JOHN THE BAPTIST, THE PROPHET ELIJAH AND YOU
October 11, 2015
October 11, 2015
I have always found John the Baptist an interesting person, but recently I was captured by the comments of Jesus when he said, “…there has not risen one greater than John the Baptist”. (Matthew 11:11) I wondered what made John the Baptist greater than all others? Then Jesus continued in this scripture by saying, “…but he who is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he”. Wow! Is Jesus really saying that we (Christians) are greater than John the Baptist? I had to know more.
John’s parents, Zacharias and Elizabeth, were both from the line of Aaron, the first priest. They were both advanced in years and had not been blessed with a child. During performing his duties in the temple, Gabriel appeared to Zacharias and proclaimed that he and his wife would have a son that was to be named Jochanan (John-which means “Yahweh is gracious” in Hebrew). This became the “miraculous conception”, much like Abraham and Sarah.
John’s parents, Zacharias and Elizabeth, were both from the line of Aaron, the first priest. They were both advanced in years and had not been blessed with a child. During performing his duties in the temple, Gabriel appeared to Zacharias and proclaimed that he and his wife would have a son that was to be named Jochanan (John-which means “Yahweh is gracious” in Hebrew). This became the “miraculous conception”, much like Abraham and Sarah.
Gabriel proclaimed that John would be filled with the Spirit within the womb, never drink wine or strong drink (Nazarite vow), go before the Lord in the spirit and power of Elijah, and make ready the people for the Lord. That in it self is a great calling! Then Gabriel takes off and in about six months visits Mary to proclaim the “immaculate conception” to her.
The story continues when Mary comes to visit Elizabeth and John (in the womb) jumps for joy; he and his mother are filled with the Holy Spirit! A six month old fetus can have discernment and be touched by the Holy Spirit!! (Good thing that neither Elizabeth or Mary were Pro-Choice!)
The story continues when Mary comes to visit Elizabeth and John (in the womb) jumps for joy; he and his mother are filled with the Holy Spirit! A six month old fetus can have discernment and be touched by the Holy Spirit!! (Good thing that neither Elizabeth or Mary were Pro-Choice!)
When John is born, his father prophesies over him that he will be a prophet preparing the way of the Messiah, that he would bring knowledge of salvation, preach repentance and baptism, and bring the light of the kingdom. With a father professing all those blessings over his son, how could John fail? What are fathers (or mothers) professing over their children these days??? Do we bless or curse our children??
Once John is old enough to leave home (this would be early teens and not the 30s of today’s society) he headed out for the wilderness. Why? To get away from the influence of the world! To get alone with God! To die to his flesh! He joins those other “set apart” people: Moses, David, Jacob, Jesus. In order to do what God wants us to do, we have to get the world culture out of us. I’m not up for eating locust and honey, although I found out that locust has more protein than grain does. I don’t want to dress in a camel skin either, but Elijah did. (2 Kings 1:8) But I do understand that we can get so caught up in being like the world that we can’t do anything for God. We get into financial slavery because of all the “things” we think we need to buy, we sacrifice our morals and standards on the altar of entertainment, people pleasing and being politically correct. We have been intimidated by the “agendas” of this world that call us haters and small minded because we don’t agree with them. But FEAR was not John’s problem.
John had to face the Pharisees and Sadducees (the Conservatives and Liberals of his day) who came out of the cities to hear what he had to say. This was understandable since there had not been a prophet in Israel for 400 years. I’m sure they were disappointed when he didn’t get caught up in their disagreements (politics) or choose sides. Instead, he walked faithfully in the calling that was on his life. He taught that all had sinned and needed to repent, die to self (baptism) and turn to the Messiah. He was not distracted by political or religious worldviews but only God’s purpose in his life. We should check our alignment ties. Are we more in league with a certain political party platform, a social group (including churches), a cultural mindset, or an economic status that we have forgotten or displaced the calling of God on our lives? Remember….our calling is some how greater than John the Baptist!
The biggest problem that faced John the Baptist was the same that Elijah faced….Witchcraft! Now before you start blaming all the manipulating women for the problems of the world, remember that men can walk in witchcraft as well. That is made clear by I Samuel 15:23: For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. John encountered the sin of rebellion against God’s word.
John preached against sin and had no problems in confronting King Herod with his adulterous marriage with Herodias. It truly was quite the family affair. Herodias had married her uncle, then Herod (her other uncle) stole her from his brother, then divorces his wife and marries Herodias. Then when John confronts Herod and Herodias about their sins, Herodias presses Herod to arrest John. She is not satisfied with his arrest, but encourages her daughter to dance seductively before her step-father/uncle. (Talk about dysfunctional family. ) Herod, was so lustfully pleased, that he promised her anything up to half of his kingdom. But she, encouraged by her mother, asked for John’s head on a platter. And that’s what she got.
