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While we do not hesitate to criticize the corruption in politics, business, the justice system, etc., we tend to be extremely reluctant to speak out against what is false or fleshly in the church. But since the nation we are first and foremost part of is the Church, we must be most committed to guarding her with truth (Php.3:20; Col.2:20-21; 1Pe.2:9-10). Therefore, what is offered today goes toward exposing and dismantling religious lies of Hell that gain access to Christians through the flesh. Accused of being the problem for God's people, Elijah said to Ahab:

I have not troubled Israel, but you and your father's house have, because you have forsaken the commandments of the LORD and you have followed the Baals. Now then send and gather to me all Israel at Mount Carmel, together with 450 prophets of Baal and 400 prophets of the Asherah, who eat at Jezebel's table. So Ahab sent a message among all the sons of Israel and brought the prophets together at Mount Carmel (1Kgs.18:18-20).

When one is anointed as an Elijah, "the more, the merrier" is what God has in mind for exposing the spirit of Baal which always seeks to mix flesh with Spirit, presenting God alone as being insufficient. And when one anointed as an Elijah is moving with God, those whose power comes only from a position find themselves thrust into the Lord's plan to expose them without knowing it.

Elijah came near to all the people and said, How long will you hesitate between two opinions? If the LORD is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him. But the people did not answer him a word. Then Elijah said to the people, I alone am left a prophet of the LORD, but Baal's prophets are 450 men (1Kgs.18:21-22).

When confronted, the people have nothing to say. After all, looking back and forth between that which is impressive and to be feared (Ahab & Co.) and Elijah (the one seemingly alone), even if they disagree with the King they won't voice it. This illustrates the point I made at the beginning: we tend to be extremely reluctant to speak out against what is false or fleshly in the church. For example, an occasional "atta boy" and "you are right" from behind the scenes due to weekly Email messages to the Church is not unusual. But how little public agreement can be found, say: presenting about what Apostles really are (2x at annual ICA gatherings). But God being God, He is not threatened by either/or, yes or no, in or out, up or down on Him being who He says He is. In fact, it is the Lord Himself who is calling for it through Elijah. We need more of this today, but from those truly anointed as Elijah's who have been found true at Cherith and in Zarephath, then sent on by God to confront that which only pretends to represent the Lord.

A Power Encounter

We tend to have caste systems in place throughout the church today. Many find themselves to be untouchables. But when one is anointed as Elijah, the most common of people are not only received, but sought after. And it is such inclusion that will enable them to be attracted and take part in the challenge of a true power encounter.

Therefore, Elijahs who are truly ready will have an anointing to receive cooperation for the most essential, influential situations.  

Now let them give us two oxen; and let them choose one ox for themselves and cut it up, and place it on the wood, but put no fire under it; and I will prepare the other ox and lay it on the wood, and I will not put a fire under it. Then you call on the name of your god, and I will call on the name of the LORD, and the God who answers by fire, He is God. And all the people said, "That is a good idea." (1Kgs. 18:23-24)

By being provided for at Cherith, then promoted and protected at Zarephath, Elijahs are free to not only give an either/or word, but readily admit they are neither in the mainstream nor bound by a need to be popular. And God will make that work for them, not against them. But today, we want to be made secure by account balances (or lines of credit), position (or affiliation), ministry calendars (or constantly filled social agendas), a data base of supporters (or a smart phone full of speed-dials) and public recognition (or personal reputation). But when someone is anointed as an Elijah, they will not conduct themselves according to such indicators. They will move with God regardless and even in spite of them.  

Remaining Unified with the Body

In the church today, too often we see so called "voices" operating as hucksters or salesmen, sometimes as beggars, the tail, and/or ones suffering lack. Those anointed and prepared for Mount Carmel, however, will instead make the devil release what's needed for the demonstration of God's power (23). Elijahs put "works" in the lap of the enemy, while they move by faith (23). Therefore, those with an Elijah anointing can stay related to people during their battles, confident in God, unified with the Body (24). That's because they don't need to hide their fear, protect their image, promote themselves, or effectively self-market. Instead, they have a need to release God's assurance and breakthrough anointing to those who've been told to expect fulfillment of God's promise.

So Elijah said to the prophets of Baal, Choose one ox for yourselves and prepare it first for you are many, and call on the name of your god, but put no fire under it. Then they took the ox which was given them and they prepared it and called on the name of Baal from morning until noon saying, O Baal, answer us. But there was no voice and no one answered. And they leaped about the altar which they made. It came about at noon, that Elijah mocked them and said, Call out with a loud voice, for he is a god; either he is occupied or gone aside, or is on a journey, or perhaps he is asleep and needs to be awakened. So they cried with a loud voice and cut themselves according to their custom with swords and lances until the blood gushed out on them. When midday was past, they raved until the time of the offering of the evening sacrifice; but there was no voice, no one answered, and no one paid attention (1Kgs.18:25-29).

On Mount Carmel Elijah let the enemy wear himself out. Why? Because of his confidence in the God who had already won the war, not because of any conclusion that enough warfare had been done to produce victory. Today, we try to stop the devil through prayer then move forward, whereas the clear cut pattern of Scripture is to obey God and bind the devil when it manifests while you go forward. Therefore, Elijahs are not distressed by the enemy, needing the devil to leave the arena before they enter. Instead, they make the devil "stressed out."  How? By not taking Hell as seriously as it wants to be taken, they therefore strip the hindering and oppressing of its power over them. That is what renders Satan's assignment impotent; that is what keeps them from becoming overwhelmed by Hell's promotion of fear to prevent faith. But hear the Word of the Lord: you will never get an Elijah anointing from public meetings or prayer gatherings. It may be eventually released there, but it will only be received in private by going through Cherith, being faithful both there and at Zarephath.

Then Elijah said to all the people, "Come near to me." So all the people came near to him. And he repaired the altar of the LORD which had been torn down. Elijah took twelve stones according to the number of the tribes of the sons of Jacob, to whom the word of the LORD had come, saying, "Israel shall be your name." So with the stones he built an altar in the name of the LORD, and he made a trench around the altar, large enough to hold two measures of seed. Then he arranged the wood and cut the ox in pieces and laid it on the wood (1Kgs.18:18:30-33).

Empty Words are not Enough

Finally, the people came to Elijah. Eventually, people who are really paying attention come to realize that empty words are not enough. But when one is anointed for a Mount Carmel, they often have to be patient enough to allow people to see some things for themselves. Staying under God's hand, an Elijah will be given the discernment which enables them to seize the right moment to reveal God and His power (30a). Elijahs always restore, and to do so one must work foundationally, repairing and renewing what God has given which has been neglected and lost by people (30b-31b). But then, after an Elijah restores, they (for all to see) can set in order what has been established (32-33).

And he said, fill four pitchers with water and pour it on the burnt offering and on the wood. And he said, Do it a second time, and they did it a second time. And he said, Do it a third time, and they did it a third time. The water flowed around the altar and he also filled the trench with water (1Kgs.18:18:34-35).

By taking what the people had gathered in obedience and making it a sacrifice unto the Lord, Elijah demonstrated that God's way is to continually release that which we need and/or desire back unto Him, for His purposes. God has promised it would rain and that He would do it through Elijah. Elijah's know that the way to what God has promised to supply is that His promise be preferred to the present portion (33-35). So, instead of waiting for rain before sacrificing water, Elijah's call is for that which is of precious little supply? just as the widow at Zarephath was directed. In a Mount Carmel situation, Elijah's know that when people yield to God's call to release their last, that He is truly first and what is His can then become theirs as well.

Bill Click