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Commentary on "Elijah's and Elisha's Mantle"
Day 7: Friday, May 6, 2011 - Further Study
Overview
Today we are wrapping up our study of Elijah’s mantle by considering just what was Elijah’s ministry and how does that apply to our day and age.
Ellen White stated that “Elijah, who had been translated to heaven without seeing death, represented those who will be living upon the earth at Christ’s second coming…” The Desire of Ages, p. 422.
We will examine scripture to see if what she said is true or not.
Observations
In all of scripture there is no indication that Elijah represented those Christians who are alive on the earth when our Bridegroom, Jesus Christ, returns to claim his bride, both the living and the dead. One problem not addressed in Adventist theology is how Elijah can be in heaven with God now when he is just as much a sinner as all others born into Adam’s fallen race. For the Sanctuary and Investigative Judgment doctrines to be consistent, he too should have had to await the results of this investigation along with the rest of us.
Our best understanding of Elijah’s ministry is to examine the life of John the Baptist where he said; “I am a voice of one crying out in the wilderness: Make straight the way of the Lord” and then said: “Here is the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world”, John 1:6-34. Elijah pointed forward to the coming Messiah with the need for Israel to repent of her idolatry. John pointed to the Messiah’s actual arrival with the same need for repentance.
In Matt. 17:1-11we learn of the Transfiguration where both Moses and Elijah speak with Jesus and God the Father speaks from a cloud where he says; “this is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased”. When asked by the disciples when Elijah would return to earth, Jesus states that he has already come in the person of John the Baptist. In this account we have the words of Jesus explaining what the role of Elijah was in the person of John the Baptist.
In Rev. 11:1-14 we have to the two witnesses who ‘brought judgment to those who live on the earth’. One of the two is most likely going to be Elijah. After their testimony is complete they are murdered and lay dead for three and a half days. Great fear comes upon the people when they are brought back to life.
Summary
- Ellen White did not understand the ministry of Elijah.
- Elijah had one consistent message for all ages. Make straight your ways and repent of your sins because the coming of your Messiah is at hand.
Copyright 2011 BibleStudiesForAdventists.com. All rights reserved. Revised April 16, 2011. This website is published by Life Assurance Ministries, Glendale, Arizona, USA, the publisher of Proclamation! Magazine. Contact email: BibleStudiesForAdventists@gmail.com.
The Sabbath School Bible Study Guide and the corresponding E.G. White Notes are published by Pacific Press Publishing Association, which is owned and operated by the Seventh-day Adventist church. The current quarter's editions are pictured above.
Official Adventist Resources
Standard Edition Study Guide Week 6
Teacher's Edition Study Guide Week 6
Easy Reading Edition Study Guide Wk 6
Search the Complete Published Ellen G. White Writings
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