Dr. Terry Threadwell's Blog

Elisha then picked up Elijah’s cloak that had fallen from him and went back and stood on the bank of the Jordan. He took the cloak that had fallen from Elijah and struck the water with it. “Where now is the LORD, the God of Elijah?” he asked. When he struck the water, it divided to the right and to the left, and he crossed over. The company of the prophets from Jericho, who were watching, said, “The spirit of Elijah is resting on Elisha.” And they went to meet him and bowed to the ground before him.  (2Ki 2:13-15 NIV)

There he went into a cave and spent the night. And the word of the LORD came to him: “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.”  The LORD said, “Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the LORD, for the LORD is about to pass by.” Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the LORD, but the LORD was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the LORD was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper.  When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, “What are you doing here, Elijah?” He replied, “I have been very zealous for the LORD God Almighty. The Israelites have rejected your covenant, torn down your altars, and put your prophets to death with the sword. I am the only one left, and now they are trying to kill me too.” The LORD said to him, “Go back the way you came, and go to the Desert of Damascus. When you get there, anoint Hazael king over Aram. Also, anoint Jehu son of Nimshi king over Israel, and anoint Elisha son of Shaphat from Abel Meholah to succeed you as prophet. (1Ki 19:9-16 NIV)

 ah had allowed the words spoken against him by Jezebel to affect him, and so he takes off running.  In the New Testament, the Apostle John mentions the prophetess Jezebel as a follower of antinomianism, the belief that a Christian is under no obligation to any moral or ethical law, the spirit of this age. Twice God asks “What are you doing here, Elijah?” Twice Elijah gives a lame excuse that the persecution was more than he could stand and that he was the only one left.  God sends him away with a commission to anoint Hazael, Jehu, and Elisha.  Only one out of the three was anointed, Elisha.  As a passing comment, God tells Elijah that he still had several hundred that had not given into Jezebel.

Elijah was taken up, and his mantle fell to the ground.  Elisha could have just walked away, but he chooses to pick up the mantle and walk in the spirit and power of Elijah with twice the anointing.  How much more effective will the Christian be, ministering in that same Spirit and power only this time with the fullness of the Spirit.  Will you pick up the mantle and stand against the spirit of the age?

Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet Before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD. And he will turn the hearts of the fathers to the children, And the hearts of the children to their fathers, Lest I come and strike the earth with a curse.” (Mal 4:5-6 NKJ)

“For he will be great in the sight of the Lord, and shall drink neither wine nor strong drink. He will also be filled with the Holy Spirit, even from his mother’s womb. “And he will turn many of the children of Israel to the Lord their God. “He will also go before Him in the spirit and power of Elijah, `to turn the hearts of the fathers to the children,’ and the disobedient to the wisdom of the just, to make ready a people prepared for the Lord.” (Luk 1:15-17 NKJ)

John came in the spirit and power of Elijah, but he wasn’t Elijah.  Malachi’s prophecy talks about sending Elijah before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the LORD.  The time period places this prophecy before the second coming of Christ.  So is Elijah coming again—not in the flesh, but I do believe that the Church is meant to be the fulfillment of this prophecy, in the spirit and power of Elijah. 

Elijah presented a counter-culture; hence Ahab called him a ‘troubler of Israel.’  The Church then should pick up Elijah’s mantle, and make a difference in the world, ushering in the Kingdom of God.

Now the whole earth had one language and one speech. And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar, and they dwelt there.  Then they said to one another, “Come, let us make bricks and bake them thoroughly.” They had brick for stone, and they had asphalt for mortar. And they said, “Come, let us build ourselves a city, and a tower whose top is in the heavens; let us make a name for ourselves, lest we be scattered abroad over the face of the whole earth.” But the LORD came down to see the city and the tower which the sons of men had built. And the LORD said, “Indeed the people are one and they all have one language, and this is what they begin to do; now nothing that they propose to do will be withheld from them. (Gen 11:1-6 NKJ)

Humanity had divided into two groups, the nomadic herders, and the city dwellers.  The nomads represented those who trusted in God and listened to his leading and guiding.  The city dwellers, from the line of Cain, were still following in the foolishness of Adam.  They believed that they had no need of God and put their trust in walls of protection and a tower that would reach into the heavens. Even the materials they used were man made and not God given.

The one overarching principle, however, that even today we fail to grasp is the power of unity. Even God recognized the potential of unity. The Psalmist says, “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is For brethren to dwell together in unity! (Psa 133:1 NKJ)

Today, even Christians cannot agree, arguing over the smallest items of doctrine and dogma. When it comes to those who worship the God of Abraham, we listen to the world for advice and not the Spirit speaking to our heart. I want to be the Christian that has no need of walls but rather chooses to trust God, and if I do any building, it will be with the language of peace, justice, and reconciliation.

