the intention of this warning message be preached in our time by His Elijah and Apostle; and it was:
Thus says the LORD God, “Pound your fists and stamp your feet [to get attention and also show the seriousness], and say, ‘ALAS, FOR ALL THE EVIL ABOMINATIONS OF THE HOUSE OF ISRAEL! FOR THEY SHALL FALL BY THE SWORD, BY FAMINE, AND BY PESTILENCE!’”
For now these are just words, but very soon we will be experiencing the reality of them.
These
horrible times are now very close and the preliminary disasters are
now being witnessed by those who have the eyes to see!
An Overview in Chapter 13
Though some of the following was written in the previous chapter as an overview we would do well to consider in greater detail the major punishment of this coming terrible famine that God brought on Israel at that time because of their evil ways and worship of Baal, and then compare it to the famine that is at our door today, for we can easily see that the same problems exist in our time as they did then.
The Famine made known in Detail to King Ahab
And Elijah the Tishbite, of the inhabitants of Gilead, said to Ahab, “As the LORD God of Israel lives, before whom I stand, there shall be NO dew NOR rain these years, EXCEPT at my word” (I Kings 17:1).
After delivering God’s message to Ahab, Elijah was then told by God to go and hide by a brook whose waters ran into the Jordan River.
E
lijah
very probably found a nearby cave by this stream of water in which he
lived so as not to be seen. He could have lived there for possibly a
year or a little longer before the water dried up as Scriptures
indicates:
“And it happened AFTER AWHILE that the brook dried up, because there had been no rain in the land” (I Kings 17:7).
W
hile
he was there, God had the ravens take meat and bread to Elijah in
their talons each morning and evening during this period of time (I
Kings 17:4-6).
Scriptures such as these should be very encouraging to all of us to realize that with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26). God can do anything! We will do well to remember this in the dark and trying times just ahead of us.
Elijah was then told to go to a particular widow in a small community near Sidon and remain there for the duration of the famine. Upon meeting this widow he tested her to make sure she was the right woman (I Kings 17:10-16; Luke 4:25-26).
The
famine was already being felt in that area as well, for she was
gathering wood to prepare the final meal that she and her son would
eat before they would die of starvation (I Kings 17:12).
She proved to be the right widow and he apparently remained there with them for about two years.
There could be the possibility of a duality in the future with God’s true leaders and His people as we have seen here with Elijah.
The Severity of the Famine
The coming famine will hit the hardest during the last six months just as it did at that time. However, prior to this period of time, God’s faithful people will leave for the place of refuge. It will be a place that God will have prepared for His faithful people during this terrible coming time (Revelation 3:10; 12:14, as well as other Scriptures).
Willingness to be Taught
After experiencing this most severe famine that brought about real hardships to the people of Israel in the time of Elijah, they undoubtedly were in a frame of mind to listen and be taught due to the starvation and no rain (Luke 4:25).
Jumping ahead a bit, this did not last! After some years they reverted to idolatry worshiping gods that were no gods (II Kings 17:5-23). They were then conquered by Assyria. The survivors were removed from their promised land and taken captive into other nations and into hard bondage.
They had not remembered what they were taught by the LORD God through Elijah and they paid a terrible price because of it. The same will be true in our day and time for the Churches and Israel have not remembered what the Elijah of our time preached, taught, and wrote of these critical times coming upon modern Israel, and they will also pay a terrible price as did our fathers of old.
A Severe Corrective Paddling
The famine this time, as severe as it will come to be, will not be enough of a paddling for Israel of today. The House of Joseph will be conquered by nuclear warfare and possibly to some extent with the other tribes of Israel due to their smallness of size. The survivors of all the tribes of Israel will be taken to Europe. There millions will be slaughtered in one way or another and the remainder sold into slavery.
The Time Came for Elijah to Reveal Himself to King Ahab
T
he
timing was now right for God to send Elijah to make known to Ahab the
famine would be ended and rain sent upon the earth (I Kings
18:1). This fitted exactly with what Elijah had told Ahab before
the famine began. It had to be at ‘HIS WORD’
(I Kings 17:1).
The prophesied famine to soon befall the House of Joseph was also made known by the Elijah of our time from the WORD OF GOD and will without fail soon be upon Israel.
Because of the length of time of the famine in ancient Israel, and the severity of it, perhaps a question had already begun forming in some of their minds as to the real power of Baal! It was apparent that no rain had fallen during that long period of time though fervent prayers had been made to him.
Just this year the Governor of Texas asked the people of Texas for prayer for rain for fire-scorched and rain-dry Texas.
