The days of elijah (part 4)

Introduction
• PRAYER that is EARNEST and FERVENT will
accomplish and work EFFECTIVELY. “The
effectual, fervent (energeo- active, efficient,
mighty, operative) prayer- the earnest, working
power of prayer of a righteous man avails much”
(James 5:16). To emphasize POWERFUL and
EFFECTIVE PRAYER of a righteous person,
James gives a well-known example to his Jewish
audience- ELIJAH. He identified ELIJAH as a
FELLOW SUFFERER. “A man just like us” could
be translated “a man of like feeling” or “of similar
suffering” (v. 17). ELIJAH experienced all the
FRAILTIES of human nature. But “he prayed”, that
is, “he prayed earnestly, and rain was withheld” (1
Kings 17:1).

Introduction
• He later “prayed again” and the RAIN was
RESTORED (18:41-46). EARNEST and
PERSISTENT PRAYER are essential to
SEEING the MIRACULOUS. James points out
that ELIJAH EARNESTLY PRAYED for it NOT
to RAIN, and it did NOT RAIN for THREE
YEARS and SIX MONTHS (James 5:17).
Then he PRAYED AGAIN for it to RAIN, and it
RAINED and the EARTH BORE its FRUIT (1
Kings 17:1; 18:41-46; James 5:18). The point
is this: EARNEST and FERVENT PRAYER
are EFFECTIVE; it works. GOD HEARS and
ANSWERS PRAYER.

Effectual Fervent Prayer
• Just PRIOR to ELIJAH’S PRAYER for RAIN and
the END of the DROUGHT, he CONTESTED with
the PROPHETS of BAAL (1 Kings 18:20-39). In
this instance, his PRAYER demonstrated that the
LORD ANSWERS BY FIRE (vv. 30-39). After
killing the prophets of Baal (v. 40), ELIJAH
commanded AHAB to EAT and DRINK because
the DROUGHT and FAMINE had come to an END
(v. 41). The RAIN was COMING! While Ahab did
as instructed, ELIJAH climbed to the top of Mt.
Carmel (v. 42). There he BOWED DOWN to the
ground and put his FACE BETWEEN his KNEES,
here he PRAYED and CRIED out to the LORD to
SEND RAIN to END the DROUGHT (v. 42).

•Arising, ELIJAH SENT his SERVANT to
LOOK toward the Mediterranean Sea for
RAIN CLOUDS. But the SERVANT saw
NO CLOUD (v. 43). Again and again
ELIJAH PERSEVERED in HEARTFELT
PRAYER; and again and again the
SERVANT was SENT to the summit. The
APPEARANCE seemed to LACK
results; but ELIJAH did NOT GIVE UP;
rather, he CONTINUED FERVENTLY in
PRAYER (v. 43).

• SEVEN different TIMES ELIJAH BOWED
down to the GROUND and put his FACE
between his KNEES CONTINUING to CRY
OUT to the LORD for RAIN, to END the
DROUGHT and FAMINE. After SEEKING
the LORD for the SEVENTH TIME, ELIJAH
was dramatically HEARD. The LORD
ANSWERED his prayer. When the
SERVANT RETURNED for the SEVENTH
TIME, he reported that a CLOUD as
SMALL as a MAN’S HAND was RISING
out over the SEA (1 Kings 18:44).

•With this news, Elijah warned Ahab to
rush back to the palace before the
TORRENTIAL DOWNPOUR caught him.
As he was speaking, DARK CLOUDS
began to APPEAR and STRONG
WINDS began to blow (vv. 44-45). Ahab
and the massive crowd on Mt. Carmel
were witnessing another proof of the
LORD’S power and sovereignty: the
LORD who ANSWERS BY FIRE also
SENDS the RAINS. He is the ONLY
LIVING and TRUE GOD.

• At the news of the COMING RAINS, Ahab
jumped in his chariot and headed off
toward Jezreel. RAINS normally came
from the WEST off the Mediterranean
Sea, so ELIJAH INSTRUCTED his
SERVANT to LOOK in that DIRECTION.
GOD ANSWERED ELIJAH’S PETITION
as he PERSEVERED in PRAYER. At first
the RAIN CLOUD was SMALL (like a
man’s hand), but soon the WHOLE SKY
GREW BLACK and HEAVY RAIN
descended.

•The TORRENT evidently OVERTOOK
AHAB as he RODE in his CHARIOT to
Jezreel, his winter capital about midway
between Mount Carmel and Samaria.
ELIJAH OVERTOOK him, RUNNING the
approximate (25) TWENTY- FIVE MILES
with DIVINELY given ENERGY. Tucking
his cloak into his belt enabled him to run
without tripping over his long garment to
the entrance of Jezreel. This was DVINE
ACCELERATION.