Therefore he sent horses and chariots and a great army there, and they came by night and surrounded the city. And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered, “Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. So when the Syrians came down to him, Elisha prayed to the LORD, and said, “Strike this people, I pray, with blindness.” And He struck them with blindness according to the word of Elisha. (2Ki 6:14-18 NKJ)

The enemy surrounded the city like an impenetrable wall.  The moment Elisha’s servant saw them, fear gripped his heart. He was probably at the worst possible place in his life, knowing he could not fight nor run.  All he could do, so he thought, was to submit and capitulate to the enemy.  At best, the enemy might keep him as a slave. At worst, he would lose his life.

Politically, there is a lot of talk these days about building a wall between the US and Mexico.  What we don’t see is the wall that the enemy is building in the hearts and minds of the people, a wall of fear.  Fear of immigrants, refugees, Muslims, fear based on color, sexual orientation, even a fear of authority as we see evidence of police brutality by the few, and so the wall gets higher. The lie is that a wall will keep us safe and secure. The reality is as that if we submit and capitulate to fear, fear will paralyze us, making us ineffectual. The key to making America great again is not building a wall of fear. Instead, we should:

1.      See the host of heaven that surrounds us and know that God is the only one who can help us. Therefore, love him, trust him and surrender only to him.

2.      Create a circle of love, and invite your neighbors to join the circle, Muslim, Christian, gay, black or white.  There should be nobody excluded from the circle of love (Isa 56).  Then let those circles like with other circles tearing down the wall of fear.

3.      Let peace and justice be the banner for all and change the light bulb in the lamp held by liberty.  Making it bigger and brighter.  Fear functions in darkness, therefore shine the light even brighter. (Isa 60)

In God we trust should be a lifestyle, not a motto. #teardownthewall

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. (Heb 12:1-2 NKJ)

I have always thought of the scripture as meaning that the great cloud of witnesses consists of those that have gone before, having run their race, they now cheer us on, and I believe that to be a correct exegesis. However, as I sit at home, just past midnight, it struck me that not only am I surrounded by a heavenly throng but a vibrant living cloud of witnesses, each one offering worship to God.

Those from a different faith community, Catholic, Orthodox, Mennonite, and Quaker, as well as all the various evangelical groups.  Then we add culture, and you have the Syrian Orthodox church that chants and sings in Aramaic, or the First Nation people that seek to be in tuned with the Spirit and creation.

Today I start a course teaching world religions at the university.  During the eight-week, I will take the students through Hinduism, Judaism, Christianity, Buddhism, and Islam. With the exception of Hinduism and Buddhism, I believe that Christianity, Islam, and Judaism have more to agree upon than disagree.  All three are Abrahamic and worship one God. Perhaps we’re a bit like cousins?

So added to the crescendo of praise the true Muslim worshipper calls out, “Subhaan Allah, Alhamdo lillah, Allaho Akbar,” Giving glory and praise to the great God! Or the true Jewish worshipper who lifts his or her voice, “Baruch shem k’vodo l’olam”, “Blessed be His glorious name” (Psalm 72:19

So let us pray, and as my prayer joins with others in heaven and on the earth, we bear witness to the goodness of God. “Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name! (Psa 103:1 NKJ)

O LORD, You are the portion of my inheritance and my cup; You maintain my lot. The lines have fallen to me in pleasant places; Yes, I have a good inheritance. I will bless the LORD who has given me counsel; My heart also instructs me in the night seasons. I have set the LORD always before me; Because He is at my right hand I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad, and my glory rejoices; My flesh also will rest in hope. For You will not leave my soul in Sheol, Nor will You allow Your Holy One to see corruption. You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore. (Psa 16:5-11 NKJ)

You can always tell where a person has spent their week by their attitude. The one that is full of dome, gloom, and woe probably hasn’t drawn close to God; they were just looking for company in their misery. ‘But you don’t know my situation and circumstances,’ I hear you say. No, but I remember the suffering and hardship endure by Jeremiah.  In his lament, he recalls to my mind, “Therefore I have hope. Through the LORD’S mercies, we are not consumed Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness. “The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “Therefore I hope in Him!” (Lam 3:21-24 NKJ)

I choose his presence because there I will find the fullness of joy and pleasures forevermore.

Thus says the LORD: “Though they are safe, and likewise many, Yet in this manner they will be cut down When he passes through. Though I have afflicted you, I will afflict you no more; For now I will break off his yoke from you, And burst your bonds apart.” The LORD has given a command concerning you: “Your name shall be perpetuated no longer. Out of the house of your gods I will cut off the carved image and the molded image. I will dig your grave, For you are vile.” Behold, on the mountains The feet of him who brings good tidings, Who proclaims peace! O Judah, keep your appointed feasts, Perform your vows. For the wicked one shall no more pass through you; He is utterly cut off.  (Nah 1:12-15 NKJ)

The message is twofold. First to Assyria warning them of their imminent destruction by the invading armies may seem to be a passing event.  However, God reminds them that they themselves, the gods, which are vile and their name will be no more.  They will all go to the grave. So many countries throughout history have gone that way.