Thursday, April 21, 2011 • Austin, Texas • Proclamation
In days to come there will be more states to follow as we see the drought tighten its grip in the next few months. The god they know is the same one that was prayed to by ancient Israel, and though they address him, as God and Jesus Christ, in actuality it is the same Baal, as then. Because of worshiping and praying to a false god there will be no response.
The drought did end after three and one-half years in ancient Israel after a meeting with King Ahab and the prayer of Elijah to God that brought about a miraculous response.
It is edifying to read some of the details of the beginning and ending of the famine because of God’s direct involvement, and Israel coming to realize their error of Baal worship after recognizing the true God.
Though there will be different circumstances, this will also come to be true in time to come when Israel will also come to realize their error in worshiping Baal instead of the true God.
“I
will punish her for the days of the Baals to which she burned
incense. She decked herself wither earrings and jewelry (to
enter their churches of worship),
and went after her lovers (allies). Then she FORGOT Me. . . . And it shall be in
that day,” says
the LORD, “that you will call Me ‘My husband,’ and
no longer call Me ‘Baali’ (margin),
for I will take from her mouth the names of the Baals,
and they shall be remembered by their name no more” (Hosea
2:16-17).
Elijah’s Meeting with King Ahab
“Now it came to pass after many days (3 and ½ years, James 5:17; Luke 4:24-26) that the word of the LORD came to Elijah IN THE THIRD YEAR, saying, ‘Go, present yourself to Ahab, and I will send rain on the earth.’ So Elijah went to present himself to the king, and there was A SEVERE FAMINE in Samaria. (I Kings 18:1-2).
Elijah first presented himself to Obadiah, a God-fearing servant of Ahab, and asked him to tell Ahab he was now available and would meet with him. Ahab was desperate to meet Elijah so he wasted no time in going to him.
Then the meeting between them took place: Upon seeing Elijah, Ahab with all of his regal pomp said to him, “Is that you, O TROUBLER OF ISRAEL?” (I Kings 18:17).
The
Attempt of
Intimidation
King
Ahab
tried to intimidate Elijah with his haughty scornful words to awe
Elijah with his greatness as the powerful king of Israel, as
evidenced by the manner in which he addressed Elijah as one not
worthy of any respect and honor.
And indeed Ahab was a powerful king and recognized as such by the kings of other nations, as evidenced by Scripture:
Upon Elijah’s appearance to Obadiah, he said to him:
“As the LORD your God lives, there is no nation or kingdom where my master has not sent someone to hunt for you; and when they said, ‘He is not here,’ he took an oath from the kingdom or nation that they could not find you” (I Kings 18:10).
Elijah knew how powerful King Ahab was but he knew the LORD God he served was more powerful therefore he did not back down.
Experimental Commentary: “A violent altercation took place. Ahab thought to have awed Elijah into submission.”
And He (Elijah) answered (Ahab), “I have NOT troubled Israel, but YOU and your father’s house have in that YOU have FORSAKEN the commandments of the LORD, and YOU have followed the Baals. Now therefore gather all Israel to me on Mount Carmel, the 450 prophets of Baal, and the 400 prophets of Asherah, who eat at Jezebel’s table” (I Kings 18:18-19).
As can be seen, Elijah was not intimidated by him, for, in response to the king, he made known that Ahab and his house were the ones who troubled Israel by forsaking the LORD God (I Kings 18:18-19)!
So Ahab sent for all the children of Israel, and gathered the prophets together on Mount Carmel. And Elijah came to all the people, and said, “How long will you be falter between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal follow him.” But the people answered him not a word (I Kings 18:21). Then Elijah said to the people, “I alone am a prophet of the LORD; but Baal’s prophets are 450 men” (I Kings 18:20-22).
This is where God’s Church is today. Mr. Armstrong was the only one used by God in the office of Elijah, and the ministers for the most part who were with him during his life-time ministry have proved to be the minister of Baal by their going off-track in changing doctrines to those of paganism.
It was a lonely walk for Elijah just as it was for Mr. Armstrong. Often times he would say while preaching. “Most of you just do not get it;” at times, he even got as low as 10 percent not getting it.
A Prophetic Statement
Taking a Bible study in Pasadena one night unexpectedly only a few minsters were there for it instead of all of them when they knew he would be taking it; while observing their absence, he commented, “I would rather have five true ministers with me than 500 prophets of Baal.
Tragically, without his realizing it, those words have proven to be prophetic since his death.
There
are terrible times just ahead and there seems to be no way of
reaching these men.
The Contest Begins
T
he
people of Israel stood watching to see the outcome of the contest
between Elijah and the prophets of Baal, for Baal had not
brought them rain! Undoubtedly, many of them had already lost loved
ones due to the severity of the famine.
