2 Kings 1:10 KJV
And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
Barnes' Notes says
"What was Elijah’s motive? And the answer is: Sharply to make a signal example, to vindicate God’s honor in a striking way. ....
Elijah was not Jesus Christ, able to reconcile mercy with truth, the vindication of God’s honor with the utmost tenderness for erring men, and awe them merely by His presence (compare John18:6). In Elijah the spirit of the Law was embodied in its full severity. His zeal was fierce; he was not shocked by blood; he had no softness and no relenting."
It goes on further down to say, "No true Christian after Pentecost would have done what Elijah did. But what he did, when he did it, was not sinful."[1]
I am reminded that James and John wanted to call fire from heaven and were rebuked for it.
Still there is such a need today for a "signal example, to vindicate God's honor in a striking way." Christianity is so diverse. We have everything from the liberal type of churches to arguments among Independent Baptists concerning what is right and true preaching.
And Elijah answered and said to the captain of fifty, If I be a man of God, then let fire come down from heaven, and consume thee and thy fifty. And there came down fire from heaven, and consumed him and his fifty.
Barnes' Notes says
"What was Elijah’s motive? And the answer is: Sharply to make a signal example, to vindicate God’s honor in a striking way. ....
Elijah was not Jesus Christ, able to reconcile mercy with truth, the vindication of God’s honor with the utmost tenderness for erring men, and awe them merely by His presence (compare John18:6). In Elijah the spirit of the Law was embodied in its full severity. His zeal was fierce; he was not shocked by blood; he had no softness and no relenting."
It goes on further down to say, "No true Christian after Pentecost would have done what Elijah did. But what he did, when he did it, was not sinful."[1]
I am reminded that James and John wanted to call fire from heaven and were rebuked for it.
Still there is such a need today for a "signal example, to vindicate God's honor in a striking way." Christianity is so diverse. We have everything from the liberal type of churches to arguments among Independent Baptists concerning what is right and true preaching.
I know that even in the Old Testament there were those disputers of the truth.
I also know that God did not destroy everyone who preached His message wrong.
But we do find in the Word of God occasions like this in the Word of God where the Lord sets the standard strait for us once again. We are able to get our spiritual bearings and remember once again where the truth lies.
O Lord, we need that once again. We need something that wipes away the confusion in the eyes of men. We need a "signal example" that sets men on the right course once again.
O Lord, we need that once again. We need something that wipes away the confusion in the eyes of men. We need a "signal example" that sets men on the right course once again.
[1] E-Sword 7.7.7, Albert Barnes' Notes on the Bible, Albert Barnes (1798-1870)
Signal Example: Katrina? Tidal waves in Maylaisia? Wars? Rumors of wars? "Even if one is raised from the dead, they will not believe..." I really believe that Christians will not be here to experience too many more signal events. Is it possible that drugs are fulfilling the prophecy: in the end they will not be able to understand the message of salvation?
ReplyDeleteThe only reason those might not qualify is because there wasn't a major turning to God because of them.
ReplyDeleteOur country has yet to bow, as the third captain did....
Oh for that day!