The Curious Girdle Ministry
•The ELIJAH MINISTRY wears the
CURIOUS GIRDLE which is part of the
THIRD layer (there was the foundational
LINEN COAT, the BLUE ROBE, and the
EPHOD) of the HIGH PRIESTLY
garments. This GIRDLE speaks of
STRENGTH for THIRD DAY PRIESTLY
MINISTRY, the “MORE EXCELLENT
MINISTRY” (Hebrews 8:1-6), and the
WORD and MINISTRY of
RECONCILIATION (2 Corinthians 5:17-
21).

•Note the SONS of AARON (the priests)
wore TWO girdles- INNER and OUTER.
But only the HIGH PRIEST (the MOST
HOLY PLACE ministry) wore the
uniquely ornamented CURIOUS girdle,
which was the OUTWARD and VISIBLE
girdle, pointing to the MANIFESTATION
of the SONS of GOD (Romans 8:14-23).
Those who will GIRD up the LOINS of
their MIND will RECEIVE DIVINE
ACCELERATION when they ENTER the
MOST HOLY PLACE.

• 1 Peter 1:13 states, “Gird up the loins of your
mind, being sober-minded, set your hope fully on
the grace that will be brought to you at the
revelation of JESUS Christ”. In ancient times,
MEN often wore ROBES, and they wore a BELT
around their waist. When they were set on some
strenuous action, they GATHERED UP their
ROBE and TIGHTENED it under the BELT so that
the ROBE would NOT FLOP around and HINDER
their work. The BELIEVER is to GATHER UP the
LOINS of his MIND. This means to GATHER UP
all LOOSE THOUGHTS; to GIRD UP the MIND
and THOUGHTS; to CONCENTRATE and FOCUS
the ATTENTION upon the KINGDOM of GOD.

• He is to RESTRAIN and CONTROL every
THOUGHT, to FOCUS upon “whatsoever
things are true… honest… just… pure…
lovely… of good report, if there be any
virtue, and if there be any praise, think on
these things” (Philippians 4:8). Note how
clearly and simply Scripture states this: we
are NOT to ALLOW our THOUGHTS to
ROAM about and/or HARBOR thoughts of
ungodliness. We are to FOCUS our
THOUGHTS upon the KINGDOM of GOD
(Matthew 6:33).

• THOUGHTS upon the KINGDOM of GOD
(Matthew 6:33). The very WARFARE of
the BELIEVER is SPIRITUAL and
MENTAL. We must NOT ALLOW
THOUGHTS that TEAR DOWN or APART
our MORAL and GODLY fiber. Therefore,
the BELIEVER must CAST DOWN
“imaginations, and every high thing that
exalts itself against the knowledge of
God, and bringing into captivity every
thought to the obedience of Christ” (2
Corinthians 10:5).

• Note the HAND of the LORD was on ELIJAH (1
Kings 18:46). The Jewish Targum (translation) says,
“the Spirit of strength”. This is POWER PUT FORTH
(compare Ephesians 4:11 as well as the prophets
ELISHA in 2 Kings 3:15 and EZEKIEL in Ezekiel 1:3;
3:14,22; 33:22; 37:1; 40:1). Let us as the CHURCH
of the LORD JESUS Christ GIRD UP the loins of our
MINDS and RUN AHEAD of the world and OUT
THINK the world, taking the LEAD and being the
EXAMPLE (salt, light, and city) in every dimension
(1 Peter 1:13; Daniel 1:15-20). ELIJAH with his
FEET OUTRUN the CHARIOTS of AHAB with its
HORSES. The CHURCH with the MIND of CHRIST
must OUT THINK the Kingdoms of this World (1
Corinthians 2:16; Philippians 2:5). We need DIVINE
ACCELERATION!

Rain In Due Season
•The LORD PROMISED HIS PEOPLE,
upon their obedience to His Covenant,
He would GIVE them the RAINS in their
DUE SEASON, “the first rain and the
latter rain” that they would GATHER in
CORN, WINE, and OIL (Deuteronomy
11:10-17). He also PROMISED that He
would also WITHHOLD the RAINS and
ALLOW the LAND to be BLIGHTED if
they FAILED to OBEY HIS LAWS.