After the failure of the prophets to get Baal to burn the sacrifice of their bull by fire over many hours, Elijah then took his turn, slew the bull, soaked it over and over again with water, and then cried out to the LORD God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel (Jacob) to make it known that He and He alone was the God of Israel and that he was his servant and had done all these things at His word.
E
lijah
then cried out, “Hear me, O LORD, hear me, that these
people may know that YOU are the LORD God, and that YOU have turned
their hearts back to YOU again.” Then the fire of the LORD fell
and consumed the burnt sacrifice (I Kings 18:30-39).
And Elijah said to them, “Seize the prophets of Baal! Do NOT let one of them escape!” So they seized them; and Elijah brought them down to the Brook Kishon and executed them (I Kings 18:40).
This was a terrible punishment to pay but this was the law required by God and Elijah was obeying that law (Deuteronomy 13:5; 18:20).
The Great Tribulation
To bring Israel, and the churches of God, back to Him, Jesus Christ is going to punish severely His people by the Great Tribulation, Martyrdom, and Slavery.
Though the famine was severe at that time it was minuscule in comparison to the one that is rapidly coming on us today! We need to seriously grasp this, for there is the need of making mental and spiritual preparation for it as well as some physical preparation.
FAMINE is a most terrible and grievous time, as we see from Scripture, and also from the writings of historians, for they have described in much detail the ravages of those in the past!
The
coming famine accompanied by epidemics of disease will be the real
beginning of Jacob’s trouble (Jeremiah 30:7).
Famine normally develops gradually over time, somewhat like a hand that slowly closes and then grips down hard on an object, as can be seen in the following Scripture:
“I also withheld rain from you when there were still three months to the harvest. I made it rain on one city, I withheld rain from another city. One part was rained upon, and where it did not rain the part withered. So two or three cities wandered to another city to drink water, but they were not satisfied; yet you have NOT returned to Me,” says the LORD (Amos 4:7-12).
As we can see from these Scriptures, God controls the rain (also read, Jeremiah 51:15-16).
If it were not for irrigation we would already be in serious trouble. However, the water that is being drawn from the aquifers for irrigation purposes is rapidly being diminished.
In addition, a lot of our food supplies are imported from other nations. This also creates an illusion that all is well when in reality it isn’t.
The time is coming when those imported foods will no longer be available to us from other nations. Scripture implies there will be an embargo placed against us.
“They shall BESIEGE YOU in all your gates UNTIL your high and fortified walls, in which you trust, come down throughout all your land: and they shall besiege you at all your gates throughout all your land which the LORD has given you” (Deuteronomy 28:52).
D
ue
to the continued ravaging during the final part of the famine, the
gnawing pangs of maddening hunger will then lead the people to resort
to cannibalism as did the Jewish people in 70 A. D. (Deuteronomy
28:53-57).
Though there were probably drought conditions already existing in ancient Israel at that time they were not yet all that bad for Ahab did not express any alarm when Elijah told him the whole land was going to experience severe famine because of the sins of the people of Israel.
Elijah’s
parting words to Ahab were— there would no rain except at his
word (I Kings 17:1).
Scripture does not record all that was said between them, but it would appear that Ahab scoffed in disbelief, just as Jehoichim did upon reading the warning words from God through the writings of Jeremiah (Jeremiah 36:20-25).
Very probably most people realize that unless there is already a water shortage it normally would take a couple of years before it really begins to impact people’s lives. It needs to reach that stage before the real scarcity of food begins.
From there it reaches a critical state during which time people begin to die en masse because of starvation.
Until that final stage is reached people do not worry all that much, knowing that it is often the pattern of a dry year or two before the rain begins to fall. And it always has up to this time.
Always the Dry Years
As an example, there was a drought in California during the mid-seventies that had been ongoing for about seven years. It was not severe, but nevertheless due to the lack of the needed rainfall, it began to be felt in some areas.
The governor at the time assured the people they should not worry, for it always rains! In the meantime people were urged to conserve the water by putting a brick in the toilet bowls. Laws were also passed to regulate and minimize the use of water on the lawns – every other day – and not let the water run into the streets.
Inspectors from the water department would drive through the neighborhoods to enforce those laws and give a warning ticket the first time for anyone found violating this law. After that they took stricter measures.
We should realize that unless God ends famine with needed rain, as He did at that time, all life would cease to exist, for all of God’s living creatures, including mankind, depend on food and water for continued life.
The famine during that time lasted for three and one-half years (Luke 4:25). And the famine that is now approaching us today is likely to be of the same duration – three and one-half years.
There will be a great difference between the time of Elijah, where only a few people died, and our time, when multiple millions will die.
To be continued—
Your servant and friend,
Don Billingsley
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