Jezebel was Elijah’s problem. Elijah was a great prophet who stopped the rain from falling, called fire from heaven, embarrassed the heathen priests of that time, but was scared to death of Jezebel. After his greatest accomplishment for God, he ran for his life and came to a place of depression and despair. What happened to these men of God? They encountered the Spirit of Witchcraft.
The biggest problem that faced John the Baptist was the same that Elijah faced….Witchcraft! Now before you start blaming all the manipulating women for the problems of the world, remember that men can walk in witchcraft as well. That is made clear by I Samuel 15:23: For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry. John encountered the sin of rebellion against God’s word.
John preached against sin and had no problems in confronting King Herod with his adulterous marriage with Herodias. It truly was quite the family affair. Herodias had married her uncle, then Herod (her other uncle) stole her from his brother, then divorces his wife and marries Herodias. Then when John confronts Herod and Herodias about their sins, Herodias presses Herod to arrest John. She is not satisfied with his arrest, but encourages her daughter to dance seductively before her step-father/uncle. (Talk about dysfunctional family. ) Herod, was so lustfully pleased, that he promised her anything up to half of his kingdom. But she, encouraged by her mother, asked for John’s head on a platter. And that’s what she got.
Jezebel was Elijah’s problem. Elijah was a great prophet who stopped the rain from falling, called fire from heaven, embarrassed the heathen priests of that time, but was scared to death of Jezebel. After his greatest accomplishment for God, he ran for his life and came to a place of depression and despair. What happened to these men of God? They encountered the Spirit of Witchcraft.
Witchcraft is often associated with women and in this instance both Herodias and Jezebel operate in this spirit. Witchcraft, as explained earlier, is a rebellion against God’s laws and ways. It is also characterized by manipulation or control of one person over another. If the person cannot control you, then they seek to destroy you or put you in doubt and fear. They will seek out those in particular who are called to be prophets of God. Are you called to preach, teach, proclaim, rebuke, encourage? (prophecy in Greek: prophēteia - the gifts and utterances of these prophets, set apart to teach the gospel, will accomplish for the kingdom of Christ; Blueletterbible.org.)
The Jezebel spirit is still alive and active today. Jezebel worshipped Baal, a god of the rains, a god that would cause crops to grow, a god that would bring prosperity. The worship of Baal was all about selfish will, selfish wants, selfish desires without submission or lordship. Baal promised to provide everything and demanded nothing. This sounds a lot like many of the Christian churches today that preach prosperity but not death to self or obedience to God’s word. We find the “body of Christ” divided and often hateful of each other. What God has said is sin, is no longer taught because of a need to be user friendly and keep a large congregation’s tithes coming in.
The Jezebel spirit is still alive and active today. Jezebel worshipped Baal, a god of the rains, a god that would cause crops to grow, a god that would bring prosperity. The worship of Baal was all about selfish will, selfish wants, selfish desires without submission or lordship. Baal promised to provide everything and demanded nothing. This sounds a lot like many of the Christian churches today that preach prosperity but not death to self or obedience to God’s word. We find the “body of Christ” divided and often hateful of each other. What God has said is sin, is no longer taught because of a need to be user friendly and keep a large congregation’s tithes coming in.
I find it interesting that the symbol for Baal is a bull. This is also where we get the term “bull headed”, which means not willing to change an opinion, plan, etc; very stubborn, head strong. Bel (another term for Baal) is part of the English word rebellion, meaning to return to Baal, or to return to self will. Every time you elevate your will over God’s will, you are in rebellion.
(taken from: www.desireemmondesir.com)
(taken from: www.desireemmondesir.com)
This is why Jesus warned the Church in Rev. 2:20-23 against the Jezebel spirit. Christians must recognize the work of rebellion in their lives and REPENT! (Hopefully we know this doesn’t mean saying “I’m sorry” but means grief over our sin and a turning away from it.) Then we must act in the spirit of Elijah and John the Baptist and cry out for repentance and exhort our church family to live lives of obedience to God’s word and death to self.
Why are we greater than John the Baptist?? We have the power of the Spirit of Christ in us!! We can stand in Jesus’ authority (his name) and in His name every knee (including rebellion) must bow. (Philippians 2:9-10) Let the spirit of prophets rise in these last days!
Why are we greater than John the Baptist?? We have the power of the Spirit of Christ in us!! We can stand in Jesus’ authority (his name) and in His name every knee (including rebellion) must bow. (Philippians 2:9-10) Let the spirit of prophets rise in these last days!