Rain In Due Season
• The RAINS were always the SEAL of the
PALESTINIAN COVENANT, the token of
God’s blessing (Deuteronomy 11:16-17; 1
Kings 8:35-43; 17:1-7; 18:41-46; Proverbs
16:15; Amos 4:6-13; Joel 1:10-12). The
OUTPOURED RAINS and SHOWERS of
BLESSING were symbolical of the
OUTPOURING of the HOLY SPIRIT (Joel
2:21-32; Hosea 10:12; James 5:7; Hosea 6:3;
John 7:37-30; Revelation 22:1-3) and the
REVELATION of the WORD of GOD
(Deuteronomy 32:1-3; Isaiah 55:8-12).

Rain In Due Season
• The remarkable prophecy of Joel 2:23 promises the
FORMER and the LATTER RAIN in the FIRST
MONTH- the FEAST of TABERNACLES. That is, a
DOUBLE PORTION of RAIN! Note the RAIN of the
SPIRIT and the WORD so far have been but
“showers of blessing” (Ezekiel 34:26). In the LAST
DAYS, the FEAST of TABERNACLES is to see a
MIGHTY DELUGE of the SPIRIT, a universal
OUTPOURING of the SPIRIT (Joel 2:28-31). This
will be accompanied by SIGNS and WONDERS and
GIFTS of the HOLY SPIRIT, as well as
REVELATION and ILLUMINATION in the WORD of
GOD beyond all that has ever been in Church
History. It will touch every nation, both Jewish and
Gentile.

Rain In Due Season
• This DOUBLE PORTION RAIN of the
SEVENTH DAY is equivalent to the RAIN
which came at the “SEVEN TIMES” praying of
Elijah (1 Kings 18:41-46). Let’s SEEK the
LORD and ASK HIM to SEND the THIRD DAY
and SEVENTH DAY RAINS on His people
(Zechariah 10:1; Hosea 6:3; 10:12; James
5:7; Joel 2:23-32; Psalm 65:9-10; 48:4;
Jeremiah 5:24; 31:10-14). Note the
OUTPOURING of the SPIRIT does not come
without PRAYER and SUPPLICATION (Acts
1:12-14; 1 Kings 18:41-46; Joel 2:1,15-17).

LORD, Send The Rains
• The CEREMONY of the FEAST of TABERNACLES
was most IMPRESSIVE and gives a DRAMATIC
picture of the LORD JESUS Christ (John 7:37-39).
Note there were SEVEN FEASTS of the LORD and
the SEVENTH FEAST- the FEAST of
TABERNACLES- lasted for SEVEN DAYS. On
EACH of the SEVEN DAYS, the people came to the
TEMPLE and brought some FRUIT as an
OFFERING and a few PALM and WILLOW
BRANCHES. The BRANCHES were used to form a
ROOF over the ALTAR. Then the PRIEST took a
GOLDEN PITCHER and led the people in a
PROCESSIONAL down to the POOL of SILOAM
where he filled the PITCHER with WATER.

• During this MARCH the people PLAYED the FLUTE
and SANG the HILLEL, which was Psalms 113-118.
On the RETURN MARCH, as the PITCHER of
WATER passed through the WATER GATE, the
people repeated in unison: “With joy shall you draw
water out of the wells of salvation” (Isaiah 12:3).
When the PITCHER reached the ALTAR, the
WATER was POURED OUT over the ALTAR as an
OFFERING unto the LORD. While this was being
done, the people waved PALM BRANCHES and
recited the words: “Save now, I beseech You, O
LORD! O LORD, I beseech You, send now
prosperity!” (Psalm 118:25) Note they ASKED the
LORD to SEND the RAINS (Zechariah 10:1).

• The idea of the PROCESSIONAL was to
THANK GOD for RAIN and to OFFER PRAYER
unto the LORD for MORE RAIN and for a
FRUITFUL SEASON in the COMING YEAR. In
this way, the people ACKNOWLEDGED their
need and dependence upon GOD for the
RAINS, the WATER that gave them the FRUIT
of the GROUND and the BOUNTY of LIFE. The
LAST DAY of the FEAST was highly active, in
that the people repeated the PROCESSIONAL
SEVEN TIMES. Note ELIJAH PRAYED for
RAIN SEVEN TIMES (1 Kings 18:43-44).