Then to Judah, he speaks. First, he warns them to take heed of Assyria’s outcome and ‘keep thy solemn feasts, perform thy vows.’ Keeping themselves in the Law will keep them close to God and thereby safe. The alternative is that they too may follow the way of Assyria. The blessing comes when Judah is told that Assyria will never attack them again, they are gone.

What can we learn from this text? James gives us some good advice that parallels God’s advice to Judah.  He says, “Draw near to God, and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up.  (Jam 4:8-10 NKJ) Our eternal inheritances are conditional upon our relationship with God.

The LORD is slow to anger and great in power, And will not at all acquit the wicked. The LORD has His way In the whirlwind and in the storm, And the clouds are the dust of His feet. He rebukes the sea and makes it dry, And dries up all the rivers. Bashan and Carmel wither, And the flower of Lebanon wilts. The mountains quake before Him, The hills melt, And the earth heaves at His presence, Yes, the world and all who dwell in it. Who can stand before His indignation? And who can endure the fierceness of His anger? His fury is poured out like fire, And the rocks are thrown down by Him. (Nah 1:3-6 NKJ)

If the people of Nineveh had any reason to doubt who this God was, Nahum spells it out for them in no uncertain terms—he is Almighty, yet slow to anger. Peter tells us, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance. (2Pe 3:9 NKJ) The Assyrians should not misinterpret this as weakness, for the wicked will not escape his judgment. God’s power is seen throughout creation, and he will blow the Assyrians away like dust on the ground.

How often do we see and hear of unusual weather patterns and natural phenomena and attribute it to global warming or just nature? Yet, could it be that God is trying to get our attention?

forA report on the problem of Nineveh, the way God gave Nahum of Elkosh to see it: God is serious business. He won’t be trifled with. He avenges his foes. He stands up against his enemies, fierce and raging. But God doesn’t lose his temper. He’s powerful, but it’s a patient power. Still, no one gets by with anything. Sooner or later, everyone pays. Tornadoes and hurricanes are the wake of his passage, storm clouds are the dust he shakes off his feet. Nahum 1:1-3. MSG

But God doesn’t lose his temper; he is patient. God send Jonah to Nineveh to share the light, and the people respond by repenting of their sin.  But over a period of time, about 100 years, the city and the people fell back into their sinful ways.  The amazing thing is, that if the king and the people had turned from their ways, God would have again relented. (Jon 3:10) Most times the cities survive, and the nation is destroyed.  This time city and nation would be ransacked.

God loves you! In fact, he is jealous for you, not will to give you up to another.  But the blessing of God in our lives, the light and the life we live depend on us having a healthy, vibrant, living relationship with God.  We were created to be image bearers, carrying the image of God.  We were meant to live our lives worshipping God, reflecting the image and glory back to God and into all creation.

So what happens when we walk out on God?  The reality is we walk out on the blessings; we walk out on an inheritance.  We remove ourselves from the protection and provision of God.  In effect, we become an enemy of God because we set ourselves up as gods, prideful and arrogant.  We forget that he is the LORD God Almighty and that we need him more than he needs us.  Yet he holds out his hand in love.

Luke 11:29–32

When the crowds were increasing, Jesus began to say, “This generation is an evil generation; it asks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah. For just as Jonah became a sign to the people of Nineveh, so the Son of Man will be to this generation. The queen of the South will rise at the judgment with the people of this generation and condemn them, because she came from the ends of the earth to listen to the wisdom of Solomon, and see, something greater than Solomon is here! The people of Nineveh will rise up at the judgment with this generation and condemn it, because they repented at the proclamation of Jonah, and see, something greater than Jonah is here!”

The people in Jesus’ day were constantly looking for a sign, and yet God gave them a sign, before there very eye’s, and they did not see it. Missed him completely and actually crucified him. Are we any better today, when was the last time that you stopped and realized that God was speaking or showing you something? We live in a day and time when the average person is in sensory overload. Even this morning, the news was one major event after another, and the news presenters treated it as though it was just another day.  Let me give you an example.  Much of the nation is in a state of drought; thirty-two wildfires are sweeping across the southern states of America. In Isaiah or Jeremiah’s day, they would have said that God was judging the nation.  Drought in the Bible is always symbolic of judgment and rain brings forth a harvest, and yet, most people did not give it a second thought.

Perhaps we should be asking the Lord to tune us into the words, sights, and actions of God in these days? Even to taking the time to stop and enjoy the creation us, or to be thankful for the many blessings. God is still showing us signs, and speaking to us, are you seeing and listening?