Chapter 14—“In the Spirit and Power of Elias”
Through the long centuries that have passed since Elijah’s time, the
record of his lifework has brought inspiration and courage to those who
have been called to stand for the right in the midst of apostasy. And for
us, “upon whom the ends of the world are come” (
1 Corinthians 10:11
),
it has special significance. History is being repeated. The world today
has its Ahabs and its Jezebels. The present age is one of idolatry, as
verily as was that in which Elijah lived. No outward shrine may be
visible; there may be no image for the eye to rest upon; yet thousands
are following after the gods of this world—after riches, fame, pleasure,
and the pleasing fables that permit man to follow the inclinations of
the unregenerate heart. Multitudes have a wrong conception of God
and His attributes, and are as truly serving a false god as were the
worshipers of Baal. Many even of those who claim to be Christians
have allied themselves with influences that are unalterably opposed to
God and His truth. Thus they are led to turn away from the divine and
[178]
to exalt the human.
The prevailing spirit of our time is one of infidelity and apostasy—
a spirit of avowed illumination because of a knowledge of truth, but
in reality of the blindest presumption. Human theories are exalted
and placed where God and His law should be. Satan tempts men and
women to disobey, with the promise that in disobedience they will
find liberty and freedom that will make them as gods. There is seen a
spirit of opposition to the plain word of God, of idolatrous exaltation
of human wisdom above divine revelation. Men have allowed their
minds to become so darkened and confused by conformity to worldly
customs and influences that they seem to have lost all power to dis-
criminate between light and darkness, truth and error. So far have
they departed from the right way that they hold the opinions of a few
philosophers, so-called, to be more trustworthy than the truths of the
Bible. The entreaties and promises of God’s word, its threatenings
against disobedience and idolatry—these seem powerless to melt their
hearts. A faith such as actuated Paul, Peter, and John they regard as
114