• Prophetically, the FEAST of TABERNACLES will
be CELEBRATED and FULFILLED in the LAST
DAYS as the LORD returns. The FEAST of
TABERNACLES symbolizes the JOY, LIBERTY,
and VICTORY of the BELIEVER through the
wilderness experience of life and the GLORIOUS
PROVISION of GOD. In that DAY, the LORD will
ETERNALLY PROVIDE for HIS PEOPLE as He
will PERMANENTLY DWELL among them as
LORD and KING (Zechariah 14:16; Revelation
20:4-6; 21:3,7). In this SEVENTH DAY, we must
CRY OUT to the LORD for the RAINS (Zechariah
10:1). Only He can HEAL our BARRENNESS! (2
Chronicles 7:14)

Ask For The Rains
•It is TIME for GOD to POUR OUT the
LATTER RAIN and FORMER RAIN on
all that you have planted! Why do you
plant a garden? Because there is a LAW
of SEEDTIME and HARVEST! (Genesis
8:22) You must DRESS for the SEASON
you are in. You must PREPARE for the
OUTPOURING of RAIN that GOD is
RELEASING on you! PRINCIPLE: But
why ASK for RAIN in the TIME of
LATTER RAIN, when RAIN is already on
GOD’S AGENDA?

Ask For The Rains
†We must LINE UP (position, posture)
our lives with what GOD has
MANDATED- covenant people.
†We must discern HIS AGENDA at HIS
TIME = what HE is doing in the earth.
We cannot expect SUNSHINE if we
are asking for RAIN - there will be
CLOUDS and THUNDER; the sky will
be DARK and STORMY.

Ask For The Rains
• Deuteronomy 11:7-9 says, “But your eyes
have seen all the great acts of the LORD
which He did. Therefore, shall you keep
all the commandments which I command
you this day, that you may be strong, and
go in and possess the land, whither you
go to possess it. And that you may
prolong your days in the land, which the
LORD swore unto your fathers to give
unto them and to their seed, a land that
flows with milk and honey.” GO IN and
GET IT! It ALREADY belongs to you!

Ask For The Rains
• Verses 10-11 continue, “For the land, which you are
going in to possess, is NOT AS THE LAND of
EGYPT, from whence you came out, where you
sowed your seed, and WATERED IT WITH YOUR
FOOT, as a garden of herbs: But the land, which you
are going to possess, is a land of hills and valleys,
and drinks WATER OF THE RAIN OF HEAVEN”.
What GOD has promised us is BIGGER than a
GARDEN of HERBS. It is BIGGER than our WATER
CANS; it requires the RAINS of HEAVEN! The TIME
of the LATTER RAIN is a NEW DIMENSION. It is
nothing like what you’ve come from. It’s too BIG to
water BY HAND (...laboriously..., AMP). Throughout
this ministry, we must be delivered from a WATER-
CAN MENTALITY.

Ask For The Rains
• The END-TIME HARVEST will necessitate the
RAIN OF HEAVEN! It is TIME to ENTER the
THIRD DAY of the CHURCH and the SEVENTH
DAY of the LORD! It is TIME for the THIRD DAY
and SEVENTH DAY OUTPOURING! It is TIME
for the THIRD LAYER of GLORY! It is TIME for
the THIRD DIMENSION of POWER! It is TIME to
ENTER the FEAST of TABERNACLES. “LORD,
send the rains of Heaven on our lives! Rain on
our churches, homes, families, communities,
regions, nations! Fill us up! Soak us! Send a
mighty deluge! May Your seed grow in us until
we advance the Kingdom for You! In JESUS
NAME! Amen!”

Conclusion
• Proverbs 14:34 says, “Righteousness (sedaqa- right
acts, justice) exalts (ramam- lifts up, promotes) a
nation: but sin (ḥaṭṭa’t- offence, habitual penalty) is a
reproach (hesed- wicked thing, reproof) to any
people”. That is to say, RIGHT ACTIONS among a
group of people have beneficial and uplifting effects.
However, when people CONTINUALLY DO
WRONG it becomes THEIR DISGRACE and
SHAME. Nevertheless, when PEOPLE REPENT of
their sins, the LORD promised to RESTORE them
(Hosea 6:2). To heighten the anticipation, He
promised to do it QUICKLY- within TWO or THREE
DAYS (v. 2). This expression indicates that REVIVAL
QUICKLY occurs. That is to say, they would
immediately LIVE in GOD’S PRESENCE unbroken
fellowship.

Conclusion
• The idea suggests being restored to an Edenic
environment or Promised Land- flowing with milk
and honey. Note if the PEOPLE REPENTED of
their SINS, then the LORD would QUICKLY
accept and RESTORE them (2 Chronicles 7:14).
As a matter of fact, the LORD will EMERGE like
the SUNRISE from His hiding place (Hosea 6:3).
He will POUR OUT HIS BLESSINGS like the
EARLY and LATE RAINS that water the earth
(Hosea 6:3; Joel 2:23). In other words, He would
COME LIKE the RAINS- restoring prosperity
(Joel 2:24-27; Hosea 6:3; Zechariah 10:1;
Deuteronomy 11:13-15).

The days of elijah (part 4)

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The days of elijah (part